Boston College’s ACC opener turned into a muddy grind, and Virginia Tech came away with the edge in a 21-14 win at Alumni Stadium on a rainy, windy afternoon in Chestnut Hill.
The Eagles leaned on a big day from McKenzie, who piled up a career-high 138 rushing yards on 26 carries and scored two touchdowns. He also finished 11-for-24 through the air for 111 yards. Defensively, KP Price led the way with a game-high 10 tackles, and five other Boston College defenders finished with seven tackles apiece.
For much of the first half, both offenses struggled to find any rhythm. Neither side managed a drive longer than 40 yards until late in the second quarter, when Virginia Tech put together a 48-yard march and John Love drilled a 45-yard field goal with 16 seconds left before halftime to put the Hokies in front 3-0.
Boston College answered after the break. Virginia Tech stretched its lead to 6-0 with an early third-quarter field goal, but the Eagles responded on the very next series with a five-play, 75-yard drive. McKenzie broke free for a 45-yard run to set up his own five-yard touchdown on the next snap, giving Boston College a 7-6 lead.
The defense then delivered a spark of its own. On the Hokies’ next possession, Max Tucker forced a fumble and scooped it up, returning it 20 yards to set the Eagles up at the Virginia Tech 22. Boston College couldn’t cash in right away, going three-and-out and punting, but the defense bailed them out again by stuffing Virginia Tech on fourth-and-4 for a turnover on downs.
Boston College took advantage on the next offensive series. McKenzie helped move the Eagles 67 yards in nine plays, including a 20-yard completion to Dawson Pough that got the ball to the two-yard line. McKenzie finished the drive with a two-yard keeper to put Boston College ahead 14-6.
Virginia Tech answered in a hurry. The Hokies tied the game at 14 with eight minutes left on a 14-yard touchdown pass, then converted the two-point try. After Boston College punted on its next drive, Virginia Tech took over at its own 24 and struck immediately, going 76 yards in one play to grab the lead for good with just under five minutes remaining.
The Eagles got one more possession, but Virginia Tech closed it out from there.
Boston College heads to Texas for its first road game since opening weekend, facing SMU in an ACC matchup on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m. CT, and the game will stream live on The CW.
In Other News...
Boston College Let A Winnable ACC Game Slip Away Late
Boston College had a chance to turn a tight ACC game into a needed road win, and for much of the night it looked like the Eagles might do just that. Mason McKenzie gave them a lift with 111 rushing yards and a touchdown, helping Boston College build an eight-point lead late as the defense put Virginia Tech in a tough spot.
The finish, though, belonged to the Hokies. Virginia Tech answered with a late surge to erase the gap, then found the decisive blow on a long touchdown run to complete the comeback and send Boston College home with a frustrating 21-14 loss, one shaped by missed chances, third-down trouble and penalties that kept the Eagles from closing it out. [Read more 🡒]
Bill OBrien Zeroed In On What Cost BC Late
Bill OBrien came away from Boston Colleges 21-14 loss to Virginia Tech with a familiar mix of frustration and perspective. The Eagles stayed in a game that was shaped by tough conditions and an opponent that made life difficult on third down, and OBrien said afterward that his team fought hard enough to keep the result from getting away early. He also noted the weather made the passing game a challenge, which only added to the grind of trying to move the ball and sustain drives.
Still, the late stretch left the BC coach focused on what the Eagles did not do well enough to close it out. OBrien said the defenses performance changed in the fourth quarter and pointed to issues that cost his team a chance to finish with an eight-point lead, a swing that loomed large in a one-score game. The message afterward was less about excuses than about urgency, with OBrien stressing that the next step is turning a competitive effort into a cleaner finish. [Read more 🡒]
Boston College Let A Winnable Night Slip Away Late
Under a steady mix of rain and wind, Boston College spent much of the night in a slog that felt built for whichever team could stay patient and avoid the big mistake. The Eagles got enough from Mason McKenzie on the ground to put themselves in position, with his rushing giving them the sort of punch they needed in a game where offense was hard to come by for either side.
But a tight, winnable game still slipped away late, the kind of loss that lingers because it was there for the taking. Virginia Tech found the decisive score in the fourth quarter and then added a two-point conversion, leaving Boston College to look back on a frustrating finish after doing so much right in the kind of conditions that usually reward grit and control. [Read more 🡒]