Everett’s Denis finally hits paydirt on pick
Lukas Denis entered yesterday’s game with more than his share of interceptions but he was able to cross something off his career bucket list.
The Boston College senior from Everett dented the scoreboard with a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown on the last play of the first half in the 55-21 victory over UMass in the Eagles’ season opener at Alumni Stadium.
Lukas was second in the nation last season with seven interceptions, none of which resulted in a run to the house. Lukas intercepted UMass quarterback Andrew Ford on the BC 41 and lined up a wall of blockers down the left side. Lukas cut back against the pursuit, turned the corner at the 10 and dashed into the end zone to make it 48-7 at the half.
“Before the half you can never get caught sleeping,” said Denis. “We just called the play and ran it like it was any other situation in the game and they played aggressive and threw the ball deep.”
Redshirt freshman cornerback Brandon Sebastian made a deflection on the play, tipping it to Denis.
Sebastian plays behind Taj-Amir Torres on the left side but was a featured component in BC’s nickel and dime sets all day. Sebastian had 3.5 tackles, a sack and the key deflection.
Passing fancy
Quarterback Anthony Brown and wide receiver Kobay White established a strong rapport for BC last season and it carried over into the season opener. White caught three passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns before Brown was relieved by EJ Perry at the start of the third quarter.
The Brown-to-White Crayola combo made its presence known after UMass tied the game 7-7 on a Marquis Young touchdown run at 6:29 of the first. On third-and-15 from BC 41, Brown hit White for 25 yards. They hooked up on a 34-yard touchdown on the next play to take the lead for good.
“Having Anthony as a quarterback is so great and throws some of the best balls in college football,” said White. “On all the catches I had, he put the ball perfect where only I could get them so I didn’t have any trouble with the defender.”
Tailback AJ Dillon’s first career TD reception was a 15-yard toss from Brown to put BC up 7-0 on the opening drive.
Throwback Jones
Junior Davon Jones was recruited to play tailback but was converted to linebacker last season when a string of injuries to Connor Strachan, Max Richardson and Jon Lamot thinned the corps.
The 5-foot-10, 235-pound Jones reverted back to his productive backfield ways with touchdown runs of 1 and 2 yards to put BC up 28-7 with 9:15 to play in the second.
“We have been two-waying him all camp and he can hit you and drive you back,” said BC coach Steve Addazio.