BC preps for any, all ’Cuse QBs

The Boston College defense spent the sum of its preparation for Syracuse aiming to contain a player listed as questionable on the injury report.

But that’s because junior quarterback Eric Dungey, even if he’s uncertain to play, is one of the most prolific passers in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Dungey missed the Orange’s last two games with a lower right leg injury. There is a strong possibility the NFL draft prospect may sit out tomorrow’s clash between BC (6-5) and Syracuse (4-7) at the Carrier Dome.

The Eagles, who clinched bowl eligibility with a win last Saturday against UConn, are also seeking to improve their position in the ACC bowl lineup by adding a seventh victory.

Dungey started the Orangemen’s first nine games, completing 225-of-377 passes for 2,495 yards and 14 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He was an 11th hour scratch for consecutive blowout losses to Wake Forest and Louisville that eliminated the Orangemen from bowl eligibility.

However, Dungey has a competitive spirit and may feel an obligation to send the seniors out on a winning note.

“We are going to prepare for Dungey because he was their starter,” said BC senior outside linebacker Ty Schwab, who leads the defense with 90 tackles. “Whether Dungey is in there or not we are going to be ready to play whoever we face. The coaches have given us a game plan that we will take and put it into the game.

“They can play whomever they are going to play and we are going to do whatever we need to win the game. They do a lot of (run-pass options) like Virginia Tech so you have to cover the run and the pass option for the quarterback.”

If Dungey can’t play it means both teams will have backups under center. The Eagles lost starter Anthony Brown, a redshirt freshman, to a season-ending knee injury on Nov. 11. Coach Steve Addazio is expected to start graduate student Darius Wade and work true freshman EJ Perry of Andover into the operation before the end of the first half.

Addazio played Wade for three quarters in a rundominated 39-16 win over Connecticut last week. Perry then made his college debut in the fourth quarter but did not throw a pass.

Syracuse coach Dino Babers has been working the same formula with minimal success. Senior Zach Mahoney posted decent numbers (33-of-60 for 384 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions) in the 64-43 shootout loss to the Demon Deacons before giving up the huddle to redshirt freshman Rex Culpepper. Both quarterbacks were abysmal the following week in a 56-10 loss to Louisville.

“Watched a lot of tape on Mahoney and Culpepper and they’re really good players and really talented,” Addazio said. “Dungey is elite but these guys are very talented and I don’t think they are going to change anything major. Zach Mahoney has a world of talent. He throws the ball extremely well. I’ve watched him play and I’m really impressed.

“Whichever one of these guys plays I have the utmost respect for all three of them.”