These big games certainly do have those defining moments. You know exactly what I'm talking about. These are the moments that still burn brightly in your mind months later when you recall the game. Quinton Porter provided those moments for Boston College this year against Notre Dame.
Porter has seen his name in the newspapers this season, and more often than not, people have been calling for his removal as quarterback. That is the nature of the position, and all that he has been able to do is keep showing up.
The Eagles had led for the majority of Saturday's game, only to fall behind with under four minutes remaining in the game. It seemed that BC would be denied a victory once more in heartbreaking fashion by ND.
Porter simply refused to let that happen; this was his one chance to shine in the spotlight in Alumni Stadium against ND and he made the most of the situation, leading BC to its third consecutive victory over ND and fourth win in the last five years. After the game, he commented on the importance of the game. "You come here so you can play the Notre Dames and the Miamis," he said.
His second effort on that third and six-yard scramble that ultimately set up Sandro Sciortino's game-winning field goal, along with his one-yard touchdown run were microcosms of the reckless abandon with which he played. He stayed in the pocket, despite facing pressure, and hit Grant Adams on a number of important third downs. While he threw for a modest 199 yards, he rushed for a career-high 41 yards. The low number of passing yards has more to do with the scheme within he plays. Dana Bible does not exactly allow his quarterbacks to sit in the pocket and sling it.
The junior quarterback never seemed to hesitate or think about running out of bounds, as he headed for the pylon. That's not a play a quarterback makes: A football player makes that play. He had made up his mind that he was going to score. His teammates saw that. They knew. It was almost as if he had something to prove to himself and to the 44,500 in the stands. The offense should be able to see it now in Porter's eyes. "Quinton comes into the huddle with a lot of confidence, even some arrogance," said Augie Hoffman. "He has our complete respect."
There should not be any room for criticism that he is not the right man to lead BC's offense. The Eagles' postseason hopes are still alive because of Porter, and Maine's favorite son seems to be gaining confidence as each week passes.
The question now is whether the Eagles will fall asleep at the wheel in a game following the big win against the Irish. Last year the West Virginia Mountaineers overwhelmed the Eagles 24-14 in a game that was not as close as the score indicates.
This year's post-ND opponent is the 23rd-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers. Last season the Eagles could not contain the running game of the Mountaineers, giving up over 250 yards on the ground. This year's task will be stopping the nation's leading wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who has scored 15 touchdowns and has only once been held under 100 yards receiving in a game.
BC offensive coordinator Bible may have to open his playbook and let Porter sit back in the pocket and sling it, since Derrick Knight has not been himself the past few games.
If this team didn't believe it in his eyes before, they sure as hell believe it now. People may not think that Porter has what it takes to control a game with his arm, but all he can do is keep showing up.
Be the first to comment on this article!