Eagles Over UVA 14-10

Eagles over UVA 14-0

Frank Spaziani is probably grateful that viewers could only see the game on ESPN 360.com Saturday, as it was pretty tough to watch his boys improve to 7-3 in the fashion that they did. However, the final score was good enough as the Eagles picked up their first road win of the year. They held off the pesky Cavaliers 14-10.

Unfortunately, the game was somewhat typical of the 2009 team. The offense sputtered at times, but was bailed out by Montel Harris. The sophomore from Jacksonville delivered countless punches throughout the day. Harris carried the ball 38 times, amassing 158 yards. His conversion on fourth and one at the UVA 27 with nine minutes to go was crucial. He prolonged the drive, which ultimately led to Uncle Dave’s game winning goal-line plunge on fourth and goal.

One must also remember freshman Luke Kuechly’s extraordinary play. The even-keeled, unassuming diaper-dandy from Cincinnati continued to shine on Saturday, as he was part of 13 tackles, eight of which were solo and three for a loss and a sack.

Kuechly also broke up several key passes. It’s beginning to become easy to take his standout play for granted, but we must stop and appreciate what he has done thus far this year. The former high school safety has truly seamlessly translated his game to a new position at the college level.

The defense was pretty dominant overall on Saturday. It probably helped, however, that UVA does not possess one of the more highflying offenses in the ACC. The Eagles never gave up a defensive touchdown though, as their seven points came off a 58 yard pick six by Chris Cook late in the third quarter.

That game-tying pick six was only one of Shinskie’s mindboggling plays. His road woes continued early in the first quarter on the Eagles first drive. BC employed a nice, balanced offense as they drove the ball down to the UVA 5. Shinskie then proceeded to stare down his tight end, which brought about a plethora of defenders. He still tried to muster it through the swarm of Cavaliers, only for it to be picked off by Ras-I Dowling, ending any hopes of early points.

As poorly as Shinskie played, his stat line would have been a little better if Colin Larmond Jr. was able to hold onto the teardrop that was placed in his lap early in the second quarter. Shinskie threw a 60-yard bomb over the safety into Larmond’s lap, but the sophomore looked up to the end zone instead of keeping his eyes on the ball.
However, after a big 34 yard snag by Gunnell, the ACC active yardage leader, and a big UVA pass interference call, the Eagles put seven up on the board, as Shinskie found senior wide-out Justin Jarvis running across the front of the end zone.
The Eagles went into the half leading, but they did not score again until there was 7:53 remaining in the fourth quarter. The offense was still out of sync after the break. Shinskie and the receivers had no chemistry. The offensive-line gave their quarterback time to throw but pitch and catch did not consistently ensue.
The big pick six was not the only blunder of the quarter. Shinskie’s worst throw of the day may have been the incomplete pass with 4:43 left in the third quarter. Shinskie rolled to the left and literally threw the ball into quadruple coverage. The ball innocently fell to the turf, however, as several Cavaliers fought over who would receive this gift from Shinskie.
After escaping that drive with a punt, the Eagles fell down by three as Robert Randolph drilled a 38 yard field goal as time expired in the third quarter. The Eagles however drove the ball at the start of the fourth, and the seven-minute drive ended in the Eagles favor. They punched it in and held the Cavaliers off for just long enough. The Cavaliers drove the ball to the Eagle 12 with about a minute left, but came up inches short on fourth down.
The Eagles advanced to 7-3, 4-2 in the ACC, and kept their Atlantic Division hopes alive. They will need Clemson to lose to UVA next week. While that is doubtful, one can always hope.
BC has their final home game next week against UNC at noon. A win over the Tar Heels will give BC a perfect record at home, an impressive feat. Knocking off Butch Davis’ boys and proceeding to knock off the Fridge’s Turtles would make the Eagles a respectable 9-3.
Who knows, maybe we will even play in the Peach Bowl. After all, rumor has it that a large flock of Eagles would make the trek down to Atlanta for New Years. Huh, Dewey McClain?

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