BC hangs on to win Champ Sports Bowl

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Matt Ryan and Boston College had a much more enjoyable trip to Florida this time around.Ryan threw three touchdown passes, two to Rich Gunnell, and the Eagles extended the nation’s longest bowl winning streak to eight with a 24-21 victory over Michigan State in the Champs Sports Bowl on Friday.Boston College (11-3) won 11 games for the first time since 1940, but it was a season that at times had the promise of being even better.The Eagles were ranked No. 2 in the country after rallying to beat Virginia Tech in late October. But they ended the regular season losing three of five, including a rematch with the Hokies in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game in Jacksonville, and ended up in the Champs Sports Bowl.They found plenty of motivation, though, wanting to extend their impressive bowl streak and send Ryan and his fellow seniors out on a high note.Ryan finished 22-of-47 for 249 yards, but he also had an interception and a costly fumble.Gunnell had six catches for 138 yards, including TD receptions of 29 and 68 yards. Both catches came against Michigan State freshman Chris Rucker, who was playing for the first time since having three medical procedures in the last two months to correct a detached retina.BC All-America safety Jamie Silva had two interceptions and was the game’s most valuable player.The Eagles sealed the win with their fourth interception of the game. Paul Anderson picked off Brian Hoyer’s pass and returned it to the Michigan State 29 with 2:29 remaining.The Eagles ran out the clock from there.Hoyer finished with five turnovers – four interceptions and a fumble – for the Spartans (7-6).Michigan State, in its first bowl in four years, played without four academically ineligible players, including defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic, one of the best pass rushers in the Big Ten. Also ineligible were offensive lineman Abre Leggins, punt returner Terry Love and receiver-cornerback T.J. Williams.