The Eagles (1-1) have many players who started their careers at lower levels — including quarterback Mason McKenzie at Saginaw Valley State (Division 2), linebacker Anthony Palano at South Dakota State (FCS), and wide receiver Reed Swanson at Colgate (FCS) — so they understand better than most that there is talent everywhere and nothing is guaranteed.
The Black Bears (1-2) certainly don’t have close to the firepower on the roster, but they also have nothing to lose. Junior linebacker Sam Oppenheimer (32 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception), redshirt sophomore wide receiver Keyon Concepcion (14.6 yards per reception), and redshirt sophomore kicker Samuel Tremblay (3 for 3 on field goals 40 yards or longer) are names to know.
“FCS has a bunch of talented players who might get overlooked,” said BC senior tight end Zeke Moore. “They’re going to come in here with a great attitude, wanting to whoop us, so we have to take that same attitude.”
Marcus Upton, a 6-foot-1-inch, 200-pound sophomore starting at safety, shined in last Friday’s 28-21 win against Rutgers with 10 tackles and two passes defended.
He played predominantly on special teams last year, but has carved out a significant role defensively this fall amid a competitive secondary.
“I have very, very high expectations for him,” O’Brien said. “I think he has a great future in football. I think his best years are ahead of him.”
Upton said he was “playing free” and was pleased to help generate momentum early in the game. His goal is to be a “football junkie” and continue to work on his craft.
A native of Sicklerville, N.J., Upton didn’t draw much interest from Rutgers, whereas O’Brien recruited him heavily.
“It’s awesome to have Coach O’Brien believe in me,” Upton said. “I believe in Coach O’Brien. That’s why I’m here. I’m just happy me and him are on a good note and always will be on a good note.”
BC’s defense had four interceptions vs. Rutgers — with Palano recording two, and Charlie Comella and Carter Davis with one apiece — which was the Eagles’ most in a game since 2023.
Davis highlighted defensive coordinator Ted Roof’s scheme and credited the rest of the defense for making his job easy.
“It was great to see,” Davis said. “It had the crowd going crazy. It had us going crazy. It’s something we see a lot that translated from the drills in practice.”
On the flip side, the Eagles lost a fumble and threw two interceptions. McKenzie said the first was “stupid” and took full responsibility, and he tipped his cap to the defender on the other.
McKenzie, who has been involved in the most plays (97), passing and running combined, in the Atlantic Coast Conference, is working on striking a balance between playing aggressively and with poise.
“If those didn’t happen, we would have been able to take full control of that game,” he said.
O’Brien said Tuesday that redshirt sophomore linebacker Bodie Kahoun is “doing well” after leaving Friday’s game in an ambulance during the second quarter.
Kahoun, a Notre Dame transfer from Roanoke, Va., stayed overnight at Brigham and Women’s Hospital for precautionary observation. He was discharged and is back with the team, but not listed on the depth chart.
“He’s progressing in the right direction,” O’Brien said. “I’ll probably have more information on that as we move forward.”
O’Brien said sophomore running back Bo MacCormack, who missed the Rutgers game due to a shoulder injury, could play this week and will definitely play Sept. 26 against Virginia Tech. O’Brien said he doesn’t expect sophomore tight end Kaelan Chudzinski (Achilles) to return this season.
Trevor Hass can be reached at trevor.hass@globe.com. Follow him on X @TrevorHass.
