Boston College 45 NC State 24: Ground Game Lifts Grosel To Win In First Career Start
The adversity of a two game losing streak and the pressure of thinning bowl game aspirations had seemingly no affect on head coach Steve Addazio and his Eagles, who blew past the spread as a 3.5 point home underdog in a 45-24 win over NC State.
Junior running back AJ Dillon put up season-high numbers with 223 rushing yards and three touchdowns to headline the team's most complete win of the season.
David Bailey added 181 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The best performance of Bailey's collegiate career helped give quarterback Dennis Grosel his first career win as a starter in a critical home victory for the Eagles. That makes two straight games of 38+ points for the offense, both against conference opponents.
Boston College's dominance on the ground manifested on the defensive side of the ball too. The Wolfpack only managed 61 total rushing yards and couldn't find the end zone in Chestnut Hill until the end of the third quarter. By that point, Bailey, Dillon and Grosel had already put up 31 points.
NC State quarterback Devin Leary was the problem for the Eagles defense down the stretch. The sophomore threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns to give the Wolfpack 21 late points.
For the Eagles, Grosel finished 6-15 for 103 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. It was enough to earn a win in the first start of his collegiate career.
For Dillon, his 223 yards are the most for him since his freshman breakout game in Louisville in 2017. Bailey's 181 and two touchdowns are the best for him since his 112 yards and one touchdown against in his start against Louisville last season, a game in which Dillon missed due to injury.
After it's most complete game of the season, Boston College's greatest challenge of the season awaits next week when No. 3 Clemson comes to Chestnut Hill in what will again be a critical factor for the Eagles' bowl game aspirations