Recap: Texas State 21 Boston College 24

Well, let’s throw out the recap I had written halfway through the fourth quarter. Down a touchdown in the waning minutes of this game, BC stormed back to defeat Texas State in regulation, 24-21. Things were looking bleak for a while there, as an embarrassing loss in the home opener threatened to put a damper on Hafley mania. The Eagles were outplayed for much of the game, and that’s certainly cause for concern, but let’s take some time to revel in this win.

In just his second collegiate start, Phil Jurkovec stepped up big time on the last two drives of the game, steadily moving the Eagles down the field, and connecting with Hunter Long for a game tying touchdown. Hafley and his staff managed the clock with purpose, and they weren’t afraid to pick up a few extra yards to make the final field goal attempt more manageable. Also, shout out to Aaron Boumerhi, who’s 36 yard game winner was dead solid perfect. And let’s not forget the defense, which struggled for three quarters, before playing a tremendous 4th quarter. They continuously came up with big 3rd down stops, and held the Bobcats scoreless.

Things were looking on schedule early on. BC deferred and got a quick stop. They proceeded to march down the field with relative ease. However, an ineligible receiver call negated a would-be touchdown pass, a sack moved them back even farther, and a blocked field goal attempt kept it 0-0.

Texas State promptly covered 70 yards on just nine plays, capped by a 1 yard touchdown rush by Calvin Hill. The Bobcats then forced a three-and-out, and looked to build on their lead. However, TXST quarterback Brady McBride heaved an ill-advised deep ball, which was tipped into the waiting arms of Mike Palmer, who returned it 71 yards to the Bobcats 6. BC took advantage with a game-tying Jurkovec QB sneak from the 1.

The Bobcats put together another long scoring drive in the second quarter, 11 plays 86 yards to be exact, and finished it off in style. McBride found Marcell Barbee on a corner fade over the arms of Elijah Jones, and TXST took a 14-7 lead into the half.

After forcing a BC three-and-out to start the second, TXST ripped off another long scoring drive, 13 plays 87 yards. McBride found Barbee for his second touchdown, and the Bobcats looked to be in complete control. But the Eagles answered with their most complete drive of the game, 12 plays 72 yards, capped by Jurkovec’s second touchdown rush of the game, right before the end of the third quarter.

The 4th quarter started like this:

Bobcats: 8 plays 42 yards - PUNT

Eagles: 5 plays 14 yards - PUNT

Bobcats: 6 plays 18 yards - PUNT

Eagles: 3 plays 0 yards - PUNT

Bobcats: 3 plays -8 yards - PUNT

So after some time spent one-upping each other in terms of offensive futility (or defensive prowess, take your pick), BC decided to step up and win it. TXST committed an untimely targeting penalty on punt coverage, setting the Eagles up at the Bobcats 48. Jurkovec then ran off 5 straight completions to get BC into the red zone. Another bad penalty by TXST, this time a roughing the passer, put BC inside the 10, before Jurkovec connected with Long to tie it up.

Texas State had a little over a minute to march down and kick a field goal, but the Boston College defense came up with another huge stop. They forced a three-and-out and called a quick time out. Jurkovec ran off another five completion streak to get the Eagles into field goal range, and Boumerhi split the uprights to complete the wild comeback victory.