IN THE NICK OF TIME: With Seconds to Spare Ryan Leads Boston College to Victory, Makes Heisman Statement

2 minutes and 11 seconds.

That’s all that separated Boston College from becoming yet another No. 2 ranked team to lose. For over 57 minutes Virginia Tech outplayed the Eagles and was on the verge of their biggest win of the season.

That’s when Matt Ryan began to play like a Heisman caliber quarterback. From the 16-yard line, Boston College WR Rich Gunnell hauled in a touchdown loft to cap a 91-yard drive, and the Eagles’ first score. Boston College then trailed by only three, and after recovering an onside kick at their own 34, the Eagles went to work again.

Ryan who looked off until late in the fourth completed some nifty passes in the face of heavy Hokie pressure, moving the ball downfield. And, when only eleven ticks remained on the clock, Ryan danced out of trouble and, rolling to his left, he rocketed a pass high, deep and in a spot only Andre Callender could catch.

Callender pulled it in, and the Eagles rolled out of town having accomplished something Southern California, Cal and South Florida had failed to do. There’s an adage in the sporting world that goes: "it's not how you start; it's how you finish." The Eagles proved this to be true last Thursday. In a dangerous road game against a resurgent Hokie squad in a driving rain, Boston College overcame some early rust and miscues to overtake the Hokies in the final minute.

And Matt Ryan led the charge.

Somewhat overlooked in the Hesiman race, Ryan added to his résumé, going 9-for-15 on the final drive after an interception with 6:01 left in the final stanza. Perhaps more importantly though, Ryan's Eagles team is still unbeaten and still in the national title race, something Darren McFadden, Tim Tebow and Mike Hart can't boast.The loss drops Virginia Tech to 13-3 on Thursday nights, with all three losses coming to Boston College.

While the final 2 minutes and 11 seconds may have been just enough to have Ryan hoist the Hesiman trophy come December, I’m sure he'd much rather hoist a different trophy in New Orleans come January. And if his Eagles keep it up, there's a really good chance he'll get his shot.

—C. Nierman