Boston College sacked Kansas State quarterback Chad May eight times, including a four-hit effort by end Mike Mamula, who was named the game's most valuable player.
Kansas State's only score came with eight seconds left in the first quarter when Joe Gordon crashed the middle of Boston College's line and blocked a punt by Jeff Beckley.
However, Boston College answered with its own end zone patrol later in the half when Mamula applied the biggest of his hits on May for a safety with 2:37 left.
Still, a defense that featured punter Eric Hardy, Gordon, and a pair of 10-tackle performances from Chuck Marlowe and Mario Smith kept the Wildcats within striking distance until the end.
Boston College tacked on a 35-yard field goal by David Gordon with 1:18 remaining in the game to seal the win for the Eagles.