Blue and Gold Illustrated

Nov. 23, 2019

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 23, 2019 33 BY TODD D. BURLAGE BOSTON COLLEGE RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE Seventh-year Boston College head coach Steve Addazio, 60, is about as old-school in his approach to his craft as any coach in the country. So, it shouldn't surprise anyone that Addazio wants to build his offenses around an outstanding offensive line — led by junior right tackle Ben Pe- trula — and a bruising running attack. Addazio has milked that formula this year (BC ranked fourth in the country with an average of 282.2 rushing yards per game after 10 games), and in his previous two seasons, mainly on the broad shoulders of junior workhorse running back AJ Dillon. A 250-pound battering ram, Dillon averages 145.1 rushing yards per outing, which ranked sec- ond in the country through games played Nov. 9. He was a long shot Heisman Trophy candidate in the preseason, but already has 1,451 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground this year, after record- ing 2,697 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns as a freshman and sophomore. Dillon, the grandson of former Notre Dame star receiver Thom Gatewood, has averaged 176.5 rushing yards in his last four games. In two of those outings, he eclipsed the 200-yard mark. Sophomore David Bailey, a second bruising back at 240 pounds, adds another 76.5 rushing yards per game to an Eagles ground attack that ranked No. 4 in the country heading into its bye Nov. 16. Notre Dame's rush defense continues to be av- erage, ranking 64th nationally with an average of 157.6 yards allowed per game. However, heading into the matchup with Navy's prolific triple-option attack Nov. 16, the Irish were coming off strong back-to-back efforts against Vir- ginia Tech (96 rushing yards allowed and 2.7 yards per carry) and Duke (95 and 3.2). Advantage: Boston College BOSTON COLLEGE PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE The Eagles' aerial attack took a severe hit in game six when junior starting quarterback Anthony Brown was lost for the season with a left knee injury that required surgery. Brown also tore the ACL in his right knee late in the 2017 season, but bounced back and threw for 2,121 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2018. Junior quarterback Dennis Grosel has done a solid job of filling in for Brown, especially recently. In his last game, a 38-31 loss to Florida State Nov. 9, the 6-1, 220-pound signal-caller completed 20 of 29 passes for 227 yards with two touchdowns. And against Syracuse a week earlier, Grosel went 8-of- 10 passing for 195 yards with three touchdowns to help lead Boston College to a lopsided 58-27 victory. Grosel's top targets are redshirt junior wide re- ceiver Kobay White and redshirt sophomore tight Redshirt junior wide receiver Kobay White has been one of the Eagles' most dependable targets in the passing game, hauling 22 catches for 363 yards (16.5 yards per reception) and a team-high five touch- downs during the Eagles' 5-5 start. PHOTO COURTESY BOSTON COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME PREVIEW: BOSTON COLLEGE On PaPer

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