Boston College Football: Final Report Card for 2020 Season

Overall Offensive Grade: C+

The Boston College offense does not grade higher because of their struggles running the football this season. The offensive line, which returned several experienced members, did not play as expected. However, that does not discount how well the offense played despite transitioning coaching regimes and bringing in a transfer quarterback.

Outstanding Offensive Players: 

• Phil Jurkovec, QB: 61.8 Completion percentage, 2558 yards, 17 touchdowns five interceptions, 138.7 QB Rating

It was hard to watch the Notre Dame transfer play this season, and not wonder why he never got any snaps of note while in South Bend. Jurkovec was the primary reason the Eagles were in almost every game they played this season. Hafley has to feel great about having the quarterback position solidified for the next two seasons with Jurkovec under center.

• Zay Flowers, WR: 56 receptions, 892 yards, 15.9 yards per reception, nine touchdowns; 11 carries 41 yards, one touchdown

Quarterbacks love receivers who know how to get open. That is Flowers in a nutshell. The sophomore receiver led the Eagles in receiving yards and was second on the team in receptions. Flowers read defenses well and understood how they were attacking him. Flowers is not the biggest or the fastest but became one of Jurkovec’s safety blankets this season.

• Hunter Long

Quarterback: B

When you are building a program in today’s game, you need a quarterback. The best thing that happened to Hafley is Jurkovec.

As Hafley continues to build Boston College in his image, there are few worries about QB1. There was some concern about Jurkovec’s game translating in Frank Cignetti’s more pro-style system; those doubts were laid to rest after a 300-yard two touchdown opening performance against Duke.

Running Back: D-

Running back was the primary struggle for the Eagles. Boston College ran for 100 or more yards in three games while being held under 70 yards four games.

There was no explosion from the run game, either averaging five or more yards per carry just twice. Their lack of ability to run the ball was either a function of an underperforming defensive line or the lack of a bell-cow running back like AJ Dillon or Andre Williams.

Wide Receiver/Tight End: B-

Wide receiver and tight end were led by Zay Flowers and Hunter Long with 56 and 57 receptions. Running back had 35 receptions, and receiver CJ Lewis caught five touchdown passes. Five wide receivers had at least 25 receptions this season, demonstrating Jurkovec’s ability to spread the football around. The only thing missing from the Boston College passing game was a dynamic playmaker.

Offensive Line: D

The line, which was supposed to be a veteran group, had its share of struggles this season. The Eagles’ O-line finished 88th in the country in sacks allowed, and the run game averaged 101 yards per game at under four yards per carry.

This poor play could result from adjusting to the new blocking schemes of the new offense, which were a contrast to what they were under Steve Addazio.