The Boston College Eagles did not play a complete football game Saturday.

With his team leading 62-0 at the half over Howard University (0-2), BC coach Steve Addazio agreed with ACC officials and the Howard coach to shorten the third and fourth quarters to 10 minutes each. That — and the large number of lower-string player participants — put somewhat of a damper on the Eagles offense in the second half. BC scored seven points in each quarter to bring the final score to 76-0.

The margin of victory was not BC’s highest — the Eagles beat St. Anselm 78-0 in 1941 and Holy Cross 76-0 in 1949.

While BC’s offense was efficient, gaining 483 total yards, it was the defense that won a helmet sticker from ESPN. BC allowed 11 (yes that’s eleven) yards in the game, the smallest amount by any college football team reportedly in 20 years. BC gave up two first downs, both in the second half and one by penalty.

The game against Howard, the second straight with a FCS team, took place only because original opponent New Mexico State, an FBS team, reneged on a home-and-home agreement with BC. BC Athletics had to scramble to find an opponent on short notice. Only one victory over an FCS team can count toward the six victories needed for a team to be eligible for a postseason bowl game, and BC already had one with the opening 24-3 win over Maine, so BC must win five of its remaining 10 games to meet the minimum standard.

Short week before the next game, and against a slightly more talented team. The Eagles play Florida State, ranked #9 in the AP poll and #6 in the coaches’ poll, on national TV Friday, September 18, 5 pm PT.

See you at The Beer Co. Go Eagles!