Boston College makes a comeback, but falls short against Virginia Tech

BC had a chance to tie the game, but the Hokies (4-3, 2-1 ACC) made a crucial stop on fourth-and-1 and stole 14 unanswered points to seal the victory. Boston College showed moments of brilliance, but crucial mistakes ruined what could have been a night for the ages.

“We definitely fought back to get back in the game, but we dug ourselves such a deep hole,” BC coach Bill O'Brien said. “It’s very difficult to come back from a four-point deficit.”

It was a dismal first half for the Eagles.

Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones started the first half with an 11-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter. BC quarterback Thomas Castellanos fumbled on the ensuing drive at the BC 34, and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Logan Taylor gave the Hokies the ball at the 19. Moments later, the Drones added a 1-yard score to make the first-ever score 14: 0 to bring quarter.

The Eagles showed flashes of fluidity early in the second period, but that momentum disappeared when Castellanos again fumbled a handoff to Kye Robichaux. This happened at the Virginia Tech 6, and what could have been a one-score game instead ended in a loss as Bhayshul Tuten broke free for an 83-yard score.

It was Castellanos' third fumble and fifth turnover in the last three quarters. He acknowledged that had he not given up the ball the outcome might have been different.

“I have to take better care of the ball,” Castellanos said. “They’re not on your back or anyone else.”

Tuten (18 carries, 266 yards, three touchdowns; 1 receiving touchdown), the He changed his commitment from Boston College to Virginia Tech activated in one fell swoop in January 2023.

Kam Arnold forced a Virginia Tech fumble, but the Eagles continued to implode. Castellanos faked a pitch to Turbo Richard and then threw it behind Richard, who was able to fall on it. Late in the quarter, BC moved into Virginia Tech territory again before a sack by Antwaun Powell-Ryland led to a punt.

That paved the way for a 20-yard touchdown pass from Drones to Tuten with 11 seconds left – a fitting end to a disastrous half for Boston College. The Hokies managed 332 yards, an average of 11.1 yards per rush, and the Drones had just one incompletion.

BC had an advantage in time of possession, but poor execution in key moments gave the Hokies a sizable halftime lead.

“I thought I had the team ready to go tonight, but obviously that wasn't the case,” O'Brien said. “I have to figure out how to get the team ready. We’re better than this.”

But as mixed as the Eagles have been over the last four weeks, they have had sizzling jumps in every game. Thursday was no exception as BC showed signs of life to start the third quarter and make it a game.

“No play is out of reach for us,” defensive tackle Cam Horsley said. “We are a resilient group. I just told the boys to keep fighting. If they can get 28 points, why can’t we do it?”

After a Hokies punt, Castellanos connected with Treshaun Ward for a 25-yard strike to put Boston College on the field. Pressure from Donovan Ezeiruaku forced a poor throw from the Drones and Cameron Martinez intercepted the pass at the BC 30.

Castellanos then found tight end Jeremiah Franklin for an 11-yard touchdown that made it 28-14 with 6:07 left in the third.

“We didn’t give up,” Castellanos said. “We didn't give up. We didn’t lie down.”

Ezeiruaku then forced a fumble, and Martinez recovered to set up a 5-yard TD rush from Robichaux. Martinez, ever-present in the third quarter, added another sack late in the third quarter to force a VT punt.

This way the Eagles were back in the game and had a chance to equalize or take the lead.

They had the opportunity, but the Hokies' stop at midfield paved the way for a 6-yard rushing TD with 11:02 left to make it 35-21 Virginia Tech. A high snap on a field goal attempt gave the ball back to the Hokies, leading to a 61-yard TD rush by Tuten that put the game out of reach.

“We can find out,” O’Brien said. “It's not over yet. The sun will rise tomorrow, but it will rise slowly.”

Trevor Hass can be reached at [email protected].