Turnovers haunt Syracuse in 17-10 setback to Boston College

In its first home game in over a month, Syracuse football (4-5, 0-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) turned the ball over four times and was defeated 17-10 by Boston College (6-3, 3-2 ACC). Despite a 4-0 start, SU remains winless in conference. The Orange’s last win was on September 23 against Army.

The Orange were without starting quarterback Garrett Shrader, who was out due to an injury suffered against Virginia Tech last Thursday. Redshirt sophomore Carlos Del Rio-Wilson made his second career start for SU, and his lack of experience was very evident. The redshirt sophomore completed just 7 of 17 passes for 37 yards with four interceptions.

It was a game of lost opportunities for the Orange as the ‘Cuse had four drives that began inside BC's 45-yard line or better, but resulted in two punts, two turnovers, and no points.

“Obviously extremely disappointed with the outcome,” head coach Dino Babers said. “It was a game we felt we had an opportunity to win. We were in it all the way. We just needed to make enough plays and there were plays to be made.”

Speaking of plays, the Eagles ran twice as many (94) as the Orange did (47) and BC had the ball for more than 42 minutes of the game.

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Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen Jr. had one of his best performances as an Orange, racking up 18 rushes for 142 yards. The New Jersey native galloped for runs of 32 and 56 yards that set up SU's only two scoring drives of the game.

“We're still in it,” Allen said. “We have three games left. We can still finish 7-5 and still be eligible for a bowl.”

On the other side of the ball, SU’s defense was much improved from the last few weeks and limited BC to just two touchdowns. With two additional tackles for loss, linebacker Marlowe Wax Jr. moved up to seventh place in the SU record books with 34.5 career tackles for loss. Redshirt sophomores Anwar Sparrow and Stefon Thompson looked refreshed while junior Justin Barron created turnovers that changed the game's momentum.

“I feel like the defense did a great job out there,” Barron said. “Guys were flying around.”

Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos found a way to counter by scampering for seven yards for the game-winning score with 2:23 remaining, sending the 'Cuse to its fifth consecutive defeat.

Syracuse squares off with Pittsburgh (2-6, 1-3 ACC) at Yankee Stadium next Saturday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first collegiate football game played there. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. and WAER's coverage begins at 3 p.m. with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Kickoff.