Armstrong has Cavs surging, but they’ve never beaten Eagles
Virginia brings plenty of momentum into today’s matchup with Boston College, which may be playing its last game of the season.
But the Eagles have hardly been pushovers under first-year coach Jeff Hafley.
The Cavaliers (4-4, 3-4 ACC) have rallied behind quarterback Brennan Armstrong, who missed two games (both losses) and part of a third with a concussion earlier in the season. He has thrown for 10 touchdowns with
two interceptions in the past four games while adding a running threat to the mix.
Armstrong is coming off a 383-yard, four-touchdown passing performance, including three scoring throws of 52 yards or more, in a rout of Abilene Christian. He has also rushed for at least 52 yards in each of the past four games.
“I marvel sometimes just at that arm strength and some of the throws that he makes in some of the windows that he throws them into,” coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “And his confidence and how fast he makes decisions. So I’ve seen glimpses of all that, but not at the same volume. And so I’ve been really impressed just with the decision-making, the accuracy and arm strength.”
The Eagles (6-4, 5-4) are finishing their season on schedule, unusual in this pandemic-affected year for college football, but a postseason berth is uncertain.
All of BC’s losses have come to opponents that were ranked at the time, and the Eagles were competitive against then-No. 1 Clemson and No. 2 Notre Dame.
“If we could finish 6-4 in the ACC, it would be a nice way to send out the seniors, good momentum going into the offseason, and just a lot to build off of,” Hafley said.
“Regardless, I’m already proud of the guys and how they’ve fought.
“I think in the last five games, we’ve won three and lost to the No. 1 and 2 in the country. The last five games, our guys are getting better and will keep repeating. I think it’s going to help us down
the road.”
Here are some things to watch when Boston College visits Virginia:
Undefeated
The Eagles are 6-0 against
Virginia, including 4-0 since they joined the ACC.
Their last meeting was a 41-10 beatdown in Scott Stadium in 2017.
Deep threat
Virginia freshman WR Lavel Davis Jr. has five touchdown catches in as many starts, including a 90-yarder last weekend. He leads the ACC with an average of 26.7 yards per reception.
Mask up
The Eagles haven’t had a single positive COVID-19 test since intake testing over the summer. That’s helped them become one of five Power Five teams to have played 10 games already.
“That is the hardest thing we’ve had to deal with,” Hafley said. “It’s not just our football team, I think that our campus has done a great job, too.
“You’ve got to give a lot of credit to everybody around here, certainly our players.”
Boston College (6-4, 5-4) at Virginia (4-4, 3-4)
WHEN: 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville.
TV/RADIO: MASN/850 AM,
96.5 FM.
THE FAVORITE: U.Va. by 4.
THE BUZZ: After flying to Tallahassee last weekend only to have their game against Florida State postponed because of coronavirus issues involving the Seminoles, the Cavaliers come into this weekend well-rested as they try to extend their winning streak to five games. They’ll be looking to get back over .500 for the first time since they were 1-0. BC quarterback Phil Jurkovec is nursing an injured left knee, but there’s no structural damage. His availability today may come down to his pain tolerance. With Jurkovec (2,558 passing yards, 17 TDs and five interceptions), BC has been able to implement coach Jeff Hafley’s move to a far more pass-dependent offense than the Eagles ran before Hafley’s arrival this season.
THE PICK: U.Va. 28-21.