Ascending BC aims to stay strong against reeling Pitt

With bowl eligibility clinched for the second straight fall, Boston College looks to end its regular season with a third win in four games Saturday against Pitt in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Last week's 41-21 triumph over North Carolina helped the Eagles (6-5, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) continue their late-season peak, while the Panthers (7-4, 3-4) have dropped four straight following a 37-9 loss at Louisville.

Boston College's offense has continually developed in two full weeks with Grayson James taking over under center for the departed Thomas Castellanos. That has helped the Eagles extend their season beyond the task of facing a tough, physical Pitt team this week.

"For us in our first year, to be able to qualify for a bowl, says a lot about the players and the coaching staff. Those guys did a great job," Boston College coach Bill O'Brien said. "We got hired in February. We're just very proud of the fact that we're able to go to a bowl."

James threw for 192 yards and a touchdown while also running for a score last week. The FIU transfer targeted Lewis Bond for a career-high nine catches and 81 yards, and freshman Johnathan Montague grabbed his first career touchdown.

"He's seeing it all (in the game)," O'Brien said of James. "That's one of the things that you see with him -- the more reps you get, the more improvement you'll see. He works very, very hard."

At stake is the Eagles' first seven-win regular season since 2018.

Injuries have riddled Pitt of late, resulting in a skid dating back to an Oct. 24 win over Syracuse. Redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein missed the Clemson game, a 24-20 loss, two weeks ago before being carted off with a leg injury in the first quarter against Louisville.

However, Holstein has not been ruled out moving forward.

"(The injury) is not season-ending," coach Pat Narduzzi said. "It's not as bad as the one that he took a week ago."

Nate Yarnell entered into both situations, producing a 350-yard game against Clemson before throwing for 96 with a touchdown versus Louisville. In the latter contest, the Panthers were outgained 507-265 and trailed 27-0 before scoring and threw three interceptions.

Attitude and effort have not wavered despite the depleted depth chart, which has also lost veteran lineman Branson Taylor.

"We've been unhealthy -- we've been unable to stay healthy, really, since the Cal game (a 17-15 win on Oct. 12)," Narduzzi said. "It's a perfect storm (at Louisville). I felt coming out, attitude was great. I think our guys played with great effort for four quarters. Our guys never quit, never gave up."

--Field Level Media