For the first time when meeting a Notre Dame football team ranked in the top four, the Eagles lost. In a “Shamrock Series” game yesterday that put the Fighting Irish as the “home team” in Fenway Park, BC fell behind and then fell short, losing 19-16 to the #4 Irish. BC had beaten then #1 Notre Dame in 1993 and #2 Notre Dame in 2002.

Eagles sing “Alma Mater” at game’s end.

BC’s top-ranked defense allowed Notre Dame to gain 447 yards total offense (320 through the air), but also forced five turnovers that stymied Irish scoring. BC’s low-ranked offense often failed to take advantage of what the defense gave them. The Eagles gained 302 yards total offense, but 80 yards of that was on one Jeff Smith touchdown run in the second half. BC had only 13 first downs and 88 yards passing, and punted the ball nine times, compared to four for ND.

In the first quarter, Notre Dame gained 152 yards, compared to BC’s 26 yards, and took a 10-0 lead. Down 3-0, BC forced an Irish fumble on BC’s 32. The Eagles gained five yards in three plays and then fell short of a first down on a fake punt. Notre Dame took over at the BC 40. The defense held and Notre Dame’s attempt at a field goal hit the crossbar. But a roughing-the-kicker penalty gave ND a first down and they converted that to a touchdown to close the first quarter.

After the first quarter, BC outscored the Irish 16-9. They squelched Notre Dame in the second quarter, allowing only 41 yards, but gained only 65 yards themselves and didn’t score. BC freshman Michael Walker returned the second half kickoff 67 yards to the ND 27, but the Eagles then gained only two yards and settled for a field goal.

Notre Dame gained 139 yards (BC 39) in the third quarter and scored a touchdown to make the score, 16-3. The final quarter saw the Eagles gain 172 yards and score two touchdowns, again the feature play being Smith’s 80-yard touchdown run. Lining up for a two-point conversion, BC had a delay-of-game penalty(!?) and failed to convert a pass attempt.

BC, in the fourth quarter, had a drive of one play for 80 yards and finished with a drive of nine plays for 86 yards to score a final touchdown, a three-yard touchdown pass by Smith. The ensuing onside kick failed and Notre Dame ran out the clock.

Highlights

The Eagles conclude their 2015 season Saturday at Syracuse, hoping to break a seven-game losing streak and secure their first ACC win. Game time is 9:30 am PT.

Last game of the season, so let’s close it out in style!

Happy Thanksgiving, Eagles!

Other sports

Hockey remains a source of solace. The #2 women’s team went to 15-0 with a victory over Northeastern this week. The men (10-1, #2 ) achieved their ninth straight win, beating UNH 6-3 yesterday in Durham.

Men’s soccer extended its run in the NCAA tournament with a 1-0 win over Vermont Thursday at Newton Campus.

BC’s basketball teams also remain undefeated. The women rose to 4-0 with a 58-37 victory over BU yesterday. The men’s team (3-0) defeated Harvard (1-3), 69-56, earlier today for the second straight season, after having lost to the Crimson six consecutive times.