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Boston College Eagles knock off Florida State for third straight win

By Jason Haskins

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 27: Boston College Eagles fan holds a red bandana to honor Boston College alumni Welles Crowther during the first quarter of the game between the Eagles and the Florida State Seminoles at Alumni Stadium on October 27, 2017 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Crowther was a Boston College alumni who lost his life after saving at least 10 people during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 27: Boston College Eagles fan holds a red bandana to honor Boston College alumni Welles Crowther during the first quarter of the game between the Eagles and the Florida State Seminoles at Alumni Stadium on October 27, 2017 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Crowther was a Boston College alumni who lost his life after saving at least 10 people during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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A stout defense and another strong performance from AJ Dillon lead the Boston College Eagles to a rout over ACC foe Florida State on Friday night.

The second season of Stranger Things may have just premiered, but fans of the Boston College Eagles have been living in the upside down for three weeks now.

In prime time on Friday night, the youth movement for the Eagles held serve in defeating the Florida State Seminoles 35-3. It was Boston College’s first win against the Seminoles since 2009.

The 4th Annual “Red Bandana Game“, honoring the memory and courageous acts of Welles Crowther, was one for the ages. AJ Dillon ran for 149 yards and a touchdown, Anthony Brown ran for one and threw for another and the Eagles led start to finish to pick up their fifth win.

Big plays and a heavy dose of AJ Dillon

Big plays highlighted the first half for the Eagles from the moment the game started. Michael Walker had a 43-yard return off the opening kickoff. Though the drive ultimately ended with a missed field goal, Boston College continued to use the big play to their advantage.

Boston College used a combination of smash mouth football and trick plays to keep the Florida State defense off balance. The Eagles first touchdown was off a wide receiver reverse/pass option, resulting in a 34-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Smith to freshman Kobay White.

CHESTNUT HILL, MA – OCTOBER 27: Anthony Brown
CHESTNUT HILL, MA – OCTOBER 27: Anthony Brown /

The Eagles made the score 14-0 early in the second thanks to an 8-play, 46-yard drive, culminating in a Brown to Tommy Sweeney 11-yard touchdown pass.

Later in the quarter, after a Ty Schwab interception, Dillon took control. He broke off a 39-yard run, part of 53 rushing yards on the drive. It was Brown, though, who would score for Boston College on a 4-yard run that put the Eagles up 21-0.

A field goal by Florida State made it 21-3 at the half.

Dillon would get his touchdown on Boston College’s second drive of the second half. Taking advantage of a muffed punt by Florida State’s Tarvarus McFadden, Boston College took only three plays to score on Dillon’s two-yard run.

Senior Darius Wade, replacing an banged up Brown, completed the scoring later in the third with the first rushing touchdown of his career.

Defense rises to the occasion

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Minus an injured Harold Landry, the Boston College Eagles were faced with a tall task on Friday night.

They responded with one of their best performances in 2017.

The Eagles defense pressured Florida State quarterback James Blackman all night and held the Seminoles to 64 yards rushing. Zach Allen and company held Florida State to 213 total yards, 130 of which came on five plays.

Unlike the Notre Dame game, though, the big plays did not result in touchdowns. And as stiff as the defense was, those huge plays all occurred in the first half. Boston College’s defense did not allow a first down until 10:13 in the fourth as Florida State totaled only 38 second-half yards.

All told, it was a complete team effort on Friday night in Chestnut Hill. Brown’s numbers won’t astound you (6-20, 54 yards) but he made the plays when needed. Brown also protected the ball, showing once again he is maturing as the season progresses.

Blackman, also a freshman, finished with 102 passing yards For Florida State. Cam Akers carried 18 times for 42 yards.

Akers also completed a 47-yard pass to Nyqwan Murray, who had three catches for 102 yards.

Next: The 10 best BC Eagles in the NFL

Boston College now heads into their bye week only one win away from becoming bowl eligible. Dreams of an ACC title might be a little far fetched. We all know that when everything is upside down, though, anything is possible.

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