Kent State senior quarterback Julian Edelman pitches to junior running back Eugene Jarvis in the second half of the Flashes’ 21-0 loss to Boston College in the FirstMerit Patriot Bowl in Cleveland. Daniel Owen | Daily Kent Stater

Credit: DKS Editors

The Kent State football team lost 21-0 to Boston College tonight in the FirstMerit Patriot Bowl at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Boston College quarterback Chris Crane went 12-of-18 for 106 yards and ran for 47 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. Eagles’ running back Jeff Smith had 11 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown.

“I think they (Boston College) did a great job offensively in really changing their schemes from what Matt Ryan could do to what Crane can do and make him an effective quarterback,” Kent State football coach Doug Martin said.

Crane opened the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown run with 2:29 remaining in the first quarter. On the Eagles’ next drive, Smith scored on the option from 42 yards out with 58 seconds left in the quarter. Crane closed the scoring with a on a six-yard run with 14:49 remaining in the fourth quarter.

For the Flashes, senior quarterback Julian Edelman went 10-of-14 for 123 yards. He threw two interceptions, including one at the Eagles’ 5-yard-line late in the fourth quarter. Junior running back Eugene Jarvis ran for 51 yards on just 11 carries.

“(The Boston College defense) was very stout,” Edelman said. “Their D-line was very big. We had a little trouble picking up their twist and blitz.”

The Flashes’ next game is at 7 p.m. Sept. 6 at Iowa State. The Flashes defeated the Cyclones 23-14 last season.