This effort seemed to be missing something, much as the Eag_le_s did in last night’s game against Clemson.

BC’s game against #3 Clemson, on the main stage of college football Friday night, started the way it needed to if the Eagles were to have a shot at victory. There was a quick three-and-out by Clemson and soon thereafter a muffed punt that gave BC the ball at Clemson’s 9. Three plays and 5 yards later, the Eagles had to settle for a field goal and took a 3-0 lead.

By the time BC scored again, a touchdown late in the 3rd quarter, the Tigers had amassed 35 points. Clemson would go on to score 3 additional touchdowns to make the final score Clemson 56 – BC 10. It was the Eagles’ 11th straight loss in the ACC.

The Tigers doubled BC in total offense, gaining 503 yards to BC’s 251.They had 12 fewer plays (60-72) than the Eagles and had the ball for only 22 minutes. That combination of statistics was the product of more explosive plays by Clemson, e.g., 2 touchdowns on runs of 59 and 45 yards, 2 touchdowns on passes of 56 and 29 yards.

Clemson’s 56 points were the most given up by the Eagles since 1999, when they lost to Colorado in a bowl game, 62-28. Earlier this season, Virginia Tech beat BC 49-0, the largest margin of defeat by BC since 1950. While defense was supposed to be a strong element for this year’s Eagles, the two games against Clemson and VaTech have belied that.

Next Saturday is a bye week for the Eagles. They play again October 22, Syracuse in Chestnut Hill, game time to be announced.

A video of selected plays:

Hockey update

BC’s #5 men’s hockey team defeated host Denver, 3-1, in the consolation round of the Icebreaker Tournament Saturday night. The Eagles (1-1) started their season the night before with a 2-1 loss to Air Force in the opening round. Air Force beat Ohio State to take the tournament title. The women’s team got its first win last night, beating Maine 2-1, and are a symmetrical 1-1-1.