Tigers on top

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BC captains come to midfield for opening coin toss against Missouri.

As they did against two-touchdown favorite Florida State in the season opener, Boston College took an early lead in yesterday’s game against #6 Missouri. They lost that lead yesterday, however, within a five-minute span at the end of the first half and fell short, as the Tigers hung on for a 27-21 win.

The Eagles entered the game leading the nation in pass efficiency. QB Thomas Castellanos had been 19 of 26 (73.1 percent) for 340 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions in the first two games. They’re not leading anymore.

Castellanos did pass for three touchdowns yesterday, but also threw two interceptions, one of which spurred the comeback by Missouri in the first half.

BC took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards in 14 plays to score the first touchdown. Failing to convert a third-down play at the Missouri 18, the Eagles went for it, to the consternation of many at the San Diego gamewatch. Castellanos threw to WR Jerand Bradley, a transfer from Texas Tech, for the score.

Missouri then had the ball for 11 plays, but was held to a field goal.

The Eagles finished the quarter, having possessed the ball for 10 minutes, 18 seconds. They ran 20 plays, to the Tigers’ 10.

On BC’s second possession of the second quarter, on a first-and-10 at the BC 33, the hike went through Castellanos’s legs. He turned, picked it up, and heaved it to a wide-open WR Reed Harris, who caught it on the Missouri 44 and ran it in for a 67-yard touchdown reception. Eagles up 14-3.

Following another Missouri field goal to make it 14-6, Castellanos threw the interception that was a game-turner.  On first down on the BC 15, Castellanos, according to the Boston Globe account, “lofted an ill-advised, wobbly pass down the middle of the field.” Missouri returned the interception to the BC 25. Three plays later, Tiger touchdown and a two-point conversion tied the score at 14.

The Eagles punted to the Tigers on their 16-yardline with 46 seconds remaining in the half. Missouri was able to move the ball to the BC 38 and kick a 56-yard field goal to take the lead for the first time, 17-14.

Repeating a pattern that was too familiar last season, BC’s opponent took the opening kickoff of the second half and drove for a score. The Tigers moved 75 yards in nine plays, converting three third downs in succession, to move ahead 24-14.

The Eagles had the ball for only five and a half minutes in the third quarter, running nine plays for 17 yards.

An unusual note: During Missouri’s last possession of the third quarter, on three successive plays, Tiger players were called for unsportsmanlike conduct, ineligible receiver downfield, and two personal fouls. At that point, Missouri was second down and 58 yards for a first down. They did gain 30 yards before punting.

It looked as if the final quarter would be similar. Following Castellanos’ second interception on BC’s third play, the Tigers held the ball for 14 plays and reached the BC 14. The Eagles held them to a field goal, bringing the score to 27-14.

Getting the ball with just under six minutes remaining, BC ran eight plays, each of them either a Castellanos pass or a Castellanos run. The final play was a 38-yard touchdown pass to TE Kamari Morales, a grad transfer from North Carolina.

Missouri started its drive with 3:45 to go and it seemed a chance for BC to regain possession. The Tigers converted two third downs, however, and took knees to finish the game and secure the win.

For the game, the Eagles rushed for only 49 yards on 26 attempts. Castellanos was 16 of 28 passing for 249 yards. Missouri ran for 176 yards and passed for 264 yards, a total of 440 yards. The Tigers scored only two touchdowns, compared to the Eagles’ three. Their win came from four field goals.

Highlights (10:17)

Eagles fall to 2-1, 1-0 in the ACC. They play Michigan State (3-0) in Alumni Stadium Saturday at 5 pm PT.

Blanking the Dukes

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One of several touchdown celebrations by the Eagles yesterday.

It was a game for the backups to play the second half.

Favored by 30+ points over the FCS Duquesne Dukes, the Eagles beat that spread in the first half and added to it in the second to win easily, 56-0. It was the first meeting between the teams and the victory extended the streak of BC wins over FCS opponents to 35.

The win brought the Eagles into the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2018. They’re #24.

Junior quarterback Thomas Castellanos was 9-of-10 passing for 234 yards and four touchdowns, all in the first half. He had only one run, for eight yards.

The Eagles gained 350 yards total offense in the first half, while holding the Dukes to 87 yards. BC averaged 6.4 yards per run and 26 yards per pass completion in the half, while holding Duquesne to zero-for-six on third down.

The Eagles led 42-0 at the half.

Redshirt freshman Jacobe Robinson took over as quarterback for BC through the second half and numerous backup players participated. Robinson was two-of-three passing for 23 yards and ran six times for 23 yards.

In the second half, BC ran 31 plays for 213 yards, scoring two touchdowns, while Duquesne gained 59 yards on 24 plays.

Overall, the Eagles gained 563 in offense, a net 306 yards on the ground. Duquesne gained a total of 135 yards.

Four BC backs ran for 50 yards or more in the game, topped by freshman Turbo Richard, who gained 77 yards on 15 carries.

Highlights (10:13)

 BC improves to 2-0. They play at #5 Missouri on Saturday, September 14.

Nullifyin’ the ‘Noles

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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.