Michael Walker was productive both as a kick returner and wide receiver.

With star running back AJ Dillon watching from Chestnut Hill, due to injury, the Eagles needed to keep the score close in their game yesterday against #23 North Carolina State in Raleigh, N.C. They didn’t.

At the end of the first half, BC had deficits in points, 3-21; first downs, 4-19, and total offense, 105-303. The Wolfpack added another touchdown late in the third quarter to make it 28-3.

Then the dormant Eagle offense heard the alarm clock. Spurred by a 33-yard kickoff return by Michael Walker, BC constructed a 5-play, 62-yard drive in 1:18, culminated by runs by QB Anthony Brown (28 yards) and RB Ben Glines (21 yards), to score its first touchdown.

BC’s first drive of the fourth quarter was another quick affair, as the Eagles took only five plays and 1:36 to go 64 yards for the touchdown. Walker again led the way with a 46-yard pass reception to the NC State 18-yard line. A two-point conversion failed.

Down 28-16, the Eagles forced the Wolfpack into a three-and-out series and began a 78-yard drive that ended with a critical BC fumble at the NC State two-yard line. (More about the “fumble” below.) With 3:33 left in the game, Eagles DB Mike Palmer blocked the subsequent Wolfpack punt and RB Travis Levy recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.

NC State recovered BC’s onside kick attempt and held possession to the end for a 28-23 victory.

In addition to the blocked punt for their final touchdown, the Eagles blocked a field goal attempt and forced two fumbles by NC State. Those turnovers resulted in nine points for BC. The turnover advantage, however, paled in comparison to the Eagles’s low offensive production. BC added 8 first downs and 213 yards offense in the second half to reach game totals of 12 first downs and 318 yards total offense. The Wolfpack finished with 533 yards total offense. They also ran 87 plays to BC’s 50, and had possession for 41 minutes, 30 seconds, leaving the Eagles with only 18:30 in possession of the ball.

The “fumble.” BC had driven 75 yards to the NC State 5-yard line. It was 2nd-and-2. Glines ran up the middle and was halted by a mash of players, all standing. The mash was static for a couple of seconds and then an NC State player emerged with the ball. The referees had not blown the whistle and ruled it was a fumble recovered by the Wolfpack, a ruling that was not overturned after review. It could be argued the whistle should have been blown as there was no evidence of forward progress. In similar plays, other teams have “pushed the pile” into the end zone and the referees may have given the Eagles a little bit of time to do just that. The Eagles did not move the pile, however, to their disadvantage. The photos show the pileup and the fumble “recovery.”

BC’s Ben Glines, center, is stood up.

NC State exits the pileup with the ball.

Here are video highlights.

It’s ACC opponents from now on. Saturday, Louisville.

Despite the Eagles having two extra days to get ready for Purdue, it was the Boilermakers who looked more prepared for their opponent. In a manner more severe than the score indicates, Purdue battered BC, 30-13, yesterday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Michael Walker’s yardage returning kickoffs and punts (236) was higher than BC’s total offense (229).

While the score was tied, 7-7, late in the first quarter, BC’s next four possessions in the half were all three-and-outs and their fifth possession ended with QB Anthony Brown’s first of four interceptions in the game. At halftime, Purdue led 23-7 and had gained 200 yards in offense to 37 yards by the Eagles. Running back AJ Dillon had rushed 11 times for 21 yards, and Brown was 6-of-11 for 32 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception.

Halftime “adjustments” had little, if any, consequence. Purdue added a touchdown and backup BC QB EJ Perry ran 1 yard for a touchdown with 18 seconds remaining in the game.

Clarity

Almost 60 percent of BC’s 229 yards of total offense came in the fourth quarter, in what might be called “garbage time.” Final totals for Dillon were 59 yards on 19 carries and for Brown, 13-of-27, 96 yards, 1 touchdown, 4 interceptions.

“It’s like nothing I’ve never (sic) seen before,” Coach Steve Addazio said, according to the Boston Globe. Some, maybe many, BC fans would suggest they have seen such before . . . and recently.

Only because it is obligated in my (only in my mind) contract, here are video highlights.

Another early game next Saturday against the only other school to have had Addazio as head coach — Temple University. Which raptor will be angrier?