FACTS & STATS: Site: Carter-Finley Stadium (57,583) — Raleigh, North
Carolina. Television: ACC Network. Home Record: Boston College 2-2, NC State
3-1. Away Record: Boston College 1-0, NC State 1-1. Neutral Record: Boston
College 0-0, NC State 0-0. Conference Record: Boston College 0-1, NC State
0-2. Series Record: Boston College leads, 7-4.
GAME NOTES: The NC State Wolfpack attempt to get back into the win column
Saturday when they host the Boston College Eagles in an Atlantic Coast
Conference matchup at Carter-Finley Stadium.
After starting the season with four straight wins, the Wolfpack has yet to win
since entering ACC play.
Two weeks ago, NC State gave No. 1 Florida State a game, losing 56-41, but
then struggled big time last weekend against Clemson in a humbling 41-0
shutout.
Against the Tigers, quarterback Jacoby Brissett completed just 4-of-18 pass
attempts and was sacked three times, as the Wolfpack fell to 4-2 overall and
0-2 in conference play. Tony Creecy rushed for a team-high 43 yards on seven
carries, the team posting 121 yards on 38 attempts.
Part of the problem against Clemson was turnovers. The Pack lost three fumbles
on the day with the Tigers turning those into 14 points. NC State, meanwhile,
wasn’t able to convert it’s one turnover into any points, resulting in the
program’s first shutout loss since a 34-0 defeat at Florida State in 2011.
The Wolfpack’s offense took a big hit after the Clemson game, falling to 33.7
ppg and 447.3 ypg.
Brissett has completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,399 yards, 13 touchdowns
and just one interception in addition to adding 172 yards and a score on the
ground.
Bo Hines has stepped in as a freshman to lead the team in receptions (24) and
receiving yards (312). Key to NC State losing to Clemson was that Hines was
completely shut down.
NC State’s defense has struggled the last two weeks, surrendering 97 total
points, increasing the team’s ppg allowed average to 28.5 for the season.
Jerod Fernandez has been the leader on the defensive side, racking up 45
tackles and two interceptions. Thomas Teal and Art Norman anchor a modest
pass-rush with two sacks apiece.
Boston College also enters Saturday’s game coming off a loss. Two weeks ago,
the Eagles fell to Colorado State, 24-21. The Eagles held a 21-14 lead heading
into the fourth quarter, but saw the Rams score 10 unanswered points to
escape with the win.
The last time the Eagles led after three quarters and lost was on September
17, 2011 when BC led Duke, 19-14, heading to the final frame and lost, 20-19.
In the setback to CSU, freshman running back Jon Hillman rushed for a career-
high 128 yards on 24 carries, scoring two rushing touchdowns for the third
straight game.
The running game is the strength of Boston College. The offensive line has a
number of returners from last season with Hillman and quarterback Tyler Murphy
benefiting. The Eagles run for an average of 316 yards per game with
Murphy averaging 116 yards and Hillman 74 yards. Both players are tied for
the team lead with six TDs.
Passing isn’t a strength of BC’s. Murphy has completed just 54 percent of his
passes for an average of 132 yards per game. He has three passing TDs and six
interceptions.
Justin Simmons leads a defensive unit that allows and average of 20 points and
304 yards per game. Simmons has a team-high 29 tackles, one sacks and one
interception. Josh Keyes leads the team with three sacks.
Boston College won the meeting against NC State last season, 38-12, and has
won five of the last seven overall.
In this matchup, expect the Boston College offense to move the ball on the
ground, which will keep the game close. The NC State defense has had such a
tough time stopping anyone the last three weeks, it’s hard to see the Wolfpack
righting the ship so quickly. For NC State to come away with the win, it will
have to force Murphy into turnovers. However, Murphy should be able to make
enough plays to keep the Eagles ahead.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Boston College 24, NC State 21
