Boston College Vs. Northwestern 2012: Eagles Run Game Falters

The Boston College Eagles fell on the road, 22-13, to the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday, and the rushing game will shoulder much of the offensive blame.

Boston College running backs managed just 37 yards on 17 carries, and the team had 25 net yards rushing on 21 carries.

A.J. Black, of SB Nation's BC Interruption, examined some of the Eagles' failures in the ground game:

The problem on offense was the rushing game. First off, it was completely ineffective and completely destroyed any offensive momentum BC started to accumulate. As Rettig moved the ball through the air, the play calling continued to call running plays that went no where, which would back BC up and force Rettig to make tougher passes to keep the chains moving. The struggles was an entire unit issue just look at the yards per carry for each player: Rolandan Finch 2.4, Tahj Kimble 2.2, Andre Williams 1.8. This unit is capable of much more, and should have been able to run the ball, but the run blocking was horrendous, and the run plays called seemed very slow to develop. Couple that with yet another Finch fumble in the red zone, and this entire aspect of the game was a complete disaster.

Finch's fumble came at an important moment in the second half. Boston College was down, 12-10, but driving and had reached 1st and goal on the Northwestern 5 with a chance to take the lead. Finch got the call and put the ball on the ground. He finished as B.C.'s leading rusher, with just 19 yards on eight carries.

The loss moves the Eagles to 1-2 on the season. They will host the Clemson Tigers Sept. 29 after a week off, as Boston College's ACC schedule begins.

Boston College Vs. Northwestern Final Score: Eagles Fall Short, 22-13

Northwestern broke into the end zone for the first time with 1:47 remaining in the game, but more than 500 yards of offense and five field goals was enough to push the Wildcats past the Boston College Eagles, 22-13, on Saturday afternoon at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL.

Chase Rettig played well for the Eagles (1-2), completing 24-of-44 passes for 290 yards and one touchdown, a 31-yard strike to Jonathan Coleman with 1:38 left in the second quarter. Alex Amidon had 117 receiving yards and Coleman finished with 81 yards for BC. The Eagles' rushing attack was kept in check, as Rolandan Finch, Tahj Kimble, Andre Williams and Rettig combined for 24 rushing yards on 21 carries. Boston College was in the game until the closing minutes prior to a 27-yard touchdown rush from Mike Trumpy.

Kain Colter passed for 145 yards on 16-of-19 passes and Trevor Siemian had 123 yards through the air for Northwestern (3-0). Trumpy rushed for 100 yards and Venric Mark had 81 yards on the ground. Demetrius Field had nine catches for 77 yards. Jeff Budzien was 5-for-5 in the kicking game, accounting for 15 points, with a long field goal of 42 yards.

Boston College now enters its bye week, but will return home to host Clemson on Sept. 29.

Boston College Vs. Northwestern Halftime Score: Wildcats Leading 12-10

The Boston College Eagles are trailing the Northwestern Wildcats 12-10 on Saturday afternoon at Ryan Field.

The Eagles are struggling in their rushing attack, to say the least. In the first half, Boston College has actually lost 3 yards on the ground, compared to a positive 102 yards for the Wildcats.

In the passing game, Chase Rettig has shown up and played very well, completing 11-of-16 for 143 yards including a touchdown. Johnathan Coleman has been the targeted receiver more often than not and he's responded with four receptions and 68 yards.

Coleman was also on the receiving end of the lone Eagles' touchdown, a 31-yard hookup.

Trevor Siemian has been carving up the Boston College defense to the tune of 123 yards on 14-of-20 passing. Venric Mark has been leading the way for the backs, amassing 59 yards on 14 carries.

Northwestern hasn't been able to find the end zone thus far, with its only scoring coming in the form of four Jeff Budzien field goals.

For more on the Boston College Eagles, please be sure to check out our blog BC Interruption, our College Football Hub and SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

Boston College Vs. Northwestern 2012: Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread And More

The Boston College Eagles travel to Evanston, Ill. to face the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles come into the game with a 1-1 record, while the Wildcats are 2-0.

B.C. is looking to continue their winning ways after a 34-3 victory over Maine a week ago. The running back position has been in flux so far this season, with Rolandan Finch or Andre Williams in the top spot on the depth chart this week.

Northwestern scheduled three major-conference teams to start the season, and has already defeated Syracuse and Vanderbilt. The Wildcats won a thrilling 42-41 contest over the Orange in Week 1, and followed it up with a 23-13 defensive effort to beat the Commodores.

These two teams played in 2011, with Northwestern winning, 24-17, despite a big passing day from the Eagles.

Game time, TV channel: 3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network

Point spread: Northwestern favored by 3-1/2.

For news, discussion and more: For more on Eagles football, visit Boston College blog BC Interruption, plus SB Nation Boston. For more on Wildcats football, visit Northwestern blog Sippin’ On Purple, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Chicago

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Boston College Vs. Northwestern: Eagles Look To Keep Winning In Evanston

Boston College dropped its season opener to Kain Colter and Northwestern last year in Chestnut Hill, and the Eagles (1-1) are looking for revenge against the Wildcats (2-0) on Saturday at Ryan Field in Evanston. IL.