Last year’s win over Pitt is today a distant memory, as BC is off to its first 1-4 start since 2012 and still searching for its first victory over a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent since that meeting last November.
The Eagles (1-4, 0-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) fell behind, 31-0, after a dreadful first half in which they resembled a junior varsity team playing against the varsity. The Panthers (3-2, 1-1) outgained BC, 331-69, in net total yards, held the Eagles to minus-9 rushing yards, and possessed the ball for 21:12.
Boston College recorded just two first downs, had four three-and-outs, and punted on 4 of 6 first-half possessions. The other two drives resulted in a turnover on downs and a fumble.
Defensively, against a Pittsburgh freshman quarterback making his first career start, the Eagles allowed 220 passing yards, 118 yards after catch, and 20 first downs, as Pitt ran 51 plays to BC’s 25.
At one point, the ACC Network broadcast showed that Mason Heintschel had completed 11 of his first 10 passes. While it was 10 for 10 in reality, the graphic wasn’t far off.
The Panthers were missing star running back Desmond Reid, yet managed to average 4.4 yards per carry and finish the half 3 for 3 on fourth down.
A 14-yard touchdown reception from Justin Holmes and 31-yard field goal from Trey Butkowski gave Pitt a 10-0 edge through 1. Kenny Johnson added a 12-yard TD catch, Juelz Goff a 3-yard rushing score, and Ja’Kyrian Turner a 6-yard TD scamper with 10 seconds left to put the finishing touches on a dominant half.
BC’s defense was shorthanded, with catalysts Daveon Crouch, Quintayvious Hutchins, Amari Jackson, Syair Torrence, Kwan Williams, and Bryce Steele sidelined — and Pitt took full advantage.
Offensively, BC struggled to run the ball against a formidable defense averaging an ACC-best 1.85 yards allowed per carry entering the game. Runs were ineffective against the Panthers D, and passes quickly became predictable.
The second half was more of the same. A fumble from BC quarterback Dylan Lonergan paved the way for a 10-yard TD pass from Heintschel (30 for 41, 323 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs) to Deuce Spann that extended the margin to 38-0.
Grayson James replaced Lonergan, who threw for just 89 yards, in the third quarter and promptly threw an interception on his first drive. Zion Fowler-El hauled in an 18-yard TD pass from Heintschel to give the Panthers a 45-0 edge through three, and Butkowski tacked on a 47-yard field goal in the fourth for good measure.
The Eagles showed signs of life late, when freshman quarterback Shaker Reisig found freshman tight end Kaelan Chudzinski for a 3-yard score, but the outcome had long been decided.
Pitt had won just two of its previous 10 games, with the two victories coming against Duquesne (FCS) and Central Michigan. This was another chance for BC, whose one win this season was over Fordham (FCS) in the opener, to get on track. Instead, it exposed the Eagles and showed they’re even further away from contention than an already-reeling fanbase thought.
This was Boston College’s most lopsided loss since a 44-0 beatdown from Notre Dame in 2022. After back-to-back 7-6 seasons, BC feels destined for a final record similar to its dismal 3-9 mark in 2022.
Trevor Hass can be reached at trevor.hass@globe.com. Follow him on X @TrevorHass.
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