Eagles’ Brown, Dillon remain ‘day-to-day’
Status in question for Florida State
Boston College coach Steve Addazio said yesterday injured quarterback Anthony Brown (abdominal) and tailback AJ Dillon (ankle) are “day to day” for Saturday’s ACC Atlantic Division clash against Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla.
BOSTON COLLEGE NOTEBOOK
Brown was pummeled by Clemson tackle Christian Wilkins on BC’s opening possession of Saturday night’s 27-7 loss at Alumni Stadium.
Brown was replaced by sophomore EJ Perry of Andover, who will see a sizable amount of practice reps with the first offense this week. Brown suffered a seasonending knee injury last November in the second half of a loss to North Carolina State at Alumni Stadium. “I think it is day-to-day and obviously EJ is going to get a bunch of reps and we’ll see how that goes each day,” Addazio said. “Anthony is doing well but I’m not a doctor.
“I guess (this) morning I will get another update. Does he take active reps? If so, how many? Then we’ll go from there but I’m cautiously optimistic to see how it all goes.”
Dillon aggravated an existing ankle injury on a sweep in the fourth quarter. He suffered the original injury in the second half against Temple on Sept. 29 and missed consecutive starts against NC State and Louisville. Dillon, the ACC preseason Player of the Year, had 39 yards on 16 carries against Clemson. “It’s the same as it has been each week,” Addazio said. “He comes off the game and it doesn’t feel great on Sunday and Monday and then as the week goes on, we see improvement.
“I think we are trying to get to the point with some real practice reps because what’s happening right now is that we are not able to get any practice reps.”
Penalty or not?
There are opinions circulating around the cyber watercooler that Wilkins’ body slam on Brown would have been a penalty in the NFL but didn’t draw a flag from the ACC officiating crew. Addazio got a text from Clemson coach Dabo Swinney checking on Brown, who was sent to the hospital after being examined by the BC medical staff. Addazio has a high opinion of Wilkins, who is from Springfield and made a recruiting visittoBC.
Addazio didn’t believe there was anything “ill intent” on Wilkins’ part. However, Addazio would like to see the NFL’s edicts protecting the quarterback be examined by the college football rules committee.
“I’m a real proponent of trying to make the game safer,” Addazio said. “I think it’s reasonable to say that’s probably another rule change that could occur.”
Adding up the ‘D’
BC is fifth in the ACC in total defense (381.1 ypg.) and scoring defense (24.7) because it has players at or near the top of the conference in several categories.
Defensive end Wyatt Ray is in a three-way tie for first with FSU’s
Brian Burns and Alton Robinson of Syracuse with 9.0 sacks. Cornerback Hamp Cheevers leads the league with six interceptions and is tied for second with Wake Forest’s Essang Bassey with 13 passes defended. Middle linebacker Connor Strachan is tied for sixth with Miami’s Jaquan Johnson with 8.1 tackles per game while defensive end Zach Allen and Burns are tied for fourth with 13.5 tackles for a loss.