2018 Boston College Eagles football team

The 2018 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Eagles played their home games at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They were led by sixth-year head coach Steve Addazio. They finished the season 7–5 overall and 4–4 in ACC play to place the fourth in the Atlantic Division. They were invited to the First Responder Bowl against Boise State. With 5:08 left in the first quarter and Boston College leading 7–0, the bowl game was stopped because of bad weather and ultimately canceled and ruled a no contest.

2018 Boston College Eagles football
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
DivisionAtlantic Division
Record7–5 (4–4 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorScot Loeffler (3rd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Co-defensive coordinatorJim Reid (4th season)
Co-defensive coordinatorAnthony Campanile (1st season)
Base defense4–3
CaptainJon Baker, Will Harris
Home stadiumAlumni Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2017
2019 →
2018 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Atlantic Division
No. 1 Clemson x$#^   8 0     15 0  
No. 15 Syracuse   6 2     10 3  
NC State   5 3     9 4  
Boston College   4 4     7 5  
Wake Forest   3 5     7 6  
Florida State   3 5     5 7  
Louisville   0 8     2 10  
Coastal Division
Pittsburgh x   6 2     7 7  
Georgia Tech   5 3     7 6  
Miami (FL)   4 4     7 6  
Virginia   4 4     8 5  
Virginia Tech   4 4     6 7  
Duke   3 5     8 5  
North Carolina   1 7     2 9  
Championship: Clemson 42, Pittsburgh 10
  • # – College Football Playoff champion
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

Recruiting

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Position key

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Back B Center C Cornerback CB Defensive back DB
Defensive end DE Defensive lineman DL Defensive tackle DT End E
Fullback FB Guard G Halfback HB Kicker K
Kickoff returner KR Offensive tackle OT Offensive lineman OL Linebacker LB
Long snapper LS Punter P Punt returner PR Quarterback QB
Running back RB Safety S Tight end TE Wide receiver WR

Recruits

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The Eagles signed a total of 20 recruits.

College recruiting information (2018)
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Jehlani Galloway
WR
Providence, Rhode Island Classical High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Mar 19, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Joey Luchetti
TE
Groton, Massachusetts Lawrence Academy 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 240 lb (110 kg) Mar 20, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
John Tessitore
K
Wallingford, Connecticut Choate Rosemary Hall 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Mar 25, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Kyiev Bennermon
DT
Poughkeepsie, New York Spackenkill High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 280 lb (130 kg) Mar 28, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
John Langan
QB
Wayne, New Jersey Bergen Catholic High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Apr 29, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Matt Valecce
QB
The Bronx, New York Fordham Preparatory School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) May 6, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Evan Stewart
S
Sparta, New Jersey Saint Joseph Regional High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 205 lb (93 kg) May 7, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Finn Dirstine
OG
Acton, Massachusetts Lawrence Academy 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 320 lb (150 kg) May 10, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Ryan Betro
DT
Groton, Massachusetts Lawrence Academy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 280 lb (130 kg) May 11, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Hugh Davis
LB
Indianapolis, Indiana Cathedral High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 215 lb (98 kg) May 26, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Vinny DePalma
LB
Wayne, New Jersey DePaul Catholic High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 215 lb (98 kg) May 27, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Joe Sparacio
LB
Naples, Florida First Baptist Academy 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Jun 6, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
David Bailey
RB
Ridgely, Maryland North Caroline High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Jun 6, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Aaron Gethers
CB
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Bishop McDevitt High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jun 9, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Tyler Days
DB
Mattydale, New York Cicero – North Syracuse High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jun 11, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Elijah Jones
DB
East Harlem, New York Cardinal Hayes High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Jun 16, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Thomas Shelmire
OG
Dallas, Texas Highland Park High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 285 lb (129 kg) Jun 17, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Nick DeNucci
LB
Sparta, New Jersey Pope John XXIII Regional High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 230 lb (100 kg) Jun 18, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Jason Maitre
WR
Everett, Massachusetts Everett High School 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Jun 19, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Tyler Vrabel
OT
Bellaire, Texas St. Pius X High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 255 lb (116 kg) Jun 26, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 7, 2018.

