Quarterback Phil Jurkovec passes against North Carolina. He did that _a lot_.

Attempting another comeback in the fourth quarter, the Eagles fell just short to #12 North Carolina, 26-22, yesterday in Alumni Stadium. After scoring a touchdown to pull within two, 24-22, with 45 seconds remaining, quarterback Phil Jurkovec’s pass attempt for a two-point conversion and tie was intercepted and returned for two points. 

In its previous game against Texas State, BC had come from behind to tie the Bobcats and then win the game on a field goal.

North Carolina, playing only its second game of the season, started off fast, with QB Sam Howell throwing for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. The Tar Heels took a 21-16 lead at halftime. 

Ahead 24-16 in the fourth quarter, North Carolina looked to make it a two-score game with 5:46 left, but missed a field goa attemptl and BC took over at its own 31-yard line. Over the next 5:01, BC passed its way down the field as Jurkovec completed 8 of 11 attempts. For a time, it looked like the Eagles were moving back and forth rather than forward. Pass interference penalties on both teams moved the lines of scrimmage around and negated both a North Carolina interception and a BC touchdown pass.

Finally, on the penultimate play of the drive, Jurkovec threw a six-yard TD pass to C.J. Lewis to make the score 24-22. Then came the ill-fated conversion attempt.

Jurkovec made 56 passing attempts, the most by a BC quarterback at home since 1996 and tied for fourth in BC history. His 37 completions tied the Alumni Stadium record set by Matt Ryan in 2007. The total also tied for second in BC single-game history, tying Frank Harris in 1968 and short of Matt Ryan’s 40 completions against Wake Forest in 2008.

Overall, the Eagles had 353 yards in offense, gaining 313 through the air and 40 on the ground. Junior tight end Hunter Long tied his personal record with nine receptions, for 96 yards. Long leads the nation among tight ends for receptions. David Bailey led BC rushers with 28 yards on seven carries.

North Carolina ended the game with 401 yards total offense. 

Here are highlights.

The Eagles stay home next week, hosting 3-1 Pittsburgh. The Panthers were stunned 30-29 yesterday with a late score by North Carolina State. Game time is 1 pm PT.

Boston College takes the field at home tomorrow, October 3, against #11 North Carolina. Game time is 12:30 pm PT and the game is being telecast on ABC. Local channel is KGTV-10.

North Carolina will only be playing for the second time this season. The Tar Heels beat Syracuse, 31-6, on September 12. Their September 19 scheduled game at home against Charlotte was canceled because of coronavirus issues at Charlotte. The following weekend was open for North Carolina, but they could not arrange a replacement game.

A three-week break before the game tomorrow could adversely affect the Tar Heels. They could also be rested and recovered from any initial game injuries. That’s why they play the game. :)

Go Eagles!

Good form, Aaron. (BC photo)

Last year (doesn’t that seem forever ago?), Kansas visited BC as 21-point underdogs and beat the Eagles 48-24. Yesterday, Texas State came to Alumni Stadium as 21-point underdogs and led or tied the Eagles until three seconds remained and grad transfer Aaron Boumerhi kicked a 36-yard field goal to put BC ahead for the first time and for the win, 24-21.

I texted classmates shortly thereafter about the implausibility that the Eagles, long struggling in the kicking game, would win a game with a field goal. One had the perfect response: “What did you expect? It’s 2020.”

Against ACC foe Duke in its opener last week, the BC offense started slow but cranked up in the second half for the 26-6 win. Yesterday, the Eagles offense sputtered until the closing minutes. Total offense yesterday was three yards fewer than the 300 yards BC gained passing the previous week.

Down 21-14 with a little over three minutes left in the game, BC got the ball on the Texas State 48, thanks to a targeting penalty on the Bobcats on the punt return. Having completed 14 of 24 passing to that point, BC quarterback Phil Jurkovec got hot and completed six of eight passes, culminating in a five-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hunter Long to tie the game with 2:04 remaining.

Due to two incomplete passes and a BC timeout, Texas State then punted after using only 24 seconds on the clock. Starting on their 32 yard line, the Eagles moved to the Texas State 19 with five straight complete passes by Jurkovec. An incomplete pass preceded the winning field goal.

With piped-in sounds and victory fireworks (and apparitions in the stands), BC tried to replicate “normal.” Bet the neighbors loved the light and sound show at 9:20 pm. (BC photo)

Overall, Jurkovec was 26 of 38 passing for 210 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also led the Eagles in rushing, running eight times and gaining 37 of BC’s total 87 yards on the ground. Jurkovec also scored two touchdowns rushing.

Here are highlights.

BC remains at home next Saturday, hosting North Carolina. The Tarheels are 1-0, having defeated Syracuse 31-6 on September 12. Their September 19 game against Charlotte was canceled because of coronavirus issues and this weekend was a bye. Game time Saturday is 12:30 pm PT.