CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – In the 13th annual Red Bandanna Game to honor Welles Crowther ’99, on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, the Boston College football team defeated Rutgers, 28-21, in front of 40,000+ people at Alumni Stadium to pick up their first win of the season.
Mason McKenzie finished the night 18-of-29 for 252 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions along with 94 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. Evan Dickens finished with 56 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, while Dawson Pough caught four passes for 106 yards and a touchdown.
The Boston College defense put up a big night, forcing two turnovers on downs and had four interceptions, the most in a game since November 3, 2023, against Syracuse. Leading the way was Anthony Palano, who had two interceptions and four tackles, including two for a loss.
The BC defense came up with a big stop on Rutgers’ opening drive. 4th down and one yard to gain for the first down on their 34-yard line, the Scarlet Knights were stuffed at the line of scrimmage by the Boston College defense to force the turnover on downs. Charlie Comella and Carter Davis each had an interception for the Eagles, and Marcus Upton led all players with 10 total tackles.
The Eagles took advantage of the field position and scored within five plays as Dickens had a 19-yard rushing touchdown, his second touchdown in as many games, to put BC ahead 7-0.
Boston College forced another turnover on the second Rutgers drive as Comella picked up his first career interception. The Eagles capitalized on the turnover, scoring on the immediate next drive. After McKenzie scrambled for an 11-yard gain, McKenzie then found Landon Wright for a 53-yard pickup. Later in the drive, McKenzie scrambled for a 10-yard touchdown to put the Eagles ahead 14-0.
Early in the second quarter, Luca Lombardo converted his first field goal of the season, putting a 30-yarder through the uprights to make it a 17-0 game.
Rutgers got onto the scoreboard late in the second quarter when Antwan Raymond caught a four-yard touchdown pass with 1:55 to go in the half. With less than two minutes to go in the opening half, the Eagles marched down the field and Lombardo kicked a 46-yard field goal as time expired to send the Eagles into halftime with a 20-7 lead.
The Scarlet Knights had the lone score of the third quarter as Surace found KJ Duff in the end zone to make it a six-point game.
Boston College regained its two-touchdown lead midway through the fourth quarter when McKenzie scrambled away from pressure and found a wide open Pough for a 78-yard touchdown.
Rutgers answered immediately on the next drive, scoring a 60-yard touchdown as Surace connected with Duff once again.
The Scarlet Knights got the ball back with a chance to tie the game, but with 1:46 remaining, Palano picked off Surace for the second time to put the Eagles back in the driver’s seat. On the ensuing drive, McKenzie found Dickens to pick up a first down to close out the win for the Eagles.
The three-game homestand for the Eagles continues next Saturday, September 19, against Maine. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. and the game will be available to watch live on ACC Network Extra.
Mason McKenzie finished the night 18-of-29 for 252 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions along with 94 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. Evan Dickens finished with 56 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, while Dawson Pough caught four passes for 106 yards and a touchdown.
The Boston College defense put up a big night, forcing two turnovers on downs and had four interceptions, the most in a game since November 3, 2023, against Syracuse. Leading the way was Anthony Palano, who had two interceptions and four tackles, including two for a loss.
The BC defense came up with a big stop on Rutgers’ opening drive. 4th down and one yard to gain for the first down on their 34-yard line, the Scarlet Knights were stuffed at the line of scrimmage by the Boston College defense to force the turnover on downs. Charlie Comella and Carter Davis each had an interception for the Eagles, and Marcus Upton led all players with 10 total tackles.
The Eagles took advantage of the field position and scored within five plays as Dickens had a 19-yard rushing touchdown, his second touchdown in as many games, to put BC ahead 7-0.
Boston College forced another turnover on the second Rutgers drive as Comella picked up his first career interception. The Eagles capitalized on the turnover, scoring on the immediate next drive. After McKenzie scrambled for an 11-yard gain, McKenzie then found Landon Wright for a 53-yard pickup. Later in the drive, McKenzie scrambled for a 10-yard touchdown to put the Eagles ahead 14-0.
Early in the second quarter, Luca Lombardo converted his first field goal of the season, putting a 30-yarder through the uprights to make it a 17-0 game.
Rutgers got onto the scoreboard late in the second quarter when Antwan Raymond caught a four-yard touchdown pass with 1:55 to go in the half. With less than two minutes to go in the opening half, the Eagles marched down the field and Lombardo kicked a 46-yard field goal as time expired to send the Eagles into halftime with a 20-7 lead.
The Scarlet Knights had the lone score of the third quarter as Surace found KJ Duff in the end zone to make it a six-point game.
Boston College regained its two-touchdown lead midway through the fourth quarter when McKenzie scrambled away from pressure and found a wide open Pough for a 78-yard touchdown.
Rutgers answered immediately on the next drive, scoring a 60-yard touchdown as Surace connected with Duff once again.
The Scarlet Knights got the ball back with a chance to tie the game, but with 1:46 remaining, Palano picked off Surace for the second time to put the Eagles back in the driver’s seat. On the ensuing drive, McKenzie found Dickens to pick up a first down to close out the win for the Eagles.
The three-game homestand for the Eagles continues next Saturday, September 19, against Maine. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. and the game will be available to watch live on ACC Network Extra.
