No. 19 Syracuse ends a surprising season beating British Columbia | Sports News

By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports writer

BOSTON (AP) – Syracuse coach Dino Babers was watching Eric Dungey at training this week when he realized that his quarterback did not look like a wounded guy.

"He did something really, really natural," said Babers. "All the hair stood on my arm because at that moment I knew we had a chance to win."

Dungey racked up 362 yards and three touchdowns and scored three more goals on Saturday, leading No. 19 Syracuse to a 42-21 victory over Boston College.

Dungey, who left last week's game against No. 3 Notre Dame, the back of his back, is the third player in the history of the school to score six goals in a game. the first was Jim Brown, a member of the Hall of Fame. With 32 touchdowns and successful passes this year, Dungey also beat Donovan McNabb for a Syracuse season record.

"I knew I was really going to play when I was in the training room," Dungey said. "It was out of the question that I was not playing in my last game."

After losing its last five games last year, including a 42-14 loss to British Columbia in the final, Syracuse was selected to be in last place in the Atlantic Division's pre-season poll. Atlantic Coast Conference. Instead, the Orange (9-3, 6-2) finished second in second place, Clemson, and will head to their first bowl game since 2013.

"It's crazy to think about it," Dungey said. "We still have four weeks or something to prepare for the cup match, trying to get a 10th win, I'm just running out of words."

Boston College (7-5, 4-4) finished with a three-game losing streak after starting season 7-2 and advanced to 17th in AP Top 25 before losing to Clemson on 10 November.

"At the beginning of the season, I would say we're going to the next stage," said receiver Michael Walker. "The last two weeks have been difficult."

Syracuse: Orange has had nine wins for the first time since 2001 and is only ahead of Clemson in the CAC overall.

BC: The Eagles concluded with a series of three defeats and, for the first time, their fifth season of seven wins in six years under coach Steve Addazio.

"Saturday, we are the 19th team of the country.We had" Gameday "here (from ESPN)," said Addazio. "Why did we have 'Gameday' here because we were playing for the conference championship just two weeks ago, we took a big step forward and sold this place – our first sale for years, many good things have happened. "

The Orange dropped the first game score and three consecutive touchdowns, starting with a 75-yard Dungey pass to Sean Riley. At the kickoff that followed, the kicker Sterling Hofrichter forced and recovered a fumble.

"We have the hardest kicker in ACC," Babers said. "A kicker hitting the doggone ball out? What would you say about that?"

Dungey's 4-meter run raised the score to 14-7 and the Eagles never came close. Dungey followed with a 2-yard touchdown run and also scored on an 18-yard quarterback just before the half to give a 28-14 lead to Orange.

Riley had five receptions for a 115-yard effort and Dontae Strickland had a 129-yard, 20-yard win for Syracuse, who rebounded from a 36-3 loss to Notre Dame for their fifth win in six games.

Anthony Brown completed 17 of 37 passes for a total of 251 yards and two touchdowns for BC. But he also pitched two interceptions and escaped what might have been the last chance for the Eagles to come back.

British Columbia midfielder AJ Dillon, who had an ankle injury, ran 56 times 12 times before leaving the game at half-time. Defensive end Zach Allen and Wyatt Ray, two of the biggest stars of the Eagles, were also injured.

Reilly was so open to the first Syracuse touchdown that Dungey was able to give it to him. He waited for it to come down and waltz in the end zone.

The Eagles took advantage of the vivid coverage of the Orange on a 69-yard bond between Brown and Jeff Smith, which earned them a 21-14 record.

Syracuse: Orange will be a candidate for Camping World Bowl.

Boston College: The Eagles could head to the Military Bowl in Annapolis, Maryland, or the Sun Bowl of El Paso, Texas on December 31.

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