BC football delivers a dud in a disastrous 47-2 loss at Duke

For a Boston College football program eager to prove it belongs among the Atlantic Coast Conference elite, Saturday’s showdown at Duke served as a litmus test.

The Eagles delivered a dud in a disastrous 47-2 loss in Durham, N.C., reverting to their habits from last year in by far their worst performance this season. BC had a prime opportunity to take a significant step forward, but instead took a massive step backward.

“Rough day for Boston College football,” coach Bill O’Brien said.

BC (4-4, 2-3 ACC) committed 11 penalties for 94 yards in the first half, and 15 for 132 overall, and fell behind, 27-2, at the break.

The Eagles struggled mightily in every facet and were unable to generate any momentum against a physical and prepared opponent.

Duke’s Nate Sheppard rushed 20 times for 97 yards and scored a school-record five touchdowns on runs of 1, 2, 54, 4 and 1 yards, with the first three scoring runs helping the Blue Devils (6-2, 3-2) pull away, 20-2.

Walker Eget (201 passing yards) hit Jeremiah Hasley for a 5-yard score late in the half as Duke controlled a 27-2 lead at intermission.

“I didn’t do a good enough job of getting them prepared to play,” O’Brien said.

Carter Davis, who also had a late interception, returned an errant extra point 100 yards to the house for 2 points with 3:39 left in the first quarter. It pulled BC within 13-2, but that was the only threat the Eagles could muster.

BC’s 11 first-half penalties were, in order: face mask, pass interference, holding, pass interference, unsportsmanlike conduct, illegal touching, unsportsmanlike conduct, holding, roughing the passer, offsides, and illegal formation.

“We didn’t lose because of officiating,” O’Brien said. “We got trounced. But the officiating questions should go to the league office.”

BC defensive back KP Price said that, although Duke was a good team, the Eagles beat themselves with penalties and self-inflicted wounds.

“We can’t look at the refs and ask them why they called it,” Price said. “They called it for a reason, whether we agree with it or not.”

Offensively, the Eagles couldn’t do much against Duke’s formidable defense. O’Brien called it one of the best in the country. On one of their few promising offensive drives, the Eagles were stymied by back-to-back penalties that ultimately led to Bo MacCormack’s failed fourth-and-2 rushing attempt that fell just short.

BC quarterback Mason McKenzie (9 for 17, 87 yards; 13 carries, 24 yards) said it was difficult to get back on track against Duke’s defense. After erupting for a season-high 49 points in what felt like a pivotal road win over Georgia Tech last Saturday, the Eagles looked lost and disorganized against the Blue Devils.

“It was tough, especially in the first half,” McKenzie said. “It felt like we were kind of getting things going, finally, moving the ball well, and then it would just be [a penalty of] 15 yards or 10 yards. It’s things that we can’t do. We have to be more disciplined in that area.”

Sheppard added his 4-yard score early in the second half. A fumble on a backward pass from BC yielded a 1-yard rush from Sheppard, who hit the Heisman pose after his program-record 18th touchdown of the season.

“I think he’s the best running back we’ve faced this year,” Price said.

Gavin Strange tacked on a 41-yard field goal early in the fourth and a 24-yarder late.

BC backup quarterbacks Grayson Wilson and Femi Babalola saw time in the second half, with Babalola (3 for 5, 49 yards) showing flashes.

After getting flattened by Duke, the Eagles will try to regroup and shift their focusto next Saturday’s visit from Florida State in an ACC showdown at noon at Alumni Stadium. It will be followed by a gauntlet of grueling matchups at Notre Dame Nov. 14, vs. Syracuse Nov. 21 and at No. 1 Miami in the regular-season finale Nov. 28.

“We’re 4-4. We’re not in a terrible spot,” McKenzie said. “We have four games left. We got whooped this game pretty good, and there’s not much more you can get out of it other than bad things. We’re going to turn the page tomorrow.”

Trevor Hass is a sports producer who covers Boston’s professional teams. He also writes about Boston College football and high school sports for The Boston Globe.