CHESTNUT HILL, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- West Virginia backup quarterback Charles Hales made the most of his big chance while Boston College reserve singnal-caller Paul Peterson wilted in the spotlight.
Making his first start, Hales completed 11-of-16 passes for 167 yards three touchdowns with no interceptions as West Virginia rallied for a 35-28 Big East victory over Boston College.
Hales got the start because Rasheed Marshall still had lingering affects of a concussion sustained against Central Florida last week.
Meanwhile, Peterson entered the game after Eagles starter Quinton Porter was struck on his throwing hand by a helmet on a late hit out of bounds on the first play from scrimmage. Porter stayed in for a few more snaps but was unable to return.
Peterson capped an 80-yard drive with a nine-yard TD pass to Sean Ryan for a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter and backup tailback Horace Dodd added a one-yard run for a 14-0 advantage less than three minutes into the second period.
But Peterson tossed a pair of second-quarter interceptions to allow the Mountaineers to take control of the game.
Chris Henry caught five passes for 132 yards and two TDs and Adam Jones scored twice for West Virginia (5-4, 3-1 Big East), which has won four straight after a 1-4 start. The Mountaineers improved to 20-10-1 all time against the Eagles in a rivalry that might end with Boston College joining the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Peterson finished 22-for-41 for 241 yards with three TDs and three interceptions. Ryan had a career-high eight receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns for Boston College (5-5, 1-4), which has lost three of its last four games after a 4-2 start.
The Eagles have lost games on consecutive weeks for the first time since the 1998 season.
Hales found Henry for a 37-yard TD pass with 7:38 left in the second quarter to put West Virginia on the board and Jones returned an interception 49 yards to tie it with 4:47 left in the first half
Hales' 32-yard scoring strike to Henry put the Mountaineers on top for good less than two minutes into the third quarter. The junior quarterback found tight end Tory Johnson with a 14-yard TD pass with 2:08 left in the period to make it 28-14.
Porter returned briefly in the third but threw another interception. Peterson tossed an 11-yard scoring pass to Ryan with 8:37 left in the fourth quarter but Jones returned the ensuing kickoff 84 yards for his second touchdown.
Peterson's eight-yard TD pass to wide receiver Grant Adams closed out the scoring with 3:15 remaining.
