Saturday September 3, 2011, 11:00 CST (ESPNU)
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| Alumni Stadium - cstv.com |
Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Mass.
The story lines for tomorrow’s game all revolve around the injury bug as both teams are wondering whether their star players will see the field for the season opener. Both teams are coming off relatively disappointing 7-6 seasons and are looking to improve from that record. This is the fourth time that NU and Boston College have met and the second time in Chestnut Hill. The last meeting, in 1993, was one of the more memorable games of the pre-Expect Victory Era – a 22-21 NU victory, which included a late Wildcat touchdown and a successful two-point conversion. The last NU visit to Chestnut Hill was a 49-0 Eagle beat down in 1992. NU leads the all-time series 2-1.
Boston College had one of the best defenses in the country last season, and the return of six of the its front seven should be able continue their strong play. But a big hole in the secondary suggests that the Eagles are going to give up a few more points than in 2010. Meanwhile, the Cats offense was very proficient last season, but often had trouble getting drives together at key points of close games. So this will be a great test for both units.
Injury Report
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| Dan Persa chicagonow.com |
To say that the injury report in critical to the outcome of this game is a severe understatement. Contrary to EVR’s report yesterday, Dan Persa has officially been listed as questionable as he continues to recover from his Achilles tear. The coaches say that sophomore Kain Colter is ready to step in if needed, and that remains to be seen. Senior safety David Arnold is probable with an ankle injury, which continues to improve each day. Redshirt freshman Ibraheim Campbell will play if Arnold is unable. Additionally, Freshman Colin Ellis, who was expected to get the starting nod at Sam linebacker is out and will be replaced by Ben Johnson.
The Eagles have a number of key starters who could miss Saturday’s game. Preseason ACC player of the Year Montel Harris (RB) is out after getting his knee scoped. His backup Andre Williams is listed as probable with an ankle sprain, but is expected to play. On the offensive line, guard Nathan Richman is doubtful with a back injury. Also, hurting the Eagles is that WR Shakim Phillips decided to transfer to UConn and backup wideout Clyde Lee was ruled ineligible by the school.
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| Donnie Fletcher espn.com |
Starting Left Defensive Tackle Kaleb Ramsey is questionable with a shoulder injury. But it is the problems in the secondary that could leave BC in deep water. Safeties Dominick LeGrand and Okechukwu Okoroha have left the program for various reasons. Backup FS Spenser Rositano was expected to step up, but he is listed as doubtful as he recovers from a concussion. Cornerback and Bednarik Award watch-list candidate, Donnie Fletcher is doubtful with a back injury. If Fletcher does not play, not a single member of the Eagle secondary will have a career start.
Weather Report: The gametime temperature in Chestnut Hill is expected to be 78, with a 20% chance of rain throughout the day. Check with the Weather Channel for updates on the weather.
Inside the Matchups
When NU has the ball the effects of the injury report will be on full display, especially in the passing game. Dan Persa is one of the most accurate passers in the country; but will have limited mobility if he plays. Colter is very green but is very fast. Look for BC to blitz more if Persa plays to test him; while being more cautious against Colter. Both coaches claim that they only have one gameplan going into Saturday – but EVR doubts that is the case. BC gave up 227 yards per game in the air last season with a veteran secondary; NU’s game average was a tick over at 235.
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| Drake Dunsmore thesportsbank.net |
Either quarterback will have it easier given BC’s lack of experience in the secondary. If Donnie Fletcher does not play, every member of the BC back line will be starting his first game. The best of the bunch is SS Jim Noel, who had four interceptions in a backup role last season. Sophomore corner C.J. Jones is very undersized at 5’11”, 178, and should be a mismatch against the larger NU receivers. If Fletcher plays, there will be some nice support against Jeremy Ebert, but it will only force the ball away from him. Look for NU to really spread the field as they know that the more Eagle DBs they can get on the field, the better NU’s chances to succeed. Drake Dunsmore will, as always, pose a mismatch, especially if he finds a corner guarding him.
