Tag: Boston College Eagles

Nov 23, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles wide receiver Reed Harris (4) celebrates his touchdown reception with quarterback Grayson James (14) during the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Ascending BC aims to stay strong against reeling Pitt

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With bowl eligibility clinched for the second straight fall, Boston College looks to end its regular season with a third win in four games Saturday against Pitt in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Last week’s 41-21 triumph over North Carolina helped the Eagles (6-5, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) continue their late-season peak, while the Panthers (7-4, 3-4) have dropped four straight following a 37-9 loss at Louisville.

Boston College’s offense has continually developed in two full weeks with Grayson James taking over under center for the departed Thomas Castellanos. That has helped the Eagles extend their season beyond the task of facing a tough, physical Pitt team this week.

“For us in our first year, to be able to qualify for a bowl, says a lot about the players and the coaching staff. Those guys did a great job,” Boston College coach Bill O’Brien said. “We got hired in February. We’re just very proud of the fact that we’re able to go to a bowl.”

James threw for 192 yards and a touchdown while also running for a score last week. The FIU transfer targeted Lewis Bond for a career-high nine catches and 81 yards, and freshman Johnathan Montague grabbed his first career touchdown.

“He’s seeing it all (in the game),” O’Brien said of James. “That’s one of the things that you see with him — the more reps you get, the more improvement you’ll see. He works very, very hard.”

At stake is the Eagles’ first seven-win regular season since 2018.

Injuries have riddled Pitt of late, resulting in a skid dating back to an Oct. 24 win over Syracuse. Redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein missed the Clemson game, a 24-20 loss, two weeks ago before being carted off with a leg injury in the first quarter against Louisville.

However, Holstein has not been ruled out moving forward.

“(The injury) is not season-ending,” coach Pat Narduzzi said. “It’s not as bad as the one that he took a week ago.”

Nate Yarnell entered into both situations, producing a 350-yard game against Clemson before throwing for 96 with a touchdown versus Louisville. In the latter contest, the Panthers were outgained 507-265 and trailed 27-0 before scoring and threw three interceptions.

Attitude and effort have not wavered despite the depleted depth chart, which has also lost veteran lineman Branson Taylor.

“We’ve been unhealthy — we’ve been unable to stay healthy, really, since the Cal game (a 17-15 win on Oct. 12),” Narduzzi said. “It’s a perfect storm (at Louisville). I felt coming out, attitude was great. I think our guys played with great effort for four quarters. Our guys never quit, never gave up.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; SMU Mustangs wide receiver Moochie Dixon (5) catches a pass as Boston College Eagles cornerback Bryquice Brown (19) defends during the first half at the Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

No. 14 SMU keeps rolling, knocks off Boston College

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kevin Jennings went 24-for-35 passing for 298 yards and three touchdowns as No. 14 SMU held off visiting Boston College 38-28 in Atlantic Coast Conference action Saturday in Dallas.

Jennings found three different receivers for touchdowns as the Mustangs (9-1, 6-0) remained unbeaten in their first ACC season. Jordan Hudson had seven catches for 99 yards and a score.

Brashard Smith rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.

In his first start since Thomas Castellanos was benched and entered the transfer portal, Grayson James completed 18 of 32 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown for Boston College (5-5, 2-4).

Kye Robichaux rushed for two touchdowns and 90 yards on 21 carries.

Boston College got back within 31-28 after Robichaux capped a 10-play drive with a 3-yard touchdown with 5:52 remaining in regulation. On its ensuing drive, though, James was sacked twice after a Jordan McDonald fourth-and-one conversion.

After the turnover on downs, Jennings found Key’Shawn Smith for a 5-yard score on fourth down to ice the game for SMU.

After Collin Rogers missed a 24-yard field goal at the end of an 11-play opening drive to the red zone, SMU forced a three-and-out and proceeded to score the first touchdown when Jennings completed a 15-yard pass to Roderick Daniels Jr. along the left side.

Boston College turned the ball over on downs on the ensuing drive before the teams combined to trade scores on each of the next four possessions, beginning with a Rogers 35-yard field goal late in the first.

James began to find his rhythm from there, as a 23-yard strike to Lewis Bond over the middle set up Robuchaux’s 2-yard touchdown run — capping a 13-play, 75-yard drive — with 9:49 left in the second.

Aided by a pass interference penalty on third down, the Mustangs responded with a 4-yard run by Brashard Smith to take a 17-7 lead.

