ACC reveals ‘26 schedule: Some play 9 league games, others 8

The Atlantic Coast Conference revealed Tuesday that not all 17 of its football members will make the move to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026.

Instead, 12 teams will play nine games while Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech and North Carolina will have eight games in what the league called a “transition year” to its new scheduling policy.

The ACC said in a news release that the unique format for 2026 was “designed to balance competitive equity, honor existing nonconference game contracts and account for the league’s unique 17-team footprint.”

Beginning in 2027, 16 teams will play a nine-game ACC schedule and also be required to schedule one other Power 4 opponent. Because of the odd number of member institutions, one team each season will be scheduled for eight ACC games and must schedule two Power 4 opponents elsewhere.

“Today’s announcement of our 2026 football league opponents is another significant and intentional step forward for ACC Football,” commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement. “Transitioning to a nine-game conference schedule strengthens our competitive framework, aligns us with the other Power Four conferences and provides greater consistency for our student-athletes, coaches and fans. This phased approach reflects our commitment to competitive equity, scheduling flexibility and delivering a premier football product across all 17 institutions.”

The league announced its decision to join the Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC with a nine-game conference schedule back on Sept. 22.

The ACC also said in its release that its tiebreaker policy will be updated and announced sometime before the 2026 season.

The league caught flak for 7-5 Duke winning a five-way tiebreaker among 6-2 ACC teams to qualify for the championship game against Virginia. The unranked Blue Devils upset the Cavaliers for the conference title, and come College Football Playoff selection time, two Group of Five champions — Tulane and James Madison — were ranked higher than Duke and got in the field as the No. 11 and 12 seeds.

–Field Level Media

Boston College coach Bill O’Brien to return in 2026

Despite an ugly 10-game losing streak this season, Boston College announced Tuesday that Bill O’Brien will return as head coach in 2026.

The Eagles (2-10) snapped the slide with a season-ending 34-12 victory on Saturday at Syracuse. It was their first win since beating Fordham 66-10 in the Aug. 30 season opener.

O’Brien, 56, guided Boston College to a 7-6 record and an appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl in his first season with the program in 2024.

“Like many, I believe Coach O’Brien is the right man to be our head coach,” athletic director Blake James shared in a letter to alumni obtained by On3. “I also realize that Boston College must respond to major changes taking place in intercollegiate athletics.”

To keep up with the competition, James announced that there will be “significant investments” in operational and administrative support for the program. That includes making the maximum level of revenue sharing available to the Eagles’ roster.

“While our Athletics program participated in revenue sharing this past year, effective immediately, it will increase its commitment to the maximum permissible level, putting it in line with our Autonomy Four conference peers,” James wrote. “The University is committed to supporting football with the resources necessary to compete while maintaining its longstanding academic and ethical standards.”

O’Brien has an overall FBS coaching record of 24-25, including 15-9 over two seasons at Penn State from 2012-13. He coached the NFL’s Houston Texans from 2014-20, compiling a 52-48 record with four playoff appearances.

–Field Level Media

Boston College secures first FBS win of the season in rout over Syracuse

Turbo Richard and Jordan McDonald each ran for two second-half touchdowns as Boston College rolled past host Syracuse 34-12 in the season finale for both Atlantic Coast Conference rivals on Saturday.

Richard (102 yards on 15 carries) and McDonald (28 yards on five carries) helped the Eagles (2-10, 1-7) post a dominant 28-6 score in the second half, gaining 330 of their 433 yards of total offense.

Grayson James was 16-of-24 for 288 yards passing after starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan (2-for-2, eight yards) suffered an early finger injury. Lewis Bond posted eight receptions for 171 yards.

Syracuse (3-9, 1-7) was held without a touchdown until Dan Villari’s 1-yard rush with 3:20 remaining. Joseph Filardi was 10-of-18 for 65 yards passing and also ran for 54 on eight attempts.

Boston College snapped a 10-game losing streak with its first FBS win this season, while Syracuse will end their campaign on an eight-game skid.

