The Army Black Knights have their first win of the season, a 34-31 upset of Boston College. The Army offense pounded BC's defense on the ground with their triple-option attack, and it was Trent Steelman finding a seam for a 29-yard touchdown to seal the win with 45 seconds to play. Both teams are now 1-4, and Boston College has yet to beat an FBS opponent this year.
Boston College vs. Army 2012 results: Black Knights score in final minute for 34-31 win
The Army Black Knights have their first win of the season, and an upset over a BCS conference foe, after they beat Boston College, 34-31.
Danny Wild-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire
It appeared the Black Knights upset bid would fall short just a minute prior, when BC stopped them on fourth-and-one at the one-yard line. Army needed a touchdown to go ahead with two minutes to play, but BC cornerback Sean Sylvia stepped up on the pitch to halt Army at the one and preserve what looked like a BC win. But the Eagles offense could not run out the clock, and a poor punt gave Army one last chance with a minute left. It was far too much time for the option attack, for which the Eagles had no answer.
The game was an offensive shootout at the start, with each defense incapable of stopping the run. The first three possessions of the game resulted in touchdowns. BC fell behind early, as Army rolled right over Frank Spaziani's defense with a three-headed rushing attack. The Black Knights rushed nine straight times to open the game, finishing it off with a Steelman one-yard touchdown.
But BC responded with running back Andre Williams, who gashed the Army defense in the first half. Williams countered each of Army’s first two touchdowns with scores of his own. The touchdowns, however, came in dramatically different fashion. Williams punched it in from one yard out on BC’s first possession of the first quarter, but then went the distance for a 99-yard touchdown on their first possession of the second quarter. He burst through the first level and bounced out to the right sideline for the ninth 99-yard touchdown run in NCAA history. It was the start of 17 unanswered points from BC, and it looked like they might take control.
But the Black Knights weathered the second-quarter flurry, and continued to pound it on the ground in the second half. Three rushers finished with more than 125 yards each. Steelman, the quarterback, found running lanes but it was Larry Dixon who consistently broke off the longest runs of the day. Dixon averaged nearly 10 yards per carry, and he pulled Army even with BC on a six-yard score in the third quarter. Raymond Maples finished the game as the leading rusher, carrying it 34 times for 184 yards. Steelman added 141 yards on the ground, running an attack that racked up 516 yards total.
Box Score Hero: You could choose any one of three Army ball carriers, but quarterback Trent Steelman ran the option perfectly and finished with 141 yards and three touchdowns.
Rankings Ramifications: The game will have no impact on either poll.
But Did They Cover?: Boston College was the favorite, and they could not win straight up, let alone cover.
For More On This Game: For more on Eagles football, visit Boston College blog BC Interruption, plus SB Nation Boston.
Next Week's Schedule: Boston College will return to ACC action with a trip to No. 3 Florida State. Army hosts Kent State.
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