It’s a win. Light up the sky! Wake up the neighbors! (BC Athletics photo)

So you’re looking for your first win of the season and you’re to play the team ranked 136th out of 138 FBS college football teams. The game is also infused with the excitement of being the home opener as well as the meaning of the Red Bandana Game on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The concept of “For Welles” is pervasive. This could be exciting.

Eagles celebrate the win. (BC Athletics photo)

And the win is secured. After jumping out to a 17-0 lead, BC held on for a 28-21 victory over Rutgers, aided by defensive plays late in the game. Linebacker Anthony Palano, a 6-1 230lb transfer from Washington State, intercepted two Rutgers passes in the last 10 minutes to stop Scarlet Knights’ drives. In addition, Palano made nine tackles, four solo, and a quarterback sack.

On the offensive side of the ball, BC quarterback Mason McKensie accounted for 346 of BC’s total 402 yards. He was 18-of-29 passing for 252 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown pass to WR Dawson Pough in the fourth quarter that pushed the lead to 14 points. He also ran for 94 yards on 13 carries, again leading the team in rushing.

Alison Crowther, center right, holds up a red bandana as a symbol of her son, Welles ’99, during halftime ceremonies in his honor. (BC Athletics photo)

Adding to the emotion of the game was an injury suffered in the second quarter by BC linebacker Bodie Kahoun, a Notre Dame transfer. Kahoun appeared to injure his neck tackling a Rutgers runner. In an extended game interruption, medical personnel stabilized Kahoun, placing him on a stretcher, and removing him from the field in an ambulance. His teammates surrounded the activity and Rutgers players knelt on the field nearby.

As shown in the photo below, Kahoun gave a raised thumb salute with his left hand as he was placed in the ambulance. BC announced shortly thereafter that Kahoun had movement in all his extremities. As new information comes out, it will be updated here.

Stats-wise, the teams were quite close overall. BC ran 61 offensive plays for 402 yards, while Rutgers ran 68 plays for 384 yards. Rutgers had 19 first downs, BC 18. On the ground, the Scarlet Knights gained 154 yards and the Eagles 150. Through the air, BC gained 252 yards, while Rutgers gained 230.

A nemesis for BC throughout the game was Rutgers receiver KJ Duff, who had eight catches for 137 yards and two second-half touchdowns, including a 60-yard TD reception with 6:18 to go in the game.

A significant difference in terms of timing and effect were BC interceptions of four Rutgers passes. One was especially meaningful. Palano’s interception at the BC 35 with 1:46 remaining helped seal the win. McKenzie hit RB Evan Dickens for a first down with 1:27 left to put the game out of reach. McKenzie took a knee three times to run out the clock.

Here are game highlights (9:55).

Attendees at Friday’s gamewatch were often exuberant and attendance was dynamic and diverse, changing as the evening progressed.

The Eagles next play the Maine Black Bears in Alumni Stadium Saturday, September 19. Game time is 11 am PT.