When Boston College announced that star pass rusher Harold Landry would not play just before kickoff Friday night, there is no way BC fans could have foreseen what would happen next.
Even without their best player, the Eagles (5-4, 3-3 ACC) proceeded to systematically dismantle struggling Florida State (2-5, 2-4 ACC), 35-3, at Alumni Stadium for their third consecutive victory.
Early on, BC continued its creative play calling from recent weeks. After running a double-reverse for big yardage on their first drive, the Eagles dialed up a double-reverse pass from receiver Jeff Smith to Kobay White on their second. That pass traveled 34 yards for the game's opening score.
In the second quarter, it was special teams that sparked BC, as a Mike Knoll punt that traveled 52 yards was given another five yard boost, when Michael Walker dropped the FSU return man for a loss back to the FSU 2. The Eagles then forced a three-and-out, and cashed in on the great field position when Brown found Tommy Sweeney in the flat for a touchdown.
The Boston College defense would then stand tall, led by career nights from linebackers Ty Schwab and John Lamot. Schwab, a senior from Merritt Island, Florida, tortured his home state team, tallying 12 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, and fighting a ball way from Seminole tight end Ryan Izzo for a second quarter interception.
That turnover led to a 23-yard run from star running back AJ Dillon, followed by a four-yard touchdown run by quarterback Anthony Brown. For his part, Lamot finished with 10 tackles, and his first career sack.
BC took that 21-3 lead into intermission, but pushed things well out of reach in the third.
Following a fumble by FSU's Tarvarus McFadden on a punt return, AJ Dillon got into the end zone to make it 28-3. Dillon finished the day with 149 yards on 33 carries, finishing with the lone score. It was the third 100-yard rushing day of Dillon's young career.
FSU then went for it on 4th and 1 at its own 24, resulting in great BC field position, which the Eagles again cashed in on. Unfortunately, Brown was hurt on an 11-yard scramble down to the FSU one-yard line. Backup quarterback Darius Wade would punch it in on fourth and goal moments later, pushing the BC advantage to 35-3, and effectively ending things.
Stay with us for more coverage throughout the night.