Atlanta, GA— Boston College delivered a powerful second-half performance Saturday, overcoming an early 10-point deficit to defeat Georgia Tech 49-27 behind standout rushing performances from quarterback Mason McKenzie and running back Bo MacCormack III.
McKenzie rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns while adding a passing score, and MacCormack powered his way to 155 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. Their combined production helped the Eagles overwhelm the Yellow Jackets and secure their fourth victory of the season.
Boston College improved to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, finishing with 399 rushing yards and 500 total yards of offense. Georgia Tech dropped to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in conference competition.
The Eagles’ ground attack proved difficult to contain, particularly after halftime, when Boston College scored touchdowns on its first two possessions to seize control of the game.
Georgia Tech initially appeared ready to dictate the tempo at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Quarterback Alberto Mendoza helped the Yellow Jackets race to a 10-0 advantage on their opening two drives, using both his arm and his legs to put pressure on the Boston College defense.
Mendoza connected on a 43-yard pass before scrambling for 27 yards to set up a 4-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Roche Jr. The early surge energized the home crowd and put the Eagles in an immediate hole.
Boston College responded with a determined offensive effort, gradually establishing its rushing game and working its way back into contention. The Yellow Jackets maintained a slim 13-12 lead at halftime after Aidan Birr converted a 20-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
The second half, however, belonged to the Eagles.
MacCormack gave Boston College its first lead with a 2-yard touchdown run less than three minutes after the break. McKenzie helped create the opportunity with a 40-yard run that caught the Georgia Tech defense off guard following a play-action fake.
Boston College continued to capitalize on the momentum. Cornerback Charlie Comella intercepted Mendoza on the Yellow Jackets’ next possession, returning the ball 23 yards to set up another scoring opportunity. McKenzie finished the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run, extending the Eagles’ advantage.
Comella struck again later in the second half, intercepting Mendoza for a second time and returning the ball 55 yards for a touchdown. The defensive score widened the gap and dealt another major blow to Georgia Tech’s hopes of mounting a comeback.
The Eagles continued to lean on their rushing attack, repeatedly finding openings against a Yellow Jackets defense that struggled to slow their physical style of play.
“We just kept calling the same couple of plays over and over,” McKenzie said. “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”
MacCormack’s performance was particularly significant after Boston College lost running back Evan Dickens to a knee injury in the closing minutes of its previous game against Pittsburgh. Dickens was reportedly expected to miss the remainder of the season, leaving the Eagles searching for additional production in the backfield.
The sophomore responded with the most productive rushing performance of his college career, surpassing his combined rushing output from his previous 13 games with Boston College.
MacCormack credited his teammates and emphasized the importance of maintaining the team’s established offensive identity.
“Evan is the man. He would’ve had a great day today, too,” MacCormack said. “We just knew we had to come out and run the ball the way we know how to run the ball.”
Boston College also had to overcome difficulties in the kicking game, missing a field goal and two extra-point attempts. Despite those mistakes, the Eagles’ offensive production and defensive takeaways proved more than enough to secure the victory.
For Georgia Tech, the defeat raised additional questions about the team’s direction and quarterback situation. Mendoza completed 17 of 24 passes for 186 yards before being removed late in the contest.
Sophomore Grady Adamson entered in the closing minutes and completed seven of nine passes for 73 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Brent Key declined to discuss whether a change at quarterback could be coming, instead acknowledging that the team’s struggles extend beyond one position.
“What we’re doing is not working,” Key said. “Not just at that (quarterback) position, but across the board.”
The loss marked another disappointing result for Georgia Tech, which has struggled to regain its footing after an encouraging start to the previous season. The Yellow Jackets faced growing frustration from their homecoming crowd as Boston College pulled away in the second half.
For the Eagles, the victory continued a promising turnaround. Boston College has already doubled its win total from last season, when it finished 2-10, and now sits two victories away from reaching the six-win threshold typically required for bowl eligibility.
It was also the second consecutive week that Boston College overcame a double-digit deficit. The Eagles rallied from a 12-0 hole against Pittsburgh the previous week to earn a 27-21 victory, demonstrating resilience when facing early adversity.
McKenzie acknowledged that falling behind is not the team’s preferred approach but praised the unity that helped Boston College recover.
The Eagles will look to carry that momentum into next Saturday’s road matchup against Duke, while Georgia Tech travels to Pittsburgh seeking to end its losing streak.
Boston College’s dominant ground game and opportunistic defense provided the difference in Atlanta. With McKenzie directing the offense, MacCormack emerging as a major contributor and Comella producing two game-changing interceptions, the Eagles left Bobby Dodd Stadium with an emphatic conference victory.
Up next: Boston College visits Duke next Saturday. Georgia Tech travels to Pittsburgh for a Saturday night matchup.
