Lots of Eagles
In the fourth quarter of yesterday’s game against Florida State, BC led by 5, 21-16, and twice had the ball in Seminole territory. With the potential at least to add to the lead or take more time off the clock, the Eagles coaching staff decided instead to punt. First time, that decision didn’t hurt. Second time, it gave Florida State the ball with 2:45 to go and the opportunity to launch a 74-yard touchdown pass to beat BC 22-21.
Earlier, with 9:38 remaining, 4th down and 5 on the Florida State 38, the Eagles had punted to the 12. BC then got the ball back with 6:17 remaining and drove to the Florida State 40. Fourth down and 1, 2:52 remaining. BC took its last timeout and then attempted, unsuccessfully, to draw the Seminoles offside. After a 5-yard penalty for delay of game, the Eagles punted 32 yards to the FSU 13.
Winning Seminole touchdown followed three plays later.
BC’s Michael Walker took the ensuring kickoff out to the Eagles 39, but, with no timeouts remaining, BC quarterback Anthony Brown was forced to throw to the sidelines, which he did three times unsuccessfully. On BC’s last play, 4th and 10, Brown was tackled after gaining 2 yards.
About the decision to punt on a 4th-and-1 on the opponent’s 40 with less than 3 minutes to play and leading by 5, BC coach Steve Addazio told the Boston Globe: “I know that’s the right thing to do. It did not have the right outcome.”
BC, #20 in the College Football Playoff rankings, was favored by only 1.5 points coming into the game against a 4-6 Florida State team that had won 2 ACC games, so the game was projected to be close. It was, pretty much, both in score and statistics. Eagles ran 87 plays to FSU’s 75, but the Seminoles gained 478 yards to the Eagles’ 422.
Running back AJ Dillon, though seemingly hobbled with an ankle injury, carried the ball 37 times, gaining 137 yards, for a 3.1 average. His long rush was 16 yards and he scored 2 touchdowns. Brown was 18 of 36 passing for 297 yards, an interception and touchdown.
BC cornerback Hamp Cheevers intercepted a pass, his 7th of the season, leading the nation.
Video highlights
BC (7-4) finishes the regular season Saturday against Syracuse. Back to breakfast time!
