BC hits ground running
Stable of backs key to offensive production
A.J. Dillon models his running style after an explosive NFL ball carrier from LSU and will apply it to Boston College’s power run offense this season.
“Leonard Fournette is somebody I feel I am kind of similar to, and I try to model some of my game after him and take a few things from other backs,” said Dillon, a 6-foot, 240-pound freshman from Lawrence Academy.
“But I’m just trying to fit in at whatever role the coaches have for me here.”
BC’s passing offense will be managed by either senior Darius Wade or redshirt freshman Anthony Brown when the Eagles open the season on Friday at Northern Illinois.
Both are inexperienced but strong-armed quarterbacks, and coach Steve Addazio intends to wait until the 11th hour before announcing his starter.
Addazio is counting on his deep lineup of running backs and an experienced line to give either Wade or Brown the time necessary to develop a vertical passing game. The backfield
group is headed by junior Jon Hilliman, who played in 12 games with 11 starts last season. Hilliman led the Eagles in rushing with 542 yards on 184 carries with six touchdowns.
Rich Wilson and Davon Jones are durable, between-the-tackles ball handlers who are reliable in shortyardage and red-zone situations. Addazio is especially excited about the edge speed of Dillon and classmate Travis Levy, who missed parts of training camp with a thigh bruise.
“We have a bunch of really good running backs, and the plan is get them through training camp because we are going to need them all,” Addazio said. “Jon Hilliman had a stellar camp, and all of them have, all of them are making plays.
“We finally have a full stable. A.J. is a big, powerful, fast back. Jon Hilliman is an explosive veteran player and is really electric right now. I’m excited about the whole group of them.
“There will be plenty of reps for everyone to go around. That is just the nature of the beast. I’m excited we finally have that depth. “
Addazio has short- and long-range plans for his backs. He needs them to create favorable passing situations in the first half of the season for his untested quarterbacks. And he will need fresh legs in the second half of the campaign to compete in the ACC and
secure a second straight bowl bid.
“These guys are good players, and you need a stable of backs in this conference,” the coach said. “You won’t make it through the season, you won’t make it through the game, unless you have a stable of backs.
“Our backs are big and powerful and doing a nice job, and I think the run game is sitting pretty. If you run the ball well, the throw game opens up, and if you throw the ball well, the run game opens up. You have to be able to do both, and we have struck an unbelievable balance in camp.”
The Eagles return four starters on an offensive line that is anchored by senior center Jon Baker, the offensive captain from Millis.
Eric Lindstrom is back at right guard but could branch out to tackle. John Phillips and incumbent Sam Schmal will rotate at left guard. Aaron Monteiro is back at left tackle while Marcell Lazard is on the right side.
“As an offensive line, we are trying to develop every day and be the best we can,” Lindstrom said. “Those running backs are all great back there, and we just have to give them an opportunity to do what they do.”