James’ 13-yard strike to Kamari Morales with 1:03 left before halftime brought the Eagles within 17-14, but after both quarterbacks traded interceptions within a span of three plays, Rogers booted a 41-yard field goal as time expired.

The Eagles scored on an eight-play, 83-yard drive out of halftime as James reached the end zone on a 20-yard run, giving them their first lead at 21-20.

Halfway through the third, Jennings reversed the score again when he hit Hudson for a 38-yard touchdown and Brashard Smith added a 2-point conversion, completing a 1:53 drive.

After forcing another three-and-out, the Mustangs added Rogers’ 37-yard field goal with 4:02 left in the quarter to make it 31-21.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles running back Kye Robichaux (5) runs against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Boston College runs all over Syracuse to snap 3-game losing skid

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Kye Robichaux and Jordan McDonald combined for 331 rushing yards and three touchdowns as host Boston College beat Syracuse 37-31 in an Atlantic Coast Conference clash on Saturday in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

A 16-point third quarter lifted the Eagles (5-4, 2-3 ACC), who broke a three-game skid in a game of vastly contrasting styles.

Anchored by Robichaux (28 carries, 198 yards, two touchdowns) and McDonald (15 carries, 133 yards, one touchdown), Boston College logged 313 of its 378 total yards on 51 rushing attempts.

Quarterbacks Thomas Castellanos and Grayson James combined for just 65 yards through the air, but both threw touchdowns.

Kyle McCord threw for 392 of Syracuse’s 431 total yards during a 31-for-48, two-touchdown performance. Jackson Meeks (105 yards) and Oronde Gadsden II (102) were 100-yard receivers for the Orange (6-3, 3-3).

LeQuint Allen scored on a 4-yard run to finish an eight-play drive turning Syracuse’s 14-0 deficit into a 21-14 lead with 8:36 left in the third quarter. With James quarterbacking, Robichaux’s third run in a 49-second span — aided by an unnecessary roughness penalty — tied the score at 21.

The go-ahead points came on the next play from scrimmage when Donovan Ezeirauku strip-sacked McCord and knocked the ball through the end zone for the first Boston College safety since 2012.

The ensuing drive spanned 12 plays and 67 yards in 6:55, ending with McDonald bouncing to the left for a 13-yard touchdown in the final minute.

Syracuse covered 75 yards on its own 10-play drive to start the fourth, moving within 30-28 on McCord’s 12-yard pass to Darrell Gill Jr.

The Eagles ensured their lead with 6:51 remaining in regulation as James faked a handoff and found a wide-open Jeremiah Franklin for an 18-yard touchdown on fourth-and-1.

After Liam Connor missed a 29-yard field-goal attempt on Boston College’s opening drive of the game, Quintavious Hutchins recovered Allen’s fumble on the following series. The host Eagles scored first on Robichaux’s 34-yard run down the right side with 2:43 left in the first.

Two series later, the hosts doubled their lead after forcing McCord to throw an incomplete fourth-down pass. Five straight McDonald rushes set up Castellanos for his first completed pass of the game — a 9-yard touchdown to Lewis Bond.

McCord led back-to-back touchdown drives to make it 14-14 at halftime. The Ohio State transfer hit Gadsden for big bookending plays, scoring on a 17-yard pass to the right.

After the Eagles went three-and-out, McCord’s 25-yard run and a connection with Meeks helped Allen find the end zone on a 3-yard run with 2:10 left before intermission.

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) is tackled by Boston College Eagles defensive back Cameron Martinez (29) during the second quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Virginia overcomes early 14-point deficit in victory vs. BC

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A pair of fourth-quarter turnovers fueled Virginia’s 24 unanswered points en route to a 24-14 win over visiting Boston College in Atlantic Coast Conference action on Saturday at Charlottesville, Va.

Anthony Colandrea’s 30-yard touchdown pass to Malachi Fields and a Jonas Senker scoop-and-score helped the Cavaliers (4-1, 2-0) clinch their first 2-0 conference start since 2019.

Colandrea completed 15 of 26 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown to Fields, who led Virginia with 63 yards off four receptions.

The Cavaliers recorded 339 yards of total offense, including 223 in the second half.

Three Will Bettridge field goals in four drives helped Virginia begin climbing out of its 14-0 hole, with the lone exception coming after KP Price broke up a Colandrea pass to the end zone on fourth-and-2 with 3:40 left in a scoreless third quarter.

