’Makers pull rank on Eagles
No. 23 BC can’t back up hype; stomped by Purdue
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Boston College gave up its first national ranking in 10 years without much of a fight.
The No. 23 Eagles routinely misfired on offense and defense yesterday and were humiliated, 30-13, by Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium.
BC fell to 3-1 with the prospect of a turnaround game against Temple Saturday at Alumni Stadium. Purdue picked up its first win after losing its first three games by a total of eight points. BC coach Steve Addazio was adamant that complacency and overconfidence played no part in the result.
“I was worried about that and concerned about that but I can’t look you in the eye and tell you I thought that was the case,” Addazio said. “I thought we prepared well, I thought we had a great week and I am completely taken off my seat.”
BC managed only 229 yards of total offense after averaging 577.3 in wins over UMass, Holy Cross and Wake Forest. That accumulation was inflated by an 80-yard garbage time drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown plunge by backup quarterback EJ Perry with 18 seconds to play.
Anthony Brown followed a career day against Wake Forest, for which he was named ACC Quarterback of the Week, by completing 13-of-27 for 96 yards with a touchdown and four interceptions.
Brown had three passes swatted at the line, two of which resulted in picks, and he was sacked four times. Tailback AJ Dillon, who was named ACC Running Back of the Week, had 59 yards on 19 carries.
BC ran 63 plays with a paltry average gain of 3.6 yards. The Eagles were 3-of-12 on third-down conversions and committed seven inopportune penalties for 60 yards. Yellow rags negated a touchdown pass from Brown to Travis Levy and a Will Harris interception returned inside the Purdue red zone.
The lone bright spot was Michael Walker in the punt and kick return game. Walker, who led the nation in combined return yardage last season, finished with 236 yards.
“It was like nothing I had ever seen before,” Addazio said. “Two batted balls for interceptions, penalties all over the place and I’ve got to go see what that was.
“It was uncharacteristic of us in every way, shape and form. It was one of those days where you are on the sidelines and you say to yourself, ‘Are you kidding me? What else can go wrong here right now?’”
Purdue quarterback David Blough was coming off a school record 572 passing yards in a hard-luck 40-37 loss to Missouri. Blough didn’t match those gaudy numbers, but he systematically dissected the Eagles secondary and routinely avoided the BC blitz despite being sacked five times.
Blough completed an efficient 21-of-28 passes for 296 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. The Boilermakers had 372 yards of total offense on 69 plays, dominated time of possession (37:02-22:58) and converted 8-of-17 third downs.
“There were times we made spectacular plays rushing the quarterback and there were times we were where we’re supposed to be and he’s squirting out,” Addazio said.
Purdue scored on its opening drive, aided by a 15-yard penalty against the BC return team for interference. BC gave up two big gains on third-and-long and tailback D.J. Knox capped the 12-play march with a 1-yard plunge.
Walker returned the ensuing kickoff 60 yards to the Purdue 38. On third-and-14 on the Purdue 15, Brown hit Tommy Sweeney on a crossing route in the back of the end zone. Freshman kicker John Tessitore, who replaced injured Colton Lichtenberg, tied the game 7-7 with 3:16 to play in the opening quarter.
Purdue went up 13-7 on the first play of the second quarter. Rondale Moore caught a 9-yard pass over the middle, eluded Harris, and went 70 yards for a touchdown.
“I have got to make that play and that’s the long story short,” said Harris. “That is enough said about that play, I’ve got to make that play and I’ve got to play better.”
The Boilermakers went ahead 20-7 when Moore sidestepped cornerback Taj-Amir Torres on a 9-yard pass from Blough.