The Football Championship Subdivision had already claimed four FBS scalps going into Boston College's season opener against Villanova. Thankfully, the Eagles were able to shake off a sluggish first half filled with penalties, defensive miscues and whatever the hell this was ...
to avoid a similar fate, earning a 24-14 victory over the Football Championship Subdivision's Villanova Wildcats.
BC went into the locker room down 14-7 after Villanova QB Josh Robertson had his way with the Eagles defense. The Eagles were fortunate to be down only seven at the half after Robertson's pass sailed behind a wide open receiver on 4th and goal late in the second quarter.
To the coaching staff's credit, the Eagles came out with purpose in the second half (what are these halftime adjustments that you speak of?). Rettig engineered a 7 play, 85 yard drive to open the second half, capped by a 49-yard pitch and catch with Alex Amidon to tie the game at 14. Later in the third, the BC offense needed just two plays to get the go-ahead score on a 26 yard TD run by Andre Williams. Freese added a 39-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 24-14 lead with 5:18 left to go in the fourth quarter.
At times the play calling was frustrating, the penalties maddening and both the OL and defense (all of it) remains a work in progress. But for a program that won just two games last year, we'll take the wins any way they come. Chase Rettig (22-of-29, 279 yards, 2 TD), Alex Amidon (13 catches, 142 yards, 1 TD), Bobby Wolford (6 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD) and Manny Asprilla had big days for the Eagles, who sent Addazio and the new coaching staff off with a win in their debut on the Heights.
The bad news is that Boston College senior running back Andre Williams (23 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD) left the game in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return.
Leave your thoughts on the game below. Full recap tomorrow.
Ever to excel. Go Eagles!