Orange leads #17/19 Boston College 24-10 at Halftime
11/27/2004 2:55:13 PM | Football
Syracuse junior Damien Rhodes ran 69 yards for a touchdown in the game's first play from scrimmage and junior Diamond Ferri has scored two rushing touchdowns to lead SU to a 24-10 halftime lead against #17/19 Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Rhodes' 69-yard run was the longest of his career and marks the second time this season Syracuse has scored a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Rhodes gained 107 yards rushing before leaving the game in the first quarter with a leg injury. Ferri has taken over at tailback in addition to his responsibilites at safety and on the kickoff return team. Ferri has gained 84 yards and has touchdown rushes of nine and four yards. Overall, the Orange has rushed for 225 yards against the Eagles defense that entered the game as the top-ranked defense in the BIG EAST against the run (113.2 yds/g). Syracuse has 273 yards of total offense, while the Orange defense has held Boston College to just 100 yards in the first half.
After Syracuse scored on its opening possession, the Orange defense forced Boston College to punt on its first possession of the contest. However, Syracuse gave the ball back on its first play of the drive when Perry Patterson was intercepted by Ray Henderson, giving BC the ball at the Syracuse 14-yard line. SU held the Eagles to a field goal, cutting Syracuse's lead to 7-3. After neither team scored on its next possession, Ferri scored his first touchdown since the 2000 season on a seven-yard run.
Syracuse opened the second quarter with an impressive drive. The Orange gained 68-yards on the drive, all on the ground, in 10 plays taking 4 minutes and 34 seconds off the clock. Collin Barber added a 33-yard field goal to give SU a 24-3 lead. Boston College scored its first touchdown of the day on a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown in the final minute of the half.
