Chestnut Hill, Mass. — Saturday morning’s practice at Alumni Stadium wasn’t just another training session; it was a controlled scrimmage, the first of its kind this summer, with only three weeks to go before the season opener against Fordham.
Head Coach Bill O’Brien had a lot to evaluate after the session, highlighting key areas the team worked on, such as third-down conversions, red zone situations, goal line plays, and special teams drills. While acknowledging there’s still a long road ahead, O’Brien noted several positives.
“We covered a lot today. Third downs, red zone, goal line—lots of different scenarios. We’ve got a long way to go, but we definitely saw some good things,” O’Brien said. He was joined by offensive lineman Kevin Cline and defensive lineman Favor Bate, both of whom offered insights after the practice.
The scrimmage kicked off with a bang when linebacker Vaughn Pemberton intercepted the opening drive. A few series later, Favor Bate, a transfer from Merrimack, added a sack, showcasing his growing impact on the defense.
“I have to take advantage of every single day,” said Bate, reflecting on his early experience at Boston College. “I feel like I’m doing that, and I’m excited about the future for this team.”
As the scrimmage progressed, the younger players stepped up with an added sense of urgency. Freshman tight end Kaelan Chudzinski showcased his pass-catching ability, while Bo MacCormack, a freshman running back, demonstrated impressive speed and vision on the field. However, the play of the day came from another freshman, Mekhi Dodd, who broke free for an electrifying 70-yard touchdown run, leaving the defense behind in a flash.
Kevin Cline, a graduate student and veteran on the offensive line, spoke about the importance of the run game as the team works to build a balanced offense. “We’re really focusing on the run game right now. We’re going through our techniques, focusing on physicality, and making sure we’re coming off the ball strong,” he said.
The Eagles will finish up this weekend’s practices with one final session on Sunday morning before taking Monday off. As always, the sessions remain closed to the public.
The clock is ticking down to the home opener against Fordham, and after today’s scrimmage, it’s clear the team is continuing to build momentum—especially with fresh talent stepping up and proving they’re ready for the challenge.
