Orange Edged In Defensive Struggle, 16-13

Saturday, November 7

Syracuse, NY

2 PM

Syracuse University

1-7 , 1-6

Boston College

5-3 , 4-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Boston College

Syracuse

11/7/2020 4:48:00 PM | Football

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The Syracuse defense played one of its best games of the season and freshman quarterback JaCobian Morgan looked solid in his first career start as the Orange gave Boston College all it could handle Saturday before the Eagles emerged with a 16-13 victory in an ACC rivalry game in the Carrier Dome.

The Orange fell to 1-7 overall and 1-6 in the ACC, while Boston College improved to 5-3 overall and 4-3 in the ACC.

Morgan, the first true freshman to start at quarterback since Eric Dungey in 2015, completed 19-of-30 passes for 188 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Running back Sean Tucker returned to the lineup after missing last week with an injury and gained 52 yards on 11 carries and caught two passes for 34 yards. Wide receiver Taj Harris led all receivers with seven receptions for 61 yards, and wide receiver Anthony Queeley caught three passes for 49 yards.

Morgan directed a late touchdown drive as he connected with running back Cooper Lutz for three completions totaling 35 yards. Morgan's 14-yard scamper moved to the ball to the Boston College 1-yard line, and he hit tight end Aaron Hackett in the back of the end zone for the 1-yard touchdown that made the score 16-13.

Defensive back Rob Hanna led the Orange with eight tackles (seven solo) and linebacker Mikel Jones had seven (five solo). The Eagles entered the game ranked third in the ACC with 268.4 passing yards per game, but the Orange limited Boston College's air attack to 208 yards.

Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec completed 20 of 29 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown. Running back David Bailey gained 125 yards on 25 carries, while running back Travis Levy rushed for 73 yards on 17 carries and caught four passes for 33 yards. Eagles wide receiver Zay Flowers caught six passes for 64 yards and a 20-yard touchdown.

Morgan, who connected with Queeley on a 31-yard pass in the first quarter, completed 5 of 6 passes for 51 yards on a long drive early in the second quarter that was capped by Andre Szmyt's 35-yard field goal that tied the score at 3.

Morgan and Harris nearly teamed up on a 25-yard touchdown on that drive as Harris snared a perfectly lofted pass in the corner of the end zone. But Harris' foot just caught the sideline and the drive ended with Szmyt's field goal.

Trailing 10-3 at the half, the Orange struck first in the third quarter as Morgan completed three passes for 20 yards and Tucker gained 20 on the ground to set up Szmyt's 46-yard field goal. Szmyt's 3-pointer was the 54th of his collegiate career and moved him into third on Syracuse's all-time list.

Boston College drove to the Orange 15, but defensive tackle McKinley Williams dropped Levy for a 2-yard loss and linebacker Tyrell Richards pressured Jurkovec on a blitz to force an incomplete pass. The Eagles had to settle for Aaron Boumerhi's second field goal of the game as Syracuse remained within one touchdown, 13-6.

With Boston College facing a third-and-1 from its own 29 early in the fourth quarter, Syracuse linebacker Geoff Cantin-Arku stuffed Jurkovec's sneak attempt and the Eagles were forced to punt. Nykeim Johnson caught the punt at the Orange 21, cut left and then changed direction to pick up 24 yards on the return.

The Orange defense held again on the Eagles' next possession. On third-and-1 from the Boston College 46, defensive end Cody Roscoe led the charge that dropped Bailey for a 2-yard loss to force another punt.

Saturday's game was the 54^th meeting between the schools, and Syracuse still leads the series 32-22 with a 4-4 record against the Eagles since they became ACC rivals. Boston College is the fifth-most frequent opponent in Orange history, and second behind Pittsburgh among ACC foes.

Next, the Orange will have their second bye week next weekend before resuming their season against ACC foe Louisville (2-5, 1-5 ACC) at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.