Khalil Herbert, Turnovers Sink Eagles Against Virginia Tech
By Patrick Mormile,
Boston College entered Lane Stadium on Saturday Night with the hopes of exiting a 4-1 team that would soon be rewarded for their early season efforts with a spot in the Top 25. However, a turnover margin of -5 and a big day by Khalil Herbert spoiled the Eagles hopes.
The Eagles were defeated by No. 23 Virginia Tech 40-14, as Boston College set the bitter tone for the evening with turnovers on three of their first four possessions, all of which occurred in Virginia Tech territory. Defensive coordinator Tem Lukabu’s unit surrendered 350 yards on the ground, marking the most BC’s defense had allowed since September 2017.
Hokies junior quarterback Hendon Hooker combined with Herbert to amass over 300 rushing yards and five of the team’s six total touchdowns. On the BC side, lead back David Bailey had yet another underwhelming output; he is yet to eclipse 60 yards in a single game this year. Virginia Tech’s unit had an impressive overall yards per rush of 8.6 while BC was unable to average 4 yards in the run game.
With three fumbles lost, two interceptions, and 70 yards worth of penalties, this was a performance to learn from. Boston College’s losses have both come when the team has had nine or more penalties.
After piecing together a 12 play, 80 yard touchdown drive midway through the 3rd quarter to claw within 3 points of Va. Tech, BC allowed the Hokies to race down the field and quickly answer with seven points of their own in just six plays. Senior running back Travis Levy fumbled on BC’s next offensive play, and the Eagles were not able to score the rest of the game.
The most frustrating miscue for some Eagles fans like myself came on the 2nd drive of the game with the offense in the red zone as quarterback Phil Jurkovec compounded an errant play action execution by forcing an uneasy shovel-like pass to Hunter Long that ended in the Hokies’ possession. Despite the miscue, Jurkovec ended up reaching 300 passing yards for the 4th time in five games.
One of few cheering points for the BC faithful was redshirt sophomore receiver Jaelan Gill, who had his best game in the Maroon and Gold with six receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown. Zay Flowers also left fans in awe with an elusive journey to the end zone that was called back when his toe just barely rested out of bounds before making two defenders miss.
The 3-2 Eagles will look to rebound in Chestnut Hill next Saturday against a 2-3 Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket squad that was just obliterated by Clemson, 73-7. If BC wants to record their 4th win of the year and eventually crack the Top 25 this season, they will have to take care of the football and capitalize on opportunities in opponents’ territory moving forward.