Boston College back in the win column, 17-3 over Virginia Tech

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There was a bit of a buzz around Alumni Stadium on Friday night. Yes, Boston College was playing the annual Red Bandana game, which in of itself would be reason for some extra intention at the Heights. But when word got out that the Eagles may be getting their starting quarterback back for the first time since September 11, the excitement for the game and the night was raised a level. Phil Jurkovec returned to the BC (5-4, 1-4) lineup, and just in the nick of time. The Eagles were in the midst of a four-game losing streak that for all the world looked like it would end what started out as a promising season. Jurkovec left that game back on Sept.11 vs UMass with a hand injury that at the time could have ended his year. But time and rehab heal all wounds and on Friday night BC was back to looking like the team that started on a roll in September.

Jurkovec was not great against Virginia Tech (4-5, 2-3), but he did not have to be. His mere presence on the field and in the huddle was enough to bring some juice to an Eagles team that was in serious need of some. The offense responded with a solid night of work gaining 346 yards of total offense, with 234 of it coming on the ground. Running back Patrick Garwo III rushed for 116 yards on 30 carries and a touchdown, as his offensive line did the job of giving him room to run. They were just as good in protecting their QB, who on his first game back with the team finished the night 7 of 12 passing for 112 yards and one pick. He would also run the ball nine times for 65 yards and one score which was the first touchdown of the night for the Eagles, an eight-yard first quarter score. The passing game was not in top form but Jurkovec showed a willingness to throw the ball downfield and give the Hokies defense something else to think about. Something that up until Friday night was missing from the Eagles offense.

On defense, Boston College was solid all night long. They only allowed a field goal of 47 yards by John Parker Romo in the third quarter which made the score 17-3 at the time. The Hokies did have quarterback issues of their own, as starting QB Braxton Burmeister left the game with an injury in the first quarter. His replacement, Knox Kadum, struggled to get anything going for his team (7-for-18, 73 yards). Virginia Tech’s running game was a little better getting 70 yards from Malachi Thomas. But overall, Boston College’s defense was up to the challenge of keeping Virginia Tech in check allowing only 235 yards of offense, 12 first downs, and 3-of-11 on third-down conversions.

With the return of Jurkovec, the season now has a different look to it. With Boston College now one win away from being bowl eligible, the thought of missing out does not seem to be in play. The Eagles head to Georgia Tech (3-6, 2-5) this weekend to take care of what really is the only thing they can play for the rest of the way. With the offense back at full strength, good things now seem possible.