Boston College vs. Wake Forest Final: Eagles Hold Off Deacs for 23-17 Win

Boston College vs. Wake Forest Final: On Saturday evening in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the Boston College Eagles defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 23-17.

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With the victory, Boston College improves to 5-3 (2-2) on the season and is one win away from qualifying for a bowl game for the second consecutive year.

Boston College vs. Wake Forest Final: Dominant First

Boston College dominated the first half of the football game, taking a 17-0 lead into the break while outgaining Wake Forest, 213 to 6.

On the first drive of the game, the Eagles drove inside the Demon Deacon red zone, but the Wake defense held Boston College at the 15 and Alex Howell made a field goal to give his team the lead.

The next two Boston College touchdowns were scored by freshman running back Jonathan Hilliman – one on a 33-yard run at the end of the first quarter and the other on a one-yard run 75 seconds before halftime.

Meanwhile, the Eagles defense was in complete control, giving up a few first downs via penalty, but otherwise keeping Wake Forest from moving the football by any conventional means.

Boston College vs. Wake Forest Final: Reversal

A team that has struggled on offense in the second half, Wake Forest came alive after halftime. The Deacons went on a long drive in the third quarter which resulted in a Wake field goal to get on the scoreboard.

Boston College answered with a very quick drive, culminating in a 37-yard touchdown pass to Shakim Phillips to give the Eagles a 23-3 lead. The extra point by Alex Howell was blocked as now all three Eagles kickers have missed a PAT this season.

Wake was not done, however. The next 14 points would be scored by the Deacs, as a 15-play drive would result in a 23-10 game, and then a Myles Willis fumble on the ensuing kickoff helped Wake climb back to within six after a short drive in the fourth quarter.

In fact, as Wake Forest was driving again with a chance to take the lead, a Justin Simmons interception with a few minutes to go in regulation got the Eagles the ball back for good. Boston College’s talented run game helped run the clock out.

Boston College vs. Wake Forest Final: Bottom Line

It was a tale of two games for Boston College, who played extremely well in the first half but struggled to hang on late. The Eagles have had trouble finishing, and at least they did, but they did not make it easy on themselves.

Yet, instead of an embarrassing loss, it is a win, and the Eagles are one win away from bowl eligibility.