They Came. They Saw. They Lost.
By Jake R. DeLorenzo
The Boston College Eagles took a plane Thursday afternoon to Tallahassee, Florida, and clearly needed more time to adjust to the time difference. Too bad there is no time difference. Maybe it was the hotel beds or the water. Either way, Boston College Football had a rough Friday night and what most would think would be a rougher flight home.
The BC Eagles were flat from the start. A couple of good plays, mainly by stud defensive end Harold Landry, had their time to shine but were then trampled on by FSU touchdowns. A quick 14-0 lead for the Seminoles was followed by a few Boston College defensive stops, a 40 yard run for Myles Willis, and a moment of hope to start the game. However, the Seminoles got back on track to take a 21-0 lead going into the locker room at half.
Let us take a look at the couple positives for the Eagles in the first half. Junior Harold Landry continues to prove he is a legitimate defensive end in the NCAA by making quick moves on the edge to get 2.0 sacks. Myles Willis had an impressive 40 yard run. The run defense was strong. Conor Hawley and Michael Graziano did a Hall of Fame job in the booth from Tallahassee.
The start of the second half gave a reason for A New Hope, Episode IV reference. As one could’ve believed the Jedi, BC Eagles, would rise again to defeat the Empire, FSU Seminoles. BC’s defense had two great back-to-back defensive possessions and then Deondre Francois proved why he is the starting quarterback of #18 ranked FSU. He avoided pressure, scrambled right and threw his third touchdown pass of the game for a 28-0 lead. The Empire Strikes Back, Episode V reference.
Francois would then leave the game after a good pressure takedown by the BC defense and a commanding 28-0 lead. Sean Maguire would then take over and yes, I have never heard of him either. No biggie, said Jimbo Fisher and the Seminoles. In three plays Maguire threw a touchdown pass for Auden Tate’s second score of the night. The lead grew to 35-0. A few bullied BC offensive linemen later and the score blossomed to 38-0 from a 53 yard field goal by FSU long kicker Logan Tyler. FSU added a 6th touchdown for Sean Maguire’s second TD pass of the game- 45-0 FSU.
Coach Steve Addazio and the Eagles decide to mix it up at the end and put Darius Wade at quarterback. He threw the best pass from BC all night for a 21 yard reception to Michael Walker and the Eagles scored a TD a play later with a 1 yard run by Richard Wilson, making the score 45-7.
The BC Eagles showed some pride at the end of the game by putting together a touchdown drive and avoiding what would’ve been just another humiliating loss. The Eagles are now 4-6 on the year as they host the UConn Huskies next Saturday, 11/19, and try to keep their bowl game hopes alive. As Jake DeLorenzo once said, “The season ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”
Phenomenal and entertaining job by the duo of Conor Hawley and Michael Graziano on the radio broadcast.
Final Score: FSU 45 – BC 7