Dillon’s health a mystery as BC visits N.C. State
Raleigh, N.C. — Boston College has been one of the nation's best big-play offenses behind the running of AJ Dillon. Yet it's unclear whether he'll be ready for today's trip to face No. 23 North Carolina State and the Wolfpack's overhauled defense.
Coach Steve Addazio said Dillon is a game-time decision after suffering a left ankle injury in last week's win against Temple. His status, whether he's able to play or even be effective, will have a huge impact on a key matchup in the Atlantic Coast Conference's Atlantic Division race.
“He's working real hard and looks really good,” Addazio said this week. “Just day to day right now.”
Dillon, who lives in New London, ranks fifth in the Bowl Subdivision in rushing at 130.4 yards per game. And that put the Eagles (4-1, 1-0 ACC) among the national leaders by averaging 43.2 points and 476.8 yards through the opening month of the season. BC also ranks 18th nationally with an ACC-best 31 gains of at least 20 yards this season — including three runs of at least 50 yards.
There's no question of how important Dillon is for BC, which is 9-3 in the games since the 6-foot, 245-pound sophomore became the starter last October at Louisville. And it leaves uncertainty for the Wolfpack (4-0, 1-0) in preparing for the game.
“You have to prepare for both (scenarios),” coach Dave Doeren said. “That's just what you have to do.”
The Wolfpack entered the season trying to transition from losing eight defensive starters, including No. 5 overall draft pick Bradley Chubb as part of a defensive line that sent all four players to the NFL.
Yet, amid all the hype around the Wolfpack's experienced offense, N.C. State leads the ACC in scoring defense at 15.2 points per game while ranking fourth in both total defense (347.2) and rushing defense (104.2).
“Typically at least in my career, the unit that gets the least talk is the one that's the most hungry,” Doeren said. “I think that happened with our defense. I think they listened to everyone talk about the other side of the ball all summer and it made them mad. They wanted to prove something. All they heard about who was leaving instead of who is back.”
If Dillon can't play, sophomore Travis Levy is listed as the No. 2 running back on the depth chart. But it was receiver Ben Glines who carried the load last week amid Dillon's injury — running 23 times for 120 yards and a score — while Levy saw just three carries.