That is what passionate Boston College head coach Steve Addazio proclaimed in regards to the Eagles offense after his team’s 23-10 loss to Virginia Tech just two weeks ago. Who knew that the day would come so quickly? BC rolled to a 41-10 ACC win over Virginia on Saturday afternoon. Moreover, the offense looked downright stunning in Charlottesville.
Picking up their second straight ACC victory and the second week in a row they scored over 40 points Boston College (4-4, 2-3 ACC) jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to two huge plays from break outperformers.
After being held to a Colton Lichtenberg 30-yard field goal on their first drive of the game. The Eagles started to pick up where they left off in last week’s 45-42 victory over Louisville. First, Thadd Smith took a jet sweep 76 yards for the game’s first touchdown. On the very next drive, facing third-and-five fellow receiver, Kobay White received a screen pass from quarterback Anthony Brown and broke away for his own 76-yard touchdown opening the floodgates at Scott Stadium.
Brown, who put together his best performance of the season, would find tight end Tommy Sweeney in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown with 11:35 in the 2nd quarter bringing the score to 24-0. The redshirt-freshman threw for 275 yards on 19-for-24 passing and three touchdowns.
Virginia (5-2, 2-1) finally got on the scoreboard with just 42 seconds remaining in the first half when Joe Reed plunged into the end zone for a touchdown from 1-yard out. Brown would kneel for the Eagles after the touchdown going into halftime with a 24-7 lead.
In the 3rd quarter, the Eagles added on to their lead. Lichtenberg kicked his field goal of the day this time from 36 yards out. Moreover, Brown and Sweeney connected again for a three-yard score. BC headed into the 4th sporting a 34-7 lead.
As good as the offense was the defense was just as impressive for the Eagles. They held the Cavaliers ta field goal in the final quarter and got in on the scoring themselves. John Lamot got his hands on a Kurt Benkert pass and would go unfazed into the end zone to give the game its final score of 41-10. Hamp Cheevers and Will Harris also go their hands on errant throws picking off Cavaliers backup quarterback Lindell Stone on his first two drives.
In total, the BC defense held to just 247 yards. Harris led the way with a big day accumulating six tackles and a sack to go along with the interception. Safety Lukas Denis had a team-high seven tackles, while Zach Allen and Ty Schwab tied Harris with six tackles. Standout defensive end Harold Landry was used sparingly nursing an injury and picked up one tackle. The ten points allowed was just the second time this season they held an opponent to under 20 points.
The all-around dominance by the Eagles allowed them to win back-to-back ACC games for the first time since 2014 and it was the first time since 2002 that BC scored over 40 points in back-to-back games.
Early on the focus was on true-freshman running back A.J. Dillon. Making his first start many including Virginia were looking to see what he would do after his historic 272 yards, four touchdown performance against Louisville. Though he did not have as many yards, 91, his 24 carries were punishing, and the Cavaliers had to put much effort into stopping him opening up space for other players. Such as Thadd Smith on his touchdown run.
“Definitely boosts my confidence to get back in the swing of things,” Smith said after the game. The senior wideout also had a 42-yard score last week.
The focus on trying to stop Dillon and the big chunk plays that weren’t there early in the season certainly help. However, it has the be efficiency of Brown and the rest of the offense that has been the most significant improvement. On third-down, the Eagles were 10-for-19 and completed two of three fourth down attempts. Last week they were 9-for-18 on third. Those games are a vast change from their 2-for-15 day against Virginia Tech.
“I think you can clearly, clearly, see the growth, the potential, and the brightness of this future.” A proud Addazio said after the game. When asked about his quote two weeks ago he responded, “I do not even remember I said that, but it’s accurate how I feel.”
After the way, the Boston College offense has performed the last two games we are all beginning to feel that way.
The Eagles host Florida State in a primetime game on ESPN next Friday night.
