Pittsburgh vs. Boston College Final Score: Eagles Embarrassed by Panthers, 30-20

Pittsburgh vs. Boston College Final Score: On Friday night at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, the Pittsburgh Panthers defeated the Boston College Eagles, 30-20.

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Pittsburgh received the game’s opening kickoff and drove down field for a field goal, which was answered on the first Eagles drive by a touchdown. Quarterback Tyler Murphy had a long 51-yard run which was originally a score but came back to the one, from where Tyler Rouse ran it in.

Initially, things looked good for the Eagles as Boston College’s Steven Daniels netted his first career interception late in the first with the home team leading, but the turning point would soon come.

Pittsburgh vs. Boston College Final Score: Eagles Fail to Capitalize

Boston College’s ensuing drive would start at the Pittsburgh 29-yard line. Murphy and the Eagles ran a nice play fake on first down, but he missed a wide-open Dan Crimmins. On second down, the Eagles ran a similar passing play, but that time, Murphy missed also wide-open Josh Bordner. Finally, on third down, Murphy missed Shakim Phillips, and in keeping with the theme, Alex Howell missed the 46-yard field goal.

Pittsburgh scored a touchdown on the following drive to take the lead for good at 10-7.

That score was notched by Tyler Boyd, but there was a Pittsburgh running back who had a night which reminded us of a recent former Eagle.

Pittsburgh vs. Boston College Final Score: Conner’s Big Night

James Conner looked a lot like Andre Williams at Alumni Stadium on Friday night, as the big running back proved nearly impossible to take down. He would rush 36 times for a total of 214 yards and a touchdown, averaging almost six yards per carry.

He helped Pittsburgh sustain drives and keep time of possession alive; the Panthers ran for 303 total yards while the Eagles, having had 338 last week against UMass, managed just 142 in a thoroughly miserable effort. Simply put, Pitt beat Boston College at their own game.

Pittsburgh vs. Boston College Final Score: Eagles Deficiencies

Boston College struggled to move the football all night. Their run game, which is their one true offensive dimension but one at which they happened to be good, was abominable against the Panthers. One or two solid runs stand out, but otherwise, the whole stable of rushers looked frustrated.

Meanwhile, the passing offense proved to be a much bigger problem than the fans would have liked. It was no secret that Boston College lacks a deep passing threat, but even their mid and short-range passing games appeared dreadful. Murphy went just 10-for-28 in the loss, and many of the incompletions were on him. His only bright spot was a 48-yard touchdown pass to Shakim Phillips late in the third quarter.

Finally, the defense proved incapable of making tackles, as offensive players slipped past the tries of Eagles defenders and stayed on their feet. Boston College’s steady diet of blitzes got some licks on Chad Voytik, but was otherwise unsuccessful.

For the Eagles, it was a disappointing and unacceptably bad performance. Boston College has a great deal to work out before they host the USC Trojans next Saturday night.