Miscues Plague Boston College in Struggle Win Against Maine
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CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Boston College football got out of Alumni Stadium with a 22-16 victory over Maine on Saturday, but the contest was far from an easy road.
After jumping out to a 16-0 lead in the first quarter, the Eagles lost momentum down the stretch and were outscored by the Black Bears 16-6 the rest of the way.
Miscues, mostly offensively in the red-zone area, were the biggest problem for BC.
That started with going 0-for-2 on fourth downs.
The first turnover on downs happened on the Eagles' first possession of the game. BC got the ball after Maine fumbled the opening kickoff and had excellent field positioning at Maine’s 24-yard line, and it made it to the Maine 15-yard line and had 4th-and-1 looming.
Instead of attempting a field goal, the Eagles went for it and running back Evan Dickens was stood up for no gain, handing possession of the ball back to the Black Bears with no damage done.
The second time was a similar situation.
Boston College got the ball in Maine territory after defensive back KP Price picked off Black Bears quarterback Eddie Buehler. The Eagles started on Maine’s 33-yard line and drove down to the 15, but it became a 4th-and-1 situation. BC running back Nolan Ray was then stuffed, turning the ball over on downs yet again.
The other big momentum killer was Eagles quarterback Mason McKenzie’s two interceptions.
McKenzie’s first interception came in the second quarter on 3rd-and-10 at the BC 49. The redshirt junior lobbed the ball and it was intercepted by Maine defensive back Jamaree Gibson at Maine’s 28-yard line. Gibson then returned the pick into BC territory and the Black Bears put three points on the board with a 27-yard field goal, the team’s first points of the game.
His second interception was in the third quarter deep in Maine territory.
Boston College drove down to the Maine 13 before McKenzie was picked off by Black Bears linebacker Sam Oppenheimer. Although Maine did not capitalize and threw a pick after getting the ball, the interception prevented Boston College from getting crucial points and extending its lead.
The fourth-down misses and one of McKenzie’s two picks contributed to Boston College going 2-for-5 in the red zone with zero touchdowns.
The only two red-area chances that resulted in points for Boston College were both field goals by Luca Lombardo, each from 26 yards in the second and third quarters, respectively.
The Eagles may have picked up the victory and improved to 2-1 on the year, but cleaning up offensively will be vital as they open ACC play next weekend against Virginia Tech.
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Kim Rankin is the lead writer for Boston College On SI. The 2020 graduate of the University of Alabama. She joined Alabama Crimson Tide On SI in February 2024 covering baseball, softball, football, men’s basketball, and more for BamaCentral, but has also contributed to Missouri Tigers On SI. She previously worked as the brand manager at Tide 100.9 FM in Tuscaloosa, Ala. She has covered a wide variety of events including SEC Championships, NCAA Regionals, and bowl games.
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