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Boston College Takes Down the Bruins in Rivalry Match
Pasadena, California--Boston College and UCLA faced off in both teams season openers and also the coaching debut of the Coach Petersen brothers. The sibling rivalry made this game an instant must watch game and has already turned it into an annual rivalry. Both teams came in prepared and wanting to show something to the entire country. To those watching the game it seemed as if UCLA would win the game, but ultimately the Bruins couldn't capitalize on it early opportunities and the Eagles took advantage. UCLA had a huge advantage in number of plays run as they had the ball for 60 plays compared to 36 for BC, but that play advantage didn't lead to points.
BC Star Running Back Montel Harris
Boston College got the ball to start the game, but wasn't able to manage a first down and had to punt the ball away in a disappointing first drive. UCLA got the ball in decent field position and thanks to some timely third down conversions got the ball into striking distance. The Eagles defense stepped up though and forced a Kip Smith field goal try which he nailed from 46 yards out. BC got the ball back and was looking to finally generate some success, but the UCLA defense was having none of it and made a great interception and the game looked to be in the Bruins favor. With the ball back in their possession the Bruins would march into the redzone for the first time. The tough Eagle defense would be called upon again and would answer holding the Bruins to a key third down. UCLA ran the ball with their HB Jonathan Franklin, but BC's stud linebacker Luke Kuechly stoned him in the backfield and knocked him out of the game thus delivering a huge blow to the Bruin rushing attack. Kip Smith came on again and hit the 34 yard field goal. Boston College got the ball and on the first play dialed up a screen to the speedy WR Bobby Swigert. Swigert took the screen and followed his blockers and found open space all the way to the endzone for a 73 yard TD. Just like that despite doing nothing all day on offense and giving up two solid drives to UCLA, Boston College found themselves up 7-6 in the waning minutes of the first quarter.
Swigert Takes the Screen to the House
The second quarter would be a stalemate for the most part, but UCLA still looked in command even though they were now down to there third HB. The Bruins marched the ball down one more time but this time were able to punch it in and take a 13-6 lead. The BC offense had some success but even their best drive couldn't get them into scoring range. UCLA had one more chance at the end of the half and moved the ball well, but a Kip Smith field goal fell just short as time expired in the half. Despite being down 13-6 the Eagles had to be feeling good about themselves because the deficit should have been even worse. In the second half BC would have to change some things around and get a spark. UCLA got the ball first and the Eagles got the spark they needed. On the first play Dillon Quinn ripped the ball away from the Bruins back and Kevin Pierre Louis picked it up to put BC in great position for the first time all game.
Pierre Louis Changes the Momentum of the Game
The Eagles wouldn't waste the golden opportunity as they punched it in the endzone a few plays later to take a 14-13 lead. Now things seemed to be going in favor of the Eagles, but the Bruins would try their best to recover. After trading punts the Bruins had the ball and were approaching midfield but BC held them to a huge third down. If UCLA could convert and score they could partially retake some momentum. On the third down play UCLA QB Richard Brehaut found a streaking WR, Josh Smith, and hit him for a hug 59 yard touchdown pass.
UCLA Retakes the Lead with this Pass from Brehaut to Smith
Suddenly with that huge touchdown pass the Bruins had regained the momentum and the crowd was back into the game. BC would need to answer or UCLA would have a chance to take a commanding lead. Boston College started the with the ball inside their own 20 yard line and it only got worse when an outside run went awry and suddenly it was second and long from their own 9 yard line. On the second down play Chase Rettig dropped back ad surveyed his options. He found Swigert get past the safeties and threw it out in front of him. The ball dropped over the UCLA defender and Swigert ran it the rest of the way for a 91 yard touchdown. Just like that the Eagles had answered back and the game was on.
Bomb from Rettig to Swigert Puts BC on Top 21-20
UCLA would get the ball back and try to answer the biggest BC touchdown yet. They marched the ball down the field and were within striking distance yet again. In the redzone the Boston College defense showed hat makes it great all day and they did it again. The UCLA drive stalled and Kip Smith booted his third field goal of the day, this one from 39 yards out. The Eagles followed up the Bruin field goal with their best drive of the game. The moved the ball efficiently and quickly found themselves in the redzone with 3 and a half minutes to go. With the ball at the five yard line Harris had to come out of the game to catch his breath and backup HB Tahj Kimbel was in the game. On third down the entire UCLA defense was looking for the pass but the Eagles dialed up the draw and Kimbel made one move at the line and walked in the endzone to give BC a 28-23 lead with just over three minutes left.
Kimbel Puts the Eagles Up for Good
Even though Boston College had its largest lead of the game UCLA still had three timeouts and plenty of time to score the go ahead TD. The first play, a long pass to Rosario, got the ball to midfield and things looked good for the home team. Soon they were back in the redzone with under two minutes in the game and still having their full complement of timeouts. Surely the Bruins would put it in and win the game, but all game the closer UCLA got to the endzone the better the Eagle defense played. Sure enough Rosario caught a pass in the flat and when he turned he has hit hard and flipped on his head and lost the ball. He was close to being down but the ball was loose and BC jumped all over it. The Bruin defense came up huge stopping the Eagles and using all three timeouts they still had a chance. BC got a great punt that pinned the Bruins inside their own 20 with just under a minute left. A short completion on the first play had the Bruins going but on second down Kuechly shot through the line and sacked Brehaut to end the game. The Eagles had gone on the road and beaten a very good UCLA team 28-23.
Kuechly Ends the Hopes for UCLA
Stats:
C. Rettig: 8-13, 234 yards, 2 TDs
M. Harris: 18 car, 81 yards, 1 TD
B. Swigert: 4 rec, 189 yards, 2 TDs
Last edited by King_CEPS_11 on Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:48 pm; edited 2 times in total
