Florida State Rally Leaves Boston College Facing Bowl Doubts

Boston College built an early 10-0 lead, but Florida State rallied for a 31-24 win at Alumni Stadium on November 7. The defeat left the Eagles at 4-5 overall and 2-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, with their bowl hopes fading. Florida State also stood at 4-5 and 2-4 after the game, played in the week of a coaching change for the Seminoles.

Bo MacCormack scored on a 6-yard run and Luca Lombardo kicked a 48-yard field goal in the first quarter. BC held Florida State to 23 yards in the period. Ashton Daniels scored from 4 yards out early in the second, but Mason McKenzie connected with Nedrick Boldin Jr. for a 29-yard touchdown to put the Eagles ahead 17-7.

Florida State answered with a 20-yard Daniels touchdown run. Near the end zone, the Seminoles also used a trick play: holder Carter Jula flicked the ball to Gabe Panikowski, the placekicker, who carried it across the goal line from the 1-yard line. Florida State led 21-17 at halftime despite trailing BC in yards, first downs and possession time.

After McKenzie briefly left with an injury in the third quarter, backup Grayson Wilson threw an interception. Marcus Upton then intercepted a Florida State pass. BC regained the lead with a 2-yard underhand touchdown toss from McKenzie to Javarius Green, following a trick-play huddle, to make it 24-21.

Panikowski tied the game with a 22-yard field goal, and Daniels capped an eight-minute, 14-play drive with an 11-yard touchdown run for the winning score. BC reached Florida State territory late, but Dawson Pough failed to haul in a catchable throw on fourth-and-15. The Eagles visit Notre Dame next Saturday.