No. 10 Florida State falls to 0-2 after poor showing against Boston College

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TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 2: Boston College Eagles linebacker Owen McGowan (33) tackles Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Darion Williamson (21) during a college football game on September 2, 2024, on Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Bill O’Brien warned it was just one win. What a huge first win of 2024 for Boston College — and the O’Brien era.

Treshaun Ward had 138 yards of total offense, including a 13-yard touchdown pass, against his former team as Boston College beat No. 10 Florida State 28-13 on Monday night.

Ward, a Tampa native who played for Florida State from 2019-2022, had 77 yards rushing and 61 yards receiving as the Eagles (1-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) combined for 263 yards rushing.

It was a stellar debut for O’Brien, who joined the team in mid-February after Jeff Hafley left to become the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator.

“I’m so proud of these guys,” O’Brien said. “They were resilient today. To come here against a team that they really felt had to win this game, it’s a hell of a statement for BC. But it’s just one win.”

The Eagles’ drive finished with touchdowns of 71, 68 and 60 yards. BC linebacker Max Tucker also intercepted a pass from DJ Uiagalelei, and his 58-yard return set up the Eagles at the FSU goal line for another touchdown.

Florida State has won five consecutive games in the series, but this time it was underdogs on both offense and defense.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 2: A general view of the line of scrimmage between the Boston College Eagles and Florida State Seminoles during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium at Bobby Bowden Field on September 2, 2024 in Tallahassee, Florida.

The Seminoles, seen as a contender for the 12-team College Football Playoff, suffered their first defeat since 2021, dropping two games.

“I’m disgusted with how this season started,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “I didn’t prepare the team to come out and respond tonight.”

In the third quarter, Uiagalelei completed 21 of 42 passes for 272 yards and a 29-yard touchdown pass to Kentron Poitier to cut BC’s lead to 21-13.

But BC responded on the ensuing drive, driving 60 yards in 12 plays, and Kye Robichaux’s 2-yard run gave the Eagles a 28-13 lead with 1:03 left in the third quarter.

Florida State scored on just one of six plays in the second half.

Thomas Castellanos nearly broke out of Florida State in 2023, throwing for 305 yards and rushing for 95 yards, as well as passing and running for a touchdown in a 31-29 loss. While he wasn’t as effective Monday, the BC quarterback completed 10 of 16 passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns, along with 73 yards rushing and a 4-yard touchdown run.

“Everything we did in the offseason, from winter training, summer training, led up to this,” Castellanos said. “This is what we prepared for. It all worked out.”

TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 2: Boston College Eagles linebacker Owen McGowan (33) tackles Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Darion Williamson (21) during a college football game on September 2, 2024, on Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Injury Report

BC played without Logan Taylor, who started 12 games for Virginia in 2023. Taylor has 23 career starts.

Florida State played without right quarterback Jeremiah Byers and two backup linebackers, Omar Graham Jr. and Shawn Murphy, on Monday. Wide receiver Hykeem Williams missed his second straight game. No injuries were determined.

Survey Implications

Florida State will almost certainly drop out of the top 25 after two losses to open the season.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 2: Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Kentron Poitier (1) breaks the attack of Boston College Eagles defensive back Max Tucker (13) heading for a 29-yard touchdown during a college football game in September.

Takeaways

Boston College: The Eagles averaged 5.4 yards per play and converted 9 of 16 third-down opportunities to win.

Florida State: A strength coming into the season turned into a weakness as the Seminoles had just 21 yards on 16 attempts.

Next

Boston College will host Duquesne on Saturday.

Florida State has a week off and will next face Memphis on September 14th.