Boston College Football Earns First Victory With 28-21 Defeat of Rutgers in Red Ba…
Boston College · RutgersThe Eagles' defense intercepted Scarlet Knights quarterback AJ Surace four times in the triumph. The Eagles (1-1) narrowly led in total yards at the end of the game, 402-384, and were scrambling to hold onto their lead.
But two clutch interceptions in the fourth quarter for linebacker Anthony Palano, who manufactured nine tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack as well, sealed the triumph. After converting on 4th-and-3 via McKenzie's eight-yard dish to Javarius Green, Evan Dickens rumbled into the endzone for a 19-yard rushing score, and Luca Lombardo nailed the extra point to cement a 7-0 lead for BC with 10:42 left in the quarter.
It was rather fitting that the first touchdown of the game was a 19-yarder, as 19 was the number that Welles Crowther, the 9/11 hero who BC dedicates this game to, wore when he played lacrosse for the school. On the very next drive, Rutgers started pushing down the field, but Surace was picked off by Charlie Comella on an overthrown ball, resulting in the first takeaway of the game.
It only took the Eagles four plays to score a second touchdown, as McKenzie completed a 53-yard bomb to Landon Wright before rushing for a 10-yard touchdown, which increased the Eagles' lead to 14-0. Less than two minutes into the second quarter, BC extended its lead to 17-0 on Lombardo's first field goal of the year from 30 yards, and he later made a second one right before the end of the half from 46.
KEY POINTS
- Boston College Football Earns First Victory With 28-21 Defeat of Rutgers in Red Bandanna Game.
- - Despite a rollercoaster second half that saw Boston College go three and out on its first drive and turn the ball over three times, the Eagles came out victorious over Rutgers (0-2), 28-21, in the 13th edition of the program's annual Red Bandanna Game.
- In his first win as BC's starting quarterback, Mason McKenzie , who threw two interceptions in the second half, total 346 yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns - one on the ground and one through the air - with a team-high 94 rushing yards.
- On Rutgers' first offensive drive, BC forced a turnover on downs at the Scarlet Knights ' 34-yard line, stuffing quarterback AJ Surace on a QB sneak, which led to the Eagles' first scoring drive of the night.