Boston College 27, Army 24: Thomas Castellanos wins it with his legs
Conditions were not ideal to start the game, as a heavy rain ascending upon Michie Field in West Point, NY. Boston College, a team who has struggled to score first this season, looked to change their fortunes early as quarterback Thomas Castellanos took a scramble 20 yards to the end zone on their second drive of the game.
This was only the second time against an FBS opponent that the Eagles scored first. Jeff Hafley spoke at length about calling more conservative plays to begin the game and allowing the offense to get their footing. Results early today proved successful.
The defensive line that notable upped their play last week showed up again as they were able to stop Army on back-to-back third downs. Following an interception by Castellanos early in the second quarter, the BC defense once again stood tall -- they successfully defended in the red zone and hep Army to a field goal in the first quarter.
Castellanos and the offense then authored a 17-play scoring drive eating up almost nine minutes in time-of-possesion. The Eagles quarterback capped off the drive with a four-yard touchdown up the middle giving the Eagles a 13-3 lead late in the second quarter. On a day where conditions weren't conducive to passing, Castellanos found his footing on the ground early and often, rushing for 16 attempts for 83 yards and both scores in the first half.
Army capitalized on the great field position out of the gate of the second half with a touchdown cutting the lead to 3, at 13-10.
The two teams went on to trade scoring drives. BC responded with six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive of their own, featuring the third rushing score of the day from Castellanos. Following this, Army proved to be up for the challenge as they responded with a eight-play 69-yard scoring drive of their own; their second in as many drives.
The Army offense was held in check in the first half, registering 78 yards. The Black Knights came out strong in the third quarter though with a pair of touchdowns on 108 yards, and they continued their comeback early in the fourth quarter capping off a seven-play, 61-yard touchdown drive giving them their first lead of the game at 24-20.
Army seemed to have then taken a two-score lead late in the fourth with a seemingly perfect pitch and catch that the Black Knights took down the sideline for the score, but it was called back due to an illegal forward pass. BC got the ball back on a game-winning drive -- in need of a touchdown due to the missed extra point early on -- Castellanos and company converted on a fourth down before Kye Robichaux took it down to the goal line. After icing the clock, the Eagles found themselves at the one-yard line, and Castellanos punched it in for his fourth touchdown of the day; securing the 27-24 BC win.
The Eagles now head into their bye week with a 3-3 record and prepare for the Yellow Jackets down in Georgia on October 21st.