Duke vs Boston College first look: Blue Devils have shot at bowl eligibility Friday
.JPG "Duke defensive back Brandon Johnson intercepts a pass and runs it in for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)")
Duke emerged from its open week preparing for a game that shows how far the Blue Devils have come this season.
Playing at struggling Boston College on Friday night, the Blue Devils were installed as a 10.5-point favorite despite playing on the road.
This from a Duke program that went winless in the ACC last season and 5-18 overall over the past two seasons.
In his first season as Duke’s head coach, Mike Elko has the Blue Devils (5-3, 2-2 ACC) on the verge of qualifying for their first bowl game since 2018.
Boston College (2-6, 1-4 ACC) is in last place in the ACC Atlantic Division. The Eagles lost 13-3 at Connecticut on Saturday, saddling them with a three-game losing streak entering their Friday night game with Duke.
Three Duke players to watch
Riley Leonard, QB: The sophomore has put together a solid season thus far, both in passing and running the ball. Leonard has completed 64.1% of his passes this season, throwing for 10 touchdowns against four interceptions. He’s also rushed for a team-best 481 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s averaging 6.17 yards per carry, tops among ACC quarterbacks.
Brandon Johnson, S: Named the Walter Camp national defensive player of the week and the ACC’s defensive back of the week on Oct. 24 for his performance in Duke’s 45-21 win at Miami on Oct. 22. Johnson recorded nine tackles, including two sacks, with a forced fumble and an interception return for a touchdown. For the season, he has 5.5 tackles for losses, second on the team. He’s proven effective in Duke’s ever-increasing blitz package usage.
Jordan Waters, RB: Became Duke’s starting running back over the last three games with running back Jaylen Coleman sidelined by a lower-body injury. Coleman could be in position to return following the open week. But Waters has proven a solid player. He’s rushed for seven touchdowns while averaging 4.94 yards per carry this season.
Three Boston College players to watch
Phil Jurkovec, QB: The senior has turned in a mediocre season, completing 59.5% of his passes with 11 touchdown throws and eight interceptions. He left Saturday’s loss at UConn in the third quarter with a leg injury so his status for Friday is uncertain. Freshman Emmett Morehead finished the game. He’s completed 21 of 39 passes (53.8%) this season with a touchdown and an interception.
Zay Flowers, WR: One of the ACC’s top receivers, Flowers leads the conference in receptions (54) and receiving yards (726). He’s caught six touchdown passes. He’s twice caught 10 passes in a game this season and has surpassed 100 yards in three games. But he caught only two passes (on seven targets) against UConn.
Elijah Jones, CB: Effective in pass defense, Jones has broken up 10 passes in eight games this season. He has 26 tackles with 25 being solo stops. He’s been flagged for four penalties, but they call occurred in the same game — Boston College’s 34-33 win over Louisville on Oct. 1. He’s been clean in the other seven games this season.
Vegas betting odds
Duke opened as a 10.5-point favorite over Boston College on Sunday with an over-under total at 52.5.
Duke at Boston College football game and TV info
Who: Duke (5-3, 2-2) at Boston College (2-6, 1-4)
Where: Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
When: 7 p.m., Friday
TV: ESPN2
Stream: ESPN+
This story was originally published October 31, 2022 at 6:40 AM.