BOSTON – – Backup quarterback Grayson James hit Jerand Bradley late on an eight-yard scoring pass, and Boston College rallied with two fourth-quarter touchdowns for a 21-20 victory over Western Kentucky on Saturday.

BC’s starting quarterback Thomas Castellanos was sidelined with an undisclosed injury.

James, a junior transfer from Florida International, completed 19 of 32 passes for 168 yards in a start for BC (4-1). He also ran for a score.

Western Kentucky (3-2), a 12 ½-point underdog, jumped ahead 14-0 early in the second quarter on Caden Veltkamp’s second TD pass of the game, a seven-yarder to Easton Messer, and had a lead of 20 -7 in the match. fourth quarter.

“We have to do better,” Boston College first-year coach Bill O’Brien said. “We can play better. We have to start faster. We have a chance to have a good football team, but we have to show up from the start and be ready to go.”

Donovan Ezeiruaku forced Veltkamp’s fumble on a strip sack that was recovered by lineman George Rooks at the Hilltoppers’ 20-yard line with just over six minutes to play.

James then hit Bradley near the back line of the end zone six plays later.

“We knew we had to make a big move,” Bradley said. “We knew what time it was. We knew what we had to do. Once he called (the play in the huddle), I knew it was a touchdown.

The Eagles cut the score to 20-14 on James’ 1-yard bootleg with 11.5 minutes left in the final quarter.

Veltkamp made his second career start and completed 25 of 39 passes for 232 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

“A tough one,” Hilltoppers coach Tyson Helton said. “Hats off to Boston College. They found a way to win. Proud of our boys. They kept fighting and making plays. We had to find a way to win there at the end, but we couldn’t do it.”

Castellanos stood on the field in a sweatshirt before the game and chatted with James while the backup warmed up.

James threw for 1,969 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore at FIU in 2022, but played in just three games last season.

THE TAKEAWAY

Western Kentucky: The Hilltoppers fared much better than their other matchup against a Power Four school this season, when they were defeated 63-0 by No. 5 Alabama in their opener.

Boston College: This game took some of the shine off the good start under O’Brien, but it could have been worse. The defense looked confused at times, leaving the receivers open until some big plays were made in the final quarter.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE POLL

BC could fall even further from the Top 25. The Eagles received “votes” and were 28th overall in last week’s poll.

High school revisited

James and Bradley played together in high school in Texas.

“It was great, especially going to JB,” James said. “We were able to play together in high school, so it was great to have that connection. It almost gave us flashbacks. …I think we gave each other a big hug after that.

NEXT

Western Kentucky: After a week off, WKU hosts UTEP in Conference USA on Oct. 10.

Boston College: Returns to ACC action next Saturday at Virginia.

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