Boston College Fumbles Away Chance to Win, Settles for Tie

All Boston College had to do was hold on to the ball for one play, then kick a short field goal to defeat Rutgers.

But Alcides Catanho pried the ball loose from David Green at the Rutgers nine-yard line and Robert Sneathen fell on it at the 12 with 22 seconds left as Rutgers salvaged a 7-7 tie on Saturday.

“I didn’t even concentrate on making the tackle,” Catanho said. “I just went straight for the arm and tried to rip the ball out.”

For a moment, Sneathen thought about scooping it up and running. “It didn’t bounce right so I just fell on it,” he said.

It was a hard blow to the No. 22nd-ranked Eagles (3-2-1), and especially Green, who ran 26 times for 136 yards.

BC had moved from its 35 with six minutes left to a third down at the Rutgers’ nine. Green then ran to the right to try to get better position for a field goal attempt on the next play and fumbled.

Rutgers (4-3-1) ended the Eagles’ hopes for their fourth consecutive victory.