It was a 6-6 game at halftime, as Boston College’s Luca Lombardo and Syracuse counterpart Tripp Woody both kicked two field goals.

After forcing Syracuse to go 3-and-out to start the second half, Boston College scored the first touchdown as Richard’s first score highlighted a three-play, 79-yard drive that lasted just 59 seconds. James connected with Lewis Bond for a 54-yard catch-and-run before his own 9-yard run set up the go-ahead touchdown.

Lombardo had his 16-for-16 season kicking field goals snapped when he missed a 40-yarder wide to the right on the next series, but a following 8-play, 69-yard drive got them back in the end zone — thanks to Jordan McDonald’s 2-yard run — late in the third quarter.

An Omar Thornton sack forced another 3-and-out before Boston College needed just two plays to extend their lead to 27-6. Richard cut to the left and down the sideline for a 46-yard touchdown.

McDonald’s 14-yard rumble up the middle with 9:24 left capped the Eagles’ scoring.

The first half saw Syracuse gain 114 of its 140 yards on the ground while Boston College threw for 77 of its 103.

Lombardo’s 30-yard field goal opened the scoring with 4:04 left in the first.

Syracuse was unable to turn Will Nixon’s 28-yard burst across midfield into a touchdown, knotting the score on a 49-yard boot from Woody in the opening minute of the second quarter.

The Orange forced a 3-and-out before stringing together a 14-play, 65-yard drive in 9:36, ending with Woody’s 29-yard kick with 3:05 left in the half.

Lombardo followed with a last-minute 31-yarder for the tied halftime score.

–Field Level Media

Boston College, Syracuse seeking happy finish to dismal seasons

Familiar foes with second-year head coaches will try to conclude disappointing seasons on a winning note as Boston College and host Syracuse clash on Saturday.

One team’s long skid will be broken in the season finale. Boston College (1-10, 0-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) has lost 10 straight and looks to avoid finishing winless against FBS competition, while Syracuse (3-8, 1-6) is out to break a seven-game slide.

“This is a big game for us, a big game for them,” Syracuse coach Fran Brown said. “It’s a much-needed game for both organizations going into the offseason.”

The Orange took a 70-7 loss at then-No. 9 Notre Dame last Saturday, allowing three defensive and special-teams touchdowns while falling behind 35-0 in the first quarter. It was one of six games Syracuse played this season against six teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

Brown tabbed freshman walk-on quarterback Joseph Filardi for just his second career start against the Fighting Irish. He threw for 83 yards and three interceptions and also rushed for 33 yards, including the only Orange touchdown.

“We just told Joe to go out here and still play, a little competition, and I think there’s one other guy (true freshman Rich Belin) that’s healthy enough to get an opportunity,” said Brown, who has played four signal-callers and 22 first-time starters overall this season.

Boston College has been idle since a 36-34 home loss to then-No. 16 Georgia Tech on Nov. 15. Coach Bill O’Brien’s team racked up 537 yards and held a fourth-quarter lead before falling just short.

In one final game, the Eagles will look to show the fight they have shown all season.

“That’s been the one thing about this team that I’ll never forget,” O’Brien said. “Nobody wants to be where they are record-wise, but at the end of the day, these guys have fought very hard in every single game.”

Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan started at quarterback against the Yellow Jackets and will again this Saturday.

Against Georgia Tech, Lonergan passed for 362 yards and two touchdowns. Reed Harris and Lewis Bond — the latter who is the program’s new single-season and career receptions leader — became the first pair of 100-yard receivers in the same game for Boston College since 1993.

“He made a lot of great throws, he anticipated well, he took off a couple times which helped us a lot,” O’Brien said of Lonergan. “We just tried to keep getting better every single day. He works very hard.”

–Field Level Media

No. 16 Georgia Tech survives Boston College upset bid on last-minute FG

Aidan Birr’s 23-yard field goal with 14 seconds left lifted No. 16 Georgia Tech to a 36-34 win over host Boston College in Saturday’s Atlantic Coast Conference game at Chestnut Hilll, Mass.

