The first ever meeting between Boston College and Howard University may very well end up being their last as the Eagles simply overpowered what looked like an undermanned and uninterested Bison squad 76-0 last Saturday at Alumni Stadium.
Two touchdown runs by Tyler Rouse, a blocked punt and an interception returned for a td and that was just the first five minutes of play as the avalanche of points was BC’s largest total in seven decades, going back to a 1949 matchup when they beat local rival Holy Cross by the same score.
BC running back Tyler Rouse picked up right where he left off against Maine by getting the Eagles on the board 1:49 into the game. Less than a minute later linebacker Connor Strachan returned an interception of Bison quarterback Kalen Johnson 16-yards to double the BC lead. When Howard’s next offensive drive finished a familiar 3-and-out, the ensuing punt was blocked paving the way for Rouse to add to his season touchdown total of five. The junior running back is quickly making a name for himself and will have an opportunity to further his legend this Friday night versus Florida State. Dare I say Rouse may find himself in Heisman Trophy conversations?
The score was 41-0 at the end of the first quarter and 62-0 at halftime forcing both sides to decide to reduce the third and fourth quarters by five minutes each to 10 minutes. Boston College played great football but Howard was simply pathetic. Bison ineptitude was at its finest during a 2nd quarter drive where they received a delay of game penalty coming out of a timeout.
“It just got to the point where we didn’t know what to do. We didn’t want to throw the football, we didn’t know what plays to call, I just wanted it to end.” said Boston College head coach Steve Addazio.
While the BC offense tallied 483 yards, its’ defense completely undressed their opponents allowing a miserly 11 total yards and two first downs, one by penalty and the other with 4:05 to play in the fourth.
Starting quarterback Darius Wade who saw limited action knows that will not be the case in their next contest. “As the game went on, our focus quickly shifted because we have a big opponent coming up next week.”
Their toughest test of the young season is at hand. Friday night will provide an answer as to just how good this team really is.
Tickets to Friday nights Florida State game are still available and may be purchased directly at bceagles.com.
Christian A. Guarino, a Boston North End resident, writes about football and soccer for the Boston Post Gazette.
