Recap: Boston College 42, Syracuse 14

Saturday, November 25

Syracuse, NY

12:20 pm

Syracuse University

4-8 , 2-6

Boston College

7-5 , 4-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Boston College

Syracuse

Photo by: Charles Wainwright

11/25/2017 2:27:00 PM | Football

Box Score Cuse TV: Highlights Cuse TV: Dino Babers Press Conference Cuse TV: Players Press Conference Photo Gallery Postgame Notes Quotes

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Bowl-game bound Boston College (7-5, 4-4 ACC) spoiled the first career start for Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper and posted a 42-14 victory over the Orange in the regular-season finale for both teams Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse finished the season 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the ACC.

Boston College was able to shorten the game with its rushing attack. The Eagles ran for 333 yards and controlled the ball for 35 minutes compared to 25 minutes for Syracuse.

Culpepper threw for 280 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for the Orange. He completed 24 of his 34 passes, including 19 to the combination of Steve Ishmael and Ervin Philips. Ishmael, who caught 11 balls, and Philips who snagged eight, finished the 2017 season with 194 receptions between them, a new ACC record for a set of teammates.

HOW IT WAS DECIDED
The visiting Eagles "rode the horse that brought 'em," specifically 240-pound tailback AJ Dillon. Boston College scored on its opening drive, a 12-play, 73-yard march capped by Dillon's 22-yard touchdown run. It was the first of three touchdowns from Dillon who also scored on runs of eight yards in the second quarter and one yard in the third.

Overall, the Eagles scored four rushing touchdowns in the game, including three in the first half, as they built a 28-14 halftime advantage.

A 17-yard scoring pass from Culpepper to Philips with 5:52 left in the second quarter proved to be Syracuse's final points.

BABERS' TAKE
"Obviously, I'm disappointed about the loss and the seniors leaving in this manner, but hats off to Boston College," Orange head coach Dino Babers said.

"It was a physical football game. They ran the ball extremely well and it was difficult to stop them. Their quarterback threw for an extremely high percentage. And obviously, with the turnovers, the game can get away from you a little bit."

OF NOTE
Ishmael set two program marks during the course of the game. With his 37-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter, he became the Syracuse career leader in receiving yards, passing Marvin Harrison (2,728 yards). Ishmael also set a standard for season catches, breaking the mark of 94 owned by Amba Etta-Tawo.

Ishmael totaled 11 receptions for 187 yards in his final game in a Syracuse uniform. His 2017 season totals were 105 catches for 1,347 yards and seven touchdowns. His 105 season catches rank second in ACC history behind only Jamison Crowder (Duke) who had 108 in 2013.

Ishmael completed his career with 218 catches, 2,891 yards and 18 scores.

Philips added eight receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown. He completed his senior season with 89 catches, 904 yards and four touchdowns.

Boston College quarterback Darius Wade was efficient when asked to throw the football. He completed 16-of-20 passes for 248 yards and a touchdown. Wade teamed with 10 different Eagle receivers.

Senior linebacker Parris Bennett had 12 of his game-high 14 tackles in the first half. Redshirt senior linebacker Austin Valdez and sophomore safety Evan Foster each had 10 stops for Syracuse.

Dillon finished the afternoon with 193 yards on 23 carries.

SENIOR SALUTE
The 18 members of the Syracuse program who were honored prior to the game as part of Senior Day were: Clay Austin, Sean Avant, Parris Bennett, Devin M. Butler, Zaire Franklin, Alex Grossman, Nathan Hines, Harrison Hope (mgr.), Steve Ishmael, Jake Larosche (mgr.), Zack Mahoney, Jordan Martin, Jamar McGloster, Cole Murphy, Chris Peters (mgr.), Ervin Philips, Jonathan Thomas and Austin Valdez.

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