UPWARD AND ONWARD

Boston College's season hung in the balance on Saturday night as it faced a nationally ranked and inspired FSU team playing before a national audience in prime time.

Despite the odds, the Eagles exacted revenge for last year's loss and remain in the hunt for the ACC Championship game on December 6 in Tampa.

Among other things, FSU was surprised by BC's "physicality", a hallmark of successful BC teams in the past.

The Eagles took advantage of FSU's suspension depleted receiving corps by picking of three Chris Ponder passes - including a key 4th quarter interception in the endzone on a jump ball to standout receiver Greg Carr.


NOT SO SPECIAL
With Billy Bennett suspended, BC has been unable to find another player, student, or guy off the street that can kick a football off a tee more than 40 yards. As a result, freshman punter turned "kick-off specialist" Ryan Quigley booted high end over end kicks to the FSU 35-40 yard line resulting in spectacular field position for the Seminoles all night long. The groans from the BC fans were audible. Hopefully this will change before the last two games!

On a positive note, Quigley sure can kick a nice onsides kick - which BC executed to perfection in the first quarter, leaving the black out crown in stunned silence.

Relegated to just field goal and extra point duty, Steve Aponavicius had a nice night, converting his only field goal try to ice the game in crunch time. While Sid Vicious has been much maligned for his inconsistency, it would be nice to see him end his unlikely career at BC on a high note.


BC NATION
Not enough can be said about the BC fans who made the road trip to Tallahassee. Not sure about the number, but the Eagles were well represented by fans in three sections surrounding the corner near the BC locker room.

Throughout the game, Superfans of all ages made plenty of noise causing FSU folks to start their own chants in an effort to drown out the hearty few BC fans that made the trip.

I only heard a couple of "down in front" shouts from the ancient BC fan contingent - including from the guy sitting next to me who was complaining right before the successful onside kick - which, much to his disappointment, he did not see.

The best part of the evening may have been after the game as the BC players and coaching staff left the field to the cheers and high fives from the BC fan section. More than anyone, Coach Jags seemed to soak it all in, shouting to the crown and slapping hands on his way to the locker room. Winning is one thing, but doing it while creating an exuberant sense of excitement among players and fans in the process is something that hasn't been seen on the Heights in years.


SCORE FIRST AND WIN
Boston College is undefeated this season when, like Saturday night, they score first.


TEAM OF DESTINY?
In a surprising turn of events in the ACC during the last two weeks, Boston College has emerged as a clear contender, if not a favorite, to challenge for the ACC Championship. While BC may still have it's doubters, it is nice to know that the Eagles control their own fate heading into the last two weeks of the season.