Freshman WR Joseph Griffin Jr. grabs pass one-handed in the end zone for tying score in game against N.C. State.
Wow. What a weird game.
First, though, the good stuff. Boston College beat #16 North Carolina State, 21-20, yesterday in Raleigh, N.C. It was the Eagles’ first win over an Associated Press-ranked team since the win over #9 USC in 2014. The win ended a streak of 25 consecutive BC losses to AP-ranked teams. It also ended the Wolfpack’s streak of 16 consecutive wins at home. And on N.C. State’s Homecoming.
Redshirt freshman Emmett Morehead became the first BC quarterback on record (1981-present) to account for seven touchdowns or 600+ yards passing in his first two starts. He passed for three touchdowns and 330 yards yesterday.
With his second pass reception yesterday, senior WR Zay Flowers became BC’s all-time leader in receiving yards. His seven receptions for 130 yards yesterday put him at 2,900 career yards. He is close to other BC pass reception records as well.
Back to the game, which started as seemingly most BC games have this season. The Eagles received the opening kickoff and punted after four plays. The Wolfpack then drove 88 yards in five plays (four of them for double-digit yards) to go up 7-0. On their second possession, BC lost six yards and punted. N.C. State then went 68 yards in six plays (three of them for double-digit yards) for a 14-0 lead.
Then something different happened. Completing five of seven passes, Morehead led the Eagles on an eight-play, 75-yard drive, finishing with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Flowers. First quarter ended with BC down 14-7.
In the second quarter, BC’s offense went back to sleep, gaining a total of 35 yards in three possessions and scoring no points. The Wolfpack more than tripled BC’s yardage in the quarter, but scored only three points to take a 17-7 lead at halftime.
In the first half, the Eagles, leading the nation in rushing futility, ran 12 times for two yards. They did worse in the second half.
In the second half, however, it was like the teams had switched identities during the break. Well, not right away. N.C. State punted on their first possession and BC’s Jaelin Gill fumbled the punt, giving the ball back to the Pack on the BC 42. N.C. State gained only 14 yards on five plays, however, and kicked a field goal to go up 20-7. Those were the last points the Wolfpack was to score.
Starting their next possession with a run for a one-yard loss, the Eagles eschewed the run for a while. Morehead threw and completed seven consecutive passes, culminating with a 35-yard pass to Flowers, and the Eagles cut the lead to 20-14.
The two teams then spent the rest of the third quarter and most of the final quarter exchanging possessions through a succession of fumbles, interceptions, and punts. With 2:47 left in the game, BC got the ball on their 31. Then a dramatic series of 12 BC plays ensued.
Morehead ran the ball four times, mostly because of pressure. On BC’s penultimate play, on fourth down at the N.C. State 10, Morehead’s pass was incomplete. The Pack, however, was called for pass interference. BC ball on the two, 18 seconds to go. Morehead threw a pass into the endzone to freshman Joseph Griffin Jr., who caught it in his right hand and pulled it in. It was Griffin’s only reception of the game. Morehead was four-of-nine passing in the final drive.
The Eagles ran for positive yardage in only one quarter. In the second half, they ran 11 times for a net of -3 yards. As a team, for the game, they rushed 23 times for -1 yard. The sequence of N.C. State’s final seven possessions was fumble, punt, fumble, punt, interception, punt, fumble.
Morehead overall was 29 of 48 passing for 330 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Mention should be made of the Eagles on defense. The Wolfpack gained only 61 yards in the second half. Grad defensive end Marcus Valdez had six tackles, three for loss, with a career-high two sacks. He also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble on separate plays. Redshirt freshman Cole Batson made his first career start at free safety and led all players with nine tackles.
Highlights
BC improved its record to 3-7, 2-5 in the ACC. Next week is Notre Dame, which had to hold on yesterday to defeat Navy, 35-32, after leading 35-13 at halftime.