Eagles celebrate after one of their five touchdowns yesterday against Pitt. No field goals.
*As in the meaning “to wound by irony, criticism, or ridicule” . . . or scoring more points.
The Eagles achieved a winning regular season yesterday with an emphatic win over ACC Pitt, 34-23, in Alumni Stadium. At 7-5, they await learning their upcoming bowl game opponent, which is to be announced next Sunday.
Quarterback Grayson James, running backs Kye Robichaux and Jordan McDonald, and receivers Lewis Bond, Kamari Morales, and Reed Harris continued as major contributors to the offense, but the defense added their own touchdown. Defensive tackle Tyeus Clemons returned an interception 55 yards for a second quarter score.
On BC’s second possession of the game, on their own 33, the Eagles scored after three plays, including a 26-yard pass from James to TE Jeremiah Franklin, followed by a 36-yard run by Jordan McDonald for the touchdown. The PAT was no good.
The teams traded touchdowns to set up Clemons’ dramatic interception return. Hurried by the BC defense, Pitt’s pass was blocked and went right to Clemons. The 6-3, 273-lb. lineman brought it quickly to the endzone for a 20-7 BC lead. Pitt added a field goal to make the halftime score, 20-14.
While the Eagles dominated the third quarter by the numbers, with BC more than doubling the Panthers in total yards, 115-52, the teams traded touchdowns to enter the final quarter with BC up, 27-17.
It was much the same in the 4th quarter, as BC scored to double Pitt 34-17 and the Panthers were able to add another touchdown with less than four minutes to play. Pitt’s two-point conversion attempt failed, their onside kick attempt failed and the game ended 34-23.
Highlights (4:00)
WR Reed Harris touchdown reception.
James finished the game 20-of-28 for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Robichaux ran 21 times for 71 yards and a touchdown, while McDonald gained 60 yards on nine carries and a touchdown. Reed had five catches for 45 yards, Morales four receptions for 51, and Harris caught three balls for 85 yards and the incredible touchdown catch at right. On defense, DE Donovan Ezeiruaku had three-and-a-half sacks and 10 tackles to lead the team,
This is BC’s first seven-win season since 2018.
“I’m very proud today to have a chance to possibly win eight games, which hasn’t been done in a long time,” Coach Bill O’Brien said. “I’m just proud to be associated with Boston College football.”