Florida State beat the Eagles, 14-0, in a nationally televised game Friday, the conference opener for both teams. BC’s defense was excellent, holding the Seminoles’ offense to a single touchdown, on the opening drive, and 217 yards overall. The second FSU touchdown was a fumble return.

Offense from the Eagles was not so great, totaling 195 yards and resulting in the first shutout for BC since Steve Addazio became coach. Sophomore quarterback Darius Wade was 4 of 12 passing, 47 yards, and an interception. Wade suffered a broken ankle in the fourth quarter and will miss the rest of the season. Both freshman Jeff Smith and redshirt freshman Troy Flutie (nephew of Doug) saw action as Wade’s replacement. An announcement as to the starting quarterback for the upcoming game in expected soon.

Here are highlights.

The game was another “red bandanna” game, honoring the legacy of Welles Crowther, ’99, who died in the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, but nor before rescuing a dozen people. The American Heroes Channel handed out a red bandanna, which Crowther wore regularly, to the first 25,000 attendees.

ESPN’s Sports Center was “on the road” and broadcast from Alumni Stadium prior to the game. While the content included other sports, ESPN focused on that night’s BC-FSU game and provided some dramatic aerial views of the BC campus. All in all, it seemed a great advertisement for the University.

The Eagles face Northern Illinois on Saturday in a 10 am PT game. Game watch is, as usual, at The Beer Co.

Northern Illinois had its own difficult game this weekend and handled itself extremely well. The Huskies lost to #1 Ohio State 20-13. NIU tied Ohio State offensively, with the deciding points coming on an interception return.

Northern Illinois may be little-known to BC fans, but they should not be little-regarded. The Huskies are reigning champions of the Mid-American Conference and have won at least 11 games in the five seasons prior to this one. The only previous meeting between BC and Northern Illinois was in 1971 and resulted in a 20-10 BC win.

The Boston College Eagles did not play a complete football game Saturday.

With his team leading 62-0 at the half over Howard University (0-2), BC coach Steve Addazio agreed with ACC officials and the Howard coach to shorten the third and fourth quarters to 10 minutes each. That — and the large number of lower-string player participants — put somewhat of a damper on the Eagles offense in the second half. BC scored seven points in each quarter to bring the final score to 76-0.

The margin of victory was not BC’s highest — the Eagles beat St. Anselm 78-0 in 1941 and Holy Cross 76-0 in 1949.

While BC’s offense was efficient, gaining 483 total yards, it was the defense that won a helmet sticker from ESPN. BC allowed 11 (yes that’s eleven) yards in the game, the smallest amount by any college football team reportedly in 20 years. BC gave up two first downs, both in the second half and one by penalty.

The game against Howard, the second straight with a FCS team, took place only because original opponent New Mexico State, an FBS team, reneged on a home-and-home agreement with BC. BC Athletics had to scramble to find an opponent on short notice. Only one victory over an FCS team can count toward the six victories needed for a team to be eligible for a postseason bowl game, and BC already had one with the opening 24-3 win over Maine, so BC must win five of its remaining 10 games to meet the minimum standard.

Short week before the next game, and against a slightly more talented team. The Eagles play Florida State, ranked #9 in the AP poll and #6 in the coaches’ poll, on national TV Friday, September 18, 5 pm PT.

See you at The Beer Co. Go Eagles!