Welcome to the live blog! HP Jr. coming to you from a couch in New York.
Should be an awesome game tonight.
Just hit REFRESH from time to time to get the latest.
7:46
We just kicked off in Blacksburg and it is raining hard. Va Tech has the ball first and they go three and out to start.
I was hoping to get on board a little earlier, but such as life as a commuter from New York City to Long Island. Trains dictate you life.
This could be a make or break night for Matt Ryan’s Heisman hopes.
B.C. gets the ball and let’s see if the Hokies can get pressure on Ryan something they were unable to do in last year’s game.
7:55
B.C forced to punt. The Hokies have done a very good job getting pressure on Ryan, who was nearly sacked twice and has had two passes tipped.
I didn’t get a chance to say this before the game started, but I really think B.C. is going to end the #2 ranking jinx.
I just have a funny feeling that they are going to escape Lane Stadium with a win.
I originally thought Matt Ryan might make a huge jump in the Heisman race by beating Va. Tech in prime time. However, with the way the rain is coming down right now that might not happen even if the Eagles win.
8:00
A lot of pressure on Sean Glennon as he fills in for freshman Tyrod Taylor, who is out with an injury. Taylor had really provided a spark for the Hokies after replacing Glennon earlier this season.
Let’s see if the junior Glennon can step up tonight.
Early on Va. Tech is showing a lot of confidence in Glennon by throwing early and often.
On third and 10, Glennon hits Justin Harper for a seven yard gain on a dangerous out route that barely got there in time. It is short of the first down and Va Tech has to punt again.
Looks like it might be a very low scoring game that will come down to which quarterback makes a big play as well as turnovers.
8:13
Ryan just showed why NFL scouts love him as he just read the corner blitz and threw an out route to the sideline that was moving. He hit is receiver in stride as he was heading towards the sideline.
It was a beautiful throw. On third down B.C. comes up a half yard short and elects to punt.
Neither team has been able to sustain a drive thus far.
Another great punt Johnny Ayers, that B.C. downs at the Hokies one yard line.
And if it is possible it looks like it is actually raining harder right now then it was when the game started.
8:19
B.C. gets great field position as the Hokies are forced to punt out of their own end zone.
The Eagles start with the ball on the Hokies 40 yard line.
B.C. tries a trick play on first down with Doug Flutie’s nephew, Billy Flutie, trying to throw a pass after an end around.
Seems like these really aren’t the conditions you should be running trick plays.
The Eagles do nothing with the excellent field position after the questionable first down play, and are forced to punt.
8:28
As suspected Va. Tech is having all sorts of problems running the ball, but on its current drive they have had some success through the air.
The first quarter has ended scoreless both teams have struggled on offense.
The Hokies have 69 yards in total offense and the Eagles have just 43 yards.
8:33
Va. Tech just converted a big third and two in B.C. territory and have a very nice drive going right now.
Huge penalty on B.C. after a great play on second down. The Eagles are flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and the drive continues.
Big mistake by the Eagles. Let’s see if comes back to haunt them.
8:39
Eddie Royal catches a pass in the end zone falling out of bounds. The officials ruled he was in bounds for an apparent touchdown, however it looks on replays that he didn’t have control of the ball when his feet were in bounds.
I think this call will be reversed.
We shall see.
8:41
Wow! The call was upheld. Not sure what the officials saw, but the television replays clearly showed he didn’t have control of the ball when his feet were in bounds.
Huge call. 7-0 Hokies.
But what a great drive. 91 yards in 16 plays while holding the ball for over seven minutes.
8:45
Another three and out for B.C as the Hokies finally get to Ryan and sack him on second down for a huge loss.
If Va. Tech continues to pressure Ryan like that have thus far, it could be a long night for Ryan and the Eagles offense.
8:51
As B.C forces a quick three and out Chris Fowler just mentioned an interesting stat. The Eagles have ran 20 plays and gained just 36 yards.
The rain is really coming down again and it certainly is going to make things tougher on Ryan.
