Looking ahead to the 2024 season, it’s fairly unpredictable how Boston College football will fare against most competition. With a brand new coaching staff and a roster going through a transition period, the performance of the team could go any number of ways. But they will have their usual buy-game against an FCS school this year, in week 2 against Duquesne, and it should give Eagles fans a good opportunity to see their team perform well. Let’s take a look at the match-up.
Last Season (7-5 overall, 6-1 in conference)
Duquesne performed well at the FCS level last season, defeating almost all of their conference opponents and winning the NEC championship against Merrimack before falling to Youngstown State in the first round of the FCS playoffs. Their performances against FBS schools left much to be desired though, as they were blown out badly against West Virginia (56-17) and Coastal Carolina (66-7).
Departing Players
Lead RB Edward Robinson III transferred out to Southern Illinois University in the winter after leading the team in rushing yards and attempts last season. They also lost two of their top receivers, after lead WR DJ Powell graduated and their #2 option Keshawn Brown transferred to UMass. On defense, Duquesne lost one of their top DBs in Dayvia Gbor, who graduated after playing in every game and leading the team in INTs, and they lost lead pass rushers Noah Palmer, Jayden Johnson, and Ryan Lopez to graduation as well. With a lot of senior leadership now missing, the Duquesne is going to have to rely on returning young talent to take a step up to return to the top of the NEC.
This Year
The Dukes are welcoming back QB Darius Perrantes for his senior season in 2024, after he racked up a number of accolades last season. Perrantes made the first team All-NEC, led the FBS & FCS in passing yards per completion, and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award in 2023. His long ball is extremely dangerous and could blow the top off of the BC defense if the secondary isn’t ready to defend the entire field.
Otherwise, though, their offense isn’t terribly efficient. The team often fails to convert on third down and they ranked in the middle of the FCS pack in most offensive categories last season. And their defense overall is just as mediocre, if not worse. As was shown in the FCS playoffs last season, Duquesne is one of the better teams in their conference, but does not have the talent to compete at the FCS national level. QB David Perrantes could be a fun guy to watch sling the ball downfield, but with his top weapons gone from last season, they will have to hope that new players step up to fill the playmaking void.