Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
Grayson James sparked the offense, but Boston College can’t reclaim Fenway Bowl magic in loss to ACC-leading SMU
James totaled 237 yards passing and two total touchdowns in his first start since taking over as BC's top quarterback.
When Boston College and Southern Methodist met in the Fenway Bowl last year, the Eagles rallied in the fourth quarter to stun the heavily favored Mustangs.
In Saturday’s rematch, against an even more powerful SMU team sitting atop the Atlantic Coast Conference, BC nearly did it again.
This time, however, the No. 14 Mustangs squeaked out a 38-28 win in a back-and-forth thriller in Dallas. The Eagles (5-5, 2-4 ACC) gave themselves a chance, but SMU registered back-to-back sacks with less than two minutes left and Boston College searching for a signature drive trailing by 3.
“I feel like we were able to move the ball like we wanted to,” BC quarterback Grayson James said. “We just didn’t execute in crucial times like we needed to.”
Advertisement:
With James under center, Boston College’s offense featured the type of versatility it hadn’t shown in recent weeks. The Eagles’ undermanned defense, however, struggled to stymie the Mustangs (9-1, 6-0).
BC was aggressive on fourth down, converting on three of six attempts — a sign of respect for a high-powered SMU offense averaging the sixth-most points (40.1) in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
“I don’t really think we stopped them at all,” Boston College coach Bill O’Brien said. “They probably stopped themselves. I felt like we needed 40 points to win the game. I was right about that.”
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings found Roderick Daniels Jr. for a 15-yard strike with 7:42 left in the first quarter to put the Mustangs ahead. With linebackers Kam Arnold and Owen McGowan sidelined, the Eagles faced a steep challenge wrangling SMU’s explosive playmakers.
Advertisement:
SMU extended the margin to 10-0 through one quarter on a 35-yard field goal from Collin Rogers in the final minute. The Mustangs racked up 146 total yards in the quarter, compared to 31 for the Eagles, and very much resembled the nation’s No. 14 team.
With James (18 for 32, 237 yards, TD, INT, rushing TD) as a catalyst, BC found a rhythm early in the second. James, who supplanted Thomas Castellanos as the starter this week, showed why O’Brien decided to give him the ball.
“He’s been ready the whole season,” linebacker Joe Marinaro said. “Ever since he got here.”
James hit Lewis Bond for 23 yards, then Kamari Morales on fourth and 5, setting up a 2-yard touchdown plunge from Kye Robichaux. Robichaux, who erupted for 198 yards and two scores in a comeback win over Syracuse last Saturday, continues to dazzle.
Southern Methodist answered when Brashard Smith pushed the margin to 17-7 on a 4-yard scamper with 5:53 remaining in the half.
The Eagles again converted on fourth down, with James finding Jeremiah Franklin, then survived third and 20 with a reception from Reed Harris (4 catches, 78 yards). That led to a 13-yard touchdown pass from James to Morales with 1:03 left in the half. After a first quarter spent feeling out the opposition, James became more aggressive in the second.
Advertisement:
O’Brien said he’s proud of James for stepping in, adding that the Eagles have “a lot of confidence” in him.
“As games have gone on, I feel more confident and more comfortable,” James said. “We can execute better as an offense, just getting in that groove, finding a rhythm. I would say I definitely felt that.”
James sprayed the ball, connecting with six different pass-catchers in the half. He provided a deep-ball threat and level of fluidity the Eagles had been lacking with Castellanos under center.
Before halftime, pressure from Khari Johnson led to a Carter Davis interception, and BC appeared to be on the verge of taking the lead. Instead, Isaiah Nwokobia swooped in and picked off a low James pass on the goal-line. Smith ripped off a 45-yard rush, setting up a 41-yard Rogers field goal as time expired.
“That was a terrible sequence of plays,” O’Brien said.
Despite allowing 281 total yards, including 130 after the catch, the Eagles found themselves down one score, 20-14, at halftime against the ACC’s top team.
James — playing in front of 30-plus family members and friends just 15 miles from his Duncanville, Texas, home — showcased his speed on a 20-yard touchdown run early in the third. Castellanos, known for his shiftiness, didn’t have a rush of 20 yards all season.
Advertisement:
SMU responded immediately, as Jennings (24 for 35, 298 yards, 3 TDs, INT) delivered a 38-yard dart to Jordan Hudson to put the Mustangs ahead, 28-21. Rogers drilled a 37-yard field goal to push it to 31-21 with 4:02 left in the third.
But BC never relented, trimming the deficit to 31-28 on a 3-yard dive from Robichaux (21 carries, 90 yards, 2 TDs) with 5:52 to go. Isaiah Farris helped the Eagles secure a necessary stop, and Jordan McDonald picked up a critical first down on fourth and 1 from the BC 29. McDonald, who was on the practice squad as BC’s fifth-string running back not long ago, has carved out a critical role in recent weeks.
“He really earned it,” Marinaro said. “He’s been making the most of his opportunity.”
The Eagles’ final hope ended when Kobe Wilson (16 tackles) and Jahfari Harvey took down James on back-to-back plays, forcing a turnover on downs. Key’Shawn Smith scored from 5 yards out with eight seconds left to punctuate an SMU triumph.
James acknowledged he should have tried to throw it deep as a last-ditch effort.
“It’s a tough situation to be in, so it’s not always going to be pretty or perfect, but just give us a chance to win,” James said. “Anything can happen. I’ve got to get the ball out of my hands and not take sacks. That’s entirely on me.”
If the Eagles play like they did Saturday, they’ll have a shot to beat North Carolina and Pittsburgh, the last two teams on their schedule.
Advertisement:
“We fight,” O’Brien said. “We have a tough football team. We’re not there yet.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com