Boston College suffered a heartbreaking 17-14 defeat to Georgia Tech on Saturday, as the Yellow Jackets scored the game-winning touchdown with just 35 seconds left to win the game.
Zach Allen playing in BC’s season opener against Georgia Tech in Dublin. Credit: Contributed
Despite the devastating loss, Eagles fans watching the nationally-televised game played in Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium can take some solace when considering the play of BC’s defensive unit—a unit that led the nation in lowest yards allowed per-game last season.
And a unit which this season features 2014 New Canaan High School grad and former Rams star, Zach Allen.
Listed as a backup defensive end on BC’s depth chart entering Saturday’s season-opener, Allen had a significant impact while seeing substantial time on both sides of the D-line. The 6’5″, 272-lb. sophomore factored in several defensive stops for BC, tallying three unassisted tackles, two highlight-reel tackles for losses and multiple QB hurries—as the Eagles defense held Georgia Tech to just 240 yards of total offense on the day. Allen’s performance that came as no surprise to one of his former coaches who had the pleasure of watching him up close during his time at NCHS.
“He keeps getting better and better all the time,” Lou Marinelli told NewCanaanite.com. “He’s starting as a sophomore, which in and of itself is great. I think he’s going to have a tremendous career.”
After falling behind the Yellow Jackets 7-0 early, Boston College rallied to score 14 unanswered points to take a 14-7 lead early in the fourth quarter, despite missing two short field goal attempts.
Zach Allen. Credit: Boston College Athletics
Georgia Tech cut the lead to 14-10 before taking over at their own 41-yard line with 3:33 left to play. The Eagles were on the brink of victory, as two incompletions sandwiched a sack to force a fourth-and-19 at the Tech 32 with 2:30 remaining on the clock. A 22-yard completion gave the Yellow Jackets new life, and less than two minutes later they scored the game-winner on a Dedrick Mills 4-yard plunge.
Allen and his Boston College (0-1; 0-1 ACC) teammates return from Ireland to take on UMass next Saturday at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is at 12 p.m.