On a day when quarterbacks failed to lead, the defensive backs ruled.
The Boston College secondary registered five interceptions, three in the end zone, to lift the Maroon team (defense) to a 62-49 victory over the Gold squad (offense) in the annual Jay McGillis Memorial spring football game on Saturday at Alumni Stadium. The Maroon finished with six turnovers to three touchdowns scored by the Gold.
“Six turnovers is a good day,” said BC coach Jeff Hafley. “I liked the takeaways but at the end of the day I’m not going to judge us off the spring game.
“Today was going to be vanilla and in my opinion, if the defense didn’t have a better day with the limitations placed on our offense, than there is something wrong with the defense.”
Operational offense
Starting quarterback Emmitt Morehead got a first and goal on the one with a 17-yard hook up with senior wide receiver Taji Johnson. After a loss of one, Morehead connected with Dino Tomlin on a fade route to the left corner of the end zone for the game’s first touchdown with 9:33 to play in the second. Tomlin’s father, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, viewed the play from the sidelines.
“We had two red zone plays installed and they had one coverage,” said Morehead. “Spring games are tough but you don’t want to show what you are going to do next year. But we will be great in the red zone and score a lot of points.”
Quarterback Matthew Rueve completed a 26-yard pass to slot receiver Xavier Coleman and followed with a 4-yard touchdown toss to tight end Charlie Gordinier at 3:53 of the second.
Redshirt junior running back Andre Hines scored on an eight-yard sweep left with 2:23 to play in the game.
Defensive dandies
Morehead had the offense rolling on the game’s opening drive with short, effective passes. With the ball on the Maroon 6, Morehead rolled right and was picked off by sophomore cornerback Amari Jackson in the end zone. Jackson intercepted Morehead again at 1:29 of the second on a pass attempt to Jaden Williams at the Maroon 3.
Defensive backs KP Price and Elijah Jones broke up a pair of contested deep red zone pass attempts by Rueve in the first quarter.
“You know in the spring game they (offense) are going to take some shots,” said Jones. “You just try and get your hands on the ball and stay up top and that’s the name of the game.”
Junior hybrid defensive end Neto Okpala had the defensive gem of the game. Okpala strip-sacked Morehead and recovered the fumble on the Gold 30 with 5:24 to play in the second.
Redshirt freshman cornerback CJ Clinkscales recorded the third interception when he picked off Jack Brandon at the Maroon 4 early in the fourth. Freshman defensive back Carter Davis picked off Brandon in the end zone for the fourth pick. Redshirt sophomore defensive back Jamareeh Jones intercepted Peter Delaportas in the end zone with 45 seconds to play.
Something special
Junior place kicker Connor Lytton was good on a 27-yard field goal early in the second half. Lytton connected on his second 27-yard field goal during a special teams segment. Sophomore Liam Connor was good from 33 yards.
