Boston College fell just short to Missouri 27-21 in a battle of top 25 teams.
Things got off to a perfect start for the Eagles. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos marched the team down the field for the opening score. Using his legs and extending plays, Castellanos, who went 16/28 for 249 yards and three touchdowns, gave BC a strong early lead. He opened the scoring on a pass to Jerand Bradley on fourth down. Mizzou would respond with a field goal to end the first.
Both teams struggled on their next possession, but it was BC again next to score. On a mishandled snap, Castellanos recovered and heaved it up to a wide open Reed Harris deep down the field. The Eagles were a huge beneficiary of numerous penalties from Missouri that helped extend those two drives.
But the Tigers would respond with another field goal to make it 14-6. Boston College struggled to stop Mizzou’s outside run game, but did enough to keep them out of the end zone.
Things took a turn for the Eagles shortly thereafter. With under five minutes in the half, Castellanos forced a ball deep and was picked off. Brady Cook quickly found his main man Luther Burden III to score and tied it up with a two point conversion. Before they knew it, BC was punting again and Mizzou was able to squeak in a 55 yard field goal to take the lead by halftime.
Mizzou would make it 21 answered when they started with the ball. Cook took his team down 75 yards and then took it in himself. The Eagles struggled to bring Burden down, and Mizzou consistently converted on third and fourth downs, finishing 11-19 on third.
BC’s run game struggled to get going, finishing with only 46 yards by game’s end. The Eagles defense kept the game to 10 points, continuing to benefit from so many undisciplined penalties by the Tigers offense. Early in the fourth, Castellanos was picked again similarly not putting enough air on the ball. Missouri’s next possession was over seven minutes long, but the defense limited them to another field goal.
With under six minutes to go, Castellanos and the offense began the comeback attempt. He’d find Lewis Bond for a huge third down conversion. The ever reliable Bond ended with four catches and 51 yards. Castellanos would go on to find his tight end Kamari Morales for a 38-yard score to get BC within one possession. Unfortunately, the Eagles couldn’t contain Cook or the Mizzou running backs. Cook, who had multiple clutch conversions on his own, would ice the game picking up a first down on the ground.
The Eagles will look to bounce back as they return home and welcome Michigan State for the red bandana game.