Georgia Tech is trying to get back on track this weekend against Boston College, but the Yellow Jackets won’t be able to take anything for granted. If they want to walk out with a win, they’ll have to keep three Eagles from taking over the game.
The first name at the center of it all is Mason McKenzie. He leads Boston College in rushing with 444 yards and three touchdowns, and he’s dangerous in the RPO game because he can stress a defense in multiple ways.
McKenzie can hurt you on the ground, slip past edge pressure, and hit a crease in a hurry. He’s also been productive as a passer, throwing for 1,262 yards and seven touchdowns.
Even with two turnovers in the last game, McKenzie put up a season-high 295 passing yards in Boston College’s win over Pittsburgh. He has shown a tendency to give the ball away, so Georgia Tech will be hunting for pressure. Still, Brent Key knows the challenge goes beyond just forcing mistakes.
“It really starts with their quarterback (Mason McKenzie). You know, the quarterback's done a nice job for them.
He's a division two transfer from Saginaw. He reminds me a lot of the guy we had here last year in a lot of ways.
You know, he runs around, throws a good ball; you can tell he has command and leadership of the offense, and you know, obviously, so with them naming him as a captain, you know, just getting there. So he’s done a good job for him.
Extends plays, scrambles, avoids pressure; you throw on the run, but also is a designed runner, and the quarterback reads. We got to be sharp on defense as far as our quarterback responsibilities and our pass rush responsibilities, and make sure that we keep him contained in the pocket when we can and not allow the big explosives that hurt you with that."
Boston College also leans on Polano, who leads the Eagles with 52 tackles. He has added 1.5 sacks and a pass defensed, and his impact in coverage has stood out all season.
Polano owns a 72.6 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, and his two interceptions help explain why. He’s fast downhill, quick to diagnose, and plays with the kind of urgency that shows up on film.
One of his best performances came against Rutgers, when he finished with nine tackles, two interceptions, and a sack. Polano has the kind of instincts that let him jump plays before they fully develop, and Georgia Tech will need to know where he is whenever he’s near the ball.
Then there’s Price, Boston College’s second-leading tackler with 46 stops. He brings more than run support, though. Price leads the Eagles with three interceptions and has also forced a fumble this season, giving Boston College another defender who can change a game in coverage.
His strongest outing came against Maine, when he posted seven tackles and two interceptions in a 22-16 win. Price has also notched 10 tackles in three different games this season.
Pro Football Focus has him as Boston College’s best-graded defender, giving him a 75.1 defensive grade on 413 snaps, along with an 87.4 tackling grade. That fits the tape: he’s reliable in space, sharp on the perimeter, and tough to slip past.
Georgia Tech will have him firmly on the scouting report for Saturday.
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