Orlando, Fla. ? Matt Ryan’s final game at Boston College made coach Jeff Jagodzinski’s first season one of the best in school history.
Ryan threw three touchdown passes, two to Rich Gunnell, and the Eagles extended the nation’s longest bowl winning streak to eight with a 24-21 victory over Michigan State in the Champs Sports Bowl on Friday.
Boston College (11-3) won 11 games for the first time since 1940.
“It was big to get to 11 wins,” Jagodzinski said. “To get to double-digit wins is hard to do in any league. These guys bought into what I was talking about, and they did everything I asked them to do to get to that point.”
It was a great start for coach Jag, but after an 8-0 start the season had potential to be even better.
The Eagles were ranked No. 2 in the country after rallying to beat Virginia Tech in October. But they ended the regular season losing three of five, including a rematch with the Hokies in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game.
With 17 fifth-year seniors playing their final game, motivation came easy. Not surprising, two seniors led the way.
Ryan completed 22 of 47 passes for 249 yards. All-America safety Jamie Silva had two interceptions, including one in the end zone, and was the game’s most valuable player.
“This shows a little bit about our team, coming back and winning this game,” Silva said.
