McKenzie leads Boston College back to beat Pitt, 27-21

Mason McKenzie threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns, and Charlie Comella's late interception helped Boston College hold off Pittsburgh 27-21 Saturday at Alumni Stadium. The Eagles recovered from a 12-point first-quarter deficit to earn their first ACC win of the season.

Pitt had one last chance after Raion Strader intercepted McKenzie with just over two minutes remaining. The Panthers, trailing by six, took over at their own 8-yard line and moved out to the 20. Comella intercepted Corey Dailey on the next passing play, ending the threat with 1:40 left. Boston College kept the ball for the remainder of the game.

McKenzie completed 17 of 28 passes for 295 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. His two long connections with Landon Wright provided much of Boston College's second-half scoring. Wright caught a 69-yard touchdown on the Eagles' first possession after halftime, extending their lead to 21-12. A later 53-yard completion set up Evan Dickens' 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

Wright finished with two receptions for 122 yards. Dickens ran 15 times for 57 yards and a touchdown. Boston College had 398 total yards, only six more than Pitt, but converted eight of 13 third downs and held the ball for 31:38.

The afternoon had begun with almost everything going Pitt's way. On the first play from scrimmage, Dailey found Cataurus Hicks for a 75-yard touchdown. Kanye Thompson then blocked a Boston College punt, and the ball went out of the end zone for a safety. Antonio Chadha's 28-yard field goal gave the Panthers a 12-0 lead.

The Eagles started their comeback with Bo MacCormack III's 1-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. McKenzie then hit Javarius Green for an 11-yard score with 51 seconds left in the half, putting Boston College ahead 14-12. The Eagles kept the lead after Wright's long touchdown opened the third quarter.

Chadha kept Pitt close with field goals from 29 and 42 yards in the third quarter and 38 yards in the fourth. The Panthers' only touchdown, however, remained the opening-play score. They went 2-for-10 on third down, committed three turnovers and were penalized 13 times for 133 yards.

Dailey, making his first career start after Mason Heintschel's season-ending knee injury, finished 11 of 25 for 193 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Hicks caught five passes for 135 yards, and Damon Ferguson Jr. ran for 119 yards on 17 carries.

Boston College improved to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the ACC and visits Georgia Tech next Saturday. Pitt fell to 5-2 and 2-2, with a trip to Miami next.