Boston College takes the field at home tomorrow, October 3, against #11 North Carolina. Game time is 12:30 pm PT and the game is being telecast on ABC. Local channel is KGTV-10.
North Carolina will only be playing for the second time this season. The Tar Heels beat Syracuse, 31-6, on September 12. Their September 19 scheduled game at home against Charlotte was canceled because of coronavirus issues at Charlotte. The following weekend was open for North Carolina, but they could not arrange a replacement game.
A three-week break before the game tomorrow could adversely affect the Tar Heels. They could also be rested and recovered from any initial game injuries. That’s why they play the game. :)
Last year (doesn’t that seem forever ago?), Kansas visited BC as 21-point underdogs and beat the Eagles 48-24. Yesterday, Texas State came to Alumni Stadium as 21-point underdogs and led or tied the Eagles until three seconds remained and grad transfer Aaron Boumerhi kicked a 36-yard field goal to put BC ahead for the first time and for the win, 24-21.
I texted classmates shortly thereafter about the implausibility that the Eagles, long struggling in the kicking game, would win a game with a field goal. One had the perfect response: “What did you expect? It’s 2020.”
Against ACC foe Duke in its opener last week, the BC offense started slow but cranked up in the second half for the 26-6 win. Yesterday, the Eagles offense sputtered until the closing minutes. Total offense yesterday was three yards fewer than the 300 yards BC gained passing the previous week.
Down 21-14 with a little over three minutes left in the game, BC got the ball on the Texas State 48, thanks to a targeting penalty on the Bobcats on the punt return. Having completed 14 of 24 passing to that point, BC quarterback Phil Jurkovec got hot and completed six of eight passes, culminating in a five-yard touchdown pass to tight end Hunter Long to tie the game with 2:04 remaining.
Due to two incomplete passes and a BC timeout, Texas State then punted after using only 24 seconds on the clock. Starting on their 32 yard line, the Eagles moved to the Texas State 19 with five straight complete passes by Jurkovec. An incomplete pass preceded the winning field goal.
With piped-in sounds and victory fireworks (and apparitions in the stands), BC tried to replicate “normal.” Bet the neighbors loved the light and sound show at 9:20 pm. (BC photo)
Overall, Jurkovec was 26 of 38 passing for 210 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also led the Eagles in rushing, running eight times and gaining 37 of BC’s total 87 yards on the ground. Jurkovec also scored two touchdowns rushing.
Here are highlights.
BC remains at home next Saturday, hosting North Carolina. The Tarheels are 1-0, having defeated Syracuse 31-6 on September 12. Their September 19 game against Charlotte was canceled because of coronavirus issues and this weekend was a bye. Game time Saturday is 12:30 pm PT.
The Eagles’ first home game is Saturday, September 26, at 3 pm PT. When the game — against Texas State — was initially announced, game time had been set for noon PT.
One might assume the change in time was to accommodate television. The game is to be televised on the ACC Regional Sports Network, made up of cable and local affiliate stations. Among the stations listed as carrying the game are:
AT&T Sportsnet Las Vegas
Fox Sports Prime Ticket
New England Sports Network Plus
The local/regional sports package on DirecTV, at least, carries Fox Sports Prime Ticket and New England Sports Network Plus. You can also go on the BC Athletics website to find other alternatives.
