Bill O’Brien warned it was just a win, Boston College beat Florida State 28-13

TALLAHASSEE : It was only one victory but still, Bill O’Brien was very clear. But one cannot discount the importance of this victory for Boston College in the first game of 2024, and for the O’Brien era too.

On Monday night, with help of Treshaun Ward’s 138 yards of offense and a 13-yard touchdown catch Boston College defeated No.10 Florida State 28-13.

The Eagles (1-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) tallied 263 yards rushing with Ward of Tampa, Florida, who went to Florida State from 2019-22, making a good contribution. Ward ended up with 77 rushing yards and 61 receiving yards.

Having been appointed in mid-february following jeff hafley’s resignation to take the position of the packers’ head coach, o’brien made a grand entrance.

O’Brien also stressed, “To them, I guess those victories matter. One was very pleased with these guys. They persevered through tonight. For B.C. to come down here to beat a team which they thought had no option but to win is quite a statement. It is just one victory though.

The offense had a 71 yard, 68yard and 60 yard touchdown offensive drives respectively. BC defensive back Max Tucker served a pick-six to DJ Uiagalelei to the goal line 58 yards and set up the eagles for another point on FSU’s end line.

The disappointment was that even after five series wins in a row and beating everyone, the Noles were no good at all on both offense and defense this time around.

For the first time since 2021, the Seminoles, who were touted for such positions being strong contenders for a slot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, have now gone to a dismal 0-2.

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell shared how he felt over the start performance of the season, “I was very disappointed. It was me who did not manage to get the team ready to come out and compete tonight.”

He joined, however, Ian Book threw a lot of interceptions for long distances, and in only 337 passes, Uiagalelei brought BC within striking distance of Charlotte, 21-13, with the Uijaglo completing 21 of 42 throws for 272 yards 1, 29 to Kentron Poitier for a touchdown.

Robichaux capped off a 12 play, 79 yard drive as he scampered 2 yards, raising the score to 28-13 in favor of the Eagles about 1:03 to go in the 3rd quarter. But BC answered on the next drive going 60 more yards in 12 plays.

Of the six possessions Florida State had in the second half of the game, they scored only once.

There was little more pointed out in 2023 when Thomas Castellanos almost outran Florida State, no back just merely passed the ball for a touchdown and deflected against all odds 29 on 31 in the game.

The BC quarterback finished Monday with 10 for 16 passes thrown for 106 yards and two touchdowns but was scarcely utilized. He also had a good day rushing for 73 yards with one rushing touchdown of 4 yards.

“From a winter workout, summer workout, everything we did this offseason, it was for this,” Castellanos said. That is what we were preparing for. Everything went according to plan.”