Backup QB Dennis Grosel happily helps BC win over Louisville. BC photo.

Last year, in the BC-Louisville game, Eagles backup quarterback Dennis Grosel stepped in to replace the injured starter. In yesterday’s BC-Louisville game, he did it again. And, while last year Grosel threw three touchdown passes in a close loss to the Cardinals, this time he threw two touchdown passes and helped the Eagles hang on for a 34-27 victory.

Starting quarterback Phil Jurkovec had led BC to a 20-13 lead when, on BC’s second drive of the third quarter, he suffered a non-contact injury to his left knee. Jurkovec, at that point, was 15 of 19 passing for 203 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. Grosel’s first pass on second down was incomplete and his third-down pass was dropped by tight end Hunter Long.

BC forced Louisville to punt on their subsequent drive. On third-and-one on BC’s 25 yardline, Grosel then ran for 44 yards to the Cardinals’ 31. After two incomplete passes, Grosel threw to C.J. Lewis in the end zone where Lewis made an amazing one-handed catch, securing the ball to his shoulder pad, for the touchdown and a 27-13 BC lead early in the fourth quarter. The catch was the #2 “play of the day” on ESPN’s College Football Final highlights show.

C.J. Lewis grabs touchdown pass. John Tlumacki/Boston Globe photo

In the final quarter, BC could not shake the Cardinals. Louisville ran and passed in an 11-play 78-yard drive through a pliant Eagles defense to cut the lead to 27-20. A long kickoff return by Travis Levy led to a 21-yard touchdown pass by Grosel to Jehlani Galloway to increase the lead to 34-20.

On their subsequent possession, the Cardinals needed only one play — a 69-yard pass for a touchdown — to make it a one-score game once again. The Eagles were able to gain only three yards before giving the ball back again to Louisville with 3:12 left in the game. After a Cardinals’ first down, defensive lineman Jahmin Muse tipped a Louisville pass that was then intercepted by fellow lineman Shitta Sillah with 1:42 left in the game. The Eagles ran out the clock to secure the 34-27 win and move to 6-4 for the season, 5-4 in ACC play.

(I texted to Brian and Lissa Tsu that I was happy to have a reason to include Sillah’s name in a game report. Brian texted back, and I include this only because I said I would: “Tipped pass sends Cards to the Shitta-house.” Just another demonstration that we’re all mature graduates of an eminent university.)

The Eagles were not stellar on defense. Louisville gained 493 yards total offense, including 294 yards passing. In addition to passing for almost 300 yards, Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham ran for 135 yards. BC’s total offense was 435 yards, including a season high 188 yards rushing. Grosel ended with 4 of 7 passing for 44 yards, 2 touchdowns, no interceptions, and 49 yards rushing.

Here are highlights.

The Louisville game was Senior Day, BC’s last home game of the season. Next opponent and last regular season opponent is Virginia, scheduled for Saturday, December 5. Game time to be announced.