Boston College Shocks No. 10 Florida State, Dropping the Seminoles to 0-2

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Bill O'Brien, while tempering expectations, couldn't hide the significance of what was a monumental first victory of the 2024 season for Boston College—and a defining moment for the start of his tenure as head coach.
In an unexpected turn of events, Treshaun Ward played a pivotal role in the Eagles' 28-13 triumph over No. 10 Florida State. Ward, a native of Tampa who previously played for Florida State from 2019 to 2022, showcased his skills against his former team, amassing 138 total yards, including a crucial 13-yard touchdown reception. His performance was a key factor in Boston College’s success, contributing 77 yards on the ground and 61 yards through the air as the Eagles (1-0, 1-0 ACC) racked up 263 rushing yards overall.
This game marked a powerful debut for O'Brien, who took the helm in mid-February following Jeff Hafley’s departure to become the Green Bay Packers' defensive coordinator. O’Brien expressed his pride in his team’s resilience, emphasizing the significance of their victory on the road against a team desperate for a win. "I'm very proud of these guys," O'Brien remarked. "They were resilient tonight. To come down here against a team that really in their minds had to have this win, that's a heck of a statement for BC. But it's just one win."
Boston College’s offense was efficient and effective, engineering touchdown drives of 71, 68, and 60 yards. On the defensive side, Max Tucker’s interception of DJ Uiagalelei, followed by a 58-yard return, positioned the Eagles on Florida State’s goal line, setting up another touchdown and sealing their control over the game.
Florida State, which had dominated the series with five consecutive wins, found itself outmatched in both offense and defense. The Seminoles, who were seen as strong contenders for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, are now 0-2 for the first time since 2021—a bitter pill for head coach Mike Norvell. "Sick to how this season started," Norvell lamented. "I failed in preparing the team to be able to go out and respond tonight."
Despite Uiagalelei's efforts, including completing 21 of 42 passes for 272 yards and a 29-yard touchdown to Kentron Poitier in the third quarter, which narrowed BC’s lead to 21-13, Florida State struggled to sustain momentum. Boston College quickly answered back, with a 60-yard, 12-play drive culminating in Kye Robichaux’s 2-yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 28-13 with just over a minute left in the third quarter. Florida State’s offense sputtered, scoring on only one of six second-half drives.
Thomas Castellanos, who nearly led an upset against Florida State in 2023 with 305 passing yards and a touchdown, along with 95 rushing yards and another score in a narrow 31-29 loss, wasn’t as statistically dominant on Monday. However, he was effective, completing 10 of 16 passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns, alongside 73 rushing yards and a 4-yard touchdown run. Castellanos highlighted the importance of the team’s offseason preparation, stating, "Everything we did this offseason, from a winter workout, summer workout, it led up to this. This is what we prepared for. It all panned out."
This comprehensive performance from Boston College sets a strong tone for the season and the O’Brien era, signaling that the Eagles are a force to be reckoned with in the ACC.