BC Spanks Florida State, 35-3
By JD Biagioni
Who: Florida State Seminoles
Where: Alumni Stadium
When: 8:00 PM, Friday, October 27th
Result: 35-3 BC
Recap:
The preseason #3 Florida State Seminoles stumbled in to Chestnut Hill for a Friday night tilt with the suddenly red hot Eagles. This is the third straight year that the teams have met on a Friday night: the Noles pitched a 14-0 shutout at Alumni Stadium two seasons ago and they dismantled BC 45-7 in November 2016. When the schedule came out, most did not expect FSU to enter at under .500, but it’s been a difficult season for the squad. In what was billed as a must-see kickoff game, the Noles lost to #1 Alabama, but more importantly lost QB Deondre Francois for the season with a patella tear. Their next two were postponed due to Hurricane Irma. They’ve alternated wins and losses since, going 2-3 over that span. True freshman James Blackman has looked particularly shaky over the past three games, tossing 6 total picks versus Miami, Duke, and Louisville. BC came in riding two quality wins against Louisville and UVA in which the offense scored 45 and 41 points, respectively.
The Eagles took a blow with the news pregame that All-ACC defensive end Harold Landry would miss the game with an ankle injury. Junior Wyatt Ray made his first career start at the position in Landry’s absence.
This game had all the elements of a big-game atmosphere: fireworks and frog jumpers with an American flag and a flag to honor Welles Crowther captivated fans before the opening kickoff, and multiple people were honored throughout the game, including Pete Frats and the 2007 Eagles football team. The crowd, most donning red bandanas in honor of BC alumnus Welles Crowther who lost his life during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, was electric all evening long. The Red Bandana game is always a special evening and it has produced some amazing moments. In 2015, as previously mentioned, BC hung with FSU for most of the Red Bandana, and they upset #9 USC in the inaugural iteration of the game in 2014.
FSU won the toss and deferred to the second half. Michael Walker came flying out of the gate with a 43-yard kickoff return. The Eagles ran a double reverse to Jeff Smith on their first offensive snap which threw the FSU defense for a loop and got BC a 25-yard gain into FSU territory. On third and long from the FSU 32, Brown threaded the needle between two defenders, but Tommy Sweeney wasn’t able to hold on in the end zone. Colton Lichtenberg’s 49 yard field goal sailed left to stall BC’s momentum and give the Seminoles their first offensive possession of the evening.
FSU, led by running back Cam Akers and true freshman quarterback James Blackman, picked up a first down via the run before the BC defense stuffed two runs and Blackman overshot his receiver on a third-down sideline slant. The Notes punted to Walker, who called for a fair catch around the BC 20.
AJ Dillon started BC’s second drive by pounding through a gaping hole in the line for a 27-yard rush to set BC up around midfield. It was Dillon again picking up a first down on a third-and-one. The Eagles ran what appeared to be a carbon copy of the double reverse from the opening drive, but this time Jeff Smith froze in the pocket and fired an admirably accurate 34-yard pass to Kobay White who laid out in the end zone and corralled the pass while keeping a foot in bounds. A Lichtenberg extra point put the Eagles on top 7-0. The 7-play, 79-yard drive took 2:41.
Florida State took a play out of the BC playbook, with a non-quarterback pass. Akers unloaded on a 47-yard bomb to Murray to put them deep in BC territory. This was a tough break for the Eagles who had been really solid on defense in the first two drives up to that point. With the pocket collapsing around Blackman, he connected with Akers on third-and-six to set up FSU in a goal-to-go situation. Akers couldn’t seize the moment, however, and fumbled. A poor exchange doomed the play from the start, and Akers couldn’t do anything but stand and watch helplessly as Will Harris recovered for BC.
