Boston College 23-19 Michigan State (September 21, 2024) Match Report

BOSTON — With 88 seconds left, Thomas Castellanos threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Lewis Bond and Boston College grabbed a 23-19 victory over Michigan State on Saturday night, an emotional win in the Eagles' annual Red Bandanna Game.

Bond caught six passes for 102 yards, snagged the game-winning pass for BC (3-1) at the Spartans' 13-yard line, then crossed the field and strutted into the end zone – the sixth lead change of the game.

“That was my first ever winning goal,” said Bond. “So I did a lap of glory before getting in.”

Aidan Chiles led Michigan State into BC territory before being intercepted by Max Tucker in the end zone and the Eagles ran out the rest of the clock. BC students stormed the field in celebration, crowding in the pouring rain as the band played the school's fight song, “For Boston.”

BC improved to 5-6 in the game dedicated to the memory of former lacrosse player Welles Crowther, who died on September 11 while rescuing more than a dozen people from the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Crowther was known for always wearing a red bandana.

“It's a special night. The crowd, the students and a great tribute to Welles Crowther and his family,” said BC coach Bill O'Brien. “It's one of those games you have to win. You have to win to make it a really special night. So I was happy our guys were able to pull it off.”

Treshaun Ward rushed for 102 yards on 14 carries, including a 36-yard touchdown run that gave BC a 16-13 lead early in the third quarter. Jonathan Kim kicked four field goals for Michigan State, a 51-yard run to make it 16-16 in the third quarter and a 27-yard run that gave the Spartans (3-1) the lead with 4:12 left.

Castellanos, who completed 10 of 16 passes for 140 yards, led the Eagles across midfield before finding Bond for the touchdown.

Chiles completed 17 of 35 passes for 241 yards, but also threw three interceptions.

Red scarf

BC uniforms featured the iconic bandana paisley, and each player's jersey read “FOR WELLES” in place of a last name. Crowther's family received a standing ovation when the honor was bestowed between the first and second quarters.

The Red Bandanna Game tradition began in 2014 when BC beat No. 9 Southern California.

Problems in the Red Zone

Boston College reached Michigan State’s 10-yard line twice and was able to score points.

In the first quarter, the Eagles drove to the Spartans' 7 before linebacker Cal Haladay stripped the ball from Ward. In the fourth quarter, the Eagles had a fourth down and goal with the game tied 16-16, but linebacker Jordan Hall stopped Castellanos at the 2.

“I didn't want to kick a field goal there. This isn't Boston College,” O'Brien said. “If the ball is on the 1-yard line and the game is tied, we're not kicking a field goal there.”

The Spartans followed with an 18-play, 89-yard drive that lasted nearly 10 minutes before Kim gave them a 19-16 lead.

The conclusion

Boston College was ranked No. 24 for a week – its first ranking since 2018 – before suffering a 27-21 loss to Missouri, now ranked No. 7. The Eagles could return to the top 25.

Next

Michigan State: hosts No. 3 Ohio State next Saturday night.

Boston College: Hosts Western Kentucky next Saturday.

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