Boston College-Virginia Tech Final Score: Eagles Bowl-Eligible After Wild 33-31 Win

Boston College-Virginia Tech Final Score: On Saturday afternoon in Blacksburg, Virginia, the Boston College Eagles defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies, 33-31.

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With the victory at a cold, wet, and windy Lane Stadium, the Eagles are bowl eligible for the second straight year under head coach Steve Addazio, clearing the magic plateau with a 6-3 (3-2) record. Virginia Tech falls to 4-5 (1-4) this year.

Boston College is now 4-0 on the road this season, winning at Lane Stadium for the first time in their last three tries dating back to 2009; previously, they had not won there since Matt Ryan and the Eagles came back late over the Hokies in 2007.

Boston College-Virginia Tech Final: Bad Open

To start the game, Virginia Tech took a block in the back call on their own 10 yard line on the kickoff, as they started on their own 5. To make matters worse, the Hokies burned their first timeout before even running a play.

As it turned out, the misfortune would then shift to the Boston College defense, as the Hokies went no-huddle and drove 95 yards in just over three minutes to give Virginia Tech the lead.

Boston College-Virginia Tech Final: Defense Recovers

For the remainder of the first half, and well into the second, Boston College’s defense would take the game over. The Hokies had five three-and-outs through halftime, unable to move the ball while seeming to abandon the no-huddle tempo game that worked for them early.

Boston College tied the game up with a touchdown pass from Tyler Murphy to Charlie Callinan; the Hokies would go back in front on a short field goal, but the Eagles took their first lead after Myles Willis broke off a 68-yard touchdown run on his first carry.

To make matters worse for the Hokies, even after they drove well into Eagles territory, a short field goal attempt from Joey Slye was blocked and Boston College held a 14-10 lead at the half.

Boston College-Virginia Tech Final: Roller-Coaster Ride

After halftime, Boston College would shut Virginia Tech out, 10-0, in the third quarter, taking a 20-10 lead on a touchdown pass to Marcus Outlow (the extra point was missed by Joey Launceford; the team’s sixth miss on the year), and extending to 23-10 on a short field goal after Virginia Tech botched the kickoff return.

With a 23-10 lead in the fourth and the Hokie offense not moving, Boston College looked in good shape. Yet, Virginia Tech would storm back, going on two 11-play drives within about five minutes of each other and taking the lead 24-23. In those, the Hokies got back to their no-huddle and Boston College’s defense left too many receivers open.

The missed extra point loomed large, but the Eagles came back after a 42-yard drive to make a 44-yard field goal by Alex Howell with 4:12 to go. Retaking the lead, 26-24, after blowing a 13-point advantage, Boston College once again had to play defense.

Fortunately for them, the defense returned. Virginia Tech went three and out, and Boston College got the ball back. Tyler Murphy delivered a dagger moments later on third and ten when he ran 57 yards for a touchdown, helping him break Doug Flutie’s program record for most rushing yards by a BC quarterback.

At 33-24, the Eagles again had to play defense, but Virginia Tech made it interesting by coming down the field on a quick 75-yard drive to make it a 33-31 game. As is tradition, it came down to the onside kick, but a poor boot by Slye ended up in Tyler Rouse‘s hands to seal the victory.

Boston College-Virginia Tech Final: Officiating

The officials earned the ire of both teams during the course of the game. Missed was at least one pass interference and hold on Virginia Tech, but on the other side, it appeared that senior linebacker Josh Keyes of the Eagles got away with targeting against Hokie quarterback Michael Brewer. The Eagles were assessed a 15-yard penalty, which was offset by a phantom intentional grounding call.

Boston College-Virginia Tech Final: The Stats

Boston College had 368 yards of total offense while Virginia Tech ended up with 414. The Eagles rushed for 258 yards on the day while the Hokies got just 69, a trait of this defense in games they win.

Both defenses were good on third downs, as the Eagles went 3-for-13 and Virginia Tech was 7-for-20. The Hokies did, however, pick up four fourth-down conversions out of five.

Tyler Murphy led the Eagles with 122 rushing yards in addition to his 110 passing. He had three touchdowns on the day: two passing, one rushing. Michael Brewer had a very good game passing, going 31-for-48 with 345 yards and two touchdowns.

Boston College-Virginia Tech Final: Bottom Line

Like last week, this was another game where it looked like Boston College was cruising with their defense, but a few missed opportunities and a missed extra point haunted them. Give Boston College credit for coming back after blowing their 13-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Virginia Tech is not the great team they used to be, but any ACC road win is meaningful, and the Eagles look like a confident team away from Alumni Stadium. They earned this victory against a desperate team in their own building, and there is much of which they can be proud.

Boston College-Virginia Tech Final: Next Up

Boston College returns to Alumni Stadium next Saturday night as they face the Louisville Cardinals for the first time in ACC play.