BC’s bowl game is in January, the Eagles will be coached by someone other than Steve Addazio, and San Diego Eagles will convoke at a new gamewatch location.

BC will play the #21 Cincinnati Bearcats (10-3), who finished second in the American Athletic Conference, in the Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl at noon on January 2, 2020. The Bearcats had wins over UCLA, South Florida, and Houston, and their three losses were to Ohio State and twice to Memphis.

The Eagles (6-6) are coached on an interim basis by Rich Gunnell ’10, MS’14, who had served as wide receivers coach on the Addazio staff. BC had announced on December 1 that Addazio would be relieved of his duties as head coach, effective immediately. It also announced on December 14 that Jeff Hafley, co-defensive coordinator for Ohio State, would replace Addazio. Hafley will take over when the Buckeyes, competing in the national championship playoffs, finish their season.

A bowl game at midday on a weekday, the day after New Year’s Day, is not the most attractive possibility for San Diego Eagles, but those of us interested and able will gather at the Green Dragon Tavern and Museum in Carlsbad. Besides having been inspired by the Revolutionary War-era tavern of the same name in Boston and serving as a museum of artifacts of the time, the Green Dragon has an even more direct link to Boston College. The daughter of the Green Dragon’s owner is Brooke Bartlett Rodriquez ’00.

The Boston College offense is set up to dominate lesser teams, particularly on the ground. Yesterday, in record-setting offensive performances, the Eagles beat the Syracuse Orangemen . . . to a pulp.

AJ Dillon, BC’s all-time leading touchdown scorer. Photo by John Munson

In its 58-27 win in Syracuse’s Carrier Dome, BC gained a school-record 691 yards in total offense, 484 of them in the first half, also a record. The Eagle’s 44 points in the first half were another school record, and put them ahead 44-20. The final 58-point total is the largest BC has ever scored against an ACC opponent.

In one seven-minute span in the sec and quarter, the Eagles scored 27 points,

On the ground, BC gained 496 yards, yet another school record. Running back AJ Dillon gained 242 yards on 35 carries (6.9 yards per carry average) and scored three touchdowns. Running mate David Bailey carried the ball 16 times and gained 173 yards (10.8 ypc), scoring two touchdowns. Freshman Zay Flowers ended up with the highest rushing average, with 30 yards in two carries.

With Syracuse focused on the run (however ineptly), BC quarterback Dennis Grosel was efficient, able to find wide open receivers for long gains. His final stats were 8 of 10 passing for 195 yards and 3 touchdowns, including TD passes of 64 and 50 yards.

In this type of game, as was the case in BC’s 59-7 loss to Clemson only a week earlier, little about the losing team is relevant.

Enjoy a ton of highlights.

BC improved to 5-4 on the season, 3-3 in the conference.

Next up, in the annual “Red Bandanna Game,” the Eagles play Florida State. Another morning game, and back at Striders.