Preseason

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Award watch lists

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Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year
Lott Trophy[1] Zach Allen DE SR
Chuck Bednarik Award[2] Zach Allen DE SR
Lukas Denis S SR
Maxwell Award[3] A. J. Dillon RB SO
Doak Walker Award[4] A. J. Dillon RB SO
John Mackey Award[5] Tommy Sweeney TE JR
Jim Thorpe Award[6] Lukas Denis DB SR
Bronko Nagurski Trophy[7] Zach Allen DE SR
Lukas Denis DB SR
Outland Trophy[8] Chris Lindstrom OL SR
Paul Hornung Award[9] Michael Walker WR/KR SR
Wuerffel Trophy[10] Zach Allen DE SR
Walter Camp Award[11] A. J. Dillon RB SO
Ted Hendricks Award[12] Zach Allen DE SR

ACC media poll

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The ACC media poll was released on July 24, 2018.

Media poll (Atlantic)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Clemson 1,031 (145)
2 Florida State 789 (1)
3 NC State 712 (2)
4 Boston College 545
5 Louisville 422
6 Wake Forest 413
7 Syracuse 232

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 1 1:00 p.m. UMass* ESPN appW 55–21 30,112
September 8 1:00 p.m. Holy Cross*
  • Alumni Stadium
  • Chestnut Hill, MA (rivalry)
ESPN appW 62–14 40,311
September 13 5:30 p.m.[a] at Wake Forest ESPN W 41–34 25,309
September 22 12:00 p.m. at Purdue*No. 23 ESPN2 L 13–30 47,119
September 29 12:00 p.m. Temple*
  • Alumni Stadium
  • Chestnut Hill, MA
ESPNU W 45–35 40,111
October 6 12:30 p.m. at No. 23 NC State NESNL 23–28 57,241
October 13 12:30 p.m. Louisville 
  • Alumni Stadium
  • Chestnut Hill, MA
NESNW 38–20 31,478
October 26 7:00 p.m. Miami (FL)
  • Alumni Stadium
  • Chestnut Hill, MA
ESPN W 27–14 41,892
November 3 3:45 p.m. at Virginia TechNo. 22 ACCN W 31–21 65,632
November 10 8:00 p.m. No. 2 ClemsonNo. 17
ABC L 7–27 44,500
November 17 3:30 p.m. at Florida StateNo. 20 ESPN2 L 21–22 57,274
November 24 12:00 p.m. No. 20 Syracuse
  • Alumni Stadium
  • Chestnut Hill, MA
ESPN L 21–42 34,959
December 26 1:30 p.m. vs. No. 25 Boise State* ESPN NC 7–0[b]
  1. ^ The Wake Forest game was originally scheduled for 7:30 p.m., but the game was moved up to 5:30 p.m. in anticipation of Hurricane Florence.[13]
  2. ^ The First Responder Bowl was cancelled due to inclement weather. Boston College was leading.[14]

[15]

Game summaries

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UMass

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1 2 3 4 Total
Minutemen 7 0 0 14 21
Eagles 14 34 0 7 55

In the Battle of the Bay State, BC used their RB A. J. Dillon early and often and cruised to an opening day victory

Holy Cross

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1 2 3 4 Total
Crusaders 0 0 7 7 14
Eagles 21 13 14 14 62

QB Anthony Brown continued his stellar start to the season and led BC to an easy win over FCS Holy Cross

At Wake Forest

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1 2 3 4 Total
Eagles 7 14 7 13 41
Demon Deacons 7 14 3 10 34

In a redemption game from last season, Anthony Brown threw for a career high 5 touchdowns in BC’s ACC opening win over Wake Forest. BC would get into the AP Poll at #23 the next day

At Purdue

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 23 Eagles 7 0 0 6 13
Boilermakers 7 16 7 0 30

In their first game as a ranked team since 2009, the Eagles excitement got the better of them as they lost for the first time this season to winless Purdue. It knocked BC out of the rankings

Temple

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1 2 3 4 Total
Owls 14 7 7 7 35
Eagles 13 18 7 7 45

A. J. Dillon led his team to a bounce back win over Temple with two touchdowns as the Eagles stayed undefeated at Alumni Stadium in 2018

At NC State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Eagles 3 0 7 13 23
No. 23 Wolfpack 7 14 7 0 28

Despite causing turnovers in Raleigh, the Eagles offense could not answer without Dillon and lost their first ACC game of 2018 to the Wolfpack

