Boston College will play the University of Iowa in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium. This was perhaps the most attractive option for which the Eagles were being considered — strong alumni presence, noted but not great team. Iowa defeated Ohio State 55-24 in early November, but finished the season 7-5, same record as BC.
Running onto the field on Senior Day. Photo by John Quackenbos.
Tied 7-7 with #23 North Carolina State yesterday, BC had the ball on its 23-yard line with 1:01 left in the first half. Three straight rushes by running back A.J. Dillon gained a net 1 yard and consecutive timeouts called by NC State resulted in a punt attempt by the Eagles with 15 seconds on the clock. The Wolfpack blocked the punt and recovered the ball with 8 seconds remaining in the half.
BC coach Steve Addazio called 3 consecutive timeouts to “ice” the N.C. State kicker, who, at the same time, was able to have 3 practice tries. With BC timeouts exhausted, N.C. State was successful with the field goal attempt and went into the half up by 3 points, 10-7.
Three points was also the final differential in the game score, as both teams scored touchdowns in the second half and the Wolfpack won, 17-14. The loss ended BC’s string of 3 consecutive wins, all over ACC opponents. The win by N.C. State also ended its own 2-game losing streak.
The statistics reflected the closeness of the score, with errors by both teams contributing as well. BC had 20 first downs to 17 for N.C. State, while the Wolfpack gained 20 yards more in total offense, 367 to 347. Possession time was within a minute of each other. Each team had an interception and BC recovered an N.C. State fumble. N.C. State quarterback Ryan Finley led the ACC in passing percentage coming into the game, but was only 13 of 32 for 146 yards on Saturday.
BC quarterback Anthony Brown suffered a leg injury early in the second quarter and did not return to the game, appearing on the sidelines on crutches. Brown had been 2 of 5 passing for 26 yards, with an interception. Backup Darius Wade was 8 of 15 for 82 yards.
Freshman running back A. J. Dillon rushed for 196 yards on 36 carries, including a 66-yard run for a touchdown, to become the first BC freshman to gain over 1,000 yards on the ground in a season. His total this season is 1,036, eclipsing the previous freshman record of 920 yards in a season by Montel Harris in 2008. He has at least 2 games remaining this year.
Highlights
Next game Saturday at 4 pm — UConn Huskies at Fenway Park. A victory would make BC bowl-eligible.
Last night, Florida State held BC to under 40 points for the first time in its last three games . . . and lost by 32. The improbable Eagles soundly beat the Seminoles, 35-3, for the first time since 2009. BC won its 3rd consecutive conference game, something it had not done since 2013. It was a night meant for fireworks.
Eagles fans, mostly students, stormed the field following the victory. While the win should not be considered among the biggest in BC history, this was the first time most students currently at BC had seen the Eagles beat any ACC team at home (there was a win, but during Thanksgiving break). A little slack on the perhaps excessive celebration is warranted.
BC moved above .500 for the season at 5-4 and reached 3-3 in conference play. The only winning record previously this season was at 1-0 after the opener.
The Eagles’ offense was more efficient than abundant, being provided short fields for some of their scores. Overall, BC had 76 plays for 329 yards, 241 of them gained on the ground. Freshman running back A.J. Dillon added 149 yards on 33 carries to bring his team-leading season total to 843 yards. Quarterback Anthony Brown was only 6-20 passing for 54 yards, but both passed and ran for a touchdown. WR, and former quarterback, Jeff Smith was 1-1 passing, with a scintillating 34-yard touchdown pass to Kobay White.
BC’s defense held Florida State to 213 yards total offense, only 64 yards rushing. The Eagles had 20 more offensive plays than FSU and possessed the ball for 10 minutes, 30 seconds, longer than the Seminoles. Florida State lost 2 fumbles, had a pass intercepted, and incurred 7 penalties for 71 yards. The Eagles had no fumbles, no interceptions, and 1 penalty for 10 yards.
Maybe it was the spirit of Welles Crowther infusing the evening that was the difference-maker. Last night was the annual “Red Bandana” game, honoring the life of the 1999 BC grad who — wearing the red bandana he carried with him and had worn throughout his athletic life, including as a lacrosse player at BC — was credited with saving several lives in the World Trade Center during the attacks of September 11, 2001, perishing in the effort. Below is an ESPN feature about the story.
BC players and fans also wore red bandanas in tribute to Crowther. At the San Diego gamewatch, we joined in.
Thanks to Wendy Fai Roos ’85 for supplying our red bandanas!
One major story of the college football season so far is the decline of Florida State. Picked #3 pre-season, the Seminoles lost their opener — to Alabama, 24-7 — and their starting quarterback. Since then, Florida State has beaten only Duke and Wake Forest, falling to 2-5 for the first time under coach Jimbo Fisher. The Seminoles need to win out, including a victory over Clemson, to become bowl-eligible, putting a 35-year bowl streak in jeopardy. It was a BC victory to treasure, but it was also a win over what seems a “wounded” team.
Highlights!
Bye week coming up. Next game is November 11, against N.C. State in Alumni Stadium, time to be announced.