Instant Analysis from Boston College’s 56-0 Win Over Duquesne
Chestnut Hill, MA — Boston College delivered a dominant performance in their home opener, defeating Duquesne 56-0 at Alumni Stadium on Saturday. This decisive victory not only moved the Eagles to 2-0 for the first time since 2021, but it also marked head coach Bill O’Brien’s first home win as the leader of the program.
The win was a showcase of power on both sides of the ball, as the Eagles posted their first shutout since 2021 and recorded their highest scoring game since a 58-point outing against Syracuse in 2019. For Boston College, this game also extended their remarkable streak of 35 consecutive wins against FCS opponents, dating back to 1978.
A Record-Setting Performance
Boston College’s offense was relentless, racking up 563 total yards, with 309 of those yards coming on the ground. Four different players rushed for over 50 yards, showing the depth and balance of the Eagles’ running attack.
Quarterback Thomas Castellanos had a standout performance, completing 9-of-10 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns—his first career game with four touchdown passes. His precision was on full display, and he connected with a range of receivers, including a 72-yard touchdown pass to Reed Harris, marking Harris’ first career touchdown.
Castellanos’ passing performance was the best by a Boston College quarterback since Emmett Morehead threw four touchdown passes against Duke in 2022, and "Tommy" only played the first half of the game. Lewis Bond also made his presence felt, snagging a 42-yard touchdown pass—his longest career reception.
"I thought Tommy did a good job today," O’Brien said after the game. "I think we ran the ball hard… But I thought we left some yards out on the field."
Treshaun Ward opened the scoring early with a three-yard touchdown run, his first rushing touchdown of the season and 22nd of his career. Ward continued to demonstrate his dual-threat ability with 138 all-purpose yards, including 61 receiving yards.
Defensive Dominance
While the offense stole the show, Boston College’s defense was equally impressive. They held Duquesne to just 227 total yards and forced two turnovers. The defense was anchored by Khari Johnson, who returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown, marking his second defensive score in two seasons.
"I thought the defense really held up. Anytime you get a shutout, I think that’s obviously very, very good," said O’Brien.
The Eagles’ defense stifled Duquesne at every turn, recording two interceptions and keeping the Dukes out of the end zone. Jalen Cheek added his first career interception to the Eagles' defensive highlight reel.
The defensive front also applied consistent pressure, with Donovan Ezeiruaku adding two sacks to his career total, which now stands at 15.5 sacks.
Student Turnout and the “Gold Out”
Saturday’s home opener marked the return of the Gold Out at Alumni Stadium, with 6,000 students in attendance donning gold in support of the Eagles. This energy provided a major boost to the team, something O’Brien was quick to acknowledge.
"To see 6,000 students at the game, that’s unbelievable," O’Brien said. "These guys feed off that energy, so they’re putting in the work, and to have the students show up like that—it means a lot."
As Boston College continues its season, O’Brien knows the importance of fan engagement and hopes to see more fans fill the stands as the season progresses, especially with the upcoming home matchup against Michigan State.
"Boston loves a winner," O’Brien stated. "We have to continue to be a team that people want to come watch. We can’t be three yards and a cloud of dust. If it takes that to win a game, then that’s what we’ll do, but we have to be a team that can make some chunk plays and do some things to get fans that want to come watch us play."
O’Brien’s Relentless Pursuit of Perfection
Despite the lopsided score, O’Brien was quick to point out areas for improvement. The Eagles committed five penalties and had some miscues with the second-team offense, which O’Brien addressed after the game.
"We had five penalties, some lazy penalties. The ball was on the ground with the second-team offense—that wasn’t great," O’Brien explained. "We have to play a cleaner game."
This mentality of constant improvement is a hallmark of O’Brien’s coaching philosophy. His focus remains on pushing both players and coaches to elevate their game each week.
"I think we can coach better, and the players can get better," he emphasized. "That’s what it’s about—how can we get better every day?"
A City of Champions
As Boston College continues its season with growing momentum, Bill O’Brien knows the importance of building a winning culture that resonates with the city and its fans. Reflecting on the pride and passion of Boston sports, O’Brien’s vision for the team extends beyond just winning games.
"Boston loves a winner, and so we have to try and understand that. Hopefully, if we can continue getting better one day at a time, maybe we'll get the students—like I said, 6,000 students, unbelievable—but maybe we could get some non-students here and fill it up for Michigan State."
The Eagles now set their sights on Missouri for their next game, but with the energy of the Gold Out and a 2-0 start, the O’Brien era is quickly becoming one of promise and potential. As the team continues to improve and adapt, Boston College looks poised to make a significant impact this season.
With a mindset focused on daily progress and a dedication to building a fan base that mirrors Boston’s love for champions, Bill O’Brien’s Eagles are well on their way to becoming a team that the city can rally behind.
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