Boston College’s near miracle comeback came to an unceremonious end in their trip to Virginia Tech Thursday night, losing 42-21.
Right from the start, Boston College was out of sorts, over their heads, and ran out of the building early in the second quarter. BC’s drives went punt, fumble, fumble, punt, both the result of carelessness by Thomas Castellanos, Virginia Tech was able to move the ball and score at will. An early 11 play drive saw the Hokies march down the field from deep in their own territory. Quarterback Kyron Drones led the way and ran in a short score. After Casteallnos’s first fumble, it was Drones again who ran in from one yard out.
The Eagles offense opted to speed up the tempo to get back in the game. After moving the ball down into the redzone Castellanos fumbled again. Two plays later, running back Bhayshul Tuten was running free for an 83 yard touchdown. This would be the story of the night for Virginia Tech as the game carried on. Tuten, who had three touchdowns in this matchup last season, somehow topped that output with four scores and added 266 yards on the ground.
On defense, the Eagles looked lethargic and slow in the first half. There was little pressure and tight end Benji Gosnell was finding easy spaces to operate. By halftime, Tuten had a touchdown reception this time, and the Hokies had generated 332 yards on about 11 yards per play. The Eagles had allowed 52 points in a row going back to the Virginia game.
But once again, BC found a way to play one half of serious football turning things around by and large in the second half. Forcing an opening punt, Turbo Richard got things in the ground game with a big carry to begin the tide shift. His 64 yards on nine carries would lead the way for the Eagles. Castellanos found Treshaun Ward open in the end zone and BC was on the board for BC’s first points in over four quarters of play across two games.
Things began to spiral for the Hokies, with two turnovers on their next two possessions. Firs Cam Martinez picked off a poorly thrown away ball from Drones and then it was Tuten who put the ball on the ground. BC would capitalize on both with Castellanos throwing the first to Jeremiah Franklin, who’s 49 yards would lead the way for BC receiving. Kye Robichaux ran in the second and all of a sudden it was a one score game. BC had 121 yards and 8 first downs to VT’s two turnovers in that third quarter alone.
Forcing another punt, BC had its eyes on erasing a 28 point deficit in just over a quarter of play. But the Hokies good fortunate came back and they got a stop on fourth and one. Three runs later, Tuten was in for his third score.
Still early in the fourth quarter, Castellanos found Reed Harris for a 46 yard gain to set BC up nicely. The Eagles were just off on a couple of passes, and O’Brien surprisingly opted to kick down 14 with just over 8 minutes to go. The fumble miscues from the first half came back with a vengeance as BC bungled the snap and hold. Tuten would bust open another 61 yard back-breaking touchdown run. A last ditch Eagles effort got the Tech 22 yard line, but once again was halted on downs.
The Eagles head home to face Louisville next Friday night.