Boston College Football Starts Bill O’Brien Era With Road Win Over No. 10 Florida State
Tallahassee, Fla.— The Boston College Eagles football team (1-0, 1-0 ACC) opened the Bill O’Brien era with a 28-13 win over the No. 10 Florida State Seminoles (0-2, 0-2 ACC) at Doak Campbell Stadium on Monday night.
After a promising opening drive that resulted in a punt, the Eagles got off to a 14-0 lead, scoring on the following two possessions. The first touchdown came from a four-yard run by quarterback Thomas Castellanos and the second came from a 13-yard pass to running back Treshaun Ward. Boston College’s last two drives of the first half both resulted in three-and-outs.
The opposite happened to the Seminoles. Florida State opened its night with a hat trick of three-and-outs, but went down the field on its final two drives of the first half and scored two field goals, a 31-yarder and a 24-yarder to cut the deficit to one score heading into the break.
Florida State received the ball to start the second half. After five snaps and gaining 22 yards, the Seminoles went for it and 4th-and-5 at their own 47-yard line and quarterback DJ Uiagalelei got intercepted by Boston College defensive back Max Tucker, who returned it to the Seminoles seven-yard line.
The Eagles capitalized on the mistake and scored their third touchdown of the night on a four-yard reception by running back Kye Robichaux, one of two on the night for him. The senior also scored on a two-yard run on Boston College’s next possession.
The sole touchdown for Florida State came in the third quarter on a 29-yard reception by wide receiver Kentron Poitier.
"We won the game up front," said O'Brien after the game.
As a whole, Boston College looked impressive on both sides of the ball, but the biggest difference from last year was the lack of penalties. In total, the Eagles had one penalty for 15 yards, something O’Brien focused on during training camp.
Although a short turnaround with the Eagles home opener on Saturday, they will enter Alumni Stadium with a lot of momentum.
How it Happened:
Fourth Quarter:
- Boston College takes a knee for the final two minutes of the game. Boston College 28, Florida State 13.
- Florida State forces a turnover on downs but can't capitalize on the offensive side and punts. Boston College receives the ball at its own 41-yard line.
- The Seminoles turn the ball over on downs after an incompletion on a 4th-and-16 on Boston College's 39-yard line to start the quarter.
Third Quarter:
- The Eagles lead 28-13 at the end of the third.
- Boston College drives down the field on an eight-play, 60 yard drive and scores on a two-yard rush by running back Kye Robichaux. Boston College 28, Florida State 13.
- Florida State scores on a 29-yard touchdown pass from DJ Uiagalelei to wide receiver Kentron Poitier. The extra point attempt is good and the Seminoles are within one score. Boston College 21, Florida State 13.
- Boston College running back Treshaun Ward was down for a few moments after a carry. He got up and walked off the field on his own with the medical staff.
- Boston College scores on a four-yard touchdown catch by running back Kye Robichaux. The extra point attempt is good. Boston College 21, Florida State 6.
- DJ Uiagalelei gets picked off on a 4th-and-5 by Eagles defensive back Max Tucker, who gets down to the FSU7. The Eagles will have it first-and-goal.
- Florida State receives the ball to start the second half and the offense will start on its own 25-yard line.
2nd Quarter:
- Boston College leads 14-6 heading into the half.
- The Seminoles receive the ball after forcing a three-and-out and drive down the field. The possession results in a 24-yard field goal to cut it to a one-score game. Boston College 14, Florida State 6.
- Florida State gets on the board with a 31-yard field goal. The Seminoles couldn't capitalize on the good field positioning. Boston College 14, Florida State 3.
- The Seminoles force their first three-and-out of the night. Punter Sam Candotti shanks the punt and Florida State gets the ball at the BC 35-yard line.
- The Eagles defense forces their third three-and-out of the night. Jayden McGowan nearly fumbled on the punt return but picked it up and got a few yards out of it. Boston College will be pinned at its own ten-yard line to start the drive.
- Boston College scores on a 13-yard touchdown pass to Treshaun Ward. Ward, a running back, has caught three receptions for 61 yards in his former home and leads the receivers in both receptions and yards. Boston College 14, Florida State 0.
- The Eagles defense forces another three-and-out, the second of the night. Boston College will have the ball at its own 32-yard line.
- Boston College strikes first on a four-yard touchdown run by quarterback Thomas Castellanos. The extra point attempt is good. Boston College 7, Florida State 0.
1st Quarter:
- The quarter ends scoreless, however the Eagles are threatening. They will open the second with a 3rd-and-2 on the FSU 4. Boston College 0, Florida State 0.
- The Eagles defense forces a three-and-out on Florida State's opening drive. Boston College gets the ball back at its own 29-yard line.
- A promising opening drive for the Eagles ends in a punt as the ball went through running back Treshaun Ward's hands. The punt is a touchback and the Seminoles will start at their own 20-yard line.
Pregame:
- 7:32 p.m. ET | Florida State won the coin toss and deferred. Boston College will receive the ball.
- 6:52 p.m. ET | Logan Taylor has officially been confirmed out. Boston College will also be without DB Cameron Martinez.
- 6:40 p.m. ET | Boston College LG Logan Taylor is not dressed out for warmups and is expected to miss tonight's game. LT Jude Bowry is dressed out and participating in warmups.
- 6:26 p.m. ET | The Eagles are taking the field to warm up. Kicker Luca Lombardo has been practicing kicks from as far as the 40-yard line.
- Boston College is wearing white jerseys with gold pants and helmets.
- Florida State will be without LB Omar Graham, LB Shawn Murpht, RT Jeremiah Byers and WR Hykeem Williams, according to Rivals' Patrick Burnham.
- Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
How to Watch Boston College at Florida State:
Who: Boston College Eagles (0-0, 0-0 ACC) and Florida State Seminoles (0-1, 0-1 ACC)
When: Monday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Doak S. Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ESPN. Bob Wischusen, Louis Riddick, and Kris Budden will be on the call.
Radio: WEEI 93.7 FM.
Last Outing, Florida State: The Seminoles lost their season opener on Aug. 24 to Georgia Tech 24-21 in Dublin, Ireland. The Yellow Jackets made a 44-yard field goal as time expired.
Last Outing, Boston College: The Eagles defeated the SMU Mustangs 23-14 in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl on Dec. 28, 2023.
Last Meeting: The last meeting between the two programs was a regular-season matchup on Sept. 16, 2023. The Seminoles beat the Eagles 31-29 in the annual Red Bandanna Game.
KIM RANKIN