Elijah Robinson helps Boston College football take vertical game to new Heights
Rich Thompson Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Credit: Christopher Evans
Marginally at least, wide receiver Elijah Robinson has restored the vertical passing game into the Boston College offense.
The 6-foot, 192-pound sophomore demonstrated an ability to stretch the field on a spectacular sideline route in the second half of Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage on Shea Field. The offense was backed up on the 1-yard line and had surrendered a safety to the defense on the previous sequence of downs.
Southpaw quarterback Darius Wade made a play-action drop into the end zone and launched the football down the right sideline. Robinson completed his assignment with a leaping grab for a 44-yard gain.
The Eagles haven’t had a vertical game since Chase Rettig was tossing long spirals to Alex Amidon in 2013.
“Making a go of the vertical passing game against our defense is a big thing,” Robinson said. “We have some great defensive backs that do a great job covering us so that was definitely a big play for us on Saturday. Coming from the one on third down was really a big time call.”
Long- and intermediate-range passes could become part of the package when the Eagles face Georgia Tech in the season opener on Sept. 3 in Dublin, Ireland.
First-year offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler and wide receivers coach Rich Gunnell are probing deeper into the secondary with their diverse stable of route runners.
“It’s coming along a little bit by working on consistency,” Gunnell said. “Every day they are getting better with it but it is tough getting it to work because they are going against a great defense. We get challenged and we are going to need plays like Elijah’s from everybody. That is the expectation for this group and they have not been put in those situations much in the past. To get off the line of scrimmage and make a big play creates confidence.”
Robinson, Thadd Smith, Jeff Smith and Michael Walker can stretch the defense while Charlie Callinan and redshirt freshman Ben Glines are inviting targets over the middle. Tommy Sweeney puts the tight end in play, while tailbacks Jon Hilliman, Tyler Rouse and Myles Willis are capable pass catchers.
“Having all that really opens up a lot for the passing, in any passing game not just ours” Robinson said. “A great tight end and big-body receivers will open up a lot for going vertical to the smaller fast guys.”
Robinson was recruited as a quarterback, but he converted to receiver as a true freshman and finished with 11 receptions for 111 yards. He was also used on special teams, where he scored his only touchdown against Louisville on Oct. 24 on a blocked punt.
The experience at quarterback makes Robinson appreciate the ongoing battle for the starter’s job between Wade and Patrick Towles.
“They are both completely capable of starting,” said Robinson. “Pat has the size and Darius has a strong arm, and they are both doing a great job leading this team and putting us in the right places.”
Rich Thompson Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Credit: Christopher Evans
Marginally at least, wide receiver Elijah Robinson has restored the vertical passing game into the Boston College offense.
The 6-foot, 192-pound sophomore demonstrated an ability to stretch the field on a spectacular sideline route in the second half of Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage on Shea Field. The offense was backed up on the 1-yard line and had surrendered a safety to the defense on the previous sequence of downs.
Southpaw quarterback Darius Wade made a play-action drop into the end zone and launched the football down the right sideline. Robinson completed his assignment with a leaping grab for a 44-yard gain.
The Eagles haven’t had a vertical game since Chase Rettig was tossing long spirals to Alex Amidon in 2013.
“Making a go of the vertical passing game against our defense is a big thing,” Robinson said. “We have some great defensive backs that do a great job covering us so that was definitely a big play for us on Saturday. Coming from the one on third down was really a big time call.”
Long- and intermediate-range passes could become part of the package when the Eagles face Georgia Tech in the season opener on Sept. 3 in Dublin, Ireland.
First-year offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler and wide receivers coach Rich Gunnell are probing deeper into the secondary with their diverse stable of route runners.
“It’s coming along a little bit by working on consistency,” Gunnell said. “Every day they are getting better with it but it is tough getting it to work because they are going against a great defense. We get challenged and we are going to need plays like Elijah’s from everybody. That is the expectation for this group and they have not been put in those situations much in the past. To get off the line of scrimmage and make a big play creates confidence.”
Robinson, Thadd Smith, Jeff Smith and Michael Walker can stretch the defense while Charlie Callinan and redshirt freshman Ben Glines are inviting targets over the middle. Tommy Sweeney puts the tight end in play, while tailbacks Jon Hilliman, Tyler Rouse and Myles Willis are capable pass catchers.
“Having all that really opens up a lot for the passing, in any passing game not just ours” Robinson said. “A great tight end and big-body receivers will open up a lot for going vertical to the smaller fast guys.”
Robinson was recruited as a quarterback, but he converted to receiver as a true freshman and finished with 11 receptions for 111 yards. He was also used on special teams, where he scored his only touchdown against Louisville on Oct. 24 on a blocked punt.
The experience at quarterback makes Robinson appreciate the ongoing battle for the starter’s job between Wade and Patrick Towles.
“They are both completely capable of starting,” said Robinson. “Pat has the size and Darius has a strong arm, and they are both doing a great job leading this team and putting us in the right places.”
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