QB Wade preps for start
BC NOTEBOOK
Boston College coach Steve Addazio will shuffle his quarterbacks in preparation for Saturday’s Atlantic Coast Conference encounter against North Carolina State in Raleigh, N.C.
BC (3-4, 0-4) suffered a 28-20 loss to Syracuse at home Saturday and saw its ACC losing streak swell to 12 games. The Wolfpack (43, 1-2) are coming of a 54-13 defeat at No. 5 Louisville.
Eagles quarterback Patrick Towles scored in the third quarter on a sensational 75-yard run and tweaked his hamstring in the process. The graduate transfer came out on the field for BC’s next possession and took seven snaps. Following a short run to the sideline, he was replaced by backup Darius Wade. Towles’ status for Saturday’s game is uncertain.
“I think with those injuries, it’s always a race against the clock,” Addazio said yesterday. “They run the course, and they are all different. “We’re going to do what’s in the best interest of Patrick and for his health and not put him at risk.”
Towles will play if he is cleared, but Addazio must conduct this week’s practice on the presumption he will not be available. Wade will take starter snaps during the crucial midweek practices, with true freshman Anthony Brown as the backup.
Wade is a dual-threat quarterback who started three games last season before suffering a broken ankle at home against Florida State on Sept. 17. Wade played well in the spring game and battled Towles in training camp for the starting job.
“Darius has to be prepared to play as many snaps as he needs to play, which could be the whole game,” Addazio said. “Anthony is taking backup snaps right now, so he’s going to be thrust into a position where he’s taking more real snaps. Anthony is a real talented guy, and we have a lot of faith in Anthony.”
Against the Orange, BC played without two of its key components, tailback Jon Hilliman (ankle) and middle linebacker Connor Strachan (shoulder), both of whom were injured in the Eagles’ loss to No. 3 Clemson. Addazio is confident he will have both weapons at his disposal against the Wolfpack.
“Jon looks pretty darn good to me right now, and Connor looks a whole lot better,” Addazio said. “I’m pretty hopeful.”
Justice served
The ACC and Syracuse athletic department last night responded to Addazio’s request for an inquiry into an incident that occurred on the Orange sideline in the first quarter.
After consulting with ACC officials, Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack reprimanded director of football operations Brad Wittke for “unsportsmanlike behavior.”
Wittke was caught on video shoving BC safety William Harris to the turf during a sideline fracas.
“I hold all members of our athletics programs to the highest standards of conduct and support the Atlantic Coast Conference’s commitment to sportsmanship,” Wildhack said. “I have spoken with Brad, and he fully understands his actions were not appropriate.”
The scuffle began when Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey slammed Harris out of bounds following a 64-yard interception return. The skirmish escalated when BC linebacker Matt Milano confronted Dungey.
Wittke accepted the responsibility for his actions and issued an apology to Harris, Addazio and the BC football program.