I think Boston College should look to run the ball a little more. In these conditions you have to try and run the ball.
As I write the above sentence, L.V. Whitworth rips off a huge first down run. B.C is finally moving the ball.
9:00
Big Play on third down as Va. Tech sacks Ryan for the second time and he loses the ball, but B.C is fortunate to recover.
The Eagles are knocked out of field goal range and forced to punt yet again
9:02
Huge turnover. Glennon fumbles the snap and B.C recovers at the Va. Tech 20.
Let’s see if the Eagles can take advantage. This is the big break Boston College was looking for.
9:04
B.C converts on third and 10, but is flagged for a false start.
The Eagles continue to hurt themselves with bad penalties and mental mistakes.
B.C is going for it on 4th and 15 at the 25. They don’t believe in these conditions their kicker can make a kick over 40 yards.
Wow. Va. Tech blows up the B.C line with just a three man front and Ryan has to throw it away.
In the words of Peyton Manning “let’s just say our [B.C's] O-Line is having some protection problems.”
This is unreal. How can you get beat by a three man rush?
The Eagles are going to have to make some serious adjustments at halftime.
9:12
Halftime: Va. Tech leads 7-0 after a controversial touchdown.
This certainly is a half that B.C would like to forget. They didn’t play all that bad on defense, but their offensive line was atrocious and Matt Ryan was running for his life most of the half.
However, I am curious why B.C didn’t try and run the ball more. Let’s see if they try and mix in the run a little bit more in the second half.
For Va. Tech keep doing what you are doing on defense. They are wreaking havoc on the B.C offense.
And I thought Glennon played a solid first half and as long as he protects the ball in the second half the Hokies should be in good shape.
Coming up next is the Lou Holtz’s pep talk, which is always entertaining despite not understanding a word he says.
I was thinking of trying to blog his pep talk, but then I realized my closed captioning doesn’t work. And even if it did I’m not sure it would help.
9:24
Lou’s Pep Talk is for Nebraska and dead man walking Bill Callahan, who has to be one of the worst coaches in college football. He is right up there with Syracuse’s Greg Robinson. Two great hires right there.
Enough of Lou Holtz and his pep talk. Does anyone else think that Penn St. has a legitimate shot of knocking off Ohio State on Saturday or am I the only one.
I am still undecided on the USC/Oregon game, other than I think it should be very entertaining.
And how about Cal/ASU, I think Cal has a really good shot to beat the Sun Devils.
No matter your thoughts on these games, I think we can all agree that there is a great slate of games on Saturday.
Back to tonight’s game. I think Matt Ryan and the B.C offense plays much better in the second half.
9:37
After the Eagles hit a huge pass play to open the second half, it looks Matt Ryan might have thrown an interception on an out route.
It looked like Ryan’s receiver gave up on the route for some reason. The play is currently under review.
9:40
ESPN is late getting back to the game and we miss the call, but are told by Chris Fowler the interception was upheld.
In looking at it again, I thought his hand and knee looked like they hit out of bounds.
Second close call to go against B.C. That is how you upset the number 2 team in the country at home. You play great defense and get some breaks.
The Eagles are able to force the Hokies into a quick three and out and are back on offense.
9:44
Boston College, which came into the game as one of the best third down team’s in the country is just 2-of-10 on third down tonight.
Its offensive struggles continue. The Eagles just can’t get anything at all going.
9:54
Big stop by the B.C defense on third and one at the Va. Tech 14 yard line.
It forces a punt and gets good field position at its own 40 yard line.
Let’s see (sounds like a broken record) if the Eagles can finally get something going on offense.
On third and short, Matt Ryan makes a terrible throw that should have been picked off. Ryan is really lucky that they are just punting right here.
His terrible night continues. With each poor throw, dropped pass and sack, his Heisman chances fade a little more.
10:03
Another huge break for the Hokies. Jamie Silva picks off a Glennon pass, but is called for pass interference. There was barely any contact on the play and they could have easily let that one go.
B.C needs to hold here if they want to have any chance to stay in this game.
