I like wasabi with sushi, but I was not a fan of BC being projected to play in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl in Boston. It was nice, then, to learn today that the Eagles will instead play in the Military Bowl in Annapolis, Maryland.
The Fenway Bowl also featured an 8 am kickoff on Wednesday, December 29, a day/time that indubitably would not have been conducive to attracting attendance. The Military Bowl starts at 11:30 am our time on Monday, December 27. It’s a minor bowl, so it is not provided a prime viewing slot. Late morning, though, is much more attractive.
BC will meet East Carolina of the American Athletic Conference, the champion of which — #4 Cincinnati — is one of four teams to play in the College Football Playoff. East Carolina finished with a 7-5 record, 5-3 in the conference.
The Eagles and Pirates played one common opponent — Temple. Each team allowed Temple only three points, but East Carolina scored 45 against them and BC scored 28.
We’ll have a gamewatch at The Corner Drafthouse, 495 Laurel St., San Diego, for those who will be still on holiday routine.
There were lamentations, cries and moans of despair, and, finally, a sense of resignation too early that hopes for a winning football season had died.
At least that’s what happened at the local gamewatch.
I suspect it happened something like that for many in Alumni Stadium yesterday, watching #18 Wake Forest throttle the Eagles, 41-10. BC finished the regular season 6-6, 2-6 in ACC play.
Coach Jeff Hafley had spoken after the previous week’s loss to Florida State and during the week prior to yesterday’s game that the Eagles had to start games with more energy. They didn’t do so yesterday. And, with BC failing to make a first down in the second half, it could be argued the Eagles never got started.
It should be noted that there were reports in the media last week that 15 BC players were showing symptoms of the flu. None of them tested positive for COVID-19. The Boston Globe reported post-game that 32 players, including QB Phil Jurkovec, had shown flu symptoms and that 10 did not play yesterday. It also reported that Hafley believed some players’ execution of plays had been influenced by their conditions.
The Demon Deacons took a 14-0 lead with touchdowns drives in two of their first four possessions. Their second touchdown drive took only three plays, ending with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Wake QB Sam Hartman.
BC, or perhaps better said Jurkovec, responded on its next possession. Jurkovec rushed for 28 yards and later 10 yards before throwing a 15-yard touchdown to TE Trae Barry to make the score 14-7.
The teams traded field goals to make the score 17-10 before Wake added a touchdown with 10 seconds left in the half. Teams went to the locker rooms with the Deacons ahead 24-10.
For the first half, BC gained 157 yards rushing, exceeding Wake’s 67 yards on the ground. Passing (passing?), Jurkovec was three of seven for 19 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Wake’s Hartman was 16 of 25 for 186 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
After receiving the second half kickoff. the Eagles started off with an incomplete pass. Natch. Then came the most exciting play of the day for BC fans . . . and it didn’t count.
Jurkovec block against #11
Speedster WR Zay Flowers took the ball on a double reverse and then weaved his way through Wake Forest defenders for 73 yards and a touchdown. Flag. A very questionable call against Jurkovec for an alleged illegal blindside block right as Flowers ran to the right. No touchdown. Fifteen-yard penalty.
The rest of the second half took five hours . . . it seemed. Remember, no first downs for BC. Wake Forest scored another 17 points. Whatever.
The Eagles had a total offense of 182 yards, less than half of Wake’s 413. Wake also more than doubled the number of plays, 86, to BC’s 41.
One thing I remember flu doing, to me anyway, was draining your energy. That second half, particularly, showed what seemed to be a de-energized BC team.
Highlights:
UPDATE: Shout-out to sophomore RB Patrick Garwo. His 65 yards rushing on 11 carries yesterday brought his season total to 1,045 yards. He is the 19th BC player ever to rush for 1,000 yards or more in a season.
The Eagles, and their fans, now await learning to what bowl game BC will be assigned.
We’ll be looking at Hockey Beanpot and possible NCAA tournament appearances for other potential gamewatches. Note, BC will begin to defend its NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship in late winter.
The annual gathering of BC Eagles at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (not held in 2020) took place Sunday, November 21. More than two dozen alumni, friends, and family members watched the ponies run from seats at tables high above the track in the Turf Club.
Here’s the official photo of the setting and view.
Participants could also enjoy the Turf Club lounge (official photo below) and place their bets in those comfortable surroundings. You can see the location of the photo at the top of this post at left, rear.
The San Diego Chapter usually aims at the fall season, called the “Bing Crosby Season” after one of the track’s founders. It’s also referred to as the “BC Season,” so there is something of a natural connection.
Look for information about another “Day at the Races” next fall!
