Hurricanes hold off Eagles

MIAMI – If this was Larry Coker’s final game at Miami, at least the Hurricanes sent him off with a victory.

Kirby Freeman threw for 181 yards and a touchdown, Javarris James’ 2-yard run in the third quarter put Miami ahead to stay, and the Hurricanes’ defense stifled No. 18 Boston College in rallying for a 17-14 win Thursday night.

The Hurricanes (6-6, 3-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) snapped a four-game losing streak and became bowl-eligible. Soon, they’ll know if they’ll actually get an invitation to the postseason – and if the embattled Coker will be coaching. A decision on his future at Miami could be announced as early as Friday, and speculation has been widespread for weeks that his six-year tenure leading the Hurricanes is about to end.

But after a season in which Miami endured the death of a senior standout, the fallout over a sideline-clearing brawl and a litany of injuries, something finally went Coker’s way.

DeJuan Tribble had three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown for Boston College (9-3, 5-3) – which saw its hopes of winning the ACC championship end. The Eagles’ loss means the winner of Saturday’s Maryland-Wake Forest game will meet Georgia Tech on Dec. 2 in the league’s title game.

Andre Callender had a 5-yard touchdown run for the Eagles, who were denied their first 10-win regular season in 66 years.

It was Boston College’s 15th straight loss in the series.