Monthly Archives: November 2015

Same old? A spark?

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Thadd Smith touchdown, an occasion too infrequent

Thadd Smith touchdown, an occasion too infrequent for the Eagles overall

Against North Carolina State yesterday, BC had more first downs (16-12) and more offensive plays (71-60), gained more yards passing (257-212), and possessed the ball three minutes longer than the Wolfpack. The Eagles fell short in points, however, 24-8. The lone BC touchdown (photo above) came with only 1:21 remaining in the game.

Freshman walk-on quarterback John Fadule performed pretty well in his first start, compiling the best passing stats of any BC quarterback this season. He was 23 of 37 for 257 yards and one touchdown. He also threw three interceptions and lost a fumble, and was sacked five times.

Tyler Rouse was the Eagles’ rushing attack, with 7 carries for 48 yards. BC, with Fadule losing many yards in sacks, had only 28 yards net on the ground. NC State gained 351 yards in total offense, 212 through the air.

It was Senior Day for the Eagles. BC Athletics compiled this video of four seniors talking about their time at the Heights.

A surprising fact: The Wolfpack win was NC State’s first victory at Alumni Stadium since 1937!

BC (3-7 overall) remains winless in the ACC (0-7) and has been statistically eliminated from post-season bowl competition. The Eagles have a bye week to prepare for their next game, against Notre Dame, Nov. 21, at Fenway Park. Kickoff is at 4:30 pm PT.

Highlights

Hockey and other sports

BC’s men’s and women’s hockey teams — each ranked #2 in the country — kept steaming along this week. The women blasted BU 8-1 to bring their record to 11-0 (5-0), while the men (8-1, 3-0) swept Maine this weekend, 3-0 Saturday and 2-0 today. BC goaltender — and San Diego’s own — Thatcher Demo made 30 saves today and has shut out the opponent in six of the last seven games. That off-season hip surgery has apparently been successful.

Today’s men’s hockey game against Maine featured a donnybrook late in the third period. Six Eagles and six Black Bears received roughing penalties, with three Eagles — Casey Fitzgerald, Colin White, and Miles Wood — also getting 10-minute misconduct penalties along with three Maine players.

The women’s field hockey team fell in the semifinals of the ACC tournament to North Carolina, 3-2, Friday, but not before defeating defending champion Wake Forest, 4-3, in two overtimes on Thursday. The win over Wake was BC field hockey’s first ever in the ACC tournament, which traditionally features the nation’s best college teams.

Game closer than score, but another loss

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Freshman walk-on John Fadule. Quarterback of the future, or just near future?

Freshman walk-on John Fadule. Quarterback of the future, or just near future?

Sparked by the introduction of freshman walk-on quarterback John Fadule, BC’s offense showed more signs of life than in recent previous games, but the end result was similar — a 26-10 loss to Virginia Tech. The Eagles have now lost five straight games, are winless in the ACC, and cannot qualify for a post-season bowl game.

Otherwise, the game left many fans somewhat optimistic about upcoming games. While the difference was three scores, BC actually out-scored VaTech in the second half, 10-6. The Hokies led 20-0 at halftime. The Eagles had 15 first downs to VaTech’s 17 and gained 218 yards overall compared to 275 by VaTech.

Fadule entered the game on BC’s third possession, with the Eagles already down 10-0 and starting quarterback Troy Flutie leading BC to consecutive three-and-outs for negative yardage. On his first play, Fadule ran for 25 yards, laying his shoulder into the VaTech defender before going out of bounds.

BC’s new quarterback . . . at least for now . . . is a 6-1, 215 graduate of Wellesley High School who spent a postgraduate year at Choate last year, leading the prep school to the New England championship. He finished yesterday’s game leading the team in passing and rushing. He was 8-20 passing for 143 yards and one interception, and rushed for 53 yards.

The highlight video below, from the ACC, focuses on Virginia Tech understandably and shows only a fumble late in the game by Fadule. It does, however, show a play that seemed to take a BC touchdown away. Indeed, there were two such plays during the game, when VaTech appeared to have fumbled, the Eagles recovered and ran it for a score. Both were denied by the officials.

Next week, BC closes out its home season against NC State. Game time 9:30 am PT.

NCState2015

Good news in hockey
While the major fall sport of football has been disappointing, the Eagles’ men’s and women’s hockey teams are out to great starts.

The women, ranked #2 in the country, went to 10-0 with a weekend sweep of UConn, both 4-0 shutouts. BC has scored 52 goals in that span, allowing 11. Five of the last six games have been shutouts.

Sophomore defenseman Kali Flanagan had a goal and two assists in the 4-0 win over UConn.

Sophomore defenseman Kali Flanagan had a goal and two assists in the 4-0 win over UConn.

The men are ranked #4 nationally with a 5-1 record. Their most recent game was Friday, a 4-3 win over then-#5 Denver. Matthew Gaudreau, younger brother of Johnny Gaudreau, BC’s Hobey Baker award-winner from 2014, scored the game winner in the final minute.

Eagles celebrate last-minute winning goal over Denver

Eagles celebrate last-minute winning goal over Denver

You can see results in hockey and other BC sports on the Sports Schedules/Results page.