Boston College 48, New Mexico State 34: Eagles Survive Scare From Aggies

It wasn't pretty. It certainly was a lot closer than most BC fans wanted. But the Eagles survived a nail biter against the Aggies today 48-34. The Eagles -- 24-point road favorites -- struggled to put away the scrappy New Mexico State Aggies until very late in the fourth quarter. The Eagles pulled away on two runs from Andre Williams, who in a span of two minutes broke off touchdown runs of 80 and 47 yards.

Boston College started the game off struggling on offense, hitting two field goals to New Mexico State's one but put up the first touchdown of the game on a 69-yard touchdown reception from Chase Rettig to Mike Naples. BC's defense looked lost on the next possession as Andrew MacDonald hit Austin Franklin for a touchdown pass of 14 yards and bringing the Aggies back within three.

Harrison Jackson got the next touchdown pass on a nice pass from Rettig to again put the Eagles up by two scores. But the defense, which looked lost for most of the game, bombed at the end of the half allowing a touchdown with :01 left on the clock when Xavier Hall scored on a draw play. Again Boston College stunk on the two minute drill. Boston College looked stunned as they went into the half only up a field goal on the Aggies.

The second half looked to be a repeat performance of the first half. After trading punts with the Aggies, Rettig connected with Alex Amidon on a huge pass reception that gave the Eagles the lead to start the half. But predictably, the porous Eagles defense gave it right back when MacDonald hit Jerrel Brown for an easy touchdown pass.

To start the fourth quarter, New Mexico State kicker Maxwell Johnson kicked a field goal on the first drive to tie the game. On the ensuing kickoff Myles Willis returned the kick 98 yards to give BC the lead back. Anyone want to guess what BC's defense did right after that? You got it! They allowed NMSU to march down the field and MacDonald hit Austin Franklin again for his second touchdown catch of the game.

But BC fans were able to breathe a sigh of relief as the defense began to hold, and Andre Williams transformed into beast mode. After a BC stop, Williams took the second play of the drive 80 yards untouched for a touchdown. After Steven Daniels intercepted MacDonald, on the very next play Williams ran it in for his second TD. AW ended the game with 297 yards and 2 TD's. The defense held, and BC escaped with a 48-34 win.

Not a pretty or encouraging win, but a win is a win. BC just needs one more win for bowl eligibility and will face N.C. State at home next week at 12:30.