A balanced effort, powered by a fourth quarter rushing attack of utter dominance, helped Boston College collar a 38-23 road victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Saturday.
Over 1000 yards of total offense were shared between the two teams in this much-anticipated matchup between two teams with strong rushing attacks. It was Boston College (4-3, 2-2), who ran for over 300 yards for the second game in a row, that found the extra stops on defense to secure the victory.
Finding ways, too, in holding Georgia Tech (3-4, 2-2) to field goals rather than touchdowns also helped pave the way for a Boston College victory. An offense that kept Georgia Tech guessing also allowed the strength of the Eagles to shine exactly when they needed it most.
Flying with the ground game
The 38 points scored by Boston College was a team-high for the 2023 season, and the first time the program scored 35+ since scoring 38 against Maine in game three of 2022. They even left points off the board, missing a 47-yard field goal and throwing an interception in the end zone, both in the third quarter.
The interception by Thomas Castellanos was devastating and could have turned the entire game around. Boston College was driving with ease to open the second half before the pick. And of course, Georgia Tech took advantage minutes later on a 71-yard touchdown run by quarterback Hayes King. This turned what could have been a two-score Eagles lead into a tie game.
A tough third quarter saw the Eagles lose the lead but fourth quarter resolve paved the way for victory.
Boston College ran with authority in the first half but the play calling went away from it far too much in effort to get the pass game going. And that wasn't too pretty, especially in the first quarter, with dropped passes and bad misfires. Castellanos was only 3-8 that quarter but thanks to a great reception of 45 yards by Kye Robichaux, had 70 yards passing.
The young quarterback improved with each quarter and finished 17-29 for 255 yards.
It was in the ground game where Castellanos did major damage as the Eagles wore out the Yellow Jackets defense. After 79 yards rushing in the first half, Boston College nearly double that total in the third quarter. And they nearly did again in the fourth, cranking out 153 rushing yards in the final quarter, including eight straight runs to close out the game.
Castellanos ended with 128 yards on 13 carries, scoring two times. But it was the Robichaux who topped the charts once again for the Eagles.
Robichaux, getting the start in place of an injured Pat Garwo, showed off his talent. While his role had lessened since Garwo's return from early season injury, Robichaux stayed focused and stepped up, rushing for 165 yards on 21 carries, scoring two touchdowns. He also added three receptions for 54 yards and proved to be integral part of the victory.
Robichaux was one of eight players to have a reception for Boston College. Topping the list was once again Lewis Bond, who had five catches for 72 yards. One of the things I loved to see was the attempt early to get the tight ends involved. George Takacs and Jeremiah Franklin were targeted a combined four times in the first quarter. Takacs had a drop but Franklin caught both of his targets, including a 30-yard reception on a 2nd down and 22.
Takacs had a huge 27-yard reception in the fourth quarter on the drive where the Eagles took the lead for good. He and Franklin finished with a combined three catches (on five targets) for 62 yards.
While the offense managed to score three touchdowns in the final quarter, they were buoyed by a defense that dug in deep to help secure the victory.
Boston College Eagles defense creates opportunities
Amari Jackson and Elijah Jones had been so close to making game-changing plays in 2023.
On Saturday, both delivered with serious might.
Jones was a huge factor in the fourth quarter, hauling in two interceptions during the game's final nine minutes. The first was followed by a Robichaux touchdown, providing the game's final score. And the second essentially sealed the victory for Boston College, as the Eagles were able to run out the final 5:42 of the game.
Jackson's interception in the first quarter provided Boston College's first touchdown on the day, and could easily be a top-10 highlight of the week.
Jackson added four tackles and Jones finished with three PBUs to his credit.
While the forced turnovers were game changes, Boston College failed to tally a sack. That's not to say the defensive line didn't have a good game. And sure, the Yellow Jackets ran for 248 yards and averaged over seven yards a carry but lineman were in on a lot of tackles, with Shitta Sillah (4), Donovan Ezeiruaku (3), George Rooks (3), and Cam Horsley (3) all major contributors on the day.
John Pupel led the team with eight tackles. Six were solo and Pupel had one tackle for loss.
Boston College was also able to hold Georgia Tech to 3-11 on third down conversions, locking in when needed.
In season's past, and even in their 1-3 start in '23, this had all the makings of a game Boston College might lose. Hang around, having an early lead but faltering late (or hurting themselves) seemed to be a blueprint in recent seasons for Boston College. Today may have provided further proof the trend is changing. The Eagles gain more confidence with each victory, especially as they keep happening on the road. Do it again at home next week against the Connecticut Huskies and Boston College will be one step closer to the thing that seemed out of reach after a 1-3 start: becoming bowl eligible.
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
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