Bettridge’s 27-yarder made it 14-9 with 13:29 left, but the ensuing drive was halted when Chico Bennett Jr. intercepted a tipped Thomas Castellanos pass at midfield.

After an explosive run by Kobe Pace (19 carries, 83 yards), Colandrea dialed up a deep ball to Fields for a go-ahead touchdown and hit Andre Greene Jr. for a 2-point conversion with 10:39 left.

The visitors made it across midfield again, but a fumble turned into Senker’s 40-yard run for another touchdown with 6:03 remaining.

Boston College (4-2, 1-1) led 14-0 less than two minutes into the second quarter, as Jaedn Skeete and Kamari Morales (77 yards) each caught a touchdown pass from Castellanos.

Castellanos, who was injured last week against Western Kentucky, completed his first 11 passes before finishing 22-of-30 for 254 yards but throwing two late interceptions.

Bettridge missed a 47-yarder, but a Kendren Smith pick gave the ball back to Virginia with 3:04 left to finish out the game.

After Virginia netted just nine yards on its opening series, Castellanos got off to a 6-for-6 start while leading Boston College on a methodical touchdown drive to take a 7-0 lead.

A key 34-yard connection to Morales set up Skeete for his third catch — a 9-yard score — halfway through the opening quarter.

The visitors doubled their lead 1:52 into the second after Castellanos hit another open receiver in Morales over the middle for a 29-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

A 14-play drive spanning 8:15 allowed Virginia to score on Bettridge’s 35-yard field goal with 4:46 left before halftime.

Multiple Boston College penalties — including a targeting call on cornerback Khari Johnson — put Virginia in position to kick a 33-yard field goal entering the break.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles wide receiver Lewis Bond (11) runs the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

BC seeking rare 4-1 start against Western Kentucky

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Boston College aims to post consecutive wins for the second time this season when first-time opponent Western Kentucky visits Chestnut Hill, Mass., on Saturday in the nonconference finale for both teams.

After dropping Michigan State from the unbeaten ranks with a 23-19 win last week, the Eagles (3-1) turn their attention to the Conference USA foe and a chance for the program’s fourth 4-1 start since 2009.

“There should be no trap games for Boston College,” first-year coach Bill O’Brien said. “We only get 12 opportunities. We’ve got to make sure that we’re playing at as high a level as we can play every single week.”

While Lewis Bond caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Thomas Castellanos to win with 1:28 remaining last week, Max Tucker’s interception — the team’s fourth takeaway of the game — clinched the victory.

Moving forward, the Eagles will look to turn those opportunities into more points.

“The interceptions came at times where we had to have them,” O’Brien said. “We have to do a better job of turning those turnovers, whether it was the kickoff team or defensively, turning them into (touchdowns).”

Bond and Treshaun Ward became the first Boston College duo to log 100 receiving and 100 rushing yards in the same game since 2018.

A 14-point comeback and timely defense were keys as Western Kentucky (3-1) beat Toledo 26-21 last week. Devonte’ Mathews picked off two passes in the final two minutes as Toledo drove into the red zone. He also has a team-leading 20 tackles on the season.

The Hilltoppers’ recipe for success at Boston College will be more of the same.

“We’ve got momentum and (are) looking for a big win,” WKU coach Tyson Helton said. “We’re doing some good things, we’re rising. … It’s going to take another (defensive) performance like last week to have an opportunity to win. It’ll be a challenge, but I know our guys will be excited.”

Mathews’ heroics lifted quarterback Caden Veltkamp, who was 20-for-30 passing for 241 yards and one touchdown in his first collegiate start. Veltkamp, a redshirt freshman, also ran for two scores.

“Now that he’s got that first start under his belt, he needs to take the biggest step as far as improving,” Helton said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos (1) speaks with head coach Bill O'Brien before the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

BC hosts unbeaten Michigan State in Red Bandana Game

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Unbeaten Michigan State visits Boston College for the programs’ first meeting since 2007 on Saturday at Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Playing its annual Red Bandana Game in honor of Boston College alum and Sept. 11, 2001, hero Welles Crowther, the Eagles (2-1) look to bounce back from last weekend’s 27-21 loss at then-No. 6 Missouri — the first setback under new head coach Bill O’Brien.

“For us to be able to go out there and play a game in honor of (Crowther) is a big deal,” O’Brien said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for Boston College to show off who we are. This is who we are.”

