Boston College football secured its first ACC win of the season with a 34-33 victory over Louisville on Saturday afternoon in Alumni Stadium.
Phil Jurkovec finished the game 18-of-21 for 304 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. He completed five passes to Zay Flowers, who finished with 151 yards and two TD's, both coming on plays of over 50 yards. Running back Alex Broome added 83 rushing yards on nine attempts, punctuated by a 40-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Louisville covered 70 yards on its opening drive, as QB Malik Cunningham found the end zone from one yard out, making it 7-0 with 8:51 left in the first. Boston College drove deep into Cardinals territory after a Jurkovec 50-yard pass to Jaelen Gill put the Eagles into the red zone. But a tipped pass on the next possession turned into an interception and Louisville took over on its own nine-yard line.
The Eagles defensive corps forced a three-and-out and BC would manufacture the tying score on the ensuing drive. A 26-yard rush from Garwo and a 22-yard scamper from Flowers set up the one-yard TD connection to Joseph Griffin, tying it at 7-7 with 4:28 to go in the first.
Louisville added a 24-yard field goal early in the second, set up by another takeaway in BC territory, making it 10-7 with 13:22 to play in the half. Boston College would storm back, using its longest pass play from scrimmage - 57 yards from Jurkovec to Flowers - to take a 14-10 lead less than a minute and a half later.
The Cardinals took advantage of another BC turnover, as Cunningham scrambled six yards into the end zone. The PAT kick was blocked by Chibueze Onwuka, making it 16-14 with just under six minutes remaining. Alex Broome put the Eagles back on top, 21-16, taking it 40 yards for his first career rushing TD with 3:13 left. Cunningham would find the end zone a third time with a minute to go in the half, putting Louisville back on top, 23-21.
UofL extended its lead to 26-21, drilling a 48-yard field goal with 9:03 left in the quarter. But the Eagles would not trail for long. Jurkovec and Flowers connected again, this time on a nice 69-yard passing play, putting BC ahead 28-26 with 8:07 left. Louisville would respond with a touchdown, regaining the lead after a seven-play, 75 yard drive, making it 33-28 with 4:50 left in the third quarter.
Connor Lytton's 37-yarder with 7:24 to play made it 33-31. After a forced turnover on downs, the Eagles recaptured the lead for good on a 26-yard field goal from Lytton.
BC improves 2-3 and 1-2 in league action. Louisville falls to 2-3 and 0-3 in in conference play.
Boston College returns to action next Saturday, Oct. 7 at Alumni Stadium when it hosts #5 Clemson. Kickoff is either at 7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. - based on results of the day.
