Super Fan Gold Out Returns for Eagles' Home Debut - Boston College vs. Duquesne
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts — The Bill O’Brien era in Boston College football is off to an electrifying start after a decisive 28-13 victory over No. 10 Florida State in Tallahassee. Now, as the Eagles prepare for their home opener against the Duquesne Dukes at Alumni Stadium, the excitement surrounding the team continues to build. This Saturday, Boston College will not only be looking for another win but also for a chance to showcase their talent in front of a home crowd as the Super Fan “Gold Out” tradition makes its long-awaited return.
With a resounding Week 1 win in the books, expectations are high, but Bill O’Brien’s focus remains clear: improvement and consistency. The matchup against Duquesne, an FCS opponent, presents an opportunity for the Eagles to continue refining their game in preparation for the long season ahead.
The Return of the "Super Fan" shirt and the “Gold Out” at Alumni Stadium
The home opener will also bring back a cherished tradition to Alumni Stadium—the SuperFan “Gold Out”. Students and fans will flood the stands in gold, creating an atmosphere that Boston College hasn’t seen in years. Coach O’Brien spoke about the importance of fan involvement and the energy the team feeds off during home games.
"So to every BC fan out there, we need to fill this stadium for every single home game," O'Brien emphasized.
"College football is all about the spirit, right? The student body, the fans, the band—that really helps the players. The players, they feed off that energy. So hopefully we can get a good crowd here on Saturday."
With excitement brewing and the Eagles riding high off their Week 1 win, Saturday's game will be a special occasion for Boston College. As Bill O’Brien leads his team out onto the field for his first home game, the roar of the home crowd will be a fitting backdrop to what promises to be a memorable home opener.
Current Line: N/A
Chance Of Winning: 99.0%
According to ESPN Analytics, Boston College has a 99.0% chance of winning this game. It is difficult to find a spread on this game. Vegas is staying away from this game and so should you.
(If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
Final Score: 55-7 (Boston College Wins)
With a dynamic offense led by Castellanos, Ward, and Robichaux, and a defense that will only improve, expect Boston College to dominate Duquesne from start to finish. This game will allow O’Brien to rotate in some backup players, giving the future stars of the program valuable playing time.
Scheme Preparation and Adaptability
O’Brien also highlighted the importance of adaptability and flexibility in game planning. During his media availability, he discussed the preparation process and how it plays into Boston College’s approach to different opponents.
"The key is our summer process," O’Brien said.
"During the summer, we spent a lot of time on the first four opponents. So, you know, spend a week on Florida State, a week on Duquesne, a week on Missouri. You know that’s what we do in the summertime so we have some thoughts... You're playing the percentages. But then if you go into the game and something happens that's different than what you've prepared for, you got to be able to adjust."
This mindset will be key not only against Duquesne but also in the long term as Boston College faces stiffer competition later in the season. With a mobile quarterback like Thomas Castellanos, who broke the school's all-time rushing record for a quarterback last week, Boston College has the versatility to adapt their offense based on the defensive fronts they face.
What to Watch For
1. Offensive Line Development
One of the focal points for Boston College this season has been the offensive line, and Coach O’Brien has been vocal about both the progress and the areas of improvement for this unit. After a strong showing against Florida State, O’Brien praised the hard work of his offensive line but emphasized the importance of continued growth.
"I think, you know, Dwayne Allick, Jack Conley, Drew Kendall, those guys have worked very hard since the day we got here," O'Brien said.
"Kevin Cline went in there, Logan Taylor will be back this week. Those guys have worked extremely hard in the weight room, summer conditioning, training camp to where we are now. Now, the key is again... How can we get better? Because not every play was perfect, right? Those guys, they know that."
The offensive line will look to build on their dominant Week 1 performance, where they paved the way for 263 rushing yards. With Duquesne struggling in their opener against Toledo, giving up 49 points, the Eagles' offensive line will be key in establishing control early and maintaining consistency.
2. Continued Success in the Ground Game
In their Week 1 victory, Boston College established a dominant ground game led by Treshaun Ward and Kye Robichaux. Ward, a transfer from Florida State, impressed in his debut for the Eagles, totaling 138 all-purpose yards and earning ACC Running Back of the Week honors. Against Duquesne, the Eagles will likely lean on the run game again, using their depth at running back to wear down the Dukes' defense.
Coach O'Brien’s commitment to improving the offense each week will be critical in ensuring that the running backs and offensive line continue to click. Facing an FCS opponent, Ward and Robichaux will have an excellent opportunity to shine once again.
3. Improving the Secondary
Despite an overall strong defensive performance against Florida State, O’Brien acknowledged that there were areas of the defense that need improvement—especially in the secondary.
"Yeah, I think the key to our secondary here at Boston College will be, do we have guys that can play man-to-man, that can tackle, you know, tough guys, guys that can communicate," O'Brien said.
"We did a pretty good job of that most of the night. But then, there were a couple plays that we didn't communicate well... We have to get better."
Boston College will look to tighten up the secondary against Duquesne quarterback Darius Perrantes, who threw for 143 yards and a touchdown in the Dukes’ season opener. The Eagles' defense, led by standout defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku, will aim to control the game by applying pressure on Perrantes and forcing mistakes.
For Boston College football fans, it’s incredibly refreshing to see. After upsetting a top-ten team on national television, Bill O'Brien remains entirely focused on how the team can improve. This unwavering commitment to growth and attention to detail is exactly the kind of mentality that wins football games—and sets the foundation for sustained success.
Depth Chart:
How To Watch The Game:
Game Time: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 7th, 2024
Where to Watch: The game will be streamed on ACCNX and ESPN+. Bill Spaulding (play-by-play) and Craig Haubert (analyst) are on the call.
Radio Coverage: Coverage on the Boston College Sports Network begins 30 minutes prior to kickoff on WEEI 93.7 FM. Jon Meterparel (play-by-play) is joined on the call by former BC linebacker Pete Cronan in the booth and quarterback Scott Mutryn on the sideline.
Boston College Football Fans (BCFF) will be covering the game live at Alumni Stadium.
Please follow @BCFootballFans on X/Twitter for live updates before, during, and after the game.
Mac Hutchinson is the publisher of BCFF. Please follow @Mac_Hutchinson on X/Twitter, he will be reporting live from the press box and the sidelines at Alumni Stadium on Saturday.
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