Boston College-Florida State Final Score: Eagles Drop 20-17 Heartbreaker to Seminoles

Boston College-Florida State Final Score: On Saturday evening in Tallahassee, the #3 Florida State Seminoles defeated the Boston College Eagles, 20-17.

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The win for Florida State improves them to 11-0 as they approach their regular-season finale next weekend against the Florida Gators. As for the Eagles, they are now 6-5 (3-4 ACC), having sustained consecutive losses. This was also Boston College’s first loss on the road this season.

Boston College-Florida State Final: Early Statement

Florida State received the ball first, and moved it very effectively, scoring a touchdown on the first drive. Boston College was unable to create the pressure they needed, and the defensive line was susceptible to big running lanes. A three-yard run by Karlos Williams made it 7-0 Seminoles.

It was not until right at the end of the first quarter that Boston College would get their first points — on a long drive of their own. Mike Knoll made a 40-yarder to get the Eagles on the board at 7-3 after BC ran 13 previous plays to get there.

Boston College-Florida State Final: Momentum Turn?

The Seminoles made a few mistakes on their ensuing drive, with Rashad Green dropping a touchdown pass and Jameis Winston unable to corral a snap, leaving FSU with a 3rd & 25. Boston College got the stop but Roberto Aguayo’s kick made it a 10-3 game.

Boston College would have an ugly three-and-out on the next drive, gaining nine yards on first down but going no further, but it was the Eagles defense that would wake up when the Seminoles got the ball back. Justin Simmons tipped a Winston pass, which was intercepted by Ty-Meer Brown. On the ensuing drive, Tyler Murphy hit Shakim Phillips for a 49-yard touchdown bomb on 3rd & 4 to tie the game, 10-10.

Florida State answered and the Eagles could not get inside the FSU 40 on their last touches of the half, giving the Seminoles a 17-10 lead at halftime.

Boston College-Florida State Final: Within Reach

Boston College caught some wind at their backs in their second offensive possession of the third quarter, down seven. The Eagles went into their bag of tricks and had Josh Bordner throw the football to Sherman Alston — he was hit head-on by Matthew Thomas of FSU, who was ejected for targeting.

The Eagles would make Florida State pay: a few moments later, Tyler Murphy took off for a 21-yard touchdown run, and the game was tied, 17-17.

A real momentum shift was felt when Aguayo, who had previously never missed a kick for the Seminoles at home, went wide left on a 40-yarder. Both teams would trade a few stops thereafter, but the Eagles went on almost a nine-minute drive in the fourth quarter, starting at their own eight and going all the way to the Florida State 25. The 17th and final play was an Alex Howell field goal attempt, which was missed. Two plays earlier, a direct snap went to Bordner and the Eagles, who had been running the entire drive until that point, threw to Tyler Murphy, who dropped the pass at the two.

Florida State would then nearly run out the clock, driving for a 26-yard field goal by Aguayo to win the game.

Boston College-Florida State Final: Bottom Line

Boston College was this close to doing what other teams have not been able to do: beat Florida State. There will be much debate in the coming days about the Bordner-to-Murphy trick play, and the decision to kick with Howell on the wet grass late in the game when Knoll had made his kicks all day.

It was a gutsy call, to be sure, and it nearly worked, but Boston College may have been trying to get too cute. They had gone on a long drive and eaten most of the clock, having established that Florida State was not able to stop the run. That was not the time to try that play — perhaps first down when you’re about ten yards closer to the end zone. Steve Addazio gambled and it did not work.

For the Eagles, it was a strong effort, as they played a better game in Tallahassee than most people would have expected. They got a few of the big breaks they needed their way, but they had to be flawless and in the end, they were not, and Florida State mounted another game-winning drive. Boston College fans are going to feel upset and frustrated, which is warranted, but do give the team credit for a very competitive performance.

Boston College-Florida State Final: Next Up

Boston College’s regular-season finale is next Saturday against the Syracuse Orange, to be played at Alumni Stadium at 12:30pm.