Transfer quarterback Dylan Lonergan makes debut for Eagles. Photo by Meg Kelly.

The Eagles entered yesterday’s season-opening game against Fordham favored by almost 40 points and exceeded most expectations with a 66-10 victory. Overall, BC scored its most points since 2015 and gained 555 yards total offense.

“I wouldn’t say it proves much,” said wide receiver Lewis Bond, who led the team with 11 receptions for 138 yards, “but it was a good win.”

It was the BC debut of several players, particularly quarterback Dylan Lonergan, a transfer from Alabama. Lonergan was 26 of 34 passing for 268 yards and four touchdowns, no interceptions. He was very much a pocket quarterback, attempting only four rushes for a negative three yards.

With backup QB Grayson James, starter in several games last season, adding 190 yards through the air on five-for-five passing in the fourth quarter, BC was dominantly a passing team yesterday. Overall, the team rushed 39 times for 97 yards, an average of 2.5 yards per attempt.

“We definitely don’t want to be three yards and a cloud of dust,” Coach Bill O’Brien said. “We don’t want to get into 15-play drives. That’s really not who we are. We’ll do that if we have to, but we really believe in chunk plays.”

Fordham similarly sought offense through the air, attempting the same number of passes as the Eagles (39), but gaining only 152 yards and no touchdowns. They ran 27 times, gaining only a net total of 16 yards.

Punting was often inconsistent last season. Yale transfer Shamus Florio punted four times yesterday for an average of 47 yards and had a long punt of 63 yards.

Wide receiver Jaedn Skeete was the only Eagle to score two touchdowns. Others scoring on touchdown passes were Dawson Pough, Reed Harris, and Jordan McDonald. Turbo Richard, Bo MacCormack III, and Alex Broome each scored a rushing touchdown. Senior linebacker Daveon Crouch scored on a 28-yard pass interception. Luca Lombardo kicked a 48-yard field goal.

Here are highlights (11:06).

The Eagles travel to East Lansing, Mich., next Saturday to meet Big 10 Michigan State. Game time is 4:30 pm PT. The Spartans were 23-6 winners yesterday over Western Michigan. Last year, BC rallied for a 23-19 win over Michigan State in Alumni Stadium.