On Saturday, The Boston College Eagles (3-1) defeated the Michigan State Spartans (3-1) 23-19 in the Annual Red Bandanna game. Despite the rainy weather, the Eagles’ offense shined thanks to strong performances by Thomas Castellanos, Lewis Bond, and Treshaun Ward.
At kickoff, the temperature stood a chilly 55 degrees as a steady rain pelted Alumni Stadium. Despite these dreary conditions, the Boston College student section teemed with excitement. The Red Bandana Game always brings the most out of the Eagles’ fanbase, but something felt slightly different this year. The Eagles have started this season on a hot streak, wiping the floor with Florida State, the Reigning ACC champions, and valiantly battling No.7 University of Missouri. Now facing a formidable Big 10 opponent, the Eagles hoped to ride this wave of success behind their explosive offense headed by junior quarterback Thomas Castellanos.
Despite the hype surrounding the contest, the Eagles looked sluggish to start. The Eagles’ offensive line struggled to hold the pocket against Michigan State’s powerful pass rush. The Eagles went three and out to start as Michigan State graduate senior Quindarius Dunagan stuffed Castellanos behind the line of scrimmage.
Michigan State struck first, drilling a 41-yard field goal. The Eagles, hoping to retaliate, moved the ball downfield behind the powerful rushing of Treshaun Ward. However, with rain still pouring down, Ward struggled to maintain his grip and fumbled at the 12-yard line, handing possession to Michigan State.
The Eagles would not strike until the next quarter. After their early turnover, the Eagles slowly warmed up Coach O’Brien’s “ground and pound” style. Running out of shotgun, the Eagles switched back and forth between Ward and Castellanos, slowly inching down the field. At the Spartans’ 11-yard-line, freshman running back Turbo Richard finished the job, cutting left of the block and punching it in for his first career touchdown as an Eagle. The Eagles special teams unit, however, fell victim to the elements. The PAT flew wide left, keeping the score at 6-3.
The Spartans quickly retaliated, as sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles rushed the ball into the endzone, giving the Spartans a 10-6 lead.
After the Chiles touchdown, the Eagles’ offense struggled to regain a rhythm the rest of the half. Despite a rejuvenating interception by redshirt freshman Carter Davis, the Spartans’ defense continued to stuff the Eagles behind the line.
Before the end of the half, the Spartans once again made it into scoring territory. Graduate student Jonathan Kim stuck a 27-yard field goal through the uprights, increasing Michigan State’s lead by three going into the locker room.
Despite a slow first half, the Eagles exited the locker room with a vengeance. Off the kickoff, Carter Davis added to an already terrific night by blowing up the returner, poking the ball free, and giving BC possession at the five-yard line. The Eagles, however, struggled to punch the ball past the goal line. The Spartans’ d-line pushed into the pocket again, sacking Castellanos back at the twenty-two-yard line. The Eagles still managed to score, as kicker Luca Lombardo drilled a 39-yarder to cut the Spartan’s lead to 13-9.
The Eagles did not have to wait long to score again. After another interception thrown into the hands of junior Amari Jackson, Treshaun Ward diced through Michigan State’s interior. On the drive’s first play, Treshaun Ward rushed the ball 41 yards to the house, giving the Eagles a 16-13 lead.
After Ward’s cinematic run, the Eagles’ defense struggled to hold the Spartans back in their territory. Michigan State again made it into scoring position, kicking another field goal to tie the game at 16-16.
Although both teams would go scoreless the rest of the third, the Eagles were on the cusp of a touchdown to start the final quarter. Castellanos led the Eagles 58 yards down the field. The Eagles, however, failed to convert. On fourth down, the Michigan State D-line sacked Castellanos, forcing a turnover on downs. The Spartans then drove the ball downfield, taking the lead with another short-field goal, making the score 19-16.
The Eagles’ offense flipped the switch with only four minutes to spare. Castellanos and Lewis Bond connected twice to get the ball to the logo. The two then sealed the deal as Castellanos heaved the ball downfield to Bond. Despite facing double coverage, Bond secured the ball and crossed the goal line to give the Eagles a 23-19 lead with 1:29 left in the game.
Chiles and the Spartans, running a two-minute drill, advanced the ball up to the Eagles’ 36-yard line. Chiles then threw a risky pass to the corner of the endzone, where sophomore Max Tucker intercepted the ball, sealing the Eagles’ third win of the season.
The win gives the Eagles a 3-1 record and their first win against a Big Ten opponent since 2019. The Eagles hope to ride this hot streak against out-of-conference opponent Western Kentucky (3-1) next Saturday at noon.
