? Boston College's struggling pass defense was already facing a tough task stopping Clemson through the air.
Now it'll be even tougher without star cornerback DeJuan Tribble, who's expected to miss Saturday's game with a sprained medial collateral ligament.
Tribble, a senior who earned first-team all-conference honors in the preseason, suffered the injury Tuesday and is out four to six weeks. Freshman DeLeon Gause is slated to start in his place.
Boston College ranks 109th nationally in pass defense, giving up 279 yards a game. The No. 18 Eagles have allowed ACC opponents to complete 63.7 percent of their passes.
The No. 15 Tigers are second in the conference in passing offense (258.8 ypg). Quarterback Cullen Harper leads the league in pass efficiency (154.1) and is second to Boston College's Matt Ryan in passing average (243.2).
Tribble has four interceptions this season. The Eagles had 18 interceptions over the first seven games but don't have any in their past three games.
The Eagles' injury news isn't all bad. Starting linebackers Jolonn Dunbar and Tyronne Pruitt are slated to play after missing last week's 42-35 loss at Maryland with sprained ankles.
McDuffie to play
Offensive line coach Brad Scott said senior left guard Chris McDuffie will play Saturday, but he's not sure how much.
McDuffie practiced with the first team Thursday. His left arm was fitted with a special brace to protect a torn ligament in his elbow.
"I think he's got a little more confidence since the brace came in," Scott said. "It certainly looks like we'll give him a chance to play some. I'm not going to start him, but he'll be ready to roll and we'll throw him in there and see how he does."
Ryan's regression
Through six games this season, Ryan had 15 touchdown passes and five interceptions. In four games since, he's tossed nine touchdowns with eight interceptions.
Ryan surpassed 400 yards in the losses to Maryland and Florida State, but five interceptions in those games hurt.
"I need to definitely play better," Ryan told The Boston Herald. "As a quarterback, you can't turn the ball over and put the team in a bad position. I have to start playing better, and that's basically the bottom line."
Better line play would help. Having been sacked just six times in the first seven games, Ryan has been brought down seven times in the past three.
Now it'll be even tougher without star cornerback DeJuan Tribble, who's expected to miss Saturday's game with a sprained medial collateral ligament.
Tribble, a senior who earned first-team all-conference honors in the preseason, suffered the injury Tuesday and is out four to six weeks. Freshman DeLeon Gause is slated to start in his place.
Boston College ranks 109th nationally in pass defense, giving up 279 yards a game. The No. 18 Eagles have allowed ACC opponents to complete 63.7 percent of their passes.
The No. 15 Tigers are second in the conference in passing offense (258.8 ypg). Quarterback Cullen Harper leads the league in pass efficiency (154.1) and is second to Boston College's Matt Ryan in passing average (243.2).
Tribble has four interceptions this season. The Eagles had 18 interceptions over the first seven games but don't have any in their past three games.
The Eagles' injury news isn't all bad. Starting linebackers Jolonn Dunbar and Tyronne Pruitt are slated to play after missing last week's 42-35 loss at Maryland with sprained ankles.
McDuffie to play
Offensive line coach Brad Scott said senior left guard Chris McDuffie will play Saturday, but he's not sure how much.
McDuffie practiced with the first team Thursday. His left arm was fitted with a special brace to protect a torn ligament in his elbow.
"I think he's got a little more confidence since the brace came in," Scott said. "It certainly looks like we'll give him a chance to play some. I'm not going to start him, but he'll be ready to roll and we'll throw him in there and see how he does."
Ryan's regression
Through six games this season, Ryan had 15 touchdown passes and five interceptions. In four games since, he's tossed nine touchdowns with eight interceptions.
Ryan surpassed 400 yards in the losses to Maryland and Florida State, but five interceptions in those games hurt.
"I need to definitely play better," Ryan told The Boston Herald. "As a quarterback, you can't turn the ball over and put the team in a bad position. I have to start playing better, and that's basically the bottom line."
Better line play would help. Having been sacked just six times in the first seven games, Ryan has been brought down seven times in the past three.