BC, taking over inside their own 10, had an early opportunity for a big play: Brown rolled out to his left and dropped a ball into Thadd Smith, but Smith was unable to hang on. The Eagles recovered, however, as Brown stepped up in the pocket and fired a rocket to Garrison for a first down at the 22. The first penalty of the evening set up a first-and-20 at the BC 12. Kobay White took a shot to the back but gave BC a third-and-five with a catch on a seam route. On third, the Eagles pass fell incomplete but FSU was flagged for a pass interference to keep the drive alive. A dangerous pass by Brown was tipped and almost intercepted. Another incompletion brought out Mike Knoll for a 52-yard punt. A negative return flipped the field for BC, as FSU ended their previous possession inside BC’s 10 and and started this one all the way back at their own 2.
The second quarter began with BC stuffing two Akers run opportunities, forcing a punt, which Walker returned for a few yards to the FSU 46. Faced with a 4th-and-2, the Eagles called their second timeout of the half to discuss whether to punt or go for it. Having faith in the offense, Brown ran an option and, deciding to keep it, picked up the first at the FSU 33. AJ Dillon characteristically displayed is power, pounding for two-straight runs to set up a 3rd and short. Instead of going to Dillon, Brown dropped back and picked up another pass interference, which put BC in the red zone. Two plays later, Brown hit Sweeney, who powered his way into the end zone to cap an 8-play, 3:15 drive.
FSU dared not run the ball out and settled for a touchback. Blackman completed a 33-yard pass to Murray, but they couldn’t connect on a second attempt as Blackman overshot his intended target. On second down, Blackman completed a pass to Izzo who was promptly had the ball ripped out by senior defensive leader Ty Schwab. Schwab was credited with the interception and BC took over at their own 37.
AJ Dillon sparked the crowd with a tremendous 39-yard run. He was barely touched through the line, then he turned on the jets before being brought down at the FSU 17. Dillon faced more resistance on the next few plays, but he powered his way to positive yards on three straight plays. On the next snap, Brown rolled to his right, looking for Tommy Sweeney. FSU checked down all the receivers, but Brown kept it himself, split two defenders, and found his way into the end zone. 21-0 BC.
The stadium was rocking on this short FSU drive. BC fed off the crowd, hustled to the ball, made the tackles, and forced the three-and-out. Top FSU prospect Derwin James was flagged for a pass interference on the first play of the Eagles’ drive and BC effectively took over at the FSU 31. The Eagles lined up on 4th-and-10 and Brown’s pass fell incomplete. FSU took over at their 31.
Akers was brought down for a loss of 1 on first down. Blackman had all the time in the world but couldn’t find an open man on second down. Blackman was hit on the throw on third and the ball tipped off of the intended receiver before being caught by another FSU receiver Murray. Rasul came in for a few plays at halfback. He almost broke free for a TD but was forced out by Lukas Denis. Two incomplete passes, one short and one deep, set up a 4th-and-8. Blackman converted to Izzo for the first down inside the red zone. Blackman was rocked on 3rd-and-12 and came up grimacing in pain over his throwing shoulder, which appeared to be hanging limp. Ricky Aguayo put FSU on the board with a field goal. The Eagles returned the kick but were content to take a knee and go to the locker room up 21-3.
BC’s touching tribute to Welles to the tune of “See You Again” by Charlie Puth capped off a first half of highs for the Eagles.
BC kicked off to start the second. Blackman was back in at QB for the Noles, but the Eagles picked up where they left off and forced a three-and-out.
Dillon’s 12-yard rush on BC’s next drive put him over 100 yards for the third time this season. Brown under-threw an open Sweeney; the pass was broken up by Thomas and almost picked off. Another incompletion forced a BC punt, but the Knoll punt rolled to McFadden and bounced off his hands. BC recovered inside their own 10, and AJ Dillon promptly smashed it in to give BC the 28-3 lead.