Louisville

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1 2 3 4 Total
Cardinals 13 7 0 0 20
Eagles 14 10 0 14 38

In a must win ACC game, BC would jump out to an early 14-0 lead. Sloppy play and miscues allowed Louisville to take a 20-14 lead in the half. But BC used a blocked punt TD to retake the lead and would score the final 24 points of the game to defeat the Cardinals and get to the off week with a 5-2 record

Miami (FL)

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1 2 3 4 Total
Hurricanes 7 7 0 0 14
Eagles 14 3 10 0 27

In the 5th edition of the Red Bandanna Game, A. J. Dillon returned to give the Eagles and their wild crowd their best victory over the season over the #25 Hurricanes. Anthony Brown also had two TDs (1 Pass 1 Rush) and BC’s defense caused two interceptions in the second half that led to 10 points

At Virginia Tech

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 24 Eagles 7 0 14 10 31
Hokies 7 7 0 7 21

The Eagles visited Virginia Tech and pulled out a 31–21 victory. Sophomore Travis Levy gave BC a boost with two rushing TDs in the second half after falling behind 14–7. A. J. Dillon left the game with an injury

Clemson

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 2 Tigers 10 3 7 7 27
No. 17 Eagles 7 0 0 0 7

In what was deemed the biggest game of the year for the Boston College Eagles, the defense played a role in holding Clemson to a 13-7 lead at halftime. But without Anthony Brown, who was injured on BC’s first possession of the game, the Eagles could not muster enough offense and dropped a tough matchup to the second ranked Tigers

At Florida State

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 20 Eagles 0 7 7 7 21
Seminoles 0 6 7 9 22

The Eagles were big favorites even after a tough loss last week. But with both Brown and Dillon not one hundred percent, the Eagles offense struggled and the Seminoles picked up a late TD pass in the final two minutes of regulation to get an upset

Syracuse

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 19 Orange 14 14 7 7 42
Eagles 7 7 7 0 21

Eric Dungey was in full form even after getting injured against Notre Dame the week before and the Eagles could not stop him or the Orange offense in another lackluster game for the Eagles. Brown accounted for all of BC’s touchdowns but Dillon was still banged up and BC finished the regular season 7–5 for the third straight year

Vs. Boise State (first responder bowl)

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1 2 3 4 Total
Eagles 7 7
No. 23 Broncos 0 0

With Boston College leading 7–0 with 5:08 remaining in the 1st quarter, the game was delayed due to inclement weather. After an hour and a half delay, the game was canceled and ruled a no contest[16]

A. J. Dillon scored on the Eagles' first possession; a 19-yard touchdown run. He had 33 yards on six carries. Anthony Brown was 4-for-6 passing for 54 yards, while Kobay White made two catches for 35 yards.

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRVRVRV23RVRV241722
CoachesRVRVRV25RVRVRV251422RV
CFPNot released221720Not released

