Daelan Gallagher thought he was catching passes in a halftime-style contest. He was really getting the surprise of his life.

Gallagher, an 18-year-old from Norton, Mass., walked onto the Alumni Stadium turf during the second quarter of Boston College's Saturday, Sept. 26 game against Virginia Tech. He completed a couple of passes in front of BC's student section, believing he had been picked for the Eagles' regular passing contest promotion, BC Athletics reported.

The contest was a setup. Minutes after Gallagher finished, a prerecorded message from BC head coach Bill O'Brien appeared on the stadium video board. The message announced that the Make-A-Wish Foundation was sending Gallagher to the January 2027 College Football Playoff National Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

"That's what Boston College is all about: giving back," O'Brien said after the game. "We do a lot with Team Impact and the Campus School, and I've been involved with Make-A-Wish for a long time. It's a great organization."

Gallagher's wish is one of 400 that Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island expects to grant this program year. No details about his medical condition were disclosed.

The Make-A-Wish reveal took place during a soggy afternoon in Chestnut Hill. Virginia Tech defeated BC 21-14 in a game played through a nor'easter, with rain and wind gusts reaching 40 mph, according to ESPN. The loss dropped the Eagles to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in ACC play.

BC travels to No. 22 SMU on Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for noon ET on The CW.