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BC |
NILL |
Late FG lifts Boston College past N. Illinois 23-20
DEKALB, Ill. (AP) Anthony Brown made the most of his final drive in his first career start.
Brown, the first freshman to start for the Eagles since 2009, had four straight completions during the game-winning drive, including a 12-yard fourth-down pass to Kobay White to set up Colton Lichtenberg's 37-yard field goal with 2:13 to play.
''During that drive, we were getting everything we possibly could ask for,'' said Brown, who learned he was starting a few days before kickoff. ''It's a wonderful feeling.''
Brown threw for two touchdowns to help Boston College edge Northern Illinois 23-20 in a season opener on Friday night.
Northern Illinois had a chance to tie it in the closing seconds, but Christian Hagan's 39-yard field-goal attempt hit the crossbar.
Brown was 26-of-42 passing for 191 yards and an interception. He and the Eagles appeared poised to widen the lead after going up 20-10 midway through the third quarter but the offense sputtered. A handful of ill-timed penalties also hurt.
''In the fourth quarter, we stalled, but we were able to make enough plays to win,'' coach Steve Addazio said. ''Those penalties were simply drive-killers for us.''
Michael Walker and Ray Marten each had touchdown catches for Boston College, which got five grabs and a team-best 64 yards from White.
Ryan Graham threw for 190 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for the Huskies, who were seeking their fifth straight home win over a Power 5 conference opponent.
Boston College took a 13-10 lead to intermission after Brown connected with Walker in the final minute. Northern Illinois rallied to tie it early in the fourth quarter.
Addazio didn't announce a starter earlier in the week and only informed Brown, who beat out experienced graduate student Darius Wade.
''He graded out the highest in preseason camp on work,'' Addazio said. ''We said we'd look at the body of work to have a measurable stat. I had to have something tangible and that's how we made our decision.''
NICE BOOST
Lichetnberg converted all three field-goal attempts but the Eagles weren't expecting much in the run-up to the opener. The junior missed two tries in last season's opener before a quad injury helped cost him the starting job for the rest of the fall.
''I was not pleased coming out of camp with our field-goal kicking,'' Addazio said. ''I think he gained a lot of confidence. This is going to pay a lot of dividends for him.''
OOPS!
Boston College's offense hit its deepest valley early in the second quarter when Jon Baker hiked the ball past Brown, who was looking away when the third-down snap was delivered. Brown raced back to dive on the ball, but the 18-yard loss forced the Eagles to punt.
THE TAKEAWAY
Boston College: The Eagles next-to-last among FBS teams in total offense last season and had their share of fits and starts on the first night of the new year. The Eagles looked sharp on both touchdown drives but a pair of costly three-and-outs and an illegal-block penalty on another possession stymied them late in the second half and kept the game close.
Games against Notre Dame and national champion Clemson loom later in September.
Northern Illinois: The Huskies have had success in the past with versatile quarterbacks and Graham, who also was kept under wraps until kickoff, showed flashes with his arm and feet in his ninth career start. The redshirt junior led all rushers with 99 yards and kept the Huskies' first touchdown drive alive with a 60-yard keeper.
''I don't think my job is locked and I still need to perform,'' he said. ''It's definitely not `I'm this good and I have this job.'''
UP NEXT
Boston College: The Eagles, who have dropped their last three Atlantic Coast Conference openers, kick off their conference slate Sept. 9 when Wake Forest visits Chestnut Hill.
Northern Illinois: The Huskies welcome FCS-member Eastern Illinois the same day. Coach Rod Carey is 3-0 against such foes in his five seasons.
Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
A. BrownÂ
13 QB
|
A. Brown | 26/42 | 191 | 2 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. HillimanÂ
32 RB
|
J. Hilliman | 25 | 58 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. SmithÂ
18 WR
|
T. Smith | 6 | 55 | 0 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. SmithÂ
6 WR
|
J. Smith | 3 | 26 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. DillonÂ
2 RB
|
A. Dillon | 5 | 20 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BrownÂ
13 QB
|
A. Brown | 7 | 10 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. GlinesÂ
19 WR
|
B. Glines | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
K. WhiteÂ
9 WR
|
K. White | 0 | 6 | 76 | 0 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. WalkerÂ
3 WR
|
M. Walker | 0 | 8 | 50 | 1 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. SmithÂ
6 WR
|
J. Smith | 0 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. IdriziÂ
85 TE
|
K. Idrizi | 0 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. GarrisonÂ
81 WR
|
C. Garrison | 0 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. MartenÂ
86 TE
|
R. Marten | 0 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. CallinanÂ
83 WR
|
C. Callinan | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HillimanÂ
32 RB
|
J. Hilliman | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. SweeneyÂ
89 TE
|
T. Sweeney | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
Z. AllenÂ
2 DE
|
Z. Allen | 7-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. HarrisÂ
8 DB
|
W. Harris | 6-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. LandryÂ
7 DE
|
H. Landry | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. SchwabÂ
10 LB
|
T. Schwab | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. MooreÂ
5 DB
|
K. Moore | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. TorresÂ
24 DB
|
T. Torres | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. DenisÂ
21 DB
|
L. Denis | 3-1 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. MerrittÂ
94 DT
|
N. Merritt | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. YiadomÂ
20 DB
|
I. Yiadom | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. StrachanÂ
13 LB
|
C. Strachan | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. RichardsonÂ
14 LB
|
M. Richardson | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. SmithÂ
96 DT
|
R. Smith | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. SmithÂ
6 WR
|
J. Smith | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. KarafaÂ
48 DE
|
T. Karafa | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. SmithÂ
18 WR
|
T. Smith | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. LichtenbergÂ
99 K
|
C. Lichtenberg | 3/3 | 42 | 2/2 | 11 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. KnollÂ
98 K
|
M. Knoll | 9 | 38.7 | 4 | 53 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. Walker 3 WR
|
M. Walker | 1 | 11.0 | 11 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
R. GrahamÂ
17 QB
|
R. Graham | 12 | 99 | 0 | 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. JonesÂ
21 RB
|
M. Jones | 11 | 48 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jo. HuffÂ
23 RB
|
Jo. Huff | 5 | 9 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
DJ. BrownÂ
10 WR
|
DJ. Brown | 2 | 7 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. BlakeÂ
4 WR
|
C. Blake | 2 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. BeebeÂ
82 WR
|
C. Beebe | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. MisterÂ
26 RB
|
T. Mister | 1 | -3 | 0 | -3 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
C. BeebeÂ
82 WR
|
C. Beebe | 0 | 6 | 93 | 0 | 46 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. WimannÂ
35 TE
|
S. Wimann | 0 | 4 | 37 | 1 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DJ. BrownÂ
10 WR
|
DJ. Brown | 0 | 2 | 31 | 1 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. TearsÂ
14 WR
|
S. Tears | 0 | 3 | 29 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. GrahamÂ
17 QB
|
R. Graham | 0 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. JonesÂ
21 RB
|
M. Jones | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. WesleyÂ
9 WR
|
J. Wesley | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. BlakeÂ
4 WR
|
C. Blake | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Jo. HuffÂ
23 RB
|
Jo. Huff | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
B. Jones IVÂ
6 LB
|
B. Jones IV | 13-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. PughÂ
57 LB
|
K. Pugh | 12-4 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. JohnsonÂ
7 LB
|
J. Johnson | 9-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. SmallsÂ
1 CB
|
A. Smalls | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. SmithÂ
15 DE
|
S. Smith | 5-1 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. WilliamsÂ
8 S
|
M. Williams | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. EmbryÂ
3 CB
|
J. Embry | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. AllenÂ
20 S
|
M. Allen | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. AbreschÂ
13 S
|
J. Abresch | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. SandersÂ
9 DE
|
J. Sanders | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Jones-DavisÂ
48 LB
|
A. Jones-Davis | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. CorcoranÂ
12 DE
|
J. Corcoran | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dr. BrownÂ
40 DE
|
Dr. Brown | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WebsterÂ
94 DT
|
D. Webster | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. SchwabÂ
18 LB
|
A. Schwab | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. LurryÂ
19 CB
|
S. Lurry | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. LeRoyÂ
99 DT
|
B. LeRoy | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HeflinÂ
98 DT
|
J. Heflin | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. LeeÂ
90 DT
|
W. Lee | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. HaganÂ
34 K
|
C. Hagan | 2/3 | 32 | 2/2 | 8 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. FerenceÂ
36 P
|
M. Ference | 8 | 40.9 | 1 | 51 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
C. BlakeÂ
4 WR
|
C. Blake | 3 | 16.0 | 23 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
C. Beebe 82 WR
|
C. Beebe | 3 | 5.7 | 10 | 0 |