Running back Treshaun Ward takes handoff from QB Tommy Castellanos. Ward scored on a touchdown pass from Catellanos against his former team. Joe Sullivan photo
Underdogs by more than two touchdowns to #10 Florida State, Boston College flipped the script in their 2024 opening game Labor Day in Tallahassee and defeated the Seminoles by more than two touchdowns, 28-13.
It was the first game for the Eagles under new coach Bill O’Brien and the first opening game win by BC over a Top 10 team since 1976, when they defeated #7 Texas 14-13 (I was there). Last night’s victory was not close, however, or dependent on a missed field goal by the opponent. The Eagles imposed on Florida State, especially in the early part of the game.
The Seminoles didn’t make a first first down until 6:13 remained in the first half. By that time, the Eagles had scored twice to lead 14-0. In the opening quarter, Florida State had the ball for 51 seconds and ran three plays for four yards. BC had the ball for more than 14 minutes, running 21 plays for 102 yards.
The Eagles opened the second quarter with Castellanos running the ball in for the game’s first score from the four-yard line. Holding the Seminoles to a three-and-out, BC followed with a seven-play 68-yard drive that finished with a 13-yard Castellano pass to running back Treshaun Ward, who had previously played for Florida State, for a touchdown.
Florida State was able to move the ball better late in the first half, but were twice held to field goals, and BC led 14-6 at the half.
The Seminoles took the second half kickoff to their own 47 and went for it on fourth-down-and-five. Pressured by the BC rush, QB DJ Uiagelelei’s pass was intercepted by BC’s Max Tucker and returned 58 yards to the Florida State seven. Two plays later, Castellanos threw to RB Kye Robichaux for a four-yard TD and 21-6 BC lead.
After each team punted, the Seminoles succeeded in a five-play 72-yard drive, finishing with a 29-yard pass, for their only touchdown.
On BC’s subsequent possession, the Eagles took eight plays to gain 60 yards, with only one third-down play, score on a two-yard run by Robichaux, take a 28-13 lead, and put an end to the scoring.
Each team had three possessions in the final quarter and the Eagles had the ball for 11 plays and the final six minutes. After Robichaux ran for 35 yards to the FSU four with two minutes left, Castellanos kneeled three times to run out the clock and secure the win.
Last September, BC lost 41-39 to Florida State. With less then two minutes remaining in that game, it appeared that the Eagles had held FSU short on third down and could regain possession. Instead, BC was called for a facemask penalty that gave the Seminoles an automatic first down and the game. BC’s penalty was its 18th of that game, a team record.
Yesterday, the Eagles were called for one penalty. FSU had seven.
BC had 18 first downs in the game, 12 of them rushing, and gained 263 net yards rushing. FSU ran for only 21 yards. Castellanos was 10 of 16 passing for 106 yards. The Eagles ran 68 plays, compared to 58 for the Seminoles, and possessed the ball for 39 of the game’s 60 minutes.
The victory was BC’s first over Florida State since 2017. New BC coach O’Brien set the context for this win.
“It’s a very important win for BC and where we’re at,” O’Brien said, “but it’s just one game.”
Here are highlights (11:09).
It’s short week for the Eagles. They play Duquesne Saturday, 12:30 pm PT.