BC Ran for 399 Yards at Georgia Tech. Now the Eagles Take Two 100-Yard Backs to Duke

Boston College just had its best rushing day in seven years, and it wants to do it again in Durham. The Eagles (4-3, 2-2 ACC) play at Duke (5-2, 2-2) on Saturday, Oct. 31, at noon ET at Wallace Wade Stadium, on The CW and WEEI 93.7 FM, according to BC's official game notes.

Look at what happened at Georgia Tech last Saturday. BC won 49-27, rushing for 399 yards and 500 total, per the notes. The last time BC ran for more than that was Nov. 2, 2019, when it put up 496 at Syracuse. Bo MacCormack III ran for a career-best 155 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries, his first multi-touchdown game. Mason McKenzie went for a career-best 170 on 16 carries with two scores. Two 100-yard rushers in one game.

The league noticed. BC announced that three Eagles earned ACC Player of the Week honors on Monday, and MacCormack got a Gold Helmet Award. McKenzie was booked on the ACC PM show Wednesday.

The defense deserves its own paragraph. Charlie Comella has four interceptions this season, tied for third in the country, according to BC, including his first career multi-interception game and his first career touchdown. Through seven games, BC has allowed 182.1 passing yards a game, second in the ACC. Linebacker Anthony Palano and defensive back KP Price lead the ACC in solo tackles with 33 each.

Duke is no pushover. The Blue Devils won 19-16 at Virginia in their last game, according to Duke's game notes. Sports Illustrated framed BC as a "tricky challenge" for Duke, and the reason is obvious from the stats: a team that can run 60 times and has a ball-hawking secondary can make a favored team uncomfortable.

This is BC's second straight road game. Head coach Bill O'Brien, Comella and E'Lla Boykin met with reporters Tuesday, per the BC media page.

Dez's take: I want to see whether that run game travels. Georgia Tech's run defense isn't Duke's, If MacCormack and McKenzie get even 250 yards between them, BC wins this game. If Duke makes them throw, Comella's defense better have another pick in it.