BC quarterback Phil Jurkovec a dual threat in 48-27 win over Georgia Tech

Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec established his ACC dual-threat credentials as the Eagles routed Georgia Tech, 48-27, Saturday at Alumni Stadium.

The 6-5, 226-pound, transfer from Notre Dame completed 13-of-21 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 94 yards on seven carries.

BC (4-2, 3-2 ACC) recorded 409 yards of total offense with 264 on the ground and 23 first downs. Tailback David Bailey led the ground crew with 83 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns.

The Eagles visit No. 1 Clemson next Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

It appeared the ball security issues that plagued BC in last weekend’s loss at Virginia Tech went unresolved. Bailey fumbled the ball away on the Eagles’ second snap, but BC maintained possession when the review showed his knee touched the turf before the ball came loose.

Jurkovec took advantage of the Eagles’ second lease and executed a 10-play, 71-yard scoring drive. Jurkovec capped the trip with a 7-yard toss to CJ Lewis in the right corner of the end zone with 5:25 to play in the first for a 7-0 lead.

It was time for BC to take advantage of the opponent inability to protect the football. The Yellow Jackets gave up the ball on their next possession at the Georgia Tech 22. Sims and Gibbs collided in the backfield and defensive end Marcus Valdez scooped up the loose ball. Jurkovec put BC up 14-0 with 2:58 to play in the first on a 5-yard TD pass to Lewis.

BC caught another huge break after going up 17-0 on a 41-yard Aaron Boumerhi field goal. Gibbs returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards, but the play was nullified by a holding call against Tony Amerson. On the Ramblin Wreck’s second snap, Mike Palmer recovered a Jordan Mason fumble and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown to take a 24-0 lead with 12:12 to play in the first half.

Georgia Tech took advantage of two 15-yard penalties that included a targeting call against cornerback Josh DeBerry to reach the end zone. Sims connected with wide receiver Ahmarean Brown on a go route to make it 24-7.

BC retaliated with a short-field scoring drive to go up 31-7 with 9:44 to play. Zay Flowers caught the edge on a jet sweep and went untouched 22 yards to the end zone for his first rushing touchdown of the season.

Sims marched the Yellow Jackets 91 yards on six plays and cut the lead to 31-14 on a 31-yard TD pass to PeJe Harris with 7:13 to play in the half. Boumerhi kicked a 27-yard field goal with 30 seconds remaining to give BC a 34-14 lead into the break.

The BC offense did not slow down coming out of the half. Jurkovec employed the run and pass on the opening drive of the second half. Jurkovec rushed for 26 yards, hit Hunter Long for 16 more. Bailey completed the five-play, 75-yard drive with a 34-yard touchdown run that pushed BC’s lead to 41-14.

Georgia Tech (2-4, 2-3) responded with a time consuming 75-yard, 15-play, drive that took 7:10 off the clock. The Yellow Jackets caught a break when Mike Palmer’s interception in the end zone was nullified by a roughing the passer call. Sims scored on a 3-yard keeper to make 41-21.

After BC’s first punt of the game pinned Georgia Tech on its own 3-yard line, the Yellow Jackets suffered another self-inflicted wound. Sims’ throw from the end zone as intercepted on by safety Jahmin Muse on the 12. BC made it 48-21 on a 4-yard run by Bailey with 1:09 remaining in the third quarter.

The Yellow Jackets closed out the scoring as Brown scored his second TD of the game, a 2-yard run, with 10:09 to play.

 

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2Hzeo1w