Junior running back Jordan McDonald ran for 133 yards in the win over Syracuse yesterday.

Much as they had done against Virginia and Louisville, the Eagles jumped out to a multiple touchdown lead over Syracuse in the first half of their game yesterday. Syracuse, as had Virginia and Louisville, came back to tie and then take a 21-14 lead in the third quarter. Oh no, not that again.

And, indeed, it was not that again. With backup quarterback Grayson James stepping in for Thomas Castellanos early in the third quarter, the Eagles fought back. They scored three touchdowns in successive possessions, as well as a safety, and held off a comeback attempt by the Orange to win 37-31.

“I think it was probably the first time in a while, I would say all the way back to the beginning of the season, where we played a complete game,” said BC coach Bill O’Brien.

While each BC quarterback threw a touchdown pass, the Eagles offense was mostly on the ground. Of BC’s 378 yards total offense, 313 were by rushing, a season high. Senior running back Kye Robichaux ran 28 times for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Jordan McDonald rushed for 134 yards on 15 carries and scored a touchdown. Both Robichaux and McDonald had runs of 41 yards.

BC had only four yards passing in the first half, with Castellanos completing two passes out of seven attempts, and throwing an interception. He was sacked twice. James was five-of-six in the second half for 51 yards, no interceptions, no sacks.

Receiving touchdown passes were redshirt junior WR Lewis Bond and junior tight end Jeremiah Franklin.

In terms of offense, Syracuse was almost a mirror image of the Eagles. Syracuse QB Kyle McCord threw 48 passes, completing 31 for 392 yards and two touchdowns. He threw no interceptions, but was sacked four times. Syracuse runners had 25 carries for only 39 net yards.

Highlights (9:55)

The Eagles ended a three-game losing streak with the win and improve to 5-4 (2-3). Next game is against SMU in Dallas, Saturday, November 16, at 12:30 pm PT.