Throwback Thursday: #18 Boston College 41 Buffalo 0, October 28, 2006

The weather forecast for Saturday is mediocre at best and miserable at worst.  90% chance of rain in the morning with clouds and scattered showers through the afternoon and a high in the low 60s.  In comparison to Buffalo's last trip to Alumni Stadium on October 28, 2006, it will seem like an afternoon in Aruba.

Generally, once a year, you get a rain game.  Sometimes it is minor, other times a bit more challenging.  Many a year, I never even pull out the Gorton's Fisherman outfit, it is just not needed.

On this day however, that was not the case.  BC-Buffalo officially goes in my book as the all time soaker.  2.45 inches of rain fell in Chestnut Hill on that day, combined with a 20 mph wind and although the crowd was announced at 14,682 (the smallest home crowd since 1997 Army drew 13,309 for the last home game of the year..not shockingly another massive rain event), if there were 5,000 people in the building that day, I would be shocked.

BTW, that low water mark of 14,682 has not been eclipsed since (hint, hint).

How bad was it?  If you can recall the '95 Army game from last week's all time stinker list or the '83 Alabama game at Sullivan Stadium, this was worse.  This was THE WORST.

However, that didn't stop the 18th ranked Eagles, who fresh off a 24-19 win at Florida State the week before, rolled Buffalo, led by former Nebraska QB, Turner Gill, 41-0.

Matt Ryan sat with a sore ankle and the reigns were turned over to sophomore Chris Crane, who responded with a 17-26, 142 yard day.  Not unimpressive considering the conditions, but Crane would get all the help he would need from the Eagle D.

The Eagles harassed Bull QB Drew Willy (now plying his trade for the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL), into three interceptions and two fumbles and Buffalo managed just 92 yards total offense (-12 on the ground, coming into the year, the third fewest in Eagle history) and went three and out nine times.

Up 3-0, DeJuan Tribble returned a punt 69 yards to the Bull 4, where Crane scored the first TD of his career on a four yard run and followed it up with a seven yard run to put BC up 17-0.

Crane's first TD pass, late in the second quarter to fullback Mark Palmer sent BC to recess up comfortably at 24-0, before the defense and the combination of LV Whitworth and Andre Callender bludgeoned the Bulls to death, combining for 165 yards on the ground.

After a Steve Aponavicius FG, the Eagles iced it midway in the fourth quarter on an AJ Brooks run as BC improved to 7-1 on the season for the first time since the 1992 season.

#16 BC would suffer a devastating 21-14 loss at #22 Wake Forest the next weekend in Winston-Salem, effectively ending their dreams of an ACC title, at least for a season, but would finish 10-3 including the memorable come from behind win against Navy, 25-24 in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.