And the Eagles do hold and Va. Tech is coming out for a 45-yard field goal.
Frank Beamer is thinking that if he puts 10 points on the board that B.C won’t be able to come back.
The field goal is good.
Va. Tech ups the lead to 10-0.
10:15
B.C, which clearly failed to make any sort of adjustments with its blocking schemes, just got its first break.
On 4th and 31 Va. Tech was called for roughing the kicker and B.C was given a second life.
But after picking up a first down on a running play (wow thought B.C forgot what that was) they tried to throw it on three straight plays and had to punt.
I don’t understand what B.C is doing on offense. They are not keeping backs in to block and they keep going away from the run even though it is working for them.
Boston College looks like it is in big trouble right now.
10:35
B.C misses on another third and long and is forced to punt. Ryan missed an open receiver for what would have been a first down.
He is just off tonight even when he has time, which hasn’t been all that often.
Time is starting to run out on the Eagles. It looks like they are going to need a big play on defense to change the momentum.
10:40
Va. Tech just converted a third and one and are really working on the clock.
B.C is going to have to make a big play on defense soon or another #2 team is going to go down.
10:46
Looks like the game might be over as Matt Ryan forced a ball into coverage and the Hokies picked it off with a little over five minutes left in the game.
10:50
Interesting play call by Va. Tech on third and long. They decided to try and throw the ball and it was incomplete and it stopped the clock.
If you are Virginia Tech don’t you want to run the ball there and you probably take another minute off the clock.
B.C still has life.
10:58
Wow! B.C touchdown. What a throw by Matt Ryan to Rich Gunnell in the corner of the end zone as B.C finally breaks through.
The play is under review, but I think this touchdown will stand.
Play stands.
B.C goes 91 yards for the touchdown. Where has this offense been all night? They gave Ryan time for most of the drive and he showed what he can when he has time.
B.C has to make a quick stop if it wants a chance tie this game up.
Wow! B.C decides to go with the onside kick (with two timeouts I thought they would kick it deep) and it recovers.
We have a game now.
11:04
B.C is moving the ball. Two straight completions have the Eagles down to the Va. Tech 27. Still not in field goal range, but they still have one time out left with 58 seconds left.
11:06
What a play by Matt Ryan to by time and hit Kevin Challenger for a first down at the Hokies 14 yard line. And he was able to get out bounds to stop the clock.
Ryan just tossed a touchdown pass, but it is coming back as the Eagles were called for another holding penalty.
The ball is now back at the 24 yard line and they are nearly out of field goal range.
Third and 20 coming up.
11:10
Holy Cow. Matt Ryan buys time again and hits Andre Callender for what looks like it might be the game winning touchdown.
He threw that ball completely across his body to find a wide open Callender. The Hokies fell asleep watching Ryan scramble and lost track of Callender.
Did these last two drives bring Matt Ryan right back in the Heisman race?
Those were big time drives. Ryan saved B.C’s season with those two drives.
Although coach Jeff Jagodzinski’s gamble to go with the onside kick after the first touchdown certainly played a big part in the win.
Va. Tech tries a hook and lateral and Eddie Royal is tackled and the game is over.
B.C survives in a fantastic comeback.
Although overall Ryan’s numbers aren’t that impressive, I think those two drives keep his name in the Heisman Race.
He didn’t pass Tim Tebow, but I think he kept himself alive.
What a wild finish.
11:20
So B.C survives and now we move onto Saturday where #1 team in the land, Ohio St., must go to Happy Valley for a night game.
All of the team’s below B.C, including LSU, Oklahoma, ASU, USC, Oregon and West Virginia will be rooting for B.C to shake things up again this week.
As I said earlier I think Penn State has real shot to knock off Ohio St.
As for tonight, what a turnaround. B.C couldn’t do anything on offense for the first 56 minutes of this game and then played a near perfect final four minutes to steal the win.
And to think this is just the start of the weekend.
Hope you enjoyed the game.
Have a good night.
HP Jr.
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