After Turbo Richard’s 43-yard touchdown run flipped the score back Boston College’s way with 4:09 left, the Yellow Jackets (9-1, 6-1) put together a 13-play, 69-yard drive in the next 3:58 to win the game.

Haynes King was 26-of-34 for 371 yards and a touchdown while leading Tech, which had a 628-537 advantage in total yardage. Eric Rivers (119 yards) and Malik Rutherford (121 yards, one touchdown) were his top targets, while Malachi Hosley rushed for 107 yards and a score.

Dylan Lonergan threw for 362 yards for Boston College (1-10, 0-7), including 142 to Reed Harris. Turbo Richard rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.

Lewis Bond finished with eight catches for 106 yards, becoming Boston College’s single-season and career receptions leader during the game.

Georgia Tech had erased a 28-17 deficit with three consecutive third-quarter scores, beginning with a 26-yard Burr field goal. After forcing a 3rd-and-9 incompletion to get the ball back, Eric Rivers caught King’s 35-yard ball to set up a Jamal Haynes 2-yard rushing score, but a 2-point attempt to tie failed.

Following a 3-and-out, the visitors needed one score — Jordan Allen’s 54-yard scamper up the sideline and a PAT — to take a 33-28 lead with 6:14 left.

The Eagles were not done. After Lonergan found Jeremiah Franklin on a 3rd-and-19 play to extend the drive, Richard broke off a 43-yard touchdown run with 4:09 left to flip the score again. The 2-point attempt failed.

Georgia Tech scored first on Hosley’s 27-yard touchdown with 4:59 left in the first quarter.

Boston College then logged an 11-play, 75-yard drive over 5:40, tying the game after Richard’s 1-yard touchdown on 4th down in the opening minute of the second quarter. He also broke free for a 42-yard run earlier in the drive.

After King aired out a 48-yard pass during the ensuing series, the Eagles were unable to turn Bryce Steele’s fumble recovery into points. However, Rutherford broke a tackle for a 71-yard touchdown run to flip the score back Georgia Tech’s way with 9:44 left in the second.

Lonergan led a 10-play, 93-yard drive — including Bond’s career milestone grab — in just 1:04 to tie the game at 14-14 late in the first half. The Alabama transfer connected with Harris three times before Kaelan Chudzinski’s 3-yard touchdown.

Early in the third, a big run into the red zone by Richard helped set up Jordan McDonald’s 14-yard run to give Boston College a 21-14 lead.

Redeeming himself for a 49-yard miss at the end of the first half, Birr kicked a 34-yarder to cap a 14-play drive with 4:35 left in the third.

The Eagles extended their lead as Harris broke multiple tackles on a 32-yard catch-and-run before the third quarter expired. On the other side of the break, a red-zone stand forced Birr to come on for a 26-yard field goal.

–Field Level Media

No. 16 Georgia Tech, ready to put first loss behind it, takes on BC

No. 16 Georgia Tech wasted no time moving past its first loss of the season.

With their second bye week in the rear view, the Atlantic Coast Conference-leading Yellow Jackets (8-1, 5-1) are ready to bounce back when they visit Boston College (1-9, 0-6) for the first time since 2020 on Saturday afternoon in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

“We’ve got to use those emotions and feelings (of a 48-36 loss to NC State on Nov. 1) to continue to push us forward,” coach Brent Key said. “I talked to the team on Sunday about this. I said, you work from January when we first organized workouts and weight training…you do all that in hopes of playing meaningful games in November, and here we are.”

The loss came despite quarterback Haynes King racking up a school-record 511 total yards and four touchdowns. The redshirt senior accounted for 408 yards through the air, helping to up his ACC-best total yardage to 330.3 per game.

Conversely, NC State’s six touchdowns in 10 possessions and 583 total yards did in the Yellow Jackets. Playing without injured starting nickelback Jy Gilmore and cornerback Ahmari Harvey did not help, but they could be closer to returning to game action after practicing last week.

“(Their possible return) changes some of the coverages you can play, it changes how you look to protect a certain guy,” Key said. “At the end of the day, we’ve got to perform and play good defense. We’ve got to be able to stop the run and keep the explosives from going over our heads.”

