Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec didn’t apply on Tuesday, making it seemingly that redshirt freshman Emmett Morehead will make his second profession begin.
Morehead can be staring down one of many hardest and meanest defenses within the ACC when the Eagles (2-7, 1-5) interact No. 17 North Carolina State (7-2, 3-2) on Saturday (3:30 p.m.) at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Jurkovec was injured on a run play within the fourth quarter of BC’s 13-3 loss at UConn on Oct. 29. Jurkovec didn’t gown for final Saturday’s 38-31 loss to Duke and was seen on the sideline sporting a left knee brace.
“Phil did not practice today so Emmett took all the reps with Matt (Rueve) being the backup,” mentioned BC coach Jeff Hafley. “Will we get him back? I’m not sure but that is where we are at with Phil right now.”
Morehead delivered a Jurkovec-like efficiency in opposition to the Blue Devils and added his identify to some outstanding BC quarterbacks. Morehead accomplished 27-of-45 passes for 330 yards and 4 touchdowns with no interceptions.
Morehead is the primary quarterback to throw for 4 TDs in his first profession begin since Doug Flutie in 1981. He additionally joined Brockton’s Mark Hartsell (338 vs. Michigan) in 1994 and Jurkovec (300 vs. Duke) in 2020 to throw for 300 yards of their first begin.
“Emmett had a really good day (practice),” mentioned Hafley. “What I’m most impressed about Emmett is that he throws the ball very well and his management.
“He has a really good grasp of the huddle and the way he gets them in and out. He takes it serious and it’s impressive and we’ll see what happens.”
Jurkovec’s soccer future turns into more and more murky if he shuts down for the ultimate 4 video games of the season that features a journey to Notre Dame, the place his school profession originated.
Jurkovec’s worth as a possible NFL draft decide has dwindled this season and his quarterback rating and passing numbers lag considerably behind the higher throwers within the ACC. Jurkovec is ninth within the ACC with a 125.92 passer effectivity rating.
Even although he has spent two seasons at ND and three at BC, Jurkovec might have yet another yr of school eligibility. That would give him the choice to enter the switch portal and return to Pennsylvania at both Penn State or Pittsburgh, his hometown.
“It’s not hard right now because Phil is hurt,” mentioned Hafley. “If Phil were healthy and Emmett were healthy than I think it is a question with an answer, but Phil is hurt right now.”
Fight to the end
Every FBS soccer program opens the season with the identical trinity of motivational targets: win the opener, attain bowl eligibility and compete for a championship.
Boston College misplaced its opener to Rutgers and was mathematically eradicated from bowl eligibility with the loss to Duke. Hafley pointed to the sport in opposition to the Blue Devils as proof optimistic that the Eagles stay dedicated to profitable regardless of having misplaced a key incentive.
“If you watched the last game and the urgency of the team, I don’t think it is going to be very hard to do that,” mentioned Hafley. “We have been down 24-7 and a number of two-win groups would have misplaced that recreation by 40 or 50.
“It was 37-21 to start the fourth and we outgained them 173 to 17 in the fourth with an onside kick to win the game. I don’t think it is going to be an issue.”
Behind the road
Sophomore defensive finish Donovan Ezeiruaku has quietly gathered some spectacular numbers as a run stopper and edge rusher. The 6-2, 236-pound hybrid from Williamstown, N.J., leads the Eagles with 10.5 tackles for a loss, with six sacks and three pressured fumbles.
Ezeiruaku is the primary BC defender with 10 or extra TFL’s since Mike linebacker Max Richardson (14.5) in 2019 and 6 or extra sacks because the dynamic tandem of Wyatt Ray (9.0) and Zach Allen (6.5) in 2018.
“It’s only his second year and I think he has taken such a big jump from year one to year two,” mentioned Hafley “I think he is getting coached really well and he’s active and playing with real fundamentals and techniques.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com