From scapegoat to hero, and hero to scapegoat.
Those are the role reversals Boston College kicker Steve Aponavicius and Navy slot back Reggie Campbell dealt with in the final minutes of Saturday?s Meineke Car Care Bowl.
Boston College linebacker Jolonn Dunbar?s recovery of Campbell?s fumble with 1:32 remaining set up a game-winning 37-yard field goal by Aponavicius as time expired, giving No. 23 Boston College a 25-24 come-from-behind victory in front of 52,303 fans at Bank of America Stadium. Aponavicius? kicked provided him a chance at redemption after he missed an extra point in the first quarter.
For Navy, the loss denied the Midshipmen (9-4) their third straight bowl victory, their first win over Boston College in five chances and their first victory over a ranked opponent since 2003. It also prevented Navy from sending its 35 seniors, who won a modern-era school record 35 games, off the field with a victory in their final game.
“I?m disappointed for our football team and our seniors that I couldn?t help them a little better find a way to … come out on the right end of the score,” Navy coach Paul Johnson said. “But I?m awfully proud of the way they fought and played. We were outweighed pretty good, and I thought our guys really took the fight to them most of the game.”
Navy kept Boston College (10-4) off-balance for most of the game as Johnson emptied his playbook with hopes of neutralizing the Eagles? significant size advantage on both the offensive and defensive lines.
The Midshipmen held a 21-16 halftime lead thanks to an uncharacteristically active passing game. Quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada connected for a 31-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyree Barnes in the first quarter, followed by a 24-yard scoring strike to wideout Jason Tomlinson in the second quarter.
However, crucial penalties and its inability to move the ball offensively in the second half hurt Navy, which scored just three points before punting on four straight possessions leading up to Campbell?s fumble at the Navy 45-yard line in the fourth quarter.
Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan then completed passes to tailback Andre Callender and tight end Ryan Purvis, moving the ball 19 yards, before Aponavicius? winning kick.
“It was an elementary play that we run every day,” Campbell said. “I just fumbled the pitch. We had it but just didn?t seal the deal.”
Bowl notes
» Slot back Shun White led Navy with a career-high 116 yards.
» Navy finished with three penalties for 30 yards in the game ? two of those came at crucial times with Navy driving. First, a holding call on right tackle Andrew McGinn negated a 23-yard run by quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada. Then in the fourth quarter, offensive lineman Matt Pritchett got called for holding, nixing a six-yard run and a probable first down by White. Reggie Campbell fumbled the ball on the next play.
» Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan completed 20 of 29 passes for 242 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
