JC French was responsible for 24 of Cincinnati's 34 points
What actually decided Cincinnati's win over Boston College — beyond the final score.
Cincinnati tops Boston College, 34-15 at Nippert Stadium. Cincinnati was the steadier side of a 19-point win. JC French threw for 77 yards on 14 attempts with one touchdown and ran 10 times for 52 yards and three scores.
The turnover battle was the game
Cincinnati won the turnover battle 0-3, chiefly MJ Cannon (1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 2 PBUs, 2 tackles) and Kenny Worthy (1 INT, 1 PBU, 1 tackle). Cincinnati scored on 50% of its drives to Boston College's 18%, chiefly JC French (24 pts), JaVonnie Gibson (6 pts) and Stephen Rusnak (6 pts). That's what carried Cincinnati.
How the two sides actually played on the night.
Who carried it
JC French threw for 77 yards on 14 attempts with one touchdown and ran 10 times for 52 yards and three scores, including four of them from inside the 20, two third-down conversions and a hand in three plays of 15 yards or more. JaVonnie Gibson caught four passes for 54 yards, one of them for a touchdown, including that score from inside the 20. Gi'Bran Payne ran 14 times for 108 yards. For Boston College, Mason McKenzie threw for 223 yards on 35 attempts with one touchdown and ran 20 times for 78 yards — four third-down conversions and a hand in eight plays of 15 yards or more. John Montague caught two passes for 55 yards, one of them for a touchdown. Javarius Green caught six passes for 74 yards, with a hand in three plays of 15 yards or more. MJ Cannon was the disruptive one for Cincinnati: 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 2 PBUs, 2 tackles.
Where it swung
The game turned on a handful of snaps. Mason McKenzie's 20-yard throw to Javarius Green on 3rd-and-10 at Q2 02:00. Then Mason McKenzie's 1-yard attempt to Brady Clough that came up short on 1st-and-10 at Q3 08:34. Later, Mason McKenzie's dropback that came up short on 4th-and-5 at Q4 09:01.
The way it played out
Cincinnati struck first through Stephen Rusnak, led 10-0 at the half and Boston College got the final points on a late touchdown by Mason McKenzie.
The takeaway
Historically similar games since 2019 — close margin, both offenses held far below norm — and how often that offense outperformed this level the following week.
A solid, earned win for Cincinnati; Boston College is left to clean up the details that cost it. Mason McKenzie was responsible for 6 of Boston College's points; there was not enough behind him.
Discussion
Weigh in on the analysis — the best takes rise to the top.
0 Replies
Sign in to join the discussion.