After missing the past six games with a hand injury, Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec returned to action Friday night and helped the Eagles snap a four-game losing streak, upending visiting Virginia Tech 17-3.
For the game, Jurkovec completed 7 of 13 passes for 112 yards with an interception. He also rushed for 65 yards and a TD.
“It was an ugly game, and I didn’t throw the ball very well,” Jurkovec said. “I threw some ducks and some nasty passes, but all that really matters was getting the win. It felt so good to get back out there and play with the team again.”
Jurkovec missed on some early throws, including the interception, but luck was behind the Eagles on Friday. Hokies defensive back Dorian Strong intercepted the pass deep in Virginia Tech territory but fumbled the return, with Jurkovec recovering it to give the ball back to BC immediately. Jurkovec ran in the TD to finish the drive and give the Eagles a lead for good.
The win was BC’s first in ACC play and snapped a four-game losing streak in which the Eagles’ offense had averaged just 10 points per game behind backup QB Dennis Grosel.
The game marked Jurkovec’s first action since Week 2, when he left the UMass game with a broken bone in his throwing hand that was believed to be season ending. But his rehab progressed faster than expected, and doctors cleared him to resume throwing last week.
Jurkovec said there’s still pain in the throwing hand, but he said it wouldn’t be enough to keep him off the field.
“I wouldn’t say it was rushed [to return] because it was all my decision,” Jurkovec said of his earlier-than-expected return. “The coaches were real supportive of what I wanted to do. It isn’t 100 percent, and it probably won’t be 100 percent, but it’s getting better, and it feels a lot better this week than last.”
Jurkovec threw for 2,558 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first season with BC in 2020 after transferring from Notre Dame. He helped reshape the Eagles’ offensive game plan under first-year coach Jeff Hafley.
For the season, Jurkovec is 26-of-41 for 437 yards and three TDs.
BC (5-4, 1-4 ACC) hosts Georgia Tech next week with a chance to earn bowl eligibility.
