Virginia Tech Hokies Fall to Boston College Eagles

Boston College received the ball to start the game and immediately went to their workhorse, A.J. Dillon. The 245-pound running got the Eagles off to a quick start, but their opening drive stalled quickly after two incomplete Anthony Brown passes. Boston College struck first with Dillon reaching for a touchdown. The Hokies responded with a 65-yard scoring drive that found Ryan Willis hitting Damon Hazelton for a 26-yard TD. The Hokies and Eagles traded punts and the first quarter finished in a 7-7 tie. Willis looked sharp going 6 of 8 for 68 yards and the TD. As expected, BC went to Dillon early and often with the RB carrying 12 times for 54 yards and a TD during the first quarter.

The Hokies defense pitched a three-and-out to start the second quarter. Ryan Willis again took the Hokies down the field. This time it was Eric Kumah’s turn to score, high pointing a Willis pass at the edge of the endzone. After a BC punt the Hokies found themselves deep in the Eagles’ territory. The drive stalled after a false start penalty made fourth and inches fourth and five with the Hokies unable to convert. The Hokie defense did a much better job of forcing BC into passing situations and again stopped the Eagles in their territory. Ryan Willis was shaken up during the last minute of the half but jogged off the field under his own power.

Virginia Tech started the second half with an underwhelming three-and-out effort. The Hokies recovered an Eagles fumble while BC was driving in VT territory, but the offense suffered another three-and-out. Boston College then marched back into Hokie territory on three consecutive Dillon runs before leaving the game with an injury. It didn’t matter, because Travis Levy burst out of the line for a 29-yard touchdown to tie the game, 14-14. The Hokies again struggled on offense with another three-and-out. It seems second half adjustments continue to escape the Hokies which became even more apparent when a Willis pass glanced off Hazelton’s hands and into the hands of BC defensive back Brandon Sebastian at the VT 19-yardline. Two plays later the Eagles retook the lead, 14-21, after a 22-yard Brown pass to Korab Idrizi. During the waning minutes of the third quarter the VT defense had a solid fourth down stand when BC gambled on 4^th and 1 in their own territory. Boston College’s defensive adjustments paid off and VT was unable to capitalize on the field position after a missed 46-yard field goal attempt.

The final quarter of regulation found Boston College facing 2^nd and 1 just inside Virginia Tech territory. Coach Fuente gambled, declining a Boston College holding penalty, to force a third down that BC was unable to convert. The Hokie offense finally started to show life but were stuffed at the midfield when a questionable fourth down conversion attempt failed. The Eagles were more than happy to take the short field and exchanged that for another Travis Levy TD set up by a 24-yard Anthony Brown run. Willis was shaken up during the ensuing VT drive and Quincy Patterson stepped into the game. Willis returned to the line-up and Steven Peoples carried the Hokies into the BC red zone. Tre Turner caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Willis bring the Hokies within one score. With Dillon injured on the sideline Travis Levy stepped up and quickly helped carry the Eagles into the VT red zone with around three minutes left in the game. BC hit a field goal with 2:31 left in the game, increasing their lead to ten points. Willis was harried and the Hokies had two penalties to set up a 3^rd and 20 for the Hokies, which then set up 4^th and 20. Willis either lost awareness to the first down marker or the fact that it was fourth down, because he ran for 16 yards before sliding short of the marker, turning the ball over on downs. With VT having zero timeouts left, BC entered victory formation and the Hokies fell at home for the third time this season, 21-31.