Thomas Castellanos threw three touchdowns against the Tigers and ranks second in the Atlantic Coast Conference with nine on the season. The Eagles led 14-3 before giving up 24 unanswered points.

“We’re never going to accept losing at Boston College, but these guys fought hard,” O’Brien said. “I think if we can do a better job stopping the run, that’s going to lead to more success for us in the future.”

With last week’s 40-0 win over Prairie View A&M, Michigan State (3-0) has won three straight games under a first-year coach in Jonathan Smith for the first time since Mark Dantonio in 2007.

The Spartans have seen both Aidan Chiles and Tommy Schuster make an impact at quarterback, with the latter debuting with his new team last week — 8-of-10 passing for 97 yards — after transferring from North Dakota.

Chiles threw for 173 yards and a touchdown, following up a 363-yard performance in a 27-24 win at Maryland on Sept. 7.

“We’ve got total confidence (Schuster would) be ready to go out there,” Smith said. “It’s a long season, just like we’re dealing with injuries at different spots, he needs to be ready, and he will be.”

A new Spartan has recently been added to the injury list in offensive lineman Gavin Broscious.

“You probably won’t see him the rest of the year which is unfortunate,” Smith said. “Again, these yearly ones (hurt) because he’d been working really hard.”

Boston College has a 4-1-1 advantage in the all-time series, including a 24-21 win in the 2007 Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando. The QB matchup in that game featured Matt Ryan against Michigan State counterpart Brian Hoyer.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers linebacker Triston Newson (14) looses his helmet while tackling Boston College Eagles running back Turbo Richard (27) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

No. 6 Missouri erases 14-3 deficit, outlasts No. 24 Boston College

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Brady Cook completed 21 of 30 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown as No. 6 Missouri outlasted No. 24 Boston College 27-21 Saturday in Columbia, Mo.

Cook also rushed for a touchdown for the Tigers (3-0), who erased a 14-3 second-quarter deficit.

Blake Craig kicked four field goals for Missouri: two from 38 yards, one from 31 and one from 56. Nate Noel rushed for 121 yards and Luther Burden III caught six passes for 117 yards and a touchdown for the Tigers.

Missouri overcame eight penalties for 78 yards and outgained the Eagles (2-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) 440-295.

Thomas Castellanos completed 16 of 28 passes for 249 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions for Boston College.

The Eagles struck on the game’s opening possession to take a 7-0 lead. Aided by a drive-extending personal foul penalty on the Tigers, Boston College covered 75 yards on 14 plays. Castellanos capped the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jerand Bradley on 4th-and-4.

Craig’s first 38-yard field goal cut the Eagles’ lead to 7-3 before the visitors extended their advantage to 14-3 in the second quarter. On a broken play, Castellanos recovered an errant snap and threw a 67-yard TD pass over the Missouri defense to Reed Harris.

The Tigers responded with 14 points over the final 4:54 of the first half to take a 17-14 halftime lead.

Craig’s second 38-yarder pulled Missouri within 14-6 before Tre’Vez Johnson intercepted a pass and returned it to the Boston College 25-yard line. Cook then connected with Burden on a 19-yard touchdown pass, and Noel ran in the two-point conversion on a direct snap to tie the game 14-14.

Craig’s 56-yard field goal as the first half ended propelled the Tigers ahead.

Missouri opened the third quarter with a 75-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by Burden’s 38-yard catch and run, to increase its lead to 24-14. Cook scored on a 6-yard run.

After Craig’s 31-yard field goal with 5:58 left made it 27-14, the Eagles responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive. Castellanos connected with Kamari Morales on a 38-yard TD pass with 3:45 left.

The Tigers maintained possession for the rest of the game to run out the clock.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos (1) speaks with coach Bill O'Brien before the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

BC rides momentum of ‘statement’ win into clash vs. Duquesne

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Looking to build on a season-opening upset win, Boston College will take on visiting Duquesne in the home debut of first-year Eagles coach Bill O’Brien on Saturday.

The Eagles (1-0) will return to Chestnut Hill, Mass., following a 28-13 victory Monday at then-No. 10 Florida State, their first triumph over a top-10 team in a decade.

Despite the immediate high, O’Brien has stressed a ‘one-game-at-a-time’ mentality.

“(Winning at Florida State) was a heck of a statement for BC, but it’s just one win,” he said. … “We’re on the right track, that’s for sure.”

