Final: Boston College Football fails, continues to fight, but fails again to Virginia Tech 21-42

Boston College's almost miraculous comeback came to an unceremonious end on Thursday night with a 42-21 loss at Virginia Tech.

Boston College was out of sorts from the start, overwhelmed and running out of the building early in the second quarter. BC's drives went punt, fumble, fumble, punt, both the result of Thomas Castellanos' carelessness, Virginia Tech was able to move the ball and score at will. On an early 11-play drive, the Hokies marched down the field from deep in their own territory. Quarterback Kyron Drones went ahead and scored a short score. After Casteallnos' first fumble, it was Drones again who ran into the goal from a meter away.

The Eagles offense decided to increase the tempo to get back into the game. After putting the ball into the redzone, Castellanos fumbled again. Two plays later, running back Bhayshul Tuten ran free for an 83-yard touchdown. This would be the story of the night for Virginia Tech as the game continued. Tuten, who scored three touchdowns in this game last season, somehow topped that performance by adding four points 266 meters on the ground.

On defense, the Eagles looked sluggish and slow in the first half. There was little pressure and tight end Benji Gosnell found easy space to operate. At halftime, Tuten had a touchdown reception this time and the Hokies had gained 332 yards at about 11 yards per play. The Eagles had allowed 52 straight points since the Virginia game.

But once again, BC found a way to play a half of serious football and largely turn things around in the second half. Turbo Richard forced an opening punt and got the ground game going with a big carry to start the tide. His 64 yards on nine carries would lead the way for the Eagles. Castellanos found Treshaun Ward open in the end zone and BC was on the board for BC's first points in over four quarters in two games.

Things spiraled for the Hokies, with two turnovers on their next two possessions. Firs Cam Martinez picked up a poorly thrown ball from Drones and then it was Tuten who put the ball on the ground. BC would take advantage of both with Castellanos throwing the first ball to Jeremiah Franklin, whose 49 yards would pave the way for BC. Kye Robichaux skated in the second period and suddenly it was a one-score game. BC had 121 yards and 8 first downs in the third quarter alone compared to VT's two turnovers.

BC forced another punt and looked to erase a 28-point deficit with just over a quarter of the game remaining. But the Hokies got lucky and got a stop on fourth-and-1. Three runs later, Tuten scored his third.

Early in the fourth quarter, Castellanos found Reed Harris for a 46-yard gain to set BC up nicely. The Eagles were just off the mark on a couple of passes, and O'Brien surprisingly opted for a kickdown at the 14 with just over 8 minutes left. The fumbles from the first half returned with a vengeance as BC botched the snap and hold. Tuten would open up another game-winning 61-yard touchdown run. A last-ditch effort by the Eagles reached the Tech 22-yard line, but was again stopped on downs.

The Eagles travel home to take on Louisville next Friday night.