Game Summary: Boston College 24 Wake Forest 27

Despite 508 yards of offense, and a 23 carry 159 yard performance from AJ Dillon, Boston College lost on their home turf 27-24 to Wake Forest, dropping to 3-2 (1-1) on the season.

It was an inauspicious start for the Eagles. After an awful throw by Anthony Brown was picked off on BC’s opening possession, Wake Forest put together a steady drive, 11 plays for 57 yards, capped off by a 5 yard Cade Carney touchdown rush.

After a BC three-and-out, Wake again used a methodical, physical offensive attack to work their way into the red zone. A defensive stand on the Eagles 5 led to a short field goal that made it 10-0.

In need of a spark, Dillon gashed the Demon Deacons for a 33 yard run, and an 18 yard carry by Zay Flowers on the next play had BC threatening. Facing 4th and 3, Brown rolled out to the right and threw it back across the field to a wide open Jake Burt for a first down. But Kobay White couldn’t haul in a pass on 3rd and goal from the 5, and the Eagles settled for an Aaron Boumerhi 22 yard field goal to cut Wake’s lead to 10-3.

The BC defense got their first stop of the game, aided by a huge sack by Max Richardson, and the offense took advantage. The Demon Deacons defenders were caught on their heels, as BC needed just 6 plays to march 85 yards. Brown found Zay Flowers in the endzone from 26 yards out to knot the score at 10.

On 3rd and 1 from the Wake 29, Jamie Newman’s QB keeper got the first down and then some, as he took it 50 yards into BC territory. The Demon Deacons retook the lead shortly thereafter, when Newman linked up with Sage Surratt on a 6 yard fade in the endzone. Newman finished the day with 102 rushing yards, and 243 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

Boston College had an answer. A big kick return by Travis Levy gave them the ball at the Wake 48. Brown had three big first down completions on the drive, 10 yards to Long on a screen, 15 yards to Glines after he emerged from a scrum in the pocket, and 30 yards to White. On second and goal from the four, Brown rolled out to the right and shoveled it to David Bailey for a game tying touchdown right before the half.

The Eagles forced a three-and-out to start the second half, and a few long carries by Dillon brought BC into the red zone. Facing 4th and 3 at the Wake 21, BC opted to go for it, and Brown threw his second interception of the game along the sideline.

The Demon Deacons then put together the same type of long, bruising drive that staked them to an early lead. The 20 plays in the drive set a school record. But the BC defense was able to halt Wake inside the 10 for the second time in the game, and Wake settled for a field goal, putting them up 20-17.

Jamie Newman was in the midst of yet another clock-eating, third down converting drive when he made his only big mistake of the game, floating a pass downfield into the arms of BC’s Mike Palmer.

The offense took over at their own 10, and some big plays by AJ Dillon brought the Eagles into Wake territory. Faced with yet another 4th and 3, BC took aim at their own foot and pulled the trigger. Boumerhi boomed one through the uprights, but a delay of game nullified that try. A poor snap led to holder Dennis Grosel tossing a desperation pass that Wake knocked away.

After trading three-and-outs, the Demon Deacons found themselves some breathing room. On 3rd and 7 at the BC 27, Newman lofted one up in the endzone, and the 6’5” Scotty Washington hauled it in to make it 27-17.

Desperately in need of points, BC kept it on the ground. After nine straight runs to get into the red zone, a slick handoff-halfback pass from Bailey to Chris Garrison cut Wake’s lead to 27-24.

The Eagles needed a stop to have a shot, but 3rd downs plagued the Boston College defense all game. Wake Forest converted on an astounding 17 of 24, non bigger than the three they picked up on their final drive to run the clock down and seal the victory.