The Eagles defense was reminded on Friday night that they are young.
Week 3 featured Boston College getting trumped by Kansas in a game many felt the Eagles were going to win. Here are my thoughts on the week that was in New England college football.
1. Friday night’s loss to Kansas was a bad loss for many reasons for Boston College. It is a loss on and off the field. On the field, this was a game the Eagles should have won. It is inexcusable it get blown out by a rebuilding Kansas program.
It is a bad loss off the field because a loss like this hurts a program in recruiting. The game was nationally televised on the ACC Network. If recruits watched the game or saw the score after their game, it probably got thinking about whether or not they want to come to B.C. Especially if they have other offers.
Steve Addazio cannot go 7-6 again. The schedule was set up so the Eagles can win eight or nine game and get to a respectable bowl game. Addazio and his staff need to turn things around and get back on track. His job may depend on it.
2. UMass lost 52-17 to Charlotte on Saturday evening. The defense once again struggled mightily and the offense couldn’t consistently put drives together. As I have said the past two weeks, it is going to be a long season in Amherst. The future of this program is at stake if Walt Bell and his staff doesn’t turn things around.
3. UNH hold its own in a 30-17 loss to Florida International on Saturday night. The Wildcats played well despite playing in a rain storm. Freshmen quaterback Max Brosmer played well in the loss. The Wildcats need more consistent quarterback play and it appears that Brosmer has emerged as “the guy”. Brosmer will look to build off of his performance last week when the Wildcats host URI on Saturday evening at home.
4. Towson made a statement by thumping Maine on Saturday night in Orono. Quarterback Tom Flacco and company racked up 416 yards of total offense in an impressive 45-23 win. Coming into the season, Towson was the team to beat in the CAA and they reinforced that notion with this win.
5. Merrimack got a rude awakening to life as an FCS program after losing to St. Francis 42-14. After being tied at seven at the end of the first quarter, the Red Flashes used a 13 point second quarter to pull away from the Warriors. Quarterback Christian Carter really struggled completing 14 of 32 passes for 172 yards and three interceptions. Merrimack is going to have their ups and downs in this first year of FCS football but the program is heading in the right direction.
6. The growing pains continue at Bryant but the Bulldogs are heading in the right direction. It will take time on the recruiting trail to get this program headed in the right direction.