Second half thread: Syracuse 28, Boston College 14

You wouldn’t have guessed it after how he left the field against Notre Dame last week, by Syracuse Orange quarterback Eric Dungey got the start today against the Boston College Eagles. He’s also the primary reason SU leads BC, 28-14 at halftime.

For those that recall Dungey’s previous game at Boston College, he was 20-of-28 for 434 yards. On Saturday, he’s well on his way to that and more as the Eagles have been unable to stop him through the air or on the ground. The senior QB looks every much himself while completing 13 of 21 passes for 272 yards and a score, while running for three more touchdowns (and 44 more yards). The last of those was an impressive romp that included obliterating a BC defending on the way.

The game didn’t start all-positive for Syracuse, however. Boston College return man Michael Walker started off by returning the opening kick into SU territory. However, the Orange defense rallied and forced an ill-fated field goal attempt. Syracuse would create a drive of their own close to the Eagles’ red zone, but Andre Szmyt missed his own kick pretty badly from there.

Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images

BC finally got on the board with a short tight end pass with a little over three minutes left in the first quarter. But it was all Syracuse from there.

Dungey connected on a 75-yard touchdown pass to Riley shortly after the Eagles’ score. Then he added his first rushing TD before the first quarter ended — the short time frame courtesy of a forced fumble and recovery from Sterling Hofrichter on the previous kickoff. SU added its third touchdown early in the second quarter before messing around for a bit and letting Boston College trim the lead to 21-14. But Dungey’s impressive 18-yard run extended the lead to 14 once again in the late minutes of the half.

Attacking primarily through the air, Syracuse has quite a few receivers with bigger numbers already. Sean Riley leads the way with four catches for 108 yards and a TD. Sharod Johnson has two catches for 44 yards, while Taj Harris and Jamal Custis each have one catch for over 30 yards apiece. Nykeim Johnson has caught three passes for 24 yards, and also just missed a touchdown in the second quarter. Ravian Pierce and Dontae Strickland have also caught passes for Syracuse.

On the ground, Strickland lead the way with 66 yards (on six carries). Dungey’s second with 44 yards and Moe Neal also has four yards.

SU hasn’t looked great defensively, but has made the right plays in situations when it counted. Ryan Guthrie once again leads the team in tackles with seven. Guthrie, Kielan Whitner, Tyrell Richards and Kingsley Jonathan all have a tackle for loss — two of those are sacks (recorded on the final BC drive by Richards and Jonathan, respectively).

Syracuse gets the ball to start the third quarter. See you all after the game. And Go ‘CUSE!