- Associated Press - Thursday, September 20, 2018

No. 23 Boston College (3-0) at Purdue (0-3), noon ET (ESPN2).

Line: Boston College by 6½.

Series record: First meeting.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

The Eagles returned to the Top 25 for the first time in a decade and need to keep winning if they’re going to continue climbing. They haven’t started 4-0 since 2007 and have only achieved the feat four times since 1955. Purdue, meanwhile, hasn’t opened a season with four straight losses since going 0-5 in 1982 and needs some momentum before Big Ten play begins.

KEY MATCHUP

Boston College’s high-scoring offense vs. Purdue’s young defense. After scoring at least 40 points in each of their first three games, a first in Eagles’ history, the Boilermakers’ defense has struggled late in games. It had costly personal foul penalties late in each of the first two games and gave up decisive field goals on the final play each of the past two weeks.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Boston College: RB AJ Dillon. Since becoming a starter last October, Dillon’s 168.8 yards rushing per game is the best mark among active FBS backs. His 1,688 yards are second to Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor.

Purdue: QB David Blough. With Elijah Sindelar missing last week’s game with an undisclosed injury, Blough responded with a school-record 572 yards passing and a conference record 590 yards in total offense.

FACTS & FIGURES

Eagles QB Anthony Brown threw for a career-best 304 yards and five TDs against ACC foe Wake Forest last week. … Purdue LB Cornel Jones, a sophomore, is second among all FBS players in tackles for loss (7.5). … Boston College has two interceptions in each of its first three games. … The Boilermakers’ average per carry (7.1 yards) is tied for fifth in the nation. … It’s not the first time Eagles coach Steve Addazio has faced Purdue. He was an assistant at Indiana from 2002-04. … Purdue is 7-6-1 all-time in the regular-season against ACC opponents and 6-3-1 against ACC teams at home.

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/tag/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.

Click to Read More and View Comments

Click to Hide