Boston College Player Spotlight: Tyler Murphy

posted December 27, 2014 in CommRadio, Sports by Zach Rittle

Boston College comes into this Pinstripe bowl with the 14th best rushing attack in college football. Penn State is notoriously known for having one of the best run defenses in the country, and this year is no different. Penn State (6-6, 2-6) is number one in the country in stopping the run. If Boston College (7-5, 4-4) is going to get a win in this game, they will need a big game from the man who everyone wrote off.

Boston College quarterback Tyler Murphy was written off by everyone in the country as a quarterback, except one person. Boston College head coach Steve Addazio, gave Murphy a chance to play quarterback and become a difference maker.

“He's a guy who can beat you with his feet, he throws a great ball and he loves football,” said Addazio. Penn State coach James Franklin agrees that Murphy is a difference maker for Boston College.

“There is no doubt he's been really important for them. He's been a big part of their success. A big part of their offense,” said Franklin.

As a senior in Wethersfield Connecticut, Tyler Murphy was rated as a two star dual threat quarterback. He committed to the University of Florida, where the offensive coordinator that recruited him was Addazio. Addazio would leave to take the head coaching position at the University of Temple, before Murphy ever even enrolled in school.

Through his career in high school, Murphy compiled more than 1,100 rushing and passing yards and 30 touchdowns. Murphy also was an outstanding track athlete, as he won the state triple jump. Murphy won the event with a jump of 46’7”. Murphy was the second quarterback to commit to the 2010 Florida recruiting class along with Trey Burton, who switched positions after his freshman year.

Through his first three years at Florida, Murphy rarely saw the field. When he would see the field, it would be in mop up duty. In his redshirt junior year at Florida, Murphy finally got his chance. Starting quarterback Jeff Driskel went down with an injury, so Murphy was called to action. In his first home start, he was 16-of-22 passes for 240 yards with three touchdowns. This was the highest QB rating, 209.4, for a Florida quarterback against an SEC opponent since Rex Grossman did it in 2001 with a rating of 235.9.

Later in that season Murphy threw for a career-high 305 yards on 30-of-46 passing with one touchdown against Vanderbilt. Through is career at Florida, Murphy played in nine games, six of which he started, and was 112-of-185 passes for 1,216 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions.

After his fourth year at Florida, Murphy graduated with a telecommunications degree. Because of NCAA rules, Murphy would be allowed to transfer to another school without sitting out one year. With Driskel returning as the starter, Murphy decided to transfer to Boston College and play for the man that gave him a chance.

Murphy stepped in this year as the starting quarterback and led the high powered rushing attack. Addazio says that Murphy is an unquestioned team leader.

“Well, he's been a tremendous leader, and he continues to develop his leadership, and who he is," Addazio said. "I'm hoping his best game will be his last one here in a BC uniform."

Murphy has had a tremendous year, as he has 1,079 rushing yards to go with his 10 rushing touchdowns. He has also thrown for 1,526 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was a key factor in their upset win over the ninth ranked USC Trojans earlier this year.

Murphy will play his final college football game against arguably the best defense he will face all season. Murphy has made the most of his chances and will look to close his career out on a high note. If Boston College is going to win this game, Murphy will have to be at his best.

Boston College takes on Penn State at 4:30 p.m. Saturday December 27th at Yankee Stadium in the New Era Pinstripe bowl.

Zach Rittle is a senior broadcast journalism major. To contact him, email him at zar5038@psu.edu