Andre Williams Breaks 2,000-Yard Rushing Mark as BC Defeats Maryland, 29-26

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November 24, 2013 by conteconfidential

Andre Williams surpassed the 2,000-yard rushing mark for the season and Nate Freese upheld his perfect kicking record with the game-winning 52-yard field goal as the Boston College football defeated Maryland, 29-26, Saturday.

The Eagles started the game off with a drive down the field ending with a field goal, but the first quarter would only go downhill from there. The Terrapins answered with a field goal of their own, tying the game, 3-3.  With just over three minutes left in the quarter, a bad snap to Rettig led to a BC fumble and a Maryland recovery at the BC one-yard line.  Maryland capitalized on the mistake with a touchdown to put the Terps up, 10-3, at the end of the quarter.

BC started the scoring in the second quarter, as a Maryland punt was blocked by Manuel Asprilla and recovered by the Eagles at the six-yard line. This led to a quick rushing touchdown by Williams for his first score of the game.

After a few more drives back and forth, both teams remained scoreless for the rest of the half and went to the locker rooms tied, 10-10.

The second half started off with a 70-yard drive by Maryland ending with a touchdown to once again give the Terps the lead.  BC answered later in the half with a drive down the field, dominated by Williams’ rushing, that landed the Eagles on the Maryland three-yard line.  The Eagles could not pull off the touchdown and had to settle for another Freese field goal.

Entering the fourth quarter, the Eagles still had a long way to go before they would be able to pull off the win.  Maryland started the final quarter off with a drive for a touchdown to give them a 24-13 lead.

BC answered with a 72-yard rushing touchdown by Williams to put them back within four points.  After forcing another punt, the Eagles regained possession, and Rettig threw for his longest pass of the day, finding Amidon for a 74-yard touchdown.

Andre Williams averaged 299 yards over the last three games. The senior running back is now in the running for the Heisman and is by far the favorite for the Doak Walker Award. (photo credit: Boston College Athletics) 

And this is where it gets interesting….

Just when it looked like the Eagles would go up by three, the extra point by Freese was blocked and caught by Maryland’s Anthony Nixon in their own end zone. After both teams stood still for a few seconds, Nixon took off and ran all the way down the field into the BC end zone, giving the Terps a two-point defensive conversion and tying the game, 26-26.

Luckily, the BC defense came through on Maryland’s next drive, forcing another punt. The Eagles started their drive on their 20-yard line, and then a few short rushing plays got them to the 27-yard line.

After a BC timeout with 44 seconds left, Williams ran for 36 yards to put the Eagles within field goal range. Myles Willis got BC a couple of yards closer before Freese took the field to attempt the 52-yard game winning kick with two seconds left.

As time expired, Freese’s kick went wide to the left, and it looked as though the game would head into overtime.  But Maryland head coach Randy Edsall had called a timeout before the kick in an attempt to ice the kicker.

This gave Freese another attempt, and this time he did not miss. With the field goal, the Eagles went up 29-26 and pulled off their seventh win of the season, practically ensuring them a trip to a bowl game.

Quick Hits:

BC is now 7-4 (4-3 ACC). The Eagles’ win over Maryland is their first ACC road win since Nov. 12, 2011, when they beat Miami, 24-17.

Williams ran for 263 yards and two touchdowns. This was his third straight 200-plus yard game. Williams also became only the 16th running back in FBS history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season.

Rettig went 6-14 on passing attempts and ended the game with 120 yards. He threw one touchdown and one interception.

Amidon made two receptions for 83 yards.

This marked the last home ACC game for Maryland, as the Terps will be moving into the Big Ten next season.

By Julia Burkett