Hilliman brings healthy outlook to BC’s opener
Boston College tailback Jon Hilliman had one of the best and worst days of his college career against Northern Illinois.
His plan for tomorrow night’s season opener against the Huskies in DeKalb, Ill., calls for favorable rushing yards while avoiding a catastrophe like two years ago.
Hilliman was the Eagles’ featured running back at the start of the 2015 season after rushing for 860 yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman. BC hosted Northern Illinois on Sept. 26 and Hilliman was enjoying his best effort of the young campaign. He had 119 yards on 24 carries including a 21-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Unfortunately for Hilliman, his season ended when he fractured his foot making a routine cut during the fourth quarter.
“I definitely have got something for them personally but you know, we still beat them two years ago,” said the junior from Plainfield, N.J. “That was two years ago and we were a different team. I can’t wait for this game coming up and it should be exciting.”
Hilliman went through a long rehabilitation process and missed spring ball and much of training camp last season. He recovered to play in 12 games with 11 starts and led the Eagles in rushing with 542 yards while collecting six touchdowns.
“I felt good last year believe it or not but right now it’s unbelievable as far as shape and body,” Hilliman said. “This is the best I’ve felt in a long time.”
Hilliman is the most experienced ball carrier in the Eagles’ expanded stable of running backs that includes Davon Jones, Richard Wilson and dynamic freshmen A.J. Dillon and Travis Levy.
“This is a deep group as everybody knows,” Hilliman said. “There is a lot of firepower back there and guys can do different things and I feel that is the best way to do it.
“As a group you have to work harder and the competition kind of permeates throughout the offense and throughout the team.”
There will be immediate pressure on the running backs and the offensive line to move the chains while BC develops a vertical passing game under Darius Wade and/or Anthony Brown.
Wade and Brown are read option quarterbacks who enjoyed productive practices and scrimmages in training camp. But neither has credible game experience against FBS opponents so the ground attack takes on increased visibility.
The 6-foot, 220-pound Hilliman has the power to hit between the tackles and the speed to run around end, qualities that earned him top billing on coach Steve Addazio’s depth chart.
“I anticipate a lot of guys getting involved and lot of guys stepping up early,” Hilliman said. “I know that I’m at the tip of the spear so I’m going to lead and I’m prepared whether it is 30 carries a game or three carries a game.”
The Eagles went 3-9 in 2015 with Northern Illinois representing their only win against an FBS opponent. BC’s quarterback of record in that game was Troy Flutie, who was making his first career start.