Boston College quarterback Dave Shinskie, a former professional baseball pitcher, proved to be a better closer than starter in Saturday's 26-13 win over Kent State.

After struggling in the first half, Shinskie came out of the locker room to throw two touchdown passes in the third quarter and put a close game out of reach.

Shinskie, who spent six seasons in the minor leagues before joining Boston College last year, completed 18 of 27 passes for 213 yards and two TDs despite a first half dominated by defense.

The Eagles settled for two short field goals by Nate Freese while the Golden Flashes got a 45-yarder from Freddy Cortez to send Boston College to the intermission clinging to a 6-3 lead.

The Eagles finally got in the end zone on their first possession of the second half, capping a 12-play, 77-yard drive on Shinskie's 24-yard touchdown pass to Bobby Swigert.

After Cortez kicked a 44-yarder to cut the deficit to 13-6, the Eagles cashed in on a special-teams miscue when they recovered a Kent State muffed a punt.

Shinskie connected with Clyde Lee III on the next play on a 31-yard scoring strike late in the third quarter.

Frrese added fourth-quarter field goals of 31 and 33 yards to seal the win and Kent State finally found the end zone on Spencer Keith's 32-yard touchdown toss to Dri Archer to cap the scoring.

Boston College running back Montel Harris was held to 80 yards on 29 carries against a staunch Kent State run defense, forcing the Eagles to turn to the air and Shinskie's arm.

Keith completed 23-of-36 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown but also threw two interceptions, compared to none for Shinskie. The Golden Flashes were held to only 3 rushing yards.