Their status will become clearer later in the week, but Key is excited about where the team stands following the bye.

“Time is the best cure-all. It is,” Key said. “They’re all out there right now. … I thought Sunday’s practice, we came out and it was as fast and crisp and as much energy as we’ve had.”

Boston College coach Bill O’Brien was an assistant at Georgia Tech from 1995-02, a stint during which Key was a team captain. O’Brien knows that his Eagles will have to defend an ultimate weapon in order to have success against his former player’s team and earn their first FBS win of the season in the home finale.

“This guy has a ton of their production. The way they use him is incredible to me,” O’Brien said of King. “(Key and coordinator Buster Faulkner) do a good job with their offense, and he is the leader of it. He is a competitive, tough player.”

The quarterback position has been uncertain for the Eagles of late, with both Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan and incumbent starter Grayson James seeing significant action. O’Brien has not confirmed a starter for Saturday’s game.

In last week’s 45-13 loss to SMU, James attempted just two passes and got sacked three times before Lonergan — who started the previous game against Notre Dame — entered in relief and went 25-for-37 passing for 232 yards and a touchdown.

“They have to give us confidence. It’s important for us to have confidence in them,” O’Brien said. “They’ve each played a lot, and they’ve done some good things and some not so good things.”

Senior receiver Lewis Bond enters the game needing just three catches to break Zay Flowers’ all-time receptions record of 200. His 7.3 receptions per game rank fifth nationally.

“For him to have a chance to break the record is really a testament to him, his work ethic, his toughness, his competitiveness,” O’Brien said.

–Field Level Media

After upsetting Miami, SMU fixates on skidding BC

When Atlantic Coast Conference foes SMU and Boston College renew acquaintances Saturday afternoon in Chestnut Hill, Mass., the Mustangs will look to keep momentum following a major upset while the Eagles hope to find some.

SMU (6-3, 4-1) hits the East Coast after a thrilling 26-20 overtime win last week against then-No. 10 Miami. It marked the highest-ranked victory since 1983 for the Mustangs, who are 12-1 all-time in ACC games since joining the league last year.

TJ Harden carried the ball on five straight plays to close the game, including the deciding 1-yard touchdown. The UCLA transfer’s effort came after Kevin Jennings threw for a season-high 365 yards and one score.

“We were focused, we were intentional, we were urgent. (But) we want to be better this week than we were last week,” said SMU coach Rhett Lashlee.

In other words, the Mustangs’ attention has turned to finding the road win that eluded them two weeks ago in a 13-12 setback at Wake Forest.

“Get to go on the road,” Lashlee said. “Sixth straight (week with a) game. Get to go up to Boston. That’s a big challenge for us. Bill (O’Brien) is a championship-level coach at every level, and they’ve been really, really close a lot, so we’ve got our hands full there.”

The Eagles (1-8, 0-5) are on an eight-game skid following last week’s 25-10 loss to then-No. 12 Notre Dame in which they trailed just 12-10 in the third quarter. Only two of the eight losses have been decided by seven points or fewer.

With Grayson James starting at quarterback for the fourth straight game, O’Brien knows what it will take to get over the hump. Saturday will mark the Eagles’ second of three straight home games before the Nov. 29 finale at Syracuse.

“If you think back to those games, there were interceptions, there were fumbles. It comes down to that,” O’Brien said. “Last year, we were a lot better at that — taking care of the ball, taking the ball away. This year, it’s been the opposite, and we have to fix that.”

James threw for at least 200 yards and one touchdown in each of his first three starts. He was 25-for-37 against Notre Dame and found Reed Harris for a key second-quarter score, but six sacks and three giveaways did in the Eagles.

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2025; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates with his teammates after a touchdown in the third quarter against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images

No. 12 Notre Dame scores final 13 points, fends off BC

Jeremiyah Love’s pair of second-half touchdowns helped No. 12 Notre Dame hold off Boston College 25-10 for its sixth consecutive win on Saturday in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

The standout junior was limited to 40 yards on 11 carries before busting out for a 94-yard touchdown run with 11:07 remaining. Love (17 carries, 136 yards) also rushed for a 3-yard score in the third quarter to stop Boston College’s 10-point run that brought the host within 12-10.

