BOSTON (AP) — Liam Connor kicked a 42-yard field goal with 2:11 remaining and Boston College rallied with 20 points in the second half to beat winless Virginia 27-24 on Saturday.
Thomas Castellanos threw for 183 yards and two touchdowns as he and the Eagles (2-3, 1-2 ACC) overcame a dreadful first half and many of their own mistakes to hold off the Cavaliers (0-5, 0-2).
Lewis Bond caught seven passes for 104 yards and a touchdown and Pat Garwo ran for 87 yards and a score for the Eagles, who trailed 21-7 at halftime after gaining just 120 yards of offense in the first two quarters.
Castellanos and the offense regrouped in the second half, rushing for 162 yards after gaining only 41 on the ground in the first half. The Eagles scored 17 unanswered points before Virginia briefly tied it on a field goal with 7:10 left to play.
Tony Muskett returned from a shoulder injury and threw for 247 yards and three scores, including a 39-yard heave to the end zone where Malachi Fields leaped between two defenders and grabbed the ball for a Virginia touchdown.
Muskett finished 22 of 34 with one interception. He was also sacked five time as Boston College’s defense helped overcome the Eagles’ offensive woes, holding Virginia to 46 yards of offense in the second half.
The Eagles took their first lead on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Castellanos to Bond with 1:04 left in the third quarter. Bond was already outside two defensive backs when he caught the ball in the flat and turned upfield with nobody to touch him.
UVA outgained BC 267 yards to 120 in the first half and forced two turnovers, both interceptions on passes from Castellanos. Josh Ahern caught the second and returned it 17 yards to the Boston College 37-yard line, helping set up an 18-yard touchdown pass from Muskett to Washington that put the Cavaliers up 14-0 early in the second quarter.
SCARY MOMENT
The game was interrupted for about 10 minutes early in the fourth quarter after Boston College receiver Ryan O’Keefe collided with Virginia defensive back Malcom Greene. O’Keefe gave a thumbs-up just before the gurney he was strapped to reached the tunnel after spending about 10 minutes motionless on the field. There was no immediate word on his condition.
THE TAKEAWAY
Virginia: The Cavaliers dominated much of the first half behind Muskett, who missed the previous three weeks with a shoulder injury suffered in the season opener against Tennessee. But the Cavs’ offense struggled through the second half and had no rushing threat, gaining just 59 yards on 29 attempts.
Boston College: The Eagles hurt themselves with turnovers, two interceptions in the first half and two fumbles in the second half that allowed Virginia to stay close. The injury to O’Keefe could also be costly.
UP NEXT
Virginia: Hosts William and Mary next Saturday.
Boston College: Visits Army next Saturday.
