Rutgers loses to BC, drops to 0-2

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 12, 2026

Mason McKenzie led Boston College to a 28-21 win over Rutgers in the Eagles’ Red Bandanna Game, throwing a 78-yard touchdown pass and rushing for another score. The victory improved Boston College to 1-1, with the game also marked by a serious injury to linebacker Bodie Kahoun and critical fourth-down stops that prevented Rutgers from mounting a successful comeback.

Mason McKenzie led Boston College to a 28-21 victory over Rutgers on Friday night in the Eagles’ annual Red Bandanna Game at Boston. McKenzie threw a 78-yard touchdown pass and added a 10-yard rushing score, completing 17 of 24 passes for 244 yards, though he also had two interceptions. Boston College improved to 1-1 on the season, while Rutgers dropped to 0-2.

Rutgers started quarterback AJ Surace for the first time. Surace completed 18 of 27 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns but threw four interceptions. Despite the turnovers, he helped the Scarlet Knights rally from a 20-7 halftime deficit to make it a one-score game late in the contest.

The game was marked by moments of adversity, including a frightening injury to Boston College linebacker Bodie Kahoun. The 6-foot-2 redshirt sophomore was removed from the field by ambulance in the second quarter after leading a tackle with his head. Boston College later confirmed Kahoun had movement in all extremities and was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

After trailing by 13 points at halftime, Rutgers narrowed the gap with Surace’s 4-yard touchdown pass to KJ Duff. However, Rutgers’ offense was repeatedly stalled on crucial fourth-down attempts deep in Boston College territory, failing three times inside the Eagles’ 30-yard line.

McKenzie’s 78-yard touchdown pass to Dawson Pough with just over seven minutes remaining extended Boston College’s lead to 28-14. Rutgers answered when Duff caught a 60-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter, bringing the Scarlet Knights within seven.

The Eagles sealed the victory when linebacker Anthony Palone intercepted Surace at Boston College’s 35-yard line with less than two minutes remaining, preventing a Rutgers comeback.

The Red Bandanna Game is played annually to honor Welles Crowther, a Boston College lacrosse player who lost his life while saving others during the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center. Crowther was known for carrying a red bandanna, a symbol of heroism commemorated in this special tribute game.

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