Huskies, Eagles begin quest for bounce-back seasons
Northern Illinois at Boston College
Saturday, Sept. 2 -- 12 p.m. ET
Alumni Stadium -- Chestnut Hill, MA
ACCN
MRO STAFF REPORT
After dropping to 3-9 last year, the Northern Illinois Huskies are determined to re-establish their winning ways in 2023. They get their first chance Saturday when they face Boston College. Like NIU, the Eagles went 3-9 in 2022, so they're also looking to bounce back. BC's last winning season was 2020, when the Eagles went 6-5.
Injuries played a part in both teams' struggles. Boston College was particularly hard hit along the offensive line. Northern Illinois QB Rocky Lombardy was injured just three games into the campaign. However, the experienced and talented redshirt senior is back to lead NIU. Boston College, meanwhile, has mended - and restocked -- its front. Just how productive that group can be remains to be seen.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
Saturday, Sept. 2 -- 12 p.m. ET
Alumni Stadium -- Chestnut Hill, MA
ACCN
MRO STAFF REPORT
After dropping to 3-9 last year, the Northern Illinois Huskies are determined to re-establish their winning ways in 2023. They get their first chance Saturday when they face Boston College. Like NIU, the Eagles went 3-9 in 2022, so they're also looking to bounce back. BC's last winning season was 2020, when the Eagles went 6-5.
Injuries played a part in both teams' struggles. Boston College was particularly hard hit along the offensive line. Northern Illinois QB Rocky Lombardy was injured just three games into the campaign. However, the experienced and talented redshirt senior is back to lead NIU. Boston College, meanwhile, has mended - and restocked -- its front. Just how productive that group can be remains to be seen.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
BOSTON COLLEGE
>> The Eagles won just one of their final seven games in 2022. However, three of those losses were to teams rarnked among the top 18 nationally at the time. The one victory in that stretch was a 21-20 triumph over No. 16 North Carolina State.
>> BC offense could see some schematic changes after another change in offensive coordinators.
>> With the transfer of Phil Jurkovec (Pitt), sophomore QB Emmit Morehead (6-5, 235) moves up the depth chart. He completed 115-of-192 (59.5%) of his attempts last year, good for a total of 1,254 yards and 10 TDs with six interceptions. Morehead was at the helm when BC upset NC State.
>> Leading receiver Zay Flowers (Baltimore Ravens) is gone, and Jaelen Gill is now at Fresno State. That opens the door for Central Florida transfer Ryan O'Keefe. He will be joined by returning Eagles Dino Tomlin and Joseph Griffin Jr. They combined for 28 catches, 415 yards and five scores last year.
>>Senior All-ACC guard Christian Mahogany is back from an ACL injury last year. He and Ozzie Trailo join several transfers in trying to make the line more productive. The Eagles were last nationally in rushing last year.
>> Senior RB Pat Garwo II (5-9, 210) returns and BC is adding a couple transfers to the running back mix, as well.
>> Donovan Ezeiruaku and Cam Horsley return along the D-line, with the former registering 8.5 sacks in 2022.
>> The Eagles return two senior starters at linebacker. Kam Arnold and Vinny DePalma led the team in tackles, combining for 161 hits. Arnold also had two inteceptions.
>> Senior Elijay Jones returns in the secondary, but BC lost several others to the NFL and tranfer portal. Several transfers will figure in replacements and/or depth.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
For complete preseason preview, click HERE
SPECIAL TEAMS
>> Connor Lylton connected on all 24 PATs and 9-of-17 field goal attempts (long of 46) last year. He was 1-of-5 from 40 yards or more.
FINAL THOUGHTS
With a healthy Lombardi back at quarterback, the Huskies can do what they do best - mix the run and pass, often on sustained drives. The defense must improve its numbers in 2023, but seven starters return and Head Coach Thomas Hammock feels the front will be strong. As long as the defense can limit damage, a rejuvnated offense should give NIU a shot on most days.
The Eagles, meanwhile, have made some moves to shore up their game on both sides of the ball. The opener should give a glimpse of how the offseason moves of both teams might work out.
>> The Eagles won just one of their final seven games in 2022. However, three of those losses were to teams rarnked among the top 18 nationally at the time. The one victory in that stretch was a 21-20 triumph over No. 16 North Carolina State.
>> BC offense could see some schematic changes after another change in offensive coordinators.
>> With the transfer of Phil Jurkovec (Pitt), sophomore QB Emmit Morehead (6-5, 235) moves up the depth chart. He completed 115-of-192 (59.5%) of his attempts last year, good for a total of 1,254 yards and 10 TDs with six interceptions. Morehead was at the helm when BC upset NC State.
>> Leading receiver Zay Flowers (Baltimore Ravens) is gone, and Jaelen Gill is now at Fresno State. That opens the door for Central Florida transfer Ryan O'Keefe. He will be joined by returning Eagles Dino Tomlin and Joseph Griffin Jr. They combined for 28 catches, 415 yards and five scores last year.
>>Senior All-ACC guard Christian Mahogany is back from an ACL injury last year. He and Ozzie Trailo join several transfers in trying to make the line more productive. The Eagles were last nationally in rushing last year.
>> Senior RB Pat Garwo II (5-9, 210) returns and BC is adding a couple transfers to the running back mix, as well.
>> Donovan Ezeiruaku and Cam Horsley return along the D-line, with the former registering 8.5 sacks in 2022.
>> The Eagles return two senior starters at linebacker. Kam Arnold and Vinny DePalma led the team in tackles, combining for 161 hits. Arnold also had two inteceptions.
>> Senior Elijay Jones returns in the secondary, but BC lost several others to the NFL and tranfer portal. Several transfers will figure in replacements and/or depth.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
For complete preseason preview, click HERE
SPECIAL TEAMS
>> Connor Lylton connected on all 24 PATs and 9-of-17 field goal attempts (long of 46) last year. He was 1-of-5 from 40 yards or more.
FINAL THOUGHTS
With a healthy Lombardi back at quarterback, the Huskies can do what they do best - mix the run and pass, often on sustained drives. The defense must improve its numbers in 2023, but seven starters return and Head Coach Thomas Hammock feels the front will be strong. As long as the defense can limit damage, a rejuvnated offense should give NIU a shot on most days.
The Eagles, meanwhile, have made some moves to shore up their game on both sides of the ball. The opener should give a glimpse of how the offseason moves of both teams might work out.
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