BC only recorded 20 sacks last season, and is not known for putting a great deal of pressure on the QB. All-everything LB Luke Kuechly only had 1.5. The sack leader on the team is DE Max Holloway, a speedy end who only weighs in at 253 lbs. NU has a major size advantage on the line, as BC’s D-Line is pretty small; especially if Ramsey is unable to play. Al Netter has the footwork and the size to protect the blind side from the speedy BC ends. Despite giving up 40 sacks in 2010, the veteran Wildcat offensive line should be able to protect the quarterback.
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| Luke Kuechly blogspot.com |
But when running the ball, it is a different story. BC returns six of its front seven from a defensive front that gave up only 83 yards per game last season. Kuechly is the guy to watch as he returns with 183 tackles from 2010. He is an All-American type who will be in on nearly every play. The Cats best hope, again, is to spread the field and hope to catch some running plays when Kuechly is the only linebacker. Mike Trumpy and Jacob Schmidt should be able to break some decent gains in those situations if they can evade Kuechly. Also, if Ramsey is unable to play for BC, redshirt frosh Dominic Appiah will play in his place, which is another potential mismatch for the senior-laden Wildcat front. It may shock people to see that NU averaged 156 yards per game on the ground in 2010 and returns their rushing attack – some something has to give here.
When BC has the ball, it may struggle a bit. Despite having one of the best tailbacks in the country, BC managed to score more than 24 points only twice and seven times were held to 17 or less. The loss of Harris will be a game-changer. Even though Williams had more yards per carry than Harris, he is not the workhorse that Harris is – and will be limited even more by the ankle injury. Next in line is redshirt frosh Tahj Kimble.
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| NU DE Vince Browne sbnation.com |
Making holes for the backs will be more difficult as well. Not only does BC give up some size to the NU defensive front (usually the other way around), but they have three new starters on the offensive line. Both teams have a redshirt freshman at center, but NU’s Brandon Vitabile is flanked at guard by 53 career starts – the Eagles’ Andy Gallik: 13. But if BC is able to make some holes for Williams, they find the weakness of the NU team in the linebackers. There will need to be great improvement in this unit in order for NU to stay in this game. While the BC O-Line is pretty green, they know that the potential for big gain lies beyond the Wildcat line, which will give them a little extra incentive to push tomorrow.
Quarterback Chase Rettig had a shaky season in 2010. He finished with just over a 50% completion percentage to going along with 6 TDs and 9 picks in 8 starts. Rettig is not a runner as he recorded negative yardage for the season. He does, however, have a handful of talented targets if he can find time to throw and can put an accurate ball out there. Bobby Swigert led the team in receptions last season despite not starting a single game. Senior Ifeanyi Momah is a monster-sized target at 6’6”, 229. Tight End Chris Pantale is one of the best in the ACC and is also enormous at 6’6”, 251.
| Chase Rettig nesn.com |
Rettig should be given time to throw if last year’s numbers are any indication. NU recorded only 17 sacks last season, most of which were in the earlier non-conference games. While NU’s front seven got older compared to the BC line getting younger, the Cats will need to prove they can rush the passer before it will be considered a legitimate threat. The inexperienced line and the relatively immobile quarterback will give them a good chance to show off what they have.
Final Analysis
Both of these teams will be rendered fairly one-dimensional on offense. NU should be able to throw at will, but if they cannot run, BC will eventually be able to stop it. BC should be able to run but not throw, but NU will not be able to afford to bunch up on the run because of BC’s talent at receiver. NU does have the X-factor at quarterback – whether it is Persa’s accuracy or Colter’s legs.
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| BYCTOM.com |
NU should win by about a touchdown if Persa plays but it will be much closer if it is Colter. Given that EVR needs to make a prediction: NU scores twice early and holds the lead until losing it early in the fourth. The otherwise low scoring affair is treated to an exciting fourth quarter. In the end the Cats pull out the classic cardiac win 23-20.
Go Cats!
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