With the win, the Eagles (6-6, 3-5 ACC) clinched bowl eligibility for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Boston College’s strong defense held the Panthers to just 229 yards of total offense, while the offense was led by running back Pat Garwo III, who rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown.

The Eagles’ defense was once again the star of the show. They forced five Pitt turnovers, including two interceptions from safety Kamari Talley. Linebacker Bryce Steele also had a strong performance with eight tackles and a sack.

“Our defense has been playing with a lot of heart and determination all season,” said head coach Jeff Hafley. “They came up big for us today and gave us the opportunity to win.”

The Eagles’ offense struggled to get going early in the game, but Garwo’s touchdown run in the second quarter gave them a 7-0 lead. Pittsburgh tied the game with a field goal in the third quarter, but Boston College answered back with a touchdown pass from Phil Jurkovec to Ben Glines.

The Panthers attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter, but they turned the ball over twice and were forced to settle for a field goal. Garwo then sealed the win with a touchdown run late in the game.

The Eagles will now wait to find out their bowl destination. Possible options include the Military Bowl, Birmingham Bowl, or Gasparilla Bowl. Hafley is proud of his team’s accomplishments this season.

“We faced a lot of adversity this year, but our guys never gave up,” Hafley said. “We’re excited for the opportunity to play in a bowl game and finish the season strong.”