Eagles celebrate interception of Syracuse pass attempt by redshirt freshman CJ Clinkscales #26 (another Georgia kid). The first quarter turnover led to BC’s first score, a 24-yard field goal.

For the second game in a row, Boston College dominated its opponent statistically, but failed to be effective offensively. The Eagles’ 17-10 win over Syracuse last night was pretty ugly, but it was BC’s fifth straight win and their sixth win of the season makes them eligible for a post-season bowl game.

After allowing a Syracuse field goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter, which tied the game at 10-10, BC seemed to wear down the Syracuse defense in the closing stanza. With just under six minutes left in the game, the Eagles had the ball on their 29. Eleven plays and three-and-a-half minutes later, QB Thomas Castellanos ran seven yards for the touchdown that put BC ahead. On Syracuse’s next play, DB Cole Batson, a redshirt sophomore from San Clemente, Calif., intercepted the pass attempt. The Eagles gained a first down and once again, BC was able to close out the game with a couple of kneel-downs.

As has been frustratingly consistent this season, the Eagles opened lackadaisically. Ahead 3-0 with 4:55 to go in the first quarter, BC’s last possession of the quarter was a three-and-out. Starting on the BC 33, Syracuse ran for 32 yards into BC territory and, two plays later, scored a touchdown on a 27-yard run.

BC had the ball for 21 plays in the opening quarter, a healthy pace, but gained only 67 yards. Syracuse had only 14 plays, but gained 96 yards, with the two long runs accounting for most of that total.

With less than nine minutes to go in the first half, the Eagles had their longest drive of the game, and perhaps the season. Getting the ball on their 20, BC moved 80 yards in 18 plays, using just under eight minutes, to score on a two-yard pass by Castellanos to FB Owen McGowan. It was McGowan’s first career reception. The drive included two fourth-down conversions. The Eagles lead the ACC in converting 73 percent of fourth-down conversions this season.

With a productive second quarter, BC expanded its statistical dominance. The Eagles had 48 plays in the first half for 170 yards, while holding the Orange to 25 plays and 119 yards. In first downs, BC led 10 to 4, holding Syracuse to no first downs in the second quarter. The Eagles held the ball for 21 minutes, 48 seconds in the first half, allowing the Orange to have the ball for only two minutes, 17 seconds in the second quarter.

The third quarter featured mainly punts by both teams, except for a 56-yard run by Syracuse to the BC 20 at the end of the quarter. That led to the score-tying Orange field goal at the beginning of the final quarter.

BC finished the game with 98 offensive plays, a very prolific total, for 350 yards, only 3.7 yards per play, an anemic result. Syracuse ran only 47 plays, fewer than half of BC’s total, gaining 246 yards, a 5.2 yards per play average. The Orange outgained the Eagles on the ground, 209 to 185. Syracuse gained only 37 yards passing. The Eagles lost two fumbles, but intercepted four Orange passes.

Castellanos once again led the team in both passing and rushing yards. He was 20 of 37 passing for 165 yards, for one touchdown and with no interceptions. (It should be noted, however, that, if Syracuse’s defensive backs could catch the ball better, Castellanos might thrown a few interceptions at least. Orange defenders dropped several BC passes.) Castellanos also ran for a net 87 yards on 22 carries. Kye Robichaux added 70 yards rushing.

Eagle RB Andre Hines Jr., a redshirt junior, carried the ball twice to set up Castellanos’s winning touchdown and three straight times on BC’s closing possession, gaining a first down and allowing the closing kneel-downs. Hines rushed five times for 32 yards, leading the team in average yards per carry. Noteworthy because those five carries were his first in three-plus years on the team.

“I gave him the game ball in there. He had tears in his eyes. Guys picked him up. That’s a moment he’ll never forget,” Coach Jeff Hafley said. “That’s college football. That’s why you stick it out. That’s why you don’t leave, so you have moments like this.”

Highlights (8:14)

Also a rendition of For Boston in the lockerroom.

The Eagles improve to 6-3, 3-2 in conference play. They play Virginia Tech next Saturday, 9 am PT.

Here’s a shot from last night’s gamewatch at The Corner Drafthouse. Good crowd!