Boston College 38, NC State 21: Williams Breaks More Records for Bowl-Eligible Eagles

Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Boston College senior running back Andre Williams broke his own single-game record one week after setting it and forged more new benchmarks as the Eagles defeated the North Carolina State Wolfpack, 38-21.

The game, Boston College’s last at home this season, has sent the Eagles to bowl eligibility for the first time since 2010. The Eagles’ record is now 6-4 (3-3) with two games to play in the regular season, both of which are on the road. Boston College has won three games in a row and finishes their home schedule at 5-1.

During the game, Williams rushed for 339 yards, breaking the school record of 295 yards which he set last week at New Mexico State. This was also an ACC single-game record. Furthermore, those yards allowed him to surpass Mike Cloud for the most single-season rushing yards ever at Boston College. Williams now has 1,810 rushing yards with at least two games remaining, making it highly likely that he will become the first Eagle ever to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season.

With a second-half field goal, Nate Freese also became Boston College’s all-time scoring leader with 299 points; he passes the mark set by Steve Aponavicius during his recent Eagle tenure.

Boston College never trailed in the contest, which featured some miscues in the passing game, including missed throws and dropped passes, but the defense turned in what was largely a creditable performance following a setback last week against New Mexico State. Speaking of miscues, Andre Williams, despite his historic afternoon, actually fumbled three times. Only one of them was lost right before halftime, but the Wolfpack were unable to score despite taking over deep in Eagle territory.

Myles Willis also ran for 77 yards on six carries, scoring a touchdown. Alex Amidon recovered one of Williams’ fumbles in the end zone for a touchdown, which goes in the books as a rushing score.

Boston College richly deserved their victory today, as did the seniors who had to suffer through some of the worst seasons the Eagles have had in decades. They, along with all their other brothers in maroon and gold, bought into the team mentality which Coach Addazio sold. Together, as a team, they have returned to some semblance of respectability and have fought with determination and pride all season long.

The coaches and players are to be congratulated for their achievement. It takes a great deal of grit to make a bowl game, and perhaps finish with a winning record, right after losing ten games. It is no small feat.

Boston College returns to the field next week at Maryland with a chance to clinch a winning season.