Two Akers rushes and one Blackman incompletion gave the Eagles the ball back via a punt. The Eagles came dangerously close to another interception, when the ball bounced off of Hilliman and hung in the air before falling incomplete. On third-and-long, Brown hit Sweeney on the crossing route and the TE extended for the first. On the following third down, Brown led Hilliman a little to far and they were forced to punt. Knoll, however, was roughed on the kick and produced the highlight of the night: there may never have been a happier player than Mike Knoll after realizing he drew a flag. That could just be his Heisman moment (Eagles fans get it). BC ran three more plays but, with no success, sent Knoll back out to the field for another punt to a different return man, this time it was Matthews, and he had no more success than his predecessor.
A Rasul nine-yard gain set up a third-and-one, but BC stoned Akers on two straight plays to force a turnover on downs at the FSU 24. Four straight rushes, three by Dillon and one by Brown, put the Eagles at the FSU one. A scary moment for BC fans took place on the latter of these plays. Brown was tripped up while reaching for the goal line and had to be taken out to examine his shoulder. Darius Wade came on in relief. FSU put up an admirable goal-line stand on three Dillon runs, but fourth time was a charm as Wade converted in the QB keeper, with some help from a shoving backfield.
Ty Schwab kicked off the fourth recording a career-high 12th tackle with a third down stop. Brown returned to captain the Eagles next drive, but BC played it safe and rushed three straight before sending it back to Knoll. Matthews had a nice punt return, which was nullified by a holding call. Florida State converted on a third down but took one step forward and two steps back, suffering a 12-yard loss on a Lamont sack. Blackman had an open receiver on the subsequent third down but the receiver got tripped up on the turf and couldn’t hand on to the pass. BC was content to let Hilliman chew the clock, leaving FSU with 80 seconds. Backup QB JJ Cosentino took over; FSU ran three more times as the clocked ticked away to 0:00 and fans stormed the field. There was a little magic in the Chestnut Hill air Friday night, a night that these Eagles will never forget. BC is now 2-2 on Red Bandana night. They have a bye next week before a tilt with ranked NC State in Alumni Stadium. The bye comes at a welcome time for the depleted Eagles; as Coach Addazio pointed out in his post game presser BC’ depth is “paper thin” right now due to injuries. While he initially lamented the late bye week, he sees it as a perfect opportunity for Landry and Brown to rest up for the NC State game, a game in which the Eagles can become bowl eligible with a win.
Quick Hitters:
-We saw a WR pass and a RB pass. Too bad there was no eligible lineman who wanted to toss a pass.
-The young Eaglet tandem of Brown and Dillon are growing up before our eyes.
-BC out-hustled FSU all night, which isn’t surprising considering the situations in which these two teams entered the Friday night tilt.
-Where does FSU go from here? At 2-5, this team which was projected to make the College Football Playoff, now has to essentially win out just to qualify for a bowl. With trips to Gainesville and Death Valley, this will prove a tall task for the Seminoles. Will they add a cupcake game, which would statistically increase their odds of going to a bowl, to make up for the postponed game?
-Speaking of bowls, BC is now in very good shape to go bowling. They only have to win 1 of their final 3 games. The UCONN game at Fenway should be pegged as a win and Syracuse is a winnable game. Beggars can’t be choosers, but a return to the Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium would be an ideal. Another option: CBS has Oregon, from the PAC 12, pegged to take the SEC spot in the Independence Bowl; BC has never played the Ducks, who have been an exciting team since the Marcus Mariota days.
-What is the cause of this turnaround for these Eagles? Written off at 2-4, with their only two wins coming against MAC teams, the Eagles shocked Louisville two weekends ago and dominated an upstart Virginia team the next. A third-straight quality win for such a young team has to have fans excited for not only a bowl this year but also high expectations for next season.
-coming into the game, there were three key areas of focus: rushing, turnovers, and special teams. BC won in all three aspects. Dillon thoroughly out-gained the highly-touted Akers, BC forced 3 turnovers to FSU’s 0, and Walker and Knoll were their usual selves on special teams.
Number to know: 35-This is the most BC has ever scored in their now 15 meetings with FSU. The previous high was 34 in a shootout loss back in 2013.