Eagles Grounded by No. 21 Bearcats in Birmingham Bowl

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Boston College football team wrapped up its 2019 season with a 38-6 loss to No. 21 Cincinnati in the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. The Eagles end the season 6-7 overall after reaching their fourth consecutive bowl game, while the Bearcats close out the season 11-3.

Lightning struck twice for a BC program that saw its 2018 bowl game canceled due to lightning at the First Responder Bowl following a one-hour, 20-minute delay. History nearly repeated itself as the Birmingham Bowl went into a one-hour and 32-minute lightning delay with 7:55 on the clock in the first quarter.

The two sides traded punt for the first four possessions of the game prior to the delay. Coming out of the locker room, Cincinnati struck first on a 13-yard run by quarterback Desmond Ridder with 1:26 to play in the first.

The Bearcats led 17-0 at the half, outgaining the Eagles 187-102. Out of the break, which was shortened to a 10-minute halftime due to the first-quarter lightning delay, Cincinnati marched down the field in 12 plays to open the second half with a Ridder touchdown pass to Malik Mbodj from eight yards.

Trailing 24-0, BC blocked a 43-yard field goal attempt and returned it for a score to get on the board in the third quarter. Safety Mike Palmer was credited with his second career blocked kick and cornerback scooped the ball and went the other way for a 67-yard touchdown.

Cincinnati extended its lead back to 24 on a 13-yard scamper by Ridder early in the fourth quarter.

Ridder, the player of the game, 105 yards and three scores on 21 carriers. In the air, he was 14-for-24 for 95 yards. Running back Michael Warren added 105 rushing yards on 21 carries.

David Bailey rushed a team-high eight times for 28 yards for Boston College. Quarterback Dennis Grosel was 8-for-17 passing for 87 yards.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Late in the first quarter, UC quarterback Desmond Ridder scored on a 13-yard run for the first score of the day.
The Bearcats added 10 points before halftime, including a second Ridder rushing TD.
BC got on the scoreboard in the third quarter as Palmer blocked a field goal and Sebastian picked it up and went the distance for a touchdown.

NOTABLES

The Eagles were shutout in the first half for the first time since 2017 at No. 2 Clemson.
BC finished the season 0-4 against ranked opponents and are 31-112-1 all-time against top-25 opponents.
Kobay White caught two passes for 36 yards. He now ranks 19th all-time at BC with 1,409 career yards and 24th all-time with 96 career receptions.