Dominating the trenches, BC delivers signature win at Florida State in Bill O’Brien’s debut

It was just one game, but Monday night’s season opener offered a glimpse into what Boston College football is hoping to become under new head coach Bill O’Brien.

The Eagles, who entered as 16½-point underdogs, played disciplined, gritty, and polished football, powering past No. 10 Florida State, 28-13, at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla.

“Everything we did this offseason, it led up to this,” BC quarterback Thomas Castellanos said. “This is what we prepared for. It all panned out.”

Former BC stars — from Matt Ryan to Doug Flutie to Zay Flowers — expressed their overwhelming approval on social media, as BC dominated a perennial power in front of a national audience.

Two years removed from a 44-14 FSU thrashing on the same field, the teams reversed roles in this one. Boston College earned its first win over the Seminoles since 2017, and first season-opening victory over a ranked opponent since 1976.

“I’m very proud of these guys,” O’Brien said. “They were resilient tonight. To come down here against a team that, in their minds, I’m sure really had to have this win, that’s a heck of a statement for BC. But it’s just one win. It’s only one. We have to understand that.”

The Eagles pounded the hosts up front, running for 263 yards on 52 carries (5.1 average). They held the ball for just over 39 minutes of play, completely dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides, as FSU had only 21 yards rushing on 16 carries.

BC (1-0, 1-0 ACC) took control from the opening whistle, racking up 102 yards compared to just 4 for Florida State and possessing the ball for all but 51 seconds of the first quarter. The Eagles leaned on their veteran offensive line to total 69 rushing yards, while the Seminoles (0-2, 0-2 ACC) didn’t record a single yard on the ground.

Castellanos (10 for 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, accelerating from 4 yards out and diving headfirst into the end zone.

O’Brien raved about Castellanos’ growth as a decision-maker and passer all offseason, and it was easy to see why. Castellanos’ creativity and O’Brien’s discipline have a chance to form a dangerous combination.

The BC defense forced another 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 right sideline. Moments later, he found Ward for a 13-yard TD strike to put the Eagles ahead, 14-0, with 9:58 left in the half.

“In the back of our heads, it’s always nice to get a little revenge game for one of your teammates,” running back Kye Robichaux said.

Khari Johnson (4 tackles) and the BC defense came up with yet another three-and-out. At one point, Boston College had 174 yards to 8 for Florida State. The Seminoles didn’t record a first down until the 6:13 mark in the second quarter.

Once FSU briefly found its footing, Boston College standout Donovan Ezeiruaku (4 tackles, 2 sacks) registered a key sack, and Kam Arnold broke up a pass in the end zone to hold the Seminoles to a field goal. Ryan Fitzgerald connected from 31 yards to slice the deficit to 14-3 with 5:05 remaining.

The Seminoles had a chance to make a sizable dent, but quarterback DJ Uiagalelei missed multiple wide-open receivers. FSU had to settle for another field goal, this one from 24 yards with 25 seconds left, and the Eagles took a 14-6 lead into halftime.

Boston College possessed the ball for more than 21 minutes, held the Seminoles to 10 rushing yards, and finished the first half 6 of 9 on third down — and yet FSU trailed by just one score at the break.

BC didn’t commit a penalty all half, after racking up a program-record 18 in a near-upset over Florida State last year. The Eagles outplayed the Seminoles in many facets in that one, but the penalties loomed large, depriving them of a program-shifting win.

“We have to be a disciplined football team,” O’Brien said. “We have to be a team that plays with poise, a resilient team. I have a very strong belief that that helps you win football games.”

BC quickly snatched momentum back in the second half. FSU elected to go for it on fourth and 5 from its own 47, and Max Tucker intercepted a floating Uiagalelei pass and ran it back 58 yards. Two plays later, Castellanos hit Robichaux (19 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD) for a 4-yard score to extend the margin to 21-6 with 11:58 left in the third.

Kentron Poitier hauled in a 29-yard score for FSU, then Robichaux scored again — this time on the ground from 2 yards out — to give BC a 15-point cushion through three quarters.

“Boston College has to be known for its offensive line,” O’Brien said. “We have a great tradition of offensive linemen here, and hopefully these guys can keep that going. They started off on a good note tonight.”

The Seminoles never posed any sort of threat in the final frame, and BC salted the game away in the fourth to cement a signature road triumph.

“We have to be able to handle success as well as we’ve handled adversity tonight, handle it the same way,” O’Brien said. “We’re on the right track. That’s for sure.”