The Boston College running game broke out last week, but up next is Duke, ‘one of the best defenses in the country’

Through six games, the Boston College offensive line played well enough to give the Eagles a chance but struggled to find consistency and stability.

BC posted between 100 and 190 rushing yards every game and relied heavily on improvisation from quarterback Mason McKenzie.

Then, last Saturday against Georgia Tech, the Eagles exploded for 399 rushing yards and 500 total yards in a 49-27 triumph.

Bolstered by the return of savvy center Michael Crounse, a breakout game from promising left tackle Veguer Jean-Jumeau, and reliable play from Robert Smith (left guard), Judah Pruitt (right guard), and Kristian Phillips (right tackle), among others, the Eagles delivered arguably their best rushing performance of the Bill O’Brien era.

“I just kept calling run,” O’Brien said. “It was a game where you knew you could call a run and it was going to gain yards. Those guys were moving people.”

The unit will look to keep it rolling Saturday at noon in Durham, N.C., against a formidable Duke front seven.

The Eagles (4-3, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), eyeing their first three-game winning streak since 2023, understand that giving McKenzie time and running back Bo MacCormack room to operate will be particularly key this week.

“This is going to be a different plan against an excellent defense,” O’Brien said. “In my opinion, one of the best defenses in the country.”

The Blue Devils (5-2, 2-2) are allowing the second-fewest points per game (16) and second-fewest yards (301.3) in the ACC behind only Miami. They have held three opponents to single-digit points and allowed just 16 in a win over Virginia last week.

BC found a rhythm offensively against the Yellow Jackets, mixing and matching with rushing plays, McKenzie scrambles, and passing plays, and finding a fluidity that had been lacking at times.

“The rhythm is the key,” O’Brien said. “Will we be able to get into a rhythm? That’s the chess match.”

Much of that responsibility lies with Crounse, who returned to a starting role in style after suffering a knee injury in the opener against Cincinnati. Redshirt freshman DJ Williams made strides in his absence, but the offense has a different feel with Crounse igniting the action.

“We’ve taken everything that’s happened, we’ve built it out, and now we’re at a point where we feel like we have it right,” Crounse said of the offensive line.

⋅ Ahead of schedule. Kaelan Chudzinski was not listed on the availability report this week, and O’Brien said he is a “game-time decision” against Duke.

Chudzinski, a 6-foot-3-inch, 240-pound sophomore, led all freshman tight ends in catches (24) and receiving yards (313) last season.

O’Brien repeatedly said he expected Chudzinski to miss the entire season because of an Achilles injury but that Chudzinski had other ideas. He credited Chudzinski, Michael Vigneau (head athletic trainer), and Joe Van Allen (director of rehabilitation) for their work in expediting the process.

“We’ll see how he does in the walkthroughs and things like that,” O’Brien said. “But he’s definitely trending in the right direction.”

⋅ Ballard’s ballad. Saturday’s matchup pits a Duke offense that is tied for the third-fewest sacks allowed in the country (three) against an improving BC defense that is one sack away from matching last year’s total (17).

Defensive linemen Demetrius Ballard and E’Lla Boykin are top 10 in the ACC in sacks per game (0.75) and have formed a dynamic duo.

O’Brien said Ballard may not realize how good he can become. Ballard said the goal is to minimize mistakes and use his length against a formidable foe that likely will not beat itself.

“I’m up for the challenge,” Ballard said. “They have a pretty disciplined offensive line. They work pretty well together. It will be a pretty good matchup.”