It was a dynamic start for dual-threat quarterback Thomas Castellanos, who threw for 106 yards and rushed for 73, accounting for three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing)

Castellanos’ 1,186 career rush yards are the most ever by a Boston College quarterback.

Like Castellanos last year, Atlantic Coast Conference Running Back of the Week and former Seminole Treshaun Ward has found a home with the Eagles. He recorded a touchdown on 138 all-purpose yards, including 77 of the team’s 263 on the ground.

Returning back Kye Robichaux, who caught a touchdown pass and ran for a score, had a team-high 85 rushing yards. Defensively, cornerback Max Tucker grabbed his first career interception to set up a Boston College score.

There were key contributions aplenty, but every game is a new chance to improve.

“Not every play was perfect, right? These guys know that,” O’Brien said. “What did we do that was good? We’ve got to keep that going. And what do we have to do to improve the things that we didn’t do well? … That’s what it’s all about every day.”

Although Duquesne (0-1) scored on consecutive first-half drives in its season opener last week, Toledo’s 446 total yards were too much to overcome en route to the Dukes’ 49-10 loss.

Preseason All-Northeast Conference quarterback Darius Perrantes completed 15 of 26 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. Perrantes, the NEC leader in passing touchdowns (21) and yards (2,324) in 2023, found Massachusetts native tight end Noah Canty for his lone score.

Duquesne coach Jerry Schmitt knows there is plenty to learn from playing FBS opponents, though limited depth admittedly can make for an uphill battle.

“Kids enjoy the opportunity,” Schmitt said. “We’ve got some guys that will compete … and there’s some guys that (struggled) to keep up. … You fight through challenges when you play these games, but you use it to develop yourself.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 28, 2023; Boston, MA, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs wide receiver Roderick Daniels Jr. (13) runs the ball against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Thomas Castellanos’ fourth-quarter TDs lead BC past SMU in Fenway Bowl

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BOSTON — Thomas Castellanos rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns as Boston College rallied past SMU 23-14 Thursday in the Fenway Bowl at Fenway Park.

Castellanos ran for 156 yards on 21 carries and logged 96 of his 102 passing yards in the second half to lead the Eagles (7-6), who lost their last three regular-season games.

The bowl win was BC’s first since 2016.

Castellanos’ rushing touchdowns came from 15 and 14 yards and enabled Boston College to overcome a 14-10 deficit.

BC’s Kye Robichaux also rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown.

SMU (11-3), which had a nine-game winning streak snapped, was shut out 13-0 in the second half and gained just three first downs in the fourth quarter.

SMU’s Kevin Jennings was 24-of-48 for 191 passing yards and a score. He added 51 yards on the ground.

Castellanos ran in the go-ahead score with 12:22 left after hitting freshman Jaedn Skeete twice during the eight-play, 72-yard drive, including a 32-yarder to set up the chance in the red zone.

After John Pupel broke up Jennings’ fourth-down pass, the Eagles needed just three plays to convert again, taking a 23-14 lead following a missed Liam Connor PAT. Robichaux ripped off consecutive runs before Castellanos found the right edge for the insurance score.

SMU crossed midfield on its opening series before a turnover — Neto Okpala recovering Jennings’ fumble — allowed Boston College to score first on Connor’s 45-yard field goal through steady rain and wind with 6:21 left in the first quarter.

Castellanos moved the chains with his feet on each of the Eagles’ first two drives, but a penalty on fourth down forced Connor to attempt 45-yarder. A miss wide kept the 3-0 score.

The Mustangs took a 7-3 lead on LJ Johnson Jr.’s 1-yard run with 9:14 left before halftime. Jennings extended the 15-play, 78-yard drive on 4th-and-4, finding Jake Bailey for a 5-yard completion along the sideline.

After Castellanos racked up 48 yards on five consecutive rushes, Robichaux scored a 6-yard run up the middle four plays later to lift the Eagles with 3:07 in the half.

SMU led 14-10 at the break as Jennings hit Knighton for a 6-yard pass to the right after eluding two tackles ahead of an earlier completion to Adam Moore.

With Boston College driving deep into opposing territory to start the third quarter, Alexander Kilgore intercepted Castellanos’ underthrown pass. However, SMU was scoreless in the period after KP Price blocked Collin Rogers’ 45-yard field goal to end a separate 15-play, 60-yard drive.

–By Josh Kummins, Field Level Media