CHESTNUT HILL – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Two new Atlantic Coast Conference coaches go head-to-head for the first time Saturday when Bill O’Brien’s Boston College team hosts Fran Brown and century-old rival Syracuse.
The teams enter their 58th all-time meeting as the Eagles (4-4, 1-3 ACC) have lost three straight and the Orange (6-2, 3-2) came back to beat Virginia Tech in overtime last Saturday for their fourth win in five games.
“I’ve been involved with a lot of rivalries, and this is one of those types of games,” O’Brien said. “It’s just two tough teams going against each other.”
Two of Boston College’s four losses and its last two wins have come in one-possession games. Syracuse has played in five such close encounters this season, winning two in overtime.
With three of the teams’ last four meetings decided by a single-digit margin, another close one is expected.
In a 31-27 loss to Louisville on Oct. 25, Thomas Castellanos threw three touchdowns. Three forced turnovers — including Quintayvious Hutchins’ fumble recovery and interception — helped the Eagles build 20-0 and 27-10 leads. But the Cardinals scored 14 fourth-quarter points.