Thomas Castellanos Rallies Boston College Eagles In 4th Quarter, Eagles Lose 24-27 In OT
By Tiffany Williams –
Saturday was a beautiful day for football in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts as the Boston College Eagles hosted Northern Illinois University for their 2023 season opener at Alumni Stadium. It was also the kickoff of the 125th season of football at Boston College.
Despite losing 27-24, Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos finished 13-for-28 for 138 yards and two touchdown passes. He also rushed nine times for 67 yards and a touchdown.
Northern Illinois first scoring drive was eight plays, 60 yards and then with 2:44 remaining on the clock in the first quarter Justin Lynch connected with Antario Brown to get a touchdown. The point after attempt by Jake Seibert was good to put Northern Illinois out front 7-0.
Northern Illinois second scoring drive of the game was nine plays, 75 yards and then Antario Brown picked up his first rushing touchdown of the season with 10:33 on the clock in the third quarter. The point after attempt by Jake Seibert was good to put Northern Illinois out front 14-0.
The Eagles first scoring drive started with a fumble recovery by Khris Banks at the NIU 25. After five plays and 25 yards, and with 4:58 on the clock in the third quarter, Thomas Castellanos passed up the middle to connect with Lewis Bond to get a passing touchdown for the Eagles. The point after attempt was good and the Eagles were in this game with Northern Illinois leading 7-14. For Thomas Castellanos, the sophomore transfer UCF who entered the game at the start of BC’s third offensive series, this was his first collegiate touchdown pass and first of the season for Boston College.
Northern Illinois third scoring drive was 12 plays 55 yards and then Brock Lampe rushed up the middle for a touchdown. The point after attempt by Jake Seibert was good to put Northern Illinois out front 7-21.
Eagles second scoring drive of the game was ten plays and 59 yards, and Thomas Castellanos scrambled to the right to get the touchdown with just 5:59 on the clock. The point after attempt by Liam Connor was good to make it a 21-14 game.
Eagles third scoring drive was six plays, 83 yards and Thomas Castellanos, passed deep to the right to connect with Jaden Williams and get the touchdown. The point after attempt by Liam Connor was good to make it a 21-21 tie game.
In overtime, Eagles first scoring drive was four plays, four yards and then Liam Connor’s field goal attempt from 39 yards was good for the Eagles to take the lead 24-21. But then Northern Illinois after four plays and 25 yards had a rushing touchdown to win the game 24-27.
The Eagles were down 0-14 going into the second half. But rallied to tie the game in the second half to tie the game 21-22 and took a 24-21 lead in overtime.
Ryan O’Keefe, a UCF transfer, made his Boston College debut Saturday and the wide receiver was targeted five times and hauled in five catches for 38 yards including a 22-yard strike during the Eagles’ late fourth quarter drive that tied the game at 21-21.
Linebacker Vinny DePalma recorded a team-high 12 tackles, matching his career-high set last season at Notre Dame. He has five career games with double-digit tackles.
Next up for the Eagles is the Holy Cross Crusaders on Saturday, September 9 at Alumni Stadium.
