Freshman Zay Flowers. John Quackenbos photo

It was what it was supposed to be — an easy win over a lesser opponent. In their first meeting since 1971, Boston College defeated University of Richmond, 45-13, yesterday before 30,111 at Alumni Stadium.

Freshman wide receiver Zay Flowers put the Eagles on the scoreboard less than 90 seconds into the game, taking a handoff around right end for 46 yards and a touchdown. At the end of the first quarter, BC was ahead 21-0 and had gained 227 yards. At halftime, the Eagles led 35-10 and had gained 374 yards total offense.

Send in the reserves! A total of 66 BC players participated in the game, with second-, third-, and deeper-stringers predominating in the second half. Backup quarterbacks Daniel Grosel and Matt Valecce played, with Grosel completing one-of-two passes for nine yards.

Starting QB Anthony Brown was 8-of-14 passing for 163 yards and three touchdowns. Overall, the Eagles rushed for 346 yards, with three runners — David Bailey, Zay Flowers, and AJ Dillon — accounting for 277 of them.

BC has opened the season 2-0 for the second straight year and for the fourth time under coach Steve Addazio. The Eagles are now 27-0 against FCS teams.

Here are video highlights.

Next game is against Kansas in Chestnut Hill on Friday, 4:30 pm PT. The Jayhawks, under new coach Les Miles, former coach at LSU, are 1-1 this year. They defeated Indiana State in the opener, 24-17, but lost yesterday to Coastal Carolina, 12-7(!).

Sophomore David Bailey scores what proved to be winning touchdown against Virginia Tech. John Quackenbos photo

Led by QB Anthony Brown’s two touchdown passes and touchdown run, BC opened its 2019 season yesterday with a 35-28 win over Virginia Tech.

The Eagles rolled to 356 yards total offense in the first half against the Hokies and led 28-14 at the break. With only 76 yards offense in the second half, BC was able to hang on for the win.

Brown started the scoring only three minutes into the game, throwing a 33-yard touchdown pass to true freshman Zay Flowers. Flowers added a 58-yard reception later in the game.

The Eagles benefited from five turnovers by the Hokies. One was a fumble by VaTech QB Willis early in the second quarter when San Diego’s own Tate Haynes knocked the ball out of his hands in the Hokie backfield. BC recovered on the VaTech 17 and, two plays later, Brown threw a touchdown pass to Kobay White. Haynes, a quarterback at Cathedral Catholic, was also credited with nine tackles in the game, second only to middle linebacker Max Richardson’s 10.

Virginia Tech led in most statistical categories, including first downs (29 to BC’s 18), total offense (442 to 432), plays (89 to 75), and passing offense (344 to 275), but also led in turnovers, with five compared to BC’s one, and could not overcome that.

Running backs AJ Dillon and David Bailey produced 129 yards rushing on 35 carries and two touchdowns.  

Announced attendance was 35,213 on the holiday weekend.

Here are video highlights.

Next opponent is University of Richmond. The FCS Spiders won their opener over Jacksonville, 38-19.