Defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku had five tackles and a sack against Virginia.

The intended effort, again, was to play fast from the beginning of the game. That’s been repeated throughout the season, but not yet achieved. In yesterday’s game against Virginia, BC continued the string, falling behind to the winless Cavaliers, 21-7, in the first half.

Halftime must have been refreshing for the Eagles. BC dominated the third quarter and then won its first ACC game of the season, edging Virginia, 27-24, with a 42-yard field goal by Liam Connor with just over two minutes left.

In certainly one of their best quarters this season, the Eagles ran 23 plays for 176 yards in the third quarter, possessing the ball for 10 minutes, 45 seconds. They limited the Cavaliers to eight plays, 12 yards, and zero points. More importantly, BC scored two touchdowns and a field goal to take the lead, 24-21. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos was three-of-five passing, for 40 yards and two touchdowns in the quarter. He also ran six times for 43 yards.

The Eagles rushed for 136 yards in the third quarter, just about two-thirds of their game total 203 yards rushing.

BC bettered the Cavaliers statistically again in the final quarter, though not as distinctively as in the third. After Virginia recovered a BC fumble on the BC39, they tied the score with a 44-yard field goal. On BC’s next possession, they went on an 11-play drive, using just under five minutes on the clock, and Connor hit another 42-yard field goal.

The Cavaliers got the ball back with 2:11 on the clock. BC held them on downs and ran out the clock for the win.

The stats for BC in the opening quarter were ghastly. The Eagles ran 13 plays for 33 yards offense. The second quarter was a little better, but BC allowed Virginia to gain 171 yards in that quarter. The insult came on the final play of the quarter, when Virginia connected on a 36-yard Hail Mary pass to the end zone to go up 21-7.

For the game, Castellanos was 16 of 26 for 183 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. For only the second time this season, he was not also BC’s leading rusher. RB Patrick Garwo III gained 87 net yards on 23 carries and scored a touchdown. Castellanos ran for 78 yards on 16 carries. WR Lewis Bond was BC’s leading receiver with seven catches for 104 yards and a touchdown.

The Eagles committed only five penalties yesterday, but had four turnovers: two passes intercepted and two fumbles lost. BC sacked the Virginia quarterback five times.

WR Ryan O’Keefe was injured colliding with a Virginia player early in the fourth quarter. He remained laying on the field for about 10 minutes being treated by medical personnel before being removed on a stretcher. BC reported he had been taken to Massachusetts General Hospital for tests on a neck injury and observation. It noted midday Sunday that he had been discharged and had returned to the BC campus.

Highlights (11:52)

The Eagles’ record improved to 2-3 overall, 1-2 in the ACC. They remain tied with Clemson in the ACC standings. :) BC’s other win this year was over Holy Cross, which lost to Harvard Saturday.

The Eagles play Army next Saturday at West Point. Game time is 9 am PT.