Things that stood out postgame after another rough night for BC
CHESTNUT HILL – The good news is that the season is halfway over.
The bad news is that there’s still six games left.
BC players, coaches, alumni, donors, casual fans and Newton/neighboring residents are all searching for answers after another dismal loss, this time at the hands of Clemson, 41-10.
The Eagles are now 1-5, 0-4 in the ACC and still have games against Notre Dame, SMU, Georgia Tech, Louisville and Syracuse. Even when BC hosts UConn next weekend, the 4-2 Huskies will present a far bigger challenge than anyone would have thought in September.
The Eagles were out-gained 504-221 and trailed 34-10 at the half a week after falling behind Pitt 31-0 at the break.
Dylan Lonergan was just 12-19 for 117 yards and was sacked three times. Turbo Richard was the team’s leading rusher with 77 yards and a touchdown and Lewis Bond caught seven balls for 77 yards. KP Price had 14 tackles. That’s about the extent of the BC highlights, aside from a fumble recovery for Charlie Comella and interceptions for Max Tucker and Price.
Here’s what stood out postgame with comments from Bill O’Brien, Bond and Price.
O’Brien on going for it before the half, giving Clemson a chance to add 3 points
“I tried to burn as much time…I was going to use a timeout, tried to take some time off the clock thinking that maybe they couldn’t get it back,” said O’Brien. “Could have handled that better than I did there at the end. Yup. No doubt.”
O’Brien on the turning point in the game
“I think the turning point was the strip sack,” said O’Brien. “Because, we had momentum. We were moving the football to make it 24-17…who knows? I’m not saying it would have been a different…I’m just saying to me, that was the turning point.”
O’Brien on searching for answers
“Again, it starts with me,” he said. “I told the team this…I’m the head coach, I can’t figure out how to get this team how to play. I can’t get the coaching staff to coach it right. It’s on me. I’ve got to do a better job of coaching the team. I’ve got to do a better job of helping the coaches. It was just a terrible night. But, it’s football. It’s adversity…I know our guys will show up and be ready tomorrow.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for the guys in that locker room. They fought. Nobody quit. They played hard. We had chances to score on offense, you know? We just didn’t get it done. These guys will fight. They’re good BC guys. They’re going to fight. They know it’s not good right now, but they’re not going to quit.”
Bond on if guys are still buying into the messaging from the coaches
“I think so. I am. So, I’m trying to lead with that example by doing everything right, doing things the right way, day in and day out”
Price on if guys are still buying into the messaging from the coaches
“100%. Coach O’Brien, the rest of the staff, they always on the same page. They relay their messages to us. Me as a leader, us captains, we relay the message to the rest of the team. We all receive it the same exact way. .
“We believe in them. We trust in them at all times. There never won’t be a time we not going to.”
