Zay Flowers gathers in one of his team-leading eight receptions against Maine.
A win is a win, of course. For the Eagles to get their first victory of the season yesterday, however, following two losses, was disappointing to the many who had anticipated something of a break-through successful season for BC this year.
That the first win was achieved in a game in which the Eagles displayed many of the same deficiencies that contributed to the opening losses to Rutgers and Virginia Tech was also frustrating to many fans. And that the first win came against Maine, an FCS team that had previously lost to Colgate and had been crushed by New Mexico, 41-0, did not inspire hopes for the season’s renewal.
That said, the Eagles won by three touchdowns, 38-17, and quarterback Phil Jurkovec had impressive stats. Jurkovec was 25 of 37 for 320 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His long completion was 53 yards. He was also sacked three times and faced consistent pressure, as had happened extensively in the first two games.
Leading BC receiver senior Zay Flowers had eight catches again Maine for 89 yards and one touchdown, opening scoring by the Eagles on a 51-yard reception and run. His three-game total is 22 receptions for 295 yards.
Entering the game ranked last among FBS teams in rushing, BC managed to get triple digits against the Black Bears, rushing for 111. Redshirt junior Pat Garwo III, who ran for more than 1,000 yards last season, led the team yesterday with 78 yards on 17 carries, scoring two touchdowns. Garwo, leading rusher for the Eagles this season, had gained only 40 yards rushing total in the two earlier games.
Maine actually had two more offensive plays than BC, 72-70, and gained 378 yards total overall, 289 yards through the air.
Highlights of BC-Maine.
(During the first two weeks of the season, I was on a trip to Michigan and Boston/Cape Cod and didn’t have the capability to post reports on the first two games. Maybe not the heart, either. I attended the Rutgers game, as did Lissa and Brian Tsu, both ’00, as well as Lori and Joe ’74 Mahler. I don’t see much point to provide summaries and highlights of the Rutgers and Virginia Tech games. Better, I think, to relegate them to the bad memories bin.)
Next week, the Eagles go to Tallahassee to play Florida State (3-0). The Seminoles had a close win over Louisville in their opener, an easy win over Duquesne, and edged LSU yesterday, 24-23. Game time is 5 pm our time.
