Seventeen years ago, Matt Ryan led the No. 2 Eagles to a thrilling comeback at No. 8 Virginia Tech in an instant classic that will retain its place in Boston College football history.

Ryan and Co. almost kept company on Thursday night in Blacksburg, Virginia, but BC fell short in a 42-21 loss that was far more dramatic than the score would suggest.

The Hokies led 28-0 at halftime, then the Eagles (4-3, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) ripped off 21 points in the third quarter and quickly cut the game to 28-21 in the fourth quarter. Boston College scored three touchdowns in 5 minutes, 53 seconds, taking advantage of two Virginia Tech turnovers and seizing momentum in stunning fashion.

BC had a chance to tie the score, but the Hokies (4-3, 2-1 ACC) made a crucial stop on fourth-and-1 and ripped off 14 unanswered points to seal the win. Boston College showed moments of brilliance, but crucial mistakes ruined what could have been a night for the ages.

It was a dismal first half for the Eagles.

Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones started the first half with an 11-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter. BC quarterback Thomas Castellanos fumbled on the ensuing drive at the BC 34, and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Logan Taylor gave the Hokies the ball at the 19. Moments later, the Drones added a 1-yard score to make the first-ever score 14: 0 to bring quarter.

The Eagles showed flashes early in the second period, but that momentum disappeared when Castellanos again fumbled a handoff to Kye Robichaux. This happened at the Virginia Tech 6, and what could have been a one-score game instead ended in a loss as Bhayshul Tuten broke free for an 83-yard score.

It was Castellanos’ third fumble and fifth turnover in the last three quarters. Tuten (18 carries, 266 yards, three touchdowns; 1 receiving touchdown), who transferred his commitment from Boston College to Virginia Tech in January 2023, benefited from this in one fell swoop.

Kam Arnold forced a Virginia Tech fumble, but the Eagles continued to implode. Castellanos faked a pitch to Turbo Richard and then threw it behind Richard, who was able to fall on it. BC moved into Virginia Tech territory late in the quarter, but a sack by Antwaun Powell-Ryland led to a punt.

That paved the way for a 20-yard touchdown pass from Drones to Tuten with 11 seconds left – a fitting end to a disastrous half for Boston College. The Hokies managed 332 yards, an average of 11.1 yards per rush, and the Drones had just one incompletion.

BC had the advantage in times of possession, but poor execution in key moments gave the Hokies a 28-0 lead at halftime.

But as mixed as the Eagles have been over the last four weeks, they have had sizzling jumps in every game. Thursday was no exception as BC showed signs of life to start the third game and make it a game.

After a Hokies punt, Castellanos connected with Treshaun Ward for a 25-yard strike to put Boston College on the field. Pressure from Donovan Ezeiruaku forced a poor throw from the Drones and Cameron Martinez intercepted the pass at the BC 30.

Castellanos then found tight end Jeremiah Franklin for an 11-yard touchdown that made it 28-14 with 6:07 left in the third.

Ezeiruaku then forced a fumble, and Martinez recovered to set up a 5-yard TD rush from Robichaux. Martinez, ever-present in the third quarter, added another sack late in the third quarter to force a VT punt.

This way the Eagles were back in the game and had a chance to equalize or take the lead.

They had a chance, but the Hokies’ stop at midfield paved the way for a 6-yard TD from Tuten with 11:02 left to make the Hokies’ score 35-21. A high snap on a field goal attempt gave the ball back to Virginia Tech, leading to a 61-yard TD rush by Tuten that put the game out of reach.

Trevor Hass can be reached at [email protected].