Takeaways from 36-34 loss to Georgia Tech

If nothing else, the 2025 Eagles can always say they never rolled over despite being (record wise) one of the worst teams in the country.

BC nearly upset No. 14 Georgia Tech despite giving up 628 yards of offense while racking up 537 of its own. Instead, the Eagles are 1-10 and head into a terribly-timed bye week with one game in Syracuse remaining two days after Thanksgiving.

Not quitting won’t erase what record books say about the 2025 team, but it’s commendable for everyone involved.

Especially when there’s a palpable feel of change in the air once the offseason starts.

Here’s a few takeaways from – result aside – a phenomenal football game on Saturday:

Student section

I legitimately want to start with this. It’s the best performance I’ve seen out of them maybe in all seven years I’ve covered the team, not including Red Bandana crowds or the Missouri field storming (still questionable). Especially given the state of the program. Packed and (for the most part) stayed for it all. It’s a low bar, but with a 1-10 team they deserve all the credit. The fact it was a great game certainly helps too, obviously.

Lonergan

If I were coaching (I was not), I would have started Grayson James simply for the fact it was Senior Day. Hard to argue with 26-40 for 362 yards and two touchdowns. He was phenomenal and you see those flashes of why Alabama wanted him and what he did on this season’s biggest stage against Michigan State.

Asked about whether or not the performance had any impact on Lonergan’s future here, O’Brien wouldn’t get into it. It feels like if O’Brien is still here (he should be), Lonergan will be too. If not, then all bets are off. What happens at that position this offseason either way will be fascinating and determine the future of the program, among many other things.

Bond

Set both the career receptions record and the single-season catch record. He’s truly an all-time great at BC and should be playing on Sundays. Personally, he’s been absolutely phenomenal to cover off the field. He’s gotten more and more comfortable with us each year and he’s a lot like Zay in the sense that he never seems to have a bad day. Hoping nothing but the best for him moving forward and can’t wait to watch him go off at his Pro Day.

Running game

Was great to see that today, especially with Turbo (11/142) running as hard as he was. The 43-yarder was electric and it’s just a shame it took this long into the season for a day like that to happen. Same goes for Jordan McDonald. Nice to see former CM star Mekhi Dodd too. Pretty surprised we didn’t see more of Bo MacCormack this season and I’m stunned we never got more Alex Broome, given how he looked in the spring and summer from a speed standpoint. Disappointing that VJ Wilkins never became anything bigger for the offense either, at RB or WR.

Harris & Chudzinski

Regardless of who is in charge, Reed Harris needs to be a priority in the offseason. Teams will be beating down the door for Harris. You see the size and speed combination on days like Saturday where he had 142 yards on five catches. He absolutely destroyed a defender on the way to the end zone on the 18-yard TD. He is your future at wide receiver.

Chudzinski has been the best tight end since training camp and consistent throughout the season. The two-point incompletion will haunt him for a while, but the TDs have become a regular thing. He too is a massive future piece of this offense.

Defense

628 yards is 628 yards. While the offense could have done a little more late when they had to punt, one or two stops would have been the difference. Haynes King had 371 yards through the air and only 61 on the ground in some bizzaro world type stuff. As a team, the Yellow Jackets ran for 257 yards.

Not ideal.

Big picture

You all know my stance. I think O’Brien deserves more time and given the open coaching positions around the country, this job – and all the nonsense that often comes with it above you – would be one of the least desirable.

Until the school decides what it wants to be athletically, coaches can certainly perform better and you have to think some changes are coming, but there’s only so much you can do with a program in the ACC with less than 100% support.