Ben Solomon photo

In one of their strongest performances of the season, the Eagles defeated Miami, 27-14, in a nationally televised game last Friday. BC was especially dominant in the first quarter, gaining 209 yards to the Hurricanes’s 74 yards, and jumping out to a 14-7 lead. A 17-14 BC halftime lead seemed much too close considering the action on the field, but the Eagles added 10 more points in the second half and shut out Miami.

(Sorry for the delay in getting this report online. I was in Boston to attend the game and then visited my daughter and son-in-law in Buckeye Country [Columbus, Ohio], returning yesterday. A personal video below in this post shows some of the pregame and game ambience.)

AJ Dillon. Ben Solomon photo

Following a Miami five-play possession at the start, BC scored on its opening drive for the sixth game this season, going 88 yards on 10 plays, displaying an offensive play variety not often seen. Running back AJ Dillon, though, started it off in the traditional way — a 25-yard run. BC also ran something of a “Philly special,” with WR Jeff Smith taking a handoff from QB Anthony Brown and then passing to Brown for 27 yards. The same pair returned to their traditional roles for the nine-yard touchdown.

Following a 62-yard kickoff return, Miami tied the score in a six-play drive. BC, against the then-#2-ranked defense, went right back down the field, scoring after 10 plays and 77 yards, to take a 14-7 lead. Smith once again showed the talents of an ex-quarterback by completing a 32-yard pass to RB Travis Levy.

BC used up over seven minutes in a 20-play, 79-yard drive that ended in a Colton Lichtenberg 21-yard field goal, to go up 17-7. BC’s special teams again faltered, however, as the Hurricanes returned the ensuing kickoff 58 yards to set up a 10-play drive to close to 17-14 at the half.

Two BC pass interceptions, both leading to Eagle touchdowns, and an overall stout defense spelled the difference in the game in the second half. BC, however, also pulled off the pedal offensively in the second half, seemingly continually running into the center of the Miami defense. The tactic of running the clock ultimately was successful, but fan displeasure was evident . . . until the game’s conclusion, when students rushed the field to celebrate.

Personally, and as an old Eagle, I was a little surprised and a little disappointed in the postgame activity. This was an important win, but not really a major one. Martin Jarmond, BC athletic director, had taken several steps to make the game experience more “exciting.” To get students, and others, into the stands on time, he reduced the cost of refreshments in the stadium by half in the first quarter. New LED lights created something of a light show and “fireworks” soared up from the western rim of the stadium somewhat frequently.

When the game ended, BC students, if not encouraged, were not discouraged from rushing onto the field. The scene, accompanied by an LED light show, was clearly very positive for the national television audience. Even more positive for BC, perhaps, were the postgame comments by the game announcers, essentially promoting the values expressed by BC in this “red bandana” game, honoring the sacrifice of 9/11 hero Welles Crowther ’99.

Here is a very short video of the pregame ambience (including views of the new Plex under construction) and postgame celebration. The band in the video, Unit One, is made up of BC seniors Rachel Moon on guitar and vocals, Nicolas Sucre on bass, and Josh Mentzer on drums.

Dillon ran for 149 yards, making it the 11th game the sophomore has gained 100+ yards. BC is 9-2 overall when he exceeds the century mark. Brown was 15 of 28 for 152 yards, with 1 TD and 1 interception. Smith was 2 of 2 passing and also caught 2 passes, 1 for a touchdown.

The Eagles edged into the top 25 following the victory, but it seems the College Football Playoff committee was more impressed. It put BC at #22 in the first CFP poll of the season, first appearance ever in this poll by the Eagles. BC plays Virginia Tech Saturday in Blacksburg, Va., not usually a friendly place for the Eagles.

Here are video highlights of the game.

Saturday permits lunch at gamewatch — our first midday game. Come join San Diego Eagles!