Dennis Grosel about to heave one. BC photo

With starting BC quarterback Phil Jurkovec injured and on the sidelines, backup junior QB Dennis Grosel “let if fly” against Virginia yesterday, tying another former BC backup for most yards passing in a single game. Grosel and Doug Flutie stand atop the BC record book with 520 yards passing.

Oddly, perhaps, BC lost both games in which its quarterbacks threw for 500+ yards. Yesterday, the Eagles fell to Virginia in the regular season finale, 43-32. Flutie’s effort came against Penn State in 1982 as the Nittany Lions crushed BC, 52-17.

Both teams yesterday put up gaudy offensive numbers or perhaps lousy defensive ones. Virginia outgained the Eagles 549-513 in total offense. BC had fewer yards total than passing, as the team lost seven yards more than it gained on the ground. Virginia was certainly more balanced, running for 262 yards and passing for 287.

After a UVa field goal started the scoring in the first quarter, BC took the lead when Grosel threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers. A Virginia touchdown and field goal and a BC field goal brought the somewhat quiet first half to an end at UVa 14, BC 10.

The Cavaliers dominated the third quarter, possessing the ball for more than four-and-a-half minutes longer than the Eagles and outscoring them 10-0. Virginia opened the final quarter with a touchdown to expand its lead to 36-17. The teams traded touchdowns to bring the score to 43-25 and, with Grosel passing on every down, the Eagles scored again to make the final score 43-32. A BC penalty on the ensuing onside kick gave the ball to Virginia to run out the clock.

Grosel was 32 of 46 passing for 520 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. His longest pass was for 50 yards, but he also threw passes for 45- and 36-yard gains. Several were to Flowers, who had 8 receptions for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tight end Hunter Long also had 8 receptions, for 109 yards and a touchdown.

BC gave up the most points it had all season in the game and the second highest number of yards. 

This was BC’s first loss ever to Virginia. Its record had been 6-0 all-time until yesterday.

Here are game highlights.

The Eagles finish the regular season 6-5, 5-5 in conference play. Participation in a post-season bowl game is uncertain. While BC reached the normal 6-victory requirement, that has been waived this season. Many bowl games, however, have been canceled, so it is unclear how many teams will have a post-season opportunity.