Boston College Eagles Hold Off Holy Cross Crusaders in 31-28 Win

By Stephen Ur

The Boston College Eagles faced off against the Holy Cross Crusaders at Alumni Stadium in Boston, MA on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles were coming off an overtime loss to Northern Illinois last year while Holy Cross defeated Merrimack in their home opener.

The first drive, a 14-play, 85 yard drive for the Eagles, ended in a three-yard touchdown run from junior running back Kyle Robichaux. BC led 3-0 at the 8:49 mark of the first quarter.

The Crusaders’ first drive got them to the Eagles two yard line by the end of the first quarter, The big play on the drive was a five-yard gain on a 4th and 3 at the 40. The Eagles led 7-0 after one with the Crusaders at the Eagles two yard line.

Jordan Fuller would score on the first play of the second quarter, tying the game at 7. The Eagles’ next drive, which started at their own nine yard line following a penalty on the kickoff, ended with a 14-yard touchdown from wide receiver Ryan O’Keefe.

After Boston College forced the first punt of the game by Holy Cross, a deep pass from Castellanos to Jaden Williams for 47 yards set up a first and goal on the six yard line inside the last two minutes of the half. They would punch it in three plays later as Castellanos found a wide open tight end George Tackas in the end zone. They now led 21-7 with 1:23 left in the half.

Two penalties on BC on the ensuing kickoff put the ball at midfiGeld for the Crusaders’ next drive. A Matthew Sluka pass to Justin Shorter set them up with a first and goal at the seven yard line. Sluka would run it in for the touchdown on the very next play, closing the gap to 21-14 with 46 seconds left.

The Eagles drove down the field quickly and Liam Connor kicked a 37-yard field goal to make it a 24-14 lead at halftime.

The lone score of the third quarter came as Sluka rushed for his second touchdown of the game. BC would score on the first play of the fourth to make it a 10-point game and despite Holy Cross making it 31-28, it wasn’t enough as Boston College picked up their first win of the season.

The Eagles face their toughest test of the season next week as they welcome the #4 team in the country in Florida State next Saturday afternoon with a noon kickoff. Holy Cross will be on the road again as they take on Yale.