Syracuse Football: A few bright spots in three-point loss to Boston College

Syracuse football often has gotten blown out in its 2020 defeats, but it hung tough with the Eagles.

Syracuse football fans often tell me that there is no moral victory when the team loses, and I tend to agree with that sort of statement. However, amid a disastrous fall term for our beloved Orange, I am really trying to possess some optimism.

The ‘Cuse (1-7) is potentially heading toward a one-win season, and that’s a total bummer. The squad has three Atlantic Coast Conference contests remaining within its 2020 schedule.

After a bye week next weekend, Syracuse football is at Louisville, then hosts N.C. State and, finally, wraps up the fall stanza at Notre Dame.

Those Fighting Irish, by the way, just knocked off No. 1 Clemson in double overtime, in one of the most entertaining affairs across college football to date this season.

Speaking of the Tigers, Boston College nearly upset them a week ago, ultimately falling by a half-dozen points. So when the Eagles arrived on the Hill this past Saturday afternoon, favored by around two touchdowns, I figured that the Orange would get crushed pretty darn good.

My assumption proved incorrect. Yes, the ‘Cuse racked up another ACC bout in the loss column, succumbing to its opponent, 16-13. But BC is a really solid squad, with a current record of 5-3, and if not for two-consecutive turnovers on offense in the fourth quarter, Syracuse football truly had a legit chance to stun the Eagles.

I commend the Orange roster, decimated by injuries and opt-outs amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, for its 110 percent effort versus Boston College. The ‘Cuse fought hard for the entire 60 minutes.

Syracuse football couldn’t quite get over the hump against Boston College, but the Orange was absolutely competitive.

Although the ‘Cuse defense continues to struggle in the rushing department, Syracuse football did manage to hold a prolific Eagles passing attack to only 208 yards in the air, well below their average of 268.4 passing yards per game, according to a cuse.com press release.

A lot of Orange fans seemed happy that true freshman quarterback JaCobian Morgan landed his first career start versus BC, however, many of these fans also groaned about Morgan’s performance.

I don’t know. Morgan played okay, in my humble opinion, completing 19 of 30 passes for 188 passing yards with one touchdown and also one interception.

Running back Sean Tucker, thankfully, returned to the ‘Cuse line-up after missing last week’s encounter against Wake Forest with an injury. He had 52 rushing yards and 34 receiving yards.

To reiterate, the defense only allowing 16 points to the Eagles is encouraging. Defensive back Rob Hanna possessed eight tackles, and linebacker Mikel Jones had seven tackles, cuse.com says.

Punter Nolan Cooney is among the best at his position in the country, while place-kicker Andre Szmyt is having another successful campaign.

And though Syracuse football experienced defeat at the hands of long-time rival Boston College yesterday, the weather in Central New York proved glorious for an early November day, and the Orange remains ahead of the Eagles in their all-time series, 32-22.

See what I did there. I’m trying to focus on the positives.