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.