University sports
It can have been only one game, but Monday night's season opener offered a glimpse into the longer term of the Boston College football team under latest head coach Bill O'Brien.
The Eagles, who entered the sport as 16.5-point underdogs, played disciplined, combative and polished football and defeated No. 10 Florida State 28-13 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
“Everything we did in the offseason led to this,” said BC quarterback Thomas Castellanos. “This is what we prepared for. And it all worked out.”
Former BC stars – from Matt Ryan to Doug Flutie to Zay Flowers – took to social media to precise their overwhelming support as BC dominated in front of a national audience.
Two years after FSU lost 44-14 on the identical field, the teams switched roles this time around. Boston College earned its first win over the Seminoles since 2017 and its first season-opening victory against a higher-ranked opponent since 1976.
“I'm very proud of these guys,” O'Brien said. “They were resilient tonight. To come here and play against a team that, in their eyes, had to have this win, it's a strong statement for BC. But it's just one win. It's just one. We have to understand that.”
The Eagles put the hosts under pressure on offense, rushing for 263 yards on 52 carries (5.1 average). They held the ball for just over 39 minutes of game time and completely dominated the offensive line on either side, as FSU rushed for just 21 yards on 16 carries.
BC (1-0, 1-0 ACC) took control from the opening whistle, rushing for 102 yards in comparison with just 4 for Florida State and owning the ball for all but 51 seconds in the primary quarter. The Eagles relied on their experienced offensive line and totaled 69 rushing yards, while the Seminoles (0-2, 0-2 ACC) failed to realize a single yard rushing.
Castellanos (10 of 16 passing, 106 yards, 2 TDs; 14 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD) gave the Eagles a 7-0 lead on the opening play of the second quarter by accelerating from 4 yards out and diving headfirst into the tip zone.
O'Brien raved all offseason about Castellanos' development as a decision-maker and passer, and it was easy to see why. Castellanos' creativity and O'Brien's discipline have a probability to form a dangerous combination.
The BC defense forced one other three-and-out, then Castellanos hit former FSU running back Treshaun Ward (12 carries, 77 yards; 3 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD) for a 42-yard gain down the best sideline. Moments later, he found Ward for a 13-yard TD pass that put the Eagles up 14-0 with 9:58 left within the half.
“In the back of your mind, it’s always nice to play a little revenge game for one of your teammates,” said running back Kye Robichaux.
Khari Johnson (4 tackles) and the BC defense managed one other three-and-out. At one point, Boston College had 174 yards to eight for Florida State. The Seminoles didn't get a primary down until 6:13 into the second quarter.
When FSU briefly got going, Boston College standout Donovan Ezeiruaku (4 tackles, 2 sacks) made a key sack and Kam Arnold intercepted a pass in the long run zone, stopping the Seminoles from scoring a field goal. Ryan Fitzgerald scored from 31 yards to chop the deficit to 14-3 with 5:05 left.
The Seminoles had a probability to make an enormous difference, but quarterback DJ Uiagalelei missed several completely open receivers. FSU needed to settle for an additional field goal, this time from 24 yards with 25 seconds left, and the Eagles went into halftime with a 14-6 lead.
Boston College had the ball for greater than 21 minutes, held the Seminoles to 10 rushing yards and finished the primary half 6 of 9 third downs – and yet FSU trailed by only one point at halftime.
BC didn't commit a single penalty all half after committing a program-record 18 in a near-win over Florida State last 12 months. The Eagles outclassed the Seminoles in some ways on this game, however the penalties were so large that they missed out on a program-deciding win.
“We have to be a disciplined football team,” O'Brien said. “We have to be a team that plays with composure, a resilient team. I firmly believe that's how you win football games.”
BC quickly regained momentum within the second half. FSU decided to go for it on fourth-and-5 from its own 47, and Max Tucker intercepted a floating pass from Uiagalelei and ran it back 58 yards. Two plays later, Castellanos hit Robichaux (19 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD) for a 4-yard touchdown to increase the result in 21-6 with 11:58 left within the third quarter.
Kentron Poitier scored a 29-yard touchdown for FSU, then Robichaux scored again – this time from 2 yards out – to offer BC a 15-point lead after three quarters.
“Boston College is known for its offensive line,” O'Brien said. “We have a great tradition of offensive linemen here and hopefully these guys can continue that. They got off to a good start tonight.”
The Seminoles never posed a threat in the ultimate period and BC won the sport within the fourth period, securing a major away win.
“We have to be able to handle success the same way we handled adversity tonight, and in the same way,” O'Brien said. “We're on the right track. That's for sure.”
image credit : www.boston.com