Boston College honors Welles Crowther with 28-21 win over Rutgers Boston College defeated Rutgers 28-21 in its 2026 home opener during the 13th annual Red Bandanna Game, a tribute to BC alumnus and 9/11 hero Welles Crowther. Boston College's 2026 home opener was more than another Saturday afternoon of college football. On Friday, the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the Eagles opened their season by defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 28-21 during the 13th annual Red Bandanna Game. The event is tied to the memory of Welles Crowther, a Boston College alumnus remembered for his courage during the attacks on the World Trade Center. Players, coaches, students and fans treated the game as a living tribute, connecting football with the values of service, remembrance and community that define the annual matchup. The atmosphere inside Alumni Stadium reflected that purpose before the first snap.Senior defensive back KP Price carried a Red Bandanna flag onto the field as the Eagles emerged from the tunnel. The team wore special uniforms, and the crowd filled the stands with white clothing and red bandanas, many bearing a message of remembrance for Crowther. That visual unity gave the game a tone that was both energetic and reflective.Even as Rutgers arrived looking to start its season with a strong road result, the central focus in Chestnut Hill was honoring a BC hero and keeping his legacy visible for a new generation. Boston College created an early lead behind the running game. Running back Evan Dickens broke loose for a 19-yard touchdown run just five minutes into the contest, giving the Eagles an early advantage.He later added a second touchdown run, becoming one of the first Boston College players to score twice in the young season. Dickens finished with 80 total scrimmage yards and one rushing touchdown, giving the offense a dependable ground threat. Quarterback Mason McKenzie also made a major impact, throwing for 346 yards and two touchdowns.His 10-yard scoring pass helped extend the lead to 14-0, and his ability to move the ball through the air gave Rutgers trouble throughout the afternoon. The game took a serious turn in the second quarter when linebacker Bodie Kahoun was injured after a collision with Rutgers player Antwan Raymond. Officials paused play while medical staff attended to him, and both teams gathered near the field in a show of support.Kahoun gave spectators a thumbs up as he was transported away in an ambulance, a reassuring sign during a frightening moment. He later returned to his team after being discharged from the hospital. The stoppage briefly interrupted the flow of the game, but it also highlighted the respect and concern surrounding college football. After halftime, Boston College continued to build on its advantage while the tribute to Crowther remained central to the experience.A drone show lit up the sky in honor of Welles Crowther and the victims of 9/11, adding a solemn moment to a night that blended remembrance with the energy of a home opener. On the field, players such as defensive lineman Favor Bate encouraged the student section to keep cheering until the final seconds. The crowd responded throughout, creating a strong home-field environment that helped sustain the Eagles as Rutgers worked to stay within striking distance.Defensively, Marcus Upton delivered the biggest individual performance of his Boston College career. The defensive back finished with a career-high 10 tackles, including eight solo stops and two assists, leading the team in that category. KP Price also contributed, finishing with four tackles made up of two solo and two assisted. The Eagles balanced their emotional connection to the Red Bandanna Game with a disciplined effort on both sides of the ball.Boston College's early scoring, McKenzie's passing production, Dickens' rushing impact and Upton's tackling helped the team protect a lead and close out a 28-21 victory over the Scarlet Knights. The 13th Red Bandanna Game drew thousands of students, athletes, alumni, staff members and fans to Alumni Stadium. Many wore white and carried or waved red bandanas as a symbol of respect. For the Boston College community, the event is not simply another annual tradition.It is a chance to remember Crowther as a real-life hero, recognize the sacrifices tied to one of the most tragic days in American history and bring the campus together around a shared purpose. The win over Rutgers gave the tribute an added sense of pride, but the lasting message was bigger than the scoreboard: Boston College used its home opener to celebrate courage, remembrance and the enduring influence of Welles Crowther