Kye Robichaux scores one of his two touchdowns in BC’s 38-23 win yesterday over Georgia Tech.

Boston College exploded in the fourth quarter, scoring three touchdowns and allowing none, to muscle a 38-23 victory yesterday over Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Ga.

The Eagles put on an offensive show, gaining 563 yards total offense, 308 on the ground. QB Thomas Castellanos was again the principal offensive threat, but he was joined by Kye Robichaux. Both natives of Georgia, Castellanos and Robichaux combined for 296 yards rushing, 165 by Robichaux, and each scored two of BC’s four offensive touchdowns.

The other touchdown for the Eagles was scored by yet another Georgia native, Amari Jackson, who ran back an amazing pass interception 30 yards for the score. (The Peach State natives must have enjoyed playing in front of family and friends.) Jackson had his back to the ball when it arrived, but it struck the inside of his left arm and he was somehow able to secure the ball for the interception and score. The play was cited as college football’s “top play” yesterday on ESPN’s College Football Final. Check it out in the highlights.

Jackson’s pick-six with less than two minutes in the first quarter gave the lead back to the Eagles. BC had scored first with a field goal and Georgia Tech responded with a touchdown. The Eagles started somewhat slow again offensively, possessing the ball for less than five minutes and running only 12 plays, compared to 23 plays for the Yellow Jackets. But the Eagles led, 10-7.

The situation flipped somewhat in the second quarter, with BC running 21 plays for 124 yards and holding the ball for more than nine minutes. Castellanos scored BC’s touchdown on a 12-yard run. The Eagles went into halftime leading 17-10.

The third quarter featured some fireworks, but all for Georgia Tech. After the Yellow Jackets intercepted Castellano’s pass into the end zone on BC’s initial possession, Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King sprinted 71 yards to tie the score at 17. A second long drive later brought the score to 23-17, advantage Yellow Jackets.

King would finish the day with 150 yards on 10 carries, becoming only the second opposing quarterback to outrush Castellanos this season. Holy Cross’s Matthew Sluka also outgained Castellanos on the ground.

The fourth quarter was a highlight reel for the Eagles. BC scored on a two-yard run by Robichaux only 36 seconds into the quarter. On their second possession, Castellanos scored on a 43-yard run. On Georgia Tech’s next possession, the Eagles’s Elijah Jones intercepted their pass attempt, returning the ball to the Eagles on their 40.

First play, Robichaux for 57 yards. Next play, Robichaux runs into the endzone from the three. Jones intercepted his second pass on the next Georgia Tech possession and the Eagles were able to run out the last 5:42 of the game.

In the final quarter, BC scored 21 unanswered points, ran 21 plays for 199 yards, and held the Yellow Jackets to 79 yards on 14 plays.

Castellanos finished the game 17 of 29 passing for 255 yards, no touchdowns, one interception. Leading receiver for BC was Lewis Bond, with five catches for 72 yards. Robichaux added another 54 yards offense on three pass receptions. Eight different Eagles caught a pass in the game.

Here are highlights (10:19).

BC improved to 4-3, 2-2 in the ACC. They have the same overall record as Clemson, which is 2-3 in conference play.

The Eagles will seek revenge on their opponent this Saturday, when they meet UConn, victor last season in a humiliating defeat for BC. Kickoff is 9 am.

Following UConn, the last four games of the regular season are on an unusual schedule. Two Friday games, a Thursday game, and one “normal” Saturday game. Times are all Pacific Time.
Friday, November 3 — Syracuse, 4:30 pm
Saturday, November 11 — Virginia Tech, time TBA
Thursday, November 16 — Pitt, 4 pm
Friday, November 24 — Miami, 9 am