Game face on, COVID-style. BC photo

When you look at some statistics from the 40-14 blowout BC loss yesterday at #23 Virginia Tech, the game seems almost close.

Total yards: 435 and 461. First downs: 24 and 23. Time of possession: 29:12 and 30:48. The Eagles actually ran 20 more plays than the Hokies,

Two stats, however, told much of the story. Fumbles: BC 3, VaTech 0. Passes intercepted: BC 2, VaTech 0.

BC’s first two drives consisted of 11 plays gaining 98 yards. The Eagles got to the VaTech 26 and 15 yard lines, but fumbled each time. The second fumble led to the Hokies’ first score, a field goal. Interceptions of two BC passes led to other touchdowns and the additional fumble resulted in another field goal.

A 12-yard touchdown pass from Phil Jurkovec to Jaelen Gill gave BC the lead in the second quarter, 7-3. That was their only lead of the game. At halftime, VaTech led 17-7, somewhat respectable and, considering BC’s second half performances and comebacks in previous games, seemingly in the Eagles’ wheelhouse.

Jurkovec’s 20-yard TD pass to Hunter Long was the opening score of the second half, brining BC to within three. VaTech, however, almost literally sprinted ahead after that, scoring three touchdowns and a field goal for the final 26-point spread (they missed a two-point conversion attempt).

BC’s run defense was gashed by the Hokies for 350 yards, an average of 8.5 yards per carry. VaTech quarterback Hendon Hooker led the charge, gaining 166 yards on 18 carries, an average of 9.1 yards per carry, and scoring three touchdowns. RB Khalil Herbert was a close second, gaining 146 yards on 18 carries, including a run of 57 yards. Hooker also gained 111 yards passing, completing his first eight throws and finishing 11 of 15, no picks.

The Eagles ran for 90 yards, continuing an anemic rushing attack for the season, and gained 345 yards passing. Jurkovec was 28 of 51 passing, for two touchdowns and with two interceptions. WR Zay Flowers, last week’s star, caught seven balls for 57 yards.

Highlights:

BC takes on Georgia Tech next week in Alumni Stadium. That is, if the Rambling Wrecks will have overcome the wreckage from yesterday’s 73-7 loss to Clemson. Game time Saturday, October 24, 1 pm PT.

Say Flowers catches one of his three touchdown receptions against Pitt. BC photo

In previous games this season, the Eagles had been resolute, coming back from deficits or holding their lead to win. Yesterday, when Pitt failed on a point-after attempt to tie the game in overtime, they were lucky. Final score BC 31, Pitt 30.

Also unlike previous games, the Eagles were stronger in the first half than the second. While Pitt had held opponents to 232.2 yards and 15.0 points per game, BC leapt out to 229 yards and 17 points in the first half. Following a Jurkovec-Flowers 77-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the second half to take a 24-14 lead, however, the Eagles took their foot off the pedal. BC’s subsequent seven drives in the second half ended with five punts, a fumble, and a missed field goal attempt.

An eight-play, 81-yard drive late in the third quarter brought the Panthers to within three of the Eagles, 24-21. Then a more than improbable 58-yard field goal attempt by Pitt kicker Alex Kessman with 40 seconds remaining in regulation was successful and tied the game 24-24. The Eagles were then able to move the ball from their 25 to Pitt’s 35, but a field goal attempt to win the game was left of the posts.

(FYI, Pitt’s kick wasn’t even close to the collegiate record. Abilene Christian University’s Ove Johansson kicked a 69-yard field goal in 1976 against East Texas State. More about it, including a video, here.)

BC had the ball first in overtime and started off with two incomplete passes. Then the pairing that was the feature of the game for the Eagles happened again. QB Phil Jurkovec hit WR Zay Flowers in stride in the end zone. Flowers had six receptions in the game for 162 yards, three receptions for touchdowns.

Pitt’s turn with the ball in overtime was a 10-play excruciating experience for BC fans. Twice on fourth downs, Panther QB Kenny Pickett ran successfully to keep the Panthers alive, the second time bringing Pitt to the three-yard line. He then threw a three-yard touchdown pass to bring the Panthers to within one.

As Pitt was lining up for the point-after attempt, I started to text some classmates: “And now the tired BC defense has to come right back onto the field.” I never completed the text, as I glanced up and with a start saw what appeared to be the kick attempt go to the right of the goal post. Even more startled, I heard the announcer yell, “He missed!”

The Eagles finished with 388 yards total offense, all but 30 of them through the air. Jurkovec was 19 of 35, with no interceptions. BC actually ran more often than passed, with 41 rushing attempts, but netted only 30 yards, averaging 0.7 yards per attempt.

Here are highlights.

After three games at home, BC (3-1) travels next week to Blacksburg, Va., to meet Virginia Tech. Game time is 5 pm PT.

The Eagles (2-1) are to play Pitt (3-1) in football Saturday, October 10, at 1 pm PT. The game at Alumni Stadium is to be televised on the ACC Network.

Heights photo

In other BC sports news, the next five games scheduled for the field hockey team have been postponed. Dates to be announced. One member of the team tested positive for COVID-19 and, after contact tracing, nine other players joined the player testing positive in quarantine.

The Eagles had only six remaining games on their schedule this season, so it is unclear whether there will be future games this year. The only remaining game on the previously announced schedule is Wake Forest on November 1.