RECAP: Boston College Easily Captures Must-Win Game Against Buffalo, 35-3

Say what you will about the opponent, but Boston College won a must-win game today, and did so emphatically, topping Buffalo 35-3 at Alumni Stadium.

There were few fans to speak of (though the announced attendance was 24,203), but the ones that braved rainy conditions were treated to some all around dominant play from the end of the first quarter until halftime. During that span, the Eagles (3-2, 0-2 ACC) scored 21 points, and had four different passing plays of over 20 yards, and a pair of absolutely perfectly placed touchdown throws from quarterback Patrick Towles.

Were the Eagles perfect? Far from it, but BC showed it could move the ball through the air, as Towles threw for 234 yards to go with those two scores, on 14-25 passing with zero interceptions.

After dominating on the ground against Wagner, another overmatched foe, last week, it was great to see Towles find some rhythm, and hit six different receivers while the game was still in the balance. He also showed his trademark scrambling ability, escaping the pocket to pick up two first downs with his legs.

"We wanted to throw the ball today," Boston College coach Steve Addazio said. "We feel like that was another step... We wanted more balance."

The defense was dominant throughout, imposing its will up front against the run, and in coverage, as both Isaac Yiadom and Kamrin Moore blanketed their men all day. BC forced a pair of Bulls turnovers (both fumbles), and held Buffalo to just 67 yards of offense. This is what good defenses do against mid-major teams.

With back-to-back blowout wins over lower-level opponents, Boston College has done what it can to erase the stink of that 49-0 defeat in Blacksburg a few weeks ago.

The schedule gets much tougher from here, but the Eagles can head into next week knowing they've done what they can to keep their bowl hopes alive.

For all the complaining about playing teams like Wagner and Buffalo back-to-back, at least the team came out and left no doubt on the field. The kids don't make the schedule, they just play it, and for two weeks at least, they've played it as well as anybody could have hoped for.

Next Friday brings BC's greatest challenge yet in the form of nationally ranked Clemson, and the Eagles believe they have gotten better the last two weeks.

How much better?

We'll find out Friday night.