Crane Leads BC Over NC State With 5 TDs

Chris Crane had his finest game since taking over the quarterback position at BC, throwing for two touchdowns and running for three more, including the game winner with :22 to go, in the Eagles 38-31 victory over NC State.  The win is the first conference victory of the season, evening that mark at 1-1 and pushes the overall record to 4-1.  It is also the second win in as many tries for Coach Jeff Jagodzinski over his predecessor Tom O’Brien.

In addition to the touchdowns, Crane (34 for 51) threw for 430 yards and ran for 40 of the team’s 151 on the ground as BC amassed 581 yards of total offense.  The BC offense went three-and-out on the first drive, but scored on their next three to solidify Crane as the quarterback (for this day anyway) and keep the headphones on Dominique Davis for the entire game.

Crane was not perfect however, as he threw one interception and lost a fumble.  Clarence Megwa lost one of his own as BC overcame the 3-0 turnover deficit, a remarkable feat considering turnover margin, especially on the road, correlates more to wins than any other statistic.

BC was throwing it a lot to open the game (16 of the first 20 plays were passes) as the Eagles were running a West Coast offense with a lot of quick throws for short and medium gains.  The NC State defense left lanes open on the field for the receivers to free themselves up and Crane showed good touch and was, for the most part, zipping the ball to them to move the ball downfield.  Crane attempted a few deep balls, but was off-target on most of those throws and the receivers were covered pretty well, preventing BC from opening up the offense even more. 

Rich Gunnell was the favorite target catching 11 balls for 123 yards and a score.  Justin Jarvis had the other touchdown catch for the Eagles after a nice run after the reception.  Crane (11 carries) and Montel Harris (7 carries) each ran for 40 yards to pace the Eagles running game with starter Josh Haden running for 21 on seven handoffs.  Brian Toal had 39 on a single carry, a direct snap on a fake punt, in what might have been the biggest play of the game.

BC’s offense was never able to put away NC State and Jagodzinski eschewed a punt attempt from the Wolfpack 42, needing 9 yards with 5:48 to go in the game, and decided instead to go for it.  The ensuing swing pass was incomplete and NC State later scored to tie the game.  Despite doubling the total yards, BC had to escape with the victory.

The three turnovers netted NC State only three points, so BC easily could have lost if not for the defense stepping up.  The front line was dominant, holding NC State to only 39 rushing yards on 22 carries (1.8 average) and allowed 209 passing yards, though NC State did hit for four big passing plays (61T, 35, 20, 20).  However, the line also recorded five sacks (three for B.J. Raji and two for Austin Giles) and had NC State passer Russell Wilson under pressure most of the day.  Wilson did have a few escapes and ran for two of the Wolfpack touchdowns, though he had only 17 yards on his 14 carries.

The big play for NC State was a T.J. Graham kickoff return touchdown from a few yards deep in the endzone.  You could almost sense NC State was going to get one as Graham had almost broken the previous return.  Collectively, the NC State returners averaged nearly 35 per kickoff return, setting up good field position for the offense and accounting for some of the deficit in total offense.

This was a great confidence builder for Crane as Jags allowed him to throw 51 times, however the three turnovers for the team are a cause for concern.  The running game never got going, but the coaches were taking what the Wolfpack was giving.

NC State is competitive in most games, but look to be among the bottom of the ACC teams and with the schedule difficulty picking up beginning after the bye with Virginia Tech, BC cannot afford to make the mistakes they got away with today.

Not to be overlooked, Ryan Purvis took a helmet to the knee on a catch and did not return.  Lars Anderson played well in his stead, but if the preseason All-Conference tight end has to miss any games, that will hurt the offense.

Outlook

Despite the fast start, BC’s upcoming schedule likely brings them back to earth.  I had this game as a win and am still on track with the 7-5 preseason prediction.  After the bye, BC hosts Virginia Tech (atypically on a Saturday) in what might be a defensive tussle.  Virginia Tech’s defense and prowess on special teams should set them up as the favorite in this game, though their offense is still not fluid, despite the quarterback change to Tyrod Taylor and his ability to run the ball a bit.  I called this a loss in the preseason and I have to stick with it.  If Davis’ playing time is based solely on how poorly Crane looks, Davis might see some time in this game as the Hokie defense can be frustrating.

ACC Rewind

• Georgia Tech shut out surprising Duke 27-0 with 24 second half points.
• Florida State defeated Miami in a shootout in the rain despite both teams being highly ranked defensive squads.
• Virginia, a team that has not even been in any FBS game this season, dominated Maryland, who previously beat California and Clemson, 31-0.  The Terrapins laid a big egg here.
• #20 Virginia Tech had little trouble with Western Kentucky, but still has trouble scoring, as they extend their win streak to five.
• North Carolina thoroughly handled #24 UConn.

ACC Fast Forward

• #25 Wake Forest hosts Clemson in a Thursday night tilt and key Atlantic Division battle.  Wake Forest was a bit of a sneaky pick in the preseason, while Clemson was the favorite.  The Demon Deacons look better right now.
• East Carolina goes to Virginia and should score a win.
• Georgia Tech should not have a problem with FCS Gardner-Webb.
• North Carolina should get a victory over visiting and improving Notre Dame.
• Central Florida travels to Miami and could give the Hurricanes a game, but Miami should win.

Top 10

1. Oklahoma: opened with four first quarter touchdowns and never looked back
2. Alabama: survived Kentucky team that knocks off a highly rated SEC team every year
3. Missouri: offense scoring plenty, but defense scoring touchdowns now too
4. LSU: idle
5. Texas: opened Big 12 season with a win despite not hitting 40 for the first time this season
6. Penn State: offense muted against Purdue, but never trailed
7. Texas Tech: potentially the best offense in college football, but defense needs work
8. USC: took out frustrations from upset loss out on Oregon
9. BYU: scored early and held on
10. Ohio State: solid conference road win over #18 Wisconsin

UMass Watch

#12 UMass defeated #14 Delaware 17-7, breaking a 7-7 tie in the fourth quarter with a field goal and sealing it with a 52-yard interception return by Jeromy Miles.  Liam Coen was 18-32 for 228 yards and a touchdown pass, but threw three interceptions.  Jeremy Horne caught eight for 114 yards, including the 40 yard score.  Tony Nelson was the leading rusher with an impressive 163 yards on 23 carries.  UMass also fumbled once, totaling four turnovers and picked off Delaware QB Robby Schoenhoft once.

Like BC, the Minutemen outgained their opposition by a large margin (459-167), but due to turnovers, made the game a lot closer than it could have been.  UMass visits conference rival Northeastern next week who are 2-3, but have won their last two, including this week’s defeat of Towson to open their league season.

Tags: Boston College, Chris Crane, UMass

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