Sept. 27, 1997 BC Falters in Fourth QuarterCHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Cornerbacks Artrell Hawkins and Shawn Ferguson returned interceptions for touchdowns as Cincinnati used a 24-point fourth quarter to defeat Boston College, 24-6. Cincinnati (3-1) trailed 6-3 when Hawkins picked off Matt Hasselback on the left hashmark and raced untouched for the score. Boston College (2-2) had a chance to take the lead with just under three minutes to go, moving to the Bearcats 33-yard line. But Scott Mutryn's pass over the middle to Derrick Crittenden was tipped and intercepted by safety Tinker Keck. Mutryn was in for Hasselback, who left midway through the final quarter with a hip pointer. After a 50-yard touchdown run by Chad Plummer extended Cincinnati's lead to 17-6, Ferguson picked off Mutryn and dashed 47 yards down the left sideline in the final minute for the clinching score. It is the first time Cincinnati has returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a game since October 1995 against Memphis. After a scoreless first half, Boston College took the lead 5:10 into the third quarter on John Matich's 25-yard field goal. Matich connected from 23 yards nine minutes later for a 6-0 lead. The Bearcats cut the deficit in half four minutes into the fourth quarter on a 44-yard field goal by Eric Richards. Quinton Lee, subbing for the injured Mike Cloud, gained 161 yards on 25 carries for Boston College. It was the second time an Eagles backup back has gained over 100 yards. Cloud replaced Omari Walker and gained 211 yards in a win over West Virginia. Daryl Royal led the Bearcats with a career-high 163 yards on 25 carries. Royal was forced to carry the load when fullbacks Orlando Smith and David Vitovitz left with injuries. The 3-1 start is Cincinnati's best since opening the 1985 campaign.
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