Historic fourth quarter comeback successful on family weekend

20

Western Ky.
WKU

3-2, 1-0

21

winner

Boston College
BCE

4:1, 1:0

Western Ky.
WKU

3-2, 1-0

20

21

Boston College
BCE

4:1, 1:0

winner

Points by quarters

team	1	2	3	4	F
WKU Western Ky.	7	10	3	0	20
BCE Boston College	0	7	0	14	21

Match Review: Football | September 28, 2024 | Sports communication

BC erased a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to move to 4-1 with a win over Western Kentucky

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Grayson James found Jerand Bradley with an eight-yard touchdown strike with 3:33 left to give Boston College its first lead of the afternoon and seal the largest fourth-quarter comeback in program history with a 21-20 victory over Western Kentucky. Twice before, the Eagles were able to overcome a 12-point deficit in the final 15 minutes of play – against Pittsburgh (October 1, 1988) and at Holy Cross (November 29, 1980).

The Eagles Donovan Ezeiruaku – who finished with a career-best 14 tackles (10 solo) and three sacks – took the ball from WKU QB Caden Veltkamp at the Hilltoppers’ 20-yard line with 6:23 to play, setting up the eventual go-ahead series.

James made his first start at BC and finished the game 19 of 32 for 168 yards and a touchdown. He also ran six times for 11 yards. Six different BC receivers combined for 19 catches, led by seven out Lewis Bond (21 meters). Jaedn Skeete led all wideouts with 55 yards while Jeremiah Franklin scored three grabs for 36 yards.

Western Kentucky took a 14-0 lead before the Eagles got on the scoreboard Kye Robichaux plunged into the end zone from three yards out to make the score 14-7 with just over two minutes left in the first half. The scoring drive took 13 plays, traveled 74 yards and lasted 5:59 minutes. The Hilltoppers hit a 22-yard field goal as time expired to make the score 17-7 at halftime.

Early in the second half, BC had the ball but turned it over with a fumble and Western Kentucky took advantage on the next series, extending the lead to 20-7 with a 35-yard field goal. Came Arnold With 19 seconds left in the third quarter, he parried a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage, recording his first interception of the season.

The Eagles made the most of their next series when James reached the end zone on a naked bootleg with 11:36 left in regulation to make the score 20-14. The decisive nine-play, 57-yard drive was highlighted by 15 rushing yards from Robichaux, a 25-yard strike to Ward and a 15-yard connection with Skeete deep in the red zone.

Boston College’s defensive unit forced WKU into a punt, a strip sack and a turnover on downs on its final three offensive series. Led by Ezeiruaku’s 14 tackles, including 10 solo, the senior defensive end became the first Eagle in six seasons to record three sacks in a game (Wyatt Ray, 3, vs. Louisville, Oct. 13, 2018).

Fellow elder Came Arnold logged 11 tackles, including five solo stops and an interception. KP price had nine tackles while the defensive back trio Khari Johnson, Amari JacksonAnd Carter Davis Each registered six tackles.

For the game, BC totaled 279 yards (168 passing, 111 rushing), including 19 first downs. The Eagles were 7 of 13 on third down – including 4 of 5 in the second half.

Boston College heads to Charlottesville next week – October 5th – to take on Virginia. Kickoff is scheduled for noon and the game will be broadcast live on ACC Network.