Dillon, Hilliman run BC offense
Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente was captivated by freshman tailback A.J. Dillon’s running style before he put on a Boston College uniform.
“I saw the freshman (Dillon) in high school and I was really impressed with him and I thought he had the chance to be a really good player,” said Fuente during the ACC coaches’ conference call on Wednesday.
“I still do after watching him play a couple of games.”
Fuente and Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster are focused on containing BC’s up-tempo power run game when the Eagles (2-3) host the No.16 Hokies (4-1) in an Atlantic Coast Conference interdivisional clash tonight at Alumni Stadium.
Dillon and redshirt junior Jon Hilliman ran for a combined 199 yards and three touchdowns in BC’s 28-8 win over Central Michigan on Sept. 30.
The tailback tandem will look to duplicate those numbers against a stout Virginia Tech defense that is ranked sixth in the ACC in rushing defense (115.6 yards per game) and tied for second in scoring defense (14.4 points per game).
“They are big, explosive guys,” said Fuente. “To me they are big, powerful, explosive running backs that have the power to get tough yards but the explosiveness to bust the long runs.”
Dillon has platooned with Hilliman since the season opener and enjoyed his most productive outing against Central Michigan. Dillon netted 120 yards on 25 carries with a long of 18 and included a stellar 15yard touchdown run that put BC in front 14-2 with 4:25 to play in the first.
“It feels great, obviously, to get your first 100-yard game and it is kind of like the staple for a running back going into a game,” said Dillon. “You know you’ve had a good game if you get to that point and our line has been working hard.
“The entire line opened holes and provided me and Jon with opportunities. You have to capitalize on that and the receivers who were blocking hard out front . ... We really wanted to get the running game going.”
The Eagles have three freshmen at what coach Steve Addazio frequently refers to as the apex of the BC offense. The apex begins up front with freshman center Ben Petrula, who never played the position before replacing senior Jon Baker, who tore an ACL against Northern Illinois. Redshirt freshman quarterback Anthony Brown has started every game while Dillon has carried the rock 79 times for 298 yards and two TDs.
As for Hilliman, he has 87 carries for 325 yards and two touchdowns.
“Jon has been pretty much like a big brother to me,” said Dillon. “We had similar situations recruiting-wise and similar schools of interest and he has really taken me under his wing.
“When we need extra help we come in on weekends and study extra film. He’s been here four years and he has seen a lot, a lot of different teams over the years.”