Saturday's 27-24 win over Virginia felt like a resurgent performance by the Boston College football program. A 14-point halftime deficit evaporated after the Eagles tilted the field, and a strong defensive performance held the Cavaliers to 36 yards of total offense in the third and fourth quarters. A recommitment to the running game in turn gashed holes in Virginia's interior defense, and a creative, fluid passing game chunked big plays against mismatches that were exploited within the secondary.
It represented a major jump forward for a team seeking a complete and total performance, and a defensive line that failed to generate pressure against Louisville in the team's first road game delivered knockout blows in its return to Alumni Stadium.