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After a tough Saturday night in East Lansing, Michigan, the Eagles (1-1) will stay on the road to begin conference play this coming Saturday night when they face the Stanford Cardinal.

The 42–40 double-overtime loss to Michigan State could be a game we look back on at the end of the season and feel got away. BC led 21–14 at halftime, thanks to a 21-point second quarter. However, the Eagles were outscored 13–6 in the second half, sending the game into overtime. Ultimately, a failed two-point conversion in the second OT proved to be the difference.

Despite the loss, there were bright spots for Boston College—none brighter than at the quarterback position. Dylan Lonergan, making his first collegiate road start, made the most of the opportunity. He threw for 390 yards on 34-of-45 passing, tossing four touchdown passes—three of them in the second quarter.

Wide receiver Lewis Bond had a strong night with 11 receptions for 90 yards. Running back Turbo Richards rushed for 55 yards on 13 carries and added a touchdown. He was also a key part of the passing game, catching seven passes for 66 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown.

However, for the second straight week, the running game underperformed, managing just 67 yards total. The Eagles will need better offensive balance as the season progresses.

On defense, BC had its highs and lows.

The unit sacked MSU quarterback Aidan Chiles four times and intercepted him once in the first half. However, they also allowed 148 rushing yards and a touchdown, along with 231 passing yards and four touchdown passes from Chiles. In the red zone, the Spartans were a perfect 5-for-5. Michigan State kept coming, and in the end, the Eagles couldn’t stop them.

Now the attention turns to league play, as Boston College heads west to face the Stanford Cardinal (1-1).

This will be Stanford’s home opener following a win at Hawaii and a loss at BYU. It will be the fifth meeting between the two programs—and the first since 2001. The all-time series is tied 2–2, with the home team winning each previous game.

BC head coach Bill O’Brien and Stanford head coach Frank Reich are familiar foes from their time in the NFL, when O’Brien coached Houston and Reich led Indianapolis. Reich holds a 3–2 edge in head-to-head matchups.

Stanford has a transfer quarterback of its own in Ben Gulbranson, who is playing his final season of college football.

During five seasons at Oregon State, Gulbranson made 18 appearances, including 11 starts. He completed 61.8% of his passes for 15 touchdowns and also rushed for six scores.

Defensively, the Cardinal have been effective in the red zone, allowing just four touchdowns on 10 opponent trips—good for sixth in the nation in red zone touchdown percentage (40%). Stanford brought in 17 transfers this offseason, the most in a single season in school history.

Both teams will be looking to open conference play with a win.

Eagles Look to Bounce Back Against Stanford After Double-OT Loss to Michigan State

Boston College heads west to open conference play against the Stanford Cardinal.

Tough Loss in East Lansing

After a heartbreaking 42–40 double-overtime loss to Michigan State last Saturday night in East Lansing, Boston College (1-1) is staying on the road. This week, they begin conference play with a primetime matchup against the Stanford Cardinal (1-1).

The loss to the Spartans could haunt the Eagles later in the season. BC held a 21–14 lead at halftime, fueled by a dominant 21-point second quarter. But the second half told a different story, with the Eagles being outscored 13–6, pushing the game into extra time.

In double overtime, it all came down to a two-point conversion attempt—which BC failed to convert—sealing the loss.

Bright Spots on Offense

Despite the loss, there were encouraging signs for the Eagles—especially under center.

Quarterback Dylan Lonergan, making his first career road start, delivered an impressive performance. He threw for 390 yards, completing 34 of 45 passes, and tossed four touchdown passes, three of them in the second quarter.

Wide receiver Lewis Bond had a big night, hauling in 11 catches for 90 yards, while running back Turbo Richards added 55 rushing yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. He was also productive in the passing game, with 7 receptions for 66 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown catch.

The one glaring issue? The ground game. For the second straight week, the rushing attack struggled, finishing with just 67 total yards. If BC wants to find consistency this season, offensive balance will be key.

Mixed Results on Defense

Defensively, BC had its moments. The Eagles sacked MSU quarterback Aidan Chiles four times and picked him off once in the first half.

But the defense also gave up 148 rushing yards and 231 passing yards, including four touchdown passes from Chiles. Michigan State was a perfect 5-for-5 in the red zone, and when it mattered most, BC couldn’t come up with the big stop.

All Eyes on Stanford

Now, the Eagles shift their focus to Stanford. The Cardinal (also 1-1) is coming off a win at Hawaii and a loss at BYU. Saturday’s game marks Stanford’s home opener and the first meeting between these two programs since 2001. The all-time series is tied at 2–2, with the home team winning every matchup.

There’s also a bit of coaching history here. BC’s Bill O’Brien and Stanford’s Frank Reich faced off several times during their NFL coaching days—O’Brien with the Texans and Reich with the Colts. Reich currently leads that rivalry 3–2.

Stanford’s Transfer QB & Red Zone Defense

Stanford has its own experienced signal-caller in Ben Gulbranson, a transfer from Oregon State. Over five seasons with the Beavers, Gulbranson made 18 appearances (11 starts), completing 61.8% of his passes for 15 touchdowns. He also added six rushing TDs.

Defensively, the Cardinals have been stout in the red zone. Opponents have scored just four touchdowns in 10 red zone trips—a 40% touchdown rate, which ranks 6th nationally.

Stanford also brought in 17 transfers this offseason, the most in school history, signaling a program that’s actively reloading.

What’s at Stake

Both teams enter this matchup looking to make a statement and pick up a crucial first win in conference play. For BC, a bounce-back performance on the road could reset the tone for the season. For Stanford, it’s a chance to protect their home turf and build momentum.

Kickoff is set for Saturday night. Let’s see if the Eagles can turn the page and take flight out west.