Notre Dame (6-2) finished with a 458-281 advantage in total yards while gaining 8.3 yards per play.

Quarterback CJ Carr was 18-for-25 for 299 yards and tossed second-quarter touchdown passes to Malachi Fields and Will Pauling. Carr completed seven passes of 15 yards or longer.

After Dylan Lonergan drew the start, Grayson James entered at quarterback for Boston College (1-8) and went 25-for-37 for 240 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

The Notre Dame defense racked up three picks and 12 tackles for loss that included five sacks. Linebacker Drayk Bowen totaled a career-high 14 stops and added two tackles for loss with one sack.

Notre Dame had the ball for 10:18 in a scoreless first quarter before scoring on a fourth-and-6 play to begin the second. Carr aired out a 40-yard pass over the middle to Fields to cap a 10-play, 85-yard touchdown drive.

The teams’ subsequent three series resulted in turnovers. After Tae Johnson intercepted Lonergan, the Irish drove to the Boston College 5-yard line where a Jadarian Price fumble gave the ball back.

The hosts turned the ball over on downs after eating up 7:11 on a 14-play drive, allowing Notre Dame to add to its lead on Carr’s 44-yard toss to Pauling. The Irish lead was just 12-0 after a missed point-after and 2-point conversion on its initial two scoring drives.

James led the Eagles on a seven-play, 75-yard series in a 1:31 span before halftime to cut the deficit to 12-7. After spinning free to avoid a second straight sack, James connected with Lewis Bond twice and Jaedn Skeete on three straight 15-plus-yard passes. Two plays later, Reed Harris caught a 25-yarder in the left corner of the end zone for the touchdown.

Notre Dame’s Erik Schmidt missed a 35-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the first half.

Coming out of halftime, Boston College strung together a 21-play, 74-yard drive over 11:20. Three fourth-down conversions helped James along the way, but consecutive empty plays forced the Eagles to settle for a 25-yard field goal from Luca Lombardo that cut Notre Dame’s lead to 12-10.

Notre Dame responded with a much quicker scoring drive. Following four first downs in a five-play span, Love rushed for a 3-yard touchdown with 32 seconds left in the third. Another missed point-after followed and the Irish led 18-10.

The fourth quarter featured a possible major swing. After the Irish appeared to recover a Skeete fumble for a touchdown, an official replay determined he had recovered his own miscue.

However, the drive ended eight plays later with Adon Shuler intercepting Lonergan’s deep ball. On the next snap, Love rushed down the left sideline for his 94-yard score that made him the first player in Notre Dame annals to deliver two 90-yard-plus touchdown runs.

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr, right, runs the ball as running back Jeremiyah Love (4) blocks during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

No. 12 Notre Dame rested, ready for rivalry game at Boston College

Though No. 12 Notre Dame had no game to prepare for last weekend, coach Marcus Freeman knew there was no time for his team to rest on a five-game winning streak during its recent bye week.

The Fighting Irish (5-2) looked for every way to raise their level of play as they awaited Saturday afternoon’s road challenge against “Holy War” rival Boston College (1-7) in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

“We had to elevate during the bye week,” Freeman said. “I was pleased with the way we prepared. We worked on consistency in our fundamentals that will then determine more consistent play in our execution.”

Notre Dame has plenty to carry over from a 34-24 home win over then-No. 20 Southern California on Oct. 18, including a season-best rushing effort (306 yards) featuring touchdown runs by both Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price for the 11th time in their Irish careers.

Love led the way rushing for a career-high 228 yards, and the Irish defense forced three second-half turnovers, backing up quarterback CJ Carr, whose 136 passing yards were a season-low total.

“When their best was needed, they got it done,” Freeman said of the defense.

The Irish will look for more of the same against Boston College, which it shut out 44-0 at home in the teams’ last meeting in 2022.

Carr still threw his 14th touchdown pass — the second-most among FBS freshmen — and ran for another.

