Brown’s 2 TD passes and 1 run leads BC past Va Tech 35-28

BOSTON (AP) — Anthony Brown threw two touchdown passes and ran for another to lead Boston College to a 35-28 victory over Virginia Tech Saturday in the schools’ opener.

AJ Dillon and David Bailey each had a scoring run for the Eagles, who earned an Atlantic Coast Conference victory over the Hokies for the second straight year. Kobay White (17 yards) and true freshman Zay Flowers (33-yarder) each had a TD catch.

Brown was 15 of 26 for 275 yards and didn’t throw an interception. Dillon was held to 81 yards on 23 carries, but sealed it with an 11-yard run on a third-and-9 with just over 2 minutes left.

Ryan Willis competed 29-of-47 passes for 344 yards with four TDs, but also was picked off three times for Virginia Tech, which finished last season with a losing record for the first time since 1992.

Clinging to a one possession lead, the Eagles marched 56 yards in 10 plays with Bailey capping it with a 1-yard TD to make it 35-21. But the Hokies cut it to 35-28 when Willis hit Kaleb Smith with an 11-yard score with 2:13 to play.

It was tied 14-all before BC capitalized on a pair of turnovers, scoring two TDs in the final 6:02 of the half.

Cornerback Tate Haynes forced Willis’ fumble on a blitz and defensive end Marcus Valdez recovered at Virginia Tech’s 17. Two plays later, Brown lofted a TD pass to White, who made an acrobatic catch along the left sideline for a score.

With just under 2 ½ minutes left in the half, Hezekiah Grimsley fumbled a punt that was recovered by BC’s Nolan Borgersen at the Hokies’ 28. Brown took off through the left side on an option play and went untouched for a score.

Willis hit tight end James Mitchell on slant pattern for a 10-yard score, slicing it to 28-21 late in the third quarter.

THE TAKEAWAY

Virginia Tech: The Hokies’ defense was 106th in the nation against the run last season, allowing 210 yards per game on the ground. BC exploited them through the air with a handful of deep passes and unless the Holies get the D shored up it will be a long final season — his 33rd — for defensive coordinator Bud Foster, who announced this will be his last year.

Boston College: Brown, a red-shirt junior, looked like the QB the Eagles have been hoping for, at times. His reads seemed better and his touch improved. But when the Hokies were making their comeback, he made a few bad decisions. If he becomes more consistent it would add a tough one-two punch with quality RB Dillon.

UP NEXT

Virginia Tech: Faces Old Dominion in its home opener next Saturday.

Boston College: Hosts Richmond next Saturday.