BOSTON — In a memorable celebration of the 40th anniversary of Doug Flutie’s iconic Hail Mary pass, Boston College secured a convincing 41-21 win against North Carolina. Quarterback Grayson James led the charge, passing for one touchdown and rushing for another, marking a successful day for the Eagles.
Ryan Turner made a significant impact as well, contributing a remarkable 78-yard interception return, helping Boston College (6-5, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) achieve bowl eligibility under rookie head coach Bill O’Brien. This victory not only extends their bowl chances but also marks the second consecutive year and the eighth time in nine seasons that the Eagles have qualified for a bowl game.
Before the second quarter, Flutie and several teammates from the 1984 squad were honored on the field. Flutie famously threw a last-second 48-yard touchdown pass to Gerard Phalen during the unforgettable “Miracle in Miami” on November 23, 1984.
Making his second consecutive start after O’Brien decided to bench Thomas Castellanos, James, who transferred from Florida International, finished the game with 192 passing yards, completing 18 of 27 attempts without any interceptions. Castellanos, after being sidelined, subsequently left the team.
On the other hand, North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton, who came into the game second in FBS rushing with an average of 142.2 yards per game, struggled against the Eagles’ defense, managing only 53 yards on 11 carries. North Carolina quarterback Jacolby Criswell completed 16 of 30 passes for 176 yards but threw three costly interceptions, as the Tar Heels (6-5, 3-4) saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
The game saw a pivotal moment with Boston College leading 17-7 after North Carolina scored on a stunning 95-yard kickoff return by Chris Culliver. Eagles linebacker Joe Marinaro intercepted Criswell shortly after, returning the ball to the Tar Heels’ 32-yard line. Just three plays later, James found Reed Harris in the end zone with an 18-yard touchdown pass, increasing BC’s lead to 24-7 right before halftime.
Earlier in the game, James also added to the score with a 3-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Eagles a bright start at 10-0. In the third quarter, Criswell’s off-balance pass was intercepted by Turner, who sprinted down the left sideline for a touchdown, further solidifying Boston College’s commanding lead.
For North Carolina, this game raises questions about head coach Mack Brown’s future, especially following their recent bowl eligibility. Boston College appears to thrive under O’Brien’s leadership, with James fitting seamlessly into the offensive scheme as a traditional drop-back passer compared to Castellanos, who preferred extending plays outside the pocket.
Looking ahead, North Carolina will host North Carolina State next Saturday for its regular-season finale, while Boston College will square off against Pittsburgh at home in their last regular season game.