“He has done a wonderful job in his first seven games as a first-time quarterback in terms of leading this offense, in terms of what he has on his plate,” Freeman said. “He’s done a tremendous job, and there’s more. That’s the exciting part. There’s more to his game.”

Despite remaining winless against FBS competition this season, Boston College showed some signs of life before falling 38-24 at then-No. 19 Louisville last week.

Grayson James threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns in his second straight start. The Eagles forced three turnovers but allowed 504 yards of total offense (317 rushing) and 10 points off Louisville takeaways.

“To me, it comes down to turnovers,” Boston College coach Bill O’Brien said. “We took the ball away very well against Louisville, but then we gave it right back to them. We have to continue to take the ball away when presented to us, but we have to do something with that.”

Unlike last week, O’Brien did not announce a starting quarterback for the upcoming game. Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan has not played in the last two games after starting the first six.

“I’d say it’s TBD based on a lot of things, not because of the way anybody played or anything like that,” O’Brien said. “What’s best for the team is to do the best job we can of … trying to win the game. The wins are more important than anything else.”

Regardless of the signal caller, the Eagles remain a top-30 passing offensive nationally. Against Louisville, Lewis Bond caught his first touchdown of the season, and Kaelan Chudzinski his third. Chudzinski’s 216 yards are tops among FBS freshman tight ends, including 80 last week.

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2025; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA;  Boston College Eagles quarterback Grayson James (3) runs with the ball while UConn Huskies linebacker Aaron Key (5) defends during the first half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Joe Fagnano leads streaking UConn past Boston College

Joe Fagnano threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another as UConn beat New England rival Boston College for the second time in Huskies coach Jim Mora’s four seasons 38-23 on Saturday afternoon in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Fagnano was 23 of 31 for a season-high 362 yards to lead the Huskies (5-2) to their fourth straight victory, connecting with Juice Vereen for two of his three passing scores. Skyler Bell had 10 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown.

After facing a 20-17 halftime deficit, the Huskies allowed just one field goal while forcing three punts and a turnover on downs across five series in the second half.

The Huskies totaled 455 yards of offense.

Grayson James was 16 of 28 for 204 yards and two touchdowns in his first start of the season for Boston College (1-6). Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan started the first six games.

Luca Lombardo kicked three field goals, and Jordan McDonald was the Eagles’ top rusher with 123 yards on 24 carries.

Fagnano and Edwards fueled the Huskies’ six-play, 75-yard drive in 3:09 to go ahead for good at the beginning of the second half, 24-20. The graduate quarterback and John Neider connected over the middle for a 43-yard touchdown.

After forcing a second consecutive punt with a three-and-out, Fagnano’s 14-yard touchdown pass to Vereen in the final minute of the third quarter gave UConn its first two-score lead at 31-20.

A following 14-play, 78-yard drive ended with a 25-yard Lombardo field goal, but the Huskies needed just 2:05 to respond with a dagger with 5:04 remaining. On third-and-4, Bell caught a Fagnano pass and broke free of a tackle behind the line to gain for a 38-yard touchdown.

Earlier, Boston College settled for Lombardo’s 47-yard field goal after a game-opening, 12-play drive stalled out inside opposing territory, but Fagnano hit a wide-open Vereen for a 50-yard touchdown on the visitors’ ensuing penalty-aided series.

After driving to the UConn 2-yard line during a 13-play string that ended without a touchdown, Lombardo kicked a 22-yard field goal to bring the Eagles to 7-6 late in the first quarter.

The Huskies finished an 80-yard march in a 3:47 span early in the second quarter as Fagnano scored on a 2-yard rush to the right. James responded by throwing a 9-yard strike to freshman Kaelan Chudzinski to make it a one-point game halfway through the quarter.

Chris Freeman booted a 40-yard field goal with 5:52 left before halftime, giving the Huskies a 17-13 lead before their defense made the first defensive stop of the game for either team.
The hosts took the lead with 21 seconds to go in the first half, as James launched a 39-yard pass to Reed Harris to punctuate a drive that lasted just 1:17.

–Field Level Media