Same old? A spark?

Thadd Smith touchdown, an occasion too infrequent

Thadd Smith touchdown, an occasion too infrequent for the Eagles overall

Against North Carolina State yesterday, BC had more first downs (16-12) and more offensive plays (71-60), gained more yards passing (257-212), and possessed the ball three minutes longer than the Wolfpack. The Eagles fell short in points, however, 24-8. The lone BC touchdown (photo above) came with only 1:21 remaining in the game.

Freshman walk-on quarterback John Fadule performed pretty well in his first start, compiling the best passing stats of any BC quarterback this season. He was 23 of 37 for 257 yards and one touchdown. He also threw three interceptions and lost a fumble, and was sacked five times.

Tyler Rouse was the Eagles’ rushing attack, with 7 carries for 48 yards. BC, with Fadule losing many yards in sacks, had only 28 yards net on the ground. NC State gained 351 yards in total offense, 212 through the air.

It was Senior Day for the Eagles. BC Athletics compiled this video of four seniors talking about their time at the Heights.

A surprising fact: The Wolfpack win was NC State’s first victory at Alumni Stadium since 1937!

BC (3-7 overall) remains winless in the ACC (0-7) and has been statistically eliminated from post-season bowl competition. The Eagles have a bye week to prepare for their next game, against Notre Dame, Nov. 21, at Fenway Park. Kickoff is at 4:30 pm PT.

Highlights

Hockey and other sports

BC’s men’s and women’s hockey teams — each ranked #2 in the country — kept steaming along this week. The women blasted BU 8-1 to bring their record to 11-0 (5-0), while the men (8-1, 3-0) swept Maine this weekend, 3-0 Saturday and 2-0 today. BC goaltender — and San Diego’s own — Thatcher Demo made 30 saves today and has shut out the opponent in six of the last seven games. That off-season hip surgery has apparently been successful.

Today’s men’s hockey game against Maine featured a donnybrook late in the third period. Six Eagles and six Black Bears received roughing penalties, with three Eagles — Casey Fitzgerald, Colin White, and Miles Wood — also getting 10-minute misconduct penalties along with three Maine players.

The women’s field hockey team fell in the semifinals of the ACC tournament to North Carolina, 3-2, Friday, but not before defeating defending champion Wake Forest, 4-3, in two overtimes on Thursday. The win over Wake was BC field hockey’s first ever in the ACC tournament, which traditionally features the nation’s best college teams.