Roster

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2018 Boston College Eagles football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 1 Elijah Robinson Sr
RB 2 A. J. Dillon So
WR 3 Michael Walker Sr
QB 4 E. J. Perry So
WR 6 Jeff Smith Sr
QB 7 Matt Valecce Fr
WR 9 Kobay White   So
QB 10 Matt McDonald   Fr
WR 11 C. J. Lewis So
QB 13 Anthony Brown   So
RB 15 John Fadule Sr
WR 17 Aidan Hegarty   So
WR, RB 19 Ben Glines   Jr
QB 20 Dennis Grosel   Fr
QB 21 Johnny Langan Fr
RB 23 Travis Levy So
RB 38 Peter Stehr Fr
RB 39 Andrew Strader   Jr
TE 41 Joey Luchetti Fr
RB 42 Javian Dayne Fr
TE 43 Tito Pasqualoni Fr
TE 44 Brenden Smith Fr
FB 47 Colton Cardinal Sr
OL 52 Cam Reddy Fr
OL 55 Wyatt Knopfke   Jr
OL 56 Adam Korutz   So
OL 64 Ben Petrula So
OL 65 Thomas Shelmire Fr
OL 66 Anthony Palazzolo   Jr
OL 67 Aaron Monteiro Sr
OL 69 Eddy Fish   So
OL 70 John Phillips   Jr
OL 71 Nate Emer   Fr
OL 72 Alec Lindstrom   Fr
OL 73 Sam Schmal   Sr
OL 74 Finn Dirstine Fr
OL 75 Chris Lindstrom Sr
OL 76 Elijah Johnson   So
OL 77 John Baker   Sr
OL 78 Tyler Vrabel Fr
OL 79 Sean Ragan   So
TE 80 Hunter Long   Fr
TE 81 Chris Garrison   Jr
WR 83 Jehlani Galloway Fr
TE 84 Jake Burt   Jr
TE 85 Korab Idrizi Jr
TE 86 Ray Marten Jr
WR 87 Noah Jordan-Williams   Fr
TE 88 Patrick Brown   Fr
TE 89 Tommy Sweeney   Sr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DE 2 Zach Allen Sr
DB 4 Hamp Cheevers Jr
DB 5 Nolan Borgersen   Jr
DB 7 Tate Haynes   Fr
DB 8 Will Harris Sr
DB 10 Brandon Sebastian   Fr
DE 11 Wyatt Ray Sr
LB 13 Connor Strachan   Sr
LB 14 Max Richardson   So
LB 16 Davon Jones   Jr
DB 18 Mike Palmer   So
DB 20 Elijah Jones Fr
DB 21 Lukas Denis Sr
DB 24 Taj-Amir Torres Sr
DB 25 Mehdi El Attrach Jr
LB 28 John Lamot   So
DB 29 Tyler Days Fr
DB 30 Jahmin Muse   Fr
LB 32 Nick DeNucci Fr
LB 33 Curt Bletzer   So
LB 34 Joseph Sparacio Fr
DB 35 Aaron Gethers Fr
LB 36 Paul Theobald Jr.   Fr
DB 37 Ezechiel Tieide Fr
DB 38 Jason Maitre Fr
LB 41 Thomas Hovsepian   Fr
LB 43 Isaiah Miranda   So
DL 44 Brandon Barlow   So
DB 45 Ben Stewart   Fr
LB 46 Jimmy Martin   Jr
DL 48 Tanner Karafa   Jr
LB 49 Kevin Bletzer   Sr
LB 50 Doug Rodier   So
LB 51 Hugh Davis Fr
LB 54 Evan Stewart Fr
LB 55 Isaiah McDuffie So
LB 57 Ryan Whittelsey   Fr
LB 58 Reggie Terry Jr.   Fr
DL 90 Bryce Morais   So
DT 91 Jaleel Berry   Fr
DE 93 Drew McQuarrie   Fr
DT 94 Ryan Betro Fr
DL 95 Taylor Hill   So
DT 96 Ray Smith Sr
DE 97 Marcus Valdez   Fr
DT 98 Kyiey Bennermon Fr
DT 99 T. J. Rayam So
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
P 34 Garrett Reilly Fr
K 37 Danny Longman Fr
P 95 Grant Carlson   So
K, P 98 John Tessitore Fr
K 99 Colton Lichtenberg Sr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Redshirt

Roster
Last update: August 22, 2018

2019 NFL Draft

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Player Team Round Pick # Position
Chris Lindstrom Atlanta Falcons 1st 14 G
Zach Allen Arizona Cardinals 3rd 65 DE
Will Harris Detroit Lions 3rd 81st S
Tommy Sweeney Buffalo Bills 7th 228th TE

References

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  1. ^ "2018 Watch List | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Honoring College Football's Defensive Best". lottimpacttrophy.org. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  2. ^ "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List - Maxwell Football Club". Maxwell Football Club. July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  3. ^ "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  4. ^ "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  5. ^ "2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Released" (PDF). July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  6. ^ "Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Names 2018 Preseason Watchlist" (Press release). July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  7. ^ "2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  8. ^ "22018 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  9. ^ "43 PLAYERS NAMED TO 2018 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  10. ^ "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  11. ^ Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List"". Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  12. ^ "Preseason Watch List - 2018 edition of the Ted Hendricks Award" (PDF). August 14, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  13. ^ "BREAKING: Boston College vs. Wake Forest Football Game Moved Up To 5:30pm Thursday". BC Interruption. September 11, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  14. ^ First Responder Bowl: Boise State vs. Boston College canceled, ruled no contest due to inclement weather
  15. ^ "2018 Boston College Eagles Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  16. ^ "First Responder Bowl: Boise State vs. Boston College canceled, ruled no contest due to inclement weather".