BC coasts by Temple

Boston College made enough plays on offense, defense and special teams to topple Temple 28-3 Saturday in Philadelphia.

“It was a team victory, which is so much fun,” said BC coach Jeff Hafley, whose team will host Missouri next weekend. “I thought the offense had their moments and special teams was really solid and defense was lights out.

“We are 3-0 and we respect every opponent we play. We prepare every week as if we are playing the best team in the ACC and our guys did that. I think each week we got better at certain stages and I think we got better today.”

BC struggled in the air even though it produced the first touchdown of the game.

Dennis Grosel, starting in place of injured Phil Jurkovec, was 5-of-13 for 34 yards with a pick. The Eagles’ ground game netted 187 yards with Grosel accounting for 47 yards and a touchdown.

“It was his first start and I think he did what he needed to do,” said Hafley. “It’s different than when you come in, he is a starter now and I thought he did a good job managing the game.”

BC went up 7-0 on its opening possession, courtesy of a short field provided by return man Travis Levy, who returned the opening kickoff 67 yards. On second and 10 from the 19, Grosel delivered a low ball down the middle of the field to Jaden Williams for a touchdown just 1:39 in.

Grosel was picked off on BC’s second possession, but that was sandwiched around consecutive threeand-outs from the Owls. BC then launched a 78-yard, 10play drive that drained the clock and the Temple defense with equal ferocity. Tailback Patrick Garwo, last week’s ACC running back of the week, carried the ball eight times and scored on a 1-yard dive with 36 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

BC got a short field late in the first half. Grosel made a lateral toss to All-ACC first team split end Zay Flowers as he reversed the field in motion. Flowers went 47 yards down the left sideline to the Temple 7. Levy scored on a 2-yard dive through the middle for a 21-0 lead with 48 seconds remaining.

“When you have one of the best players in the ACC you have to find ways to use him,” said Hafley.

BC’s defense bent but didn’t break in the third but the offense floundered with three ineffective drives.

The only points the Eagles surrendered came on a 32yard Rory Bell field goal early in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles ground game got traction midway through the fourth and capped the scoring on a 2-yard keeper by Grosel with 4:14 to play.