Irish QB is latest challenge for BC
Boston College’s defense struggled to contain dual-threat quarterbacks in consecutive games this season and the problem could get worse.
BC faces its third straight dual-threat QB as the Eagles (1-1) host Notre Dame (1-1) today at Alumni Stadium.
The Fighting Irish offense is directed by quarterback Brandon Wimbush, an athletic 6-foot-2, 228-pound junior who can beat a defense with the pass or the run.
Wimbush is third on the team in rushing with 107 net yards on 28 carries with two touchdowns in home games against Temple and Georgia. Wimbush has a 106.7 passer rating and he’s completed 37-of70 passes for 394 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
“Well, it helps that we have already prepared for two quarterback-run teams and that’s what we’ve been involved with,” said BC coach Steve Addazio.
“So I think that, in itself, helps us prepare for that. We’ve had some game reps and a whole bunch of practice reps. (The Fighting Irish) are not exactly the same as the other two, but there are some carryover principles.
“We understand that offense, but it doesn’t make it any easier.”
Wimbush was on Addazio’s target list following his blue-chip career at St. Peters Prep in Jersey City, N.J. But Wimbush was a better fit for Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly’s up tempo pro-style spread offense. Wimbush earned the starting job through athleticism and command of the playbook.
“We were hoping at that time we could get him here because we had great connections there,” Addazio said.
“He is a blue chip player that was a national prospect. You are talking about a guy that can throw and run and has size and is a winner. I loved him coming out of high school and I wish we had a chance to get him here.
“But he is where he is and he’s doing a heck of a job. We are where we are and we are going to square off.”
The Eagles made four costly turnovers that included an interception that was returned for a touchdown in last Saturday’s 34-10 loss to visiting Wake Forest.
But the bulk of Wake Forest’s 309 yards of total offense were produced by wily senior quarterback Bobby Wolford.
He led the Deacons in rushing with 90 net yards on 20 carries that included a 29-yard scoring run on a QB draw that gave Wake Forest a 14-0 lead with 10:20 to play in the second quarter. He compounded BC’s problems by completing 13-of-19 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown.
“That was a huge part of their offense,” said Addazio.
BC’s own dual-threat quarterback Anthony Brown is coming off a dreadful outing. The redshirt freshman, in his second career start, was 11of-29 passing for 119 yards and a TD with three interceptions. Addazio benched Brown in the second half in favor of a more experienced Darius Wade.
“This guy is a heck of a player,” Addazio said about Brown, “and we have a lot of confidence in him.”