Hard shell: Rettig lifts BC over Maryland

CHESTNUT HILL -- Chase Rettig hit a wide open Johnathan Coleman for a 14-yard go-ahead touchdown with 52 seconds left in the fourth, as the Eagles came from behind to beat Maryland, 20-17, Saturday at Alumni Stadium. Rettig, who finished 21-of-39 for 287 yards, led an 85-yard, 13-play drive in just under four minutes for the winning score. Boston College, which was on the verge of blowing a 13-point second-half lead, won for just the second time this season and first time in ACC play. 

Defensive back Spenser Rositano intercepted a pass with 39 seconds left to seal Boston College's second victory of the season as they improve to 1-4 in the ACC and 2-6 overall. They also avoided their worst eight-game start since opening 1-8 in 1989, a season they finished 2-9. Maryland quarterback Caleb Rowe hit Stefon Diggs on a 66-yard crossing route midway through the fourth quarter to put Maryland ahead before Rettig's heroics. 

Boston College was brutal on third-down conversions all day, converting just three in 13 tries, with their first coming with seven minutes left in the game. Another area of misery was the BC rushing attack, generating just eight yards on 27 carries. Chase Rettig was tackled for a loss seven times for minus-43 yards on the day. Andre Williams carried just 16 times for 60 yards and fumbled in the end zone. 

The Eagles controlled the first half, thanks in large part to the return game of sophomore super specialist Spiffy Evans. His 27-yard punt return to the Maryland 39 set up Boston College's first score on its first possession of the game. Chase Rettig hit David Dudeck for a 20-yard touchdown connection to put BC up, 7-0, 40 seconds into the game. 

Evans next return was even better. He took a punt from his own 9 and raced 72 yards to the Maryland 19. The Eagles appeared headed for another certain touchdown but Williams fumbled the ball in the Maryland end zone and the Terrapins recovered to force a touchback. 

The Eagles added a 36-yard field goal from Nate Freese with 1:38 left in the second quarter to take a 10-0 lead into the locker room at the half. It was just the second time this season that BC held an opponent scoreless in a half. 

The Eagles appeared to have momentum on their side to open the second half as they took the opening drive and went 61 yards in seven plays. But the drive stalled at the Maryland 11 and the Eagles settled for a 28-yard field goal and a 13-0 lead. 

Maryland finally got on the scoreboard with a 13-play, 69-yard drive that featured a couple of big missed opportunties by the BC defense. Rositano and linebacker Nick Clancy dropped would-be interceptions. The Eagles then missed another chance when Maryland, faced with a fourth-and-goal from the 1 opted to go for it. Quarterback Caleb Rowe hit a wide open Nigel King in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. 

BC went three-and-out and Maryland drove inside the BC 10. The Eagles defense held, holding the Terps to a 28-yard Brendan Magistro field goal that cut BC's lead to 13-10 after three. BC converted their first third down conversion in the fourth quarter and then on the next play, Rettig was strip-sacked and lost a fumble on the next play. 

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