Boston College fans gave senior linebacker Mark Herzlich a standing ovation as he took the field for the first time since sitting out last year while battling bone cancer.

Herzlich and his teammates gave the crowd plenty of reasons to cheer the rest of the day, as the Eagles defeated Weber State 38-20 in Saturday's season opener at Alumni Stadium.

BC quarterback Dave Shinskie completed 10 of 20 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns - a 6-yarder to Chris Pantale and a 18-yarder to Ifeanyi Momah - in the first half.

Running back Montel Harris scored on a 4-yard run in the second quarter. Harris, a Doak Walker Award nominee, finished the game with 18 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown.

Eagles backup quarterback Mike Marscovetra hit Sterlin Phifer for a 22-yard score to put the Boston College up  31-10 at the half.  BC's lone score in the second half was provided by the defense, when DeLeon Gause intercepted Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown.

Surprisingly, the Wildcats outgained the Eagles in total yardage, 396-387. Weber State's first touchdown came on Higgins' 24-yard pass to Shaydon Kehano. Josh Booker added a 4-yard touchdown run in the final seconds.