Boston College Bowl Eligible After Taking Down UNC, 41-21

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On Saturday afternoon, an important ACC football game was played between North Carolina and Boston College. For the Eagles, another win was necessary to become bowl eligible. The Tar Heels arrived at Alumni Stadium riding a three-game winning streak. They won the opening coin toss and deferred to the second half.

Grayson James made his third start and second in a row as the QB for the Eagles. BC took the opening kickoff and drove it down the field settling for a 49-yard FG by Liam Connor to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead. On the drive, James spread the ball around through the air hitting three different receivers. The big pass was a 24 yarder to Lewis Bond (9 catches, 81 yards) down the right side.

Jacolby Criswell was UNC’s starting QB and the BC defense stopped Carolina on their first drive of the game. As the quarter was coming to an end, the Eagles offense was driving again. While the quarter came to an end with BC up 3-0, it looked like that was about to change.

James’ first quarter stats were impressive going 9-12 for 75 yards and spreading the ball around to four different receivers. They had seven first downs and had the ball for almost twelve minutes in that first quarter. Boston College finished off that late first quarter drive with James running in from 3 yards out. The extra point was good and BC now had a 10-0 lead with 13:41 left in the half.

James’ short passing game to go along with a running game that was doing just enough gave the Eagles the lead and was allowing them to control the game. After another BC defensive stop, the offense made it three for three in scoring drives. John Montague, a backup quarterback, took a pitch on a reverse and went 24 yards untouched down the left sideline for a score to make it 17-0 Eagles with 9:05 left in the half.UNC special teams on the ensuing kickoff, got the Tar Heels on the board. On the ensuing kickoff, Chris Culliver went up the middle then turned left and went down the sideline and outraced everyone to the end zone for a Tar Heel touchdown. It was 17-7 BC with 8:51 left in the half.

The Eagles defense, which had played well all half, came up with the game’s first turnover. Joe Marinaro making his second straight start at LB because of injuries, picked off a Criswell pass at midfield and return it to UNC territory.

BC’s offense made the Tar Heels pay as James (18-27, 192 yards, TD) found Reed Harris (3 catches, 76 yards) in the right corner of the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown pass. With under a minute to go the Eagles were now up 24-7. BC’s defense, which got two sacks from Donovan Ezeiruaku, and two picks with the second one from Carter Davis to end the half, went to the locker room in very good shape to get win #6 on the season.

The halftime stats were all BC. 240 total yards (124 in the air, 116 on the ground). James was 14-20 for 124 yards and a score. Meanwhile, their defense held the Tar Heels to under 100 yards of total offense, and -3 on the ground. The Tar Heels started the third with the ball and quickly gave it up with the help of the third sack of the game, this one by Ryan Turner. The Eagles special teams came through with a 52-yard punt return by Isaiah Farris. The Eagles were set up deep in UNC territory and they settled for a 27-yard FG by Connor to extend the lead to 27-7 Eagles with 11:20 left in the third. The quarter would come to an end with the Eagles in control.

The fourth quarter opened with a Kyle Robichaux fumble at midfield recovered by NT Kevin Hester Jr. of UNC. The Eagles turnover did not hurt them as Ryan Turner picked off a Criswell pass and took it back down the right sidelines for a pick-6 of 78 yards. The INT was caused by pressure on Criswell (15-29, 152 yards, 3 INT’s, 7 sacks) who in trying to throw it away instead found Turner. It was now 34-7 with 12:38 left. BC added another score on an 8-yard run by Robichaux (23 carries, 93 yards, TD) on a direct snap. It was now 41-7 with 5:51 left.

The Tar Heels offense finally found the end zone after a 12 play, 75-yard drive. Davion Gause went in from two yards out to make it a 41-14 game with 2:09 left. Carolina scored once again after the Eagles turned the ball over on downs. Cause again, this time from 10-yards out to make it 41-21 with nine seconds left. BC wins 41-21 and becomes bowl eligible for the second straight year.

BC outgained UNC by a 422 to 212 margin. They were 7-15 on third down, 5-6 in the red zone, and had the ball for 79 plays for 38 minutes of possession. The Eagles defense held one of the better running backs in the league, Omarion Hampton, to 53 yards on 11 rushes, a 4.8 yards average. For the game North Carolina gained just 36 yards on 25 carries.

Head coach Bill O’Brien was “very proud of the players and coaching staff on being bowl eligible” On his QB Grayson James he said “he’s done a great job” and has worked hard. He also praised his offensive line, calling them “the most improved unit.” BC center Drew Kendall was asked about being bowl eligible and said “It is one of the goals.” He also said a winning record is next. James, for his part, admitted he is having “the most fun I’ve had in a while.” His play since taking over the quarterback role has proven that.

Before the Eagles can think about going bowling, they have one more regular season game to play. Next Saturday, they host Pittsburgh for a 3 PM kickoff.