Late Touchdown Propels Eagles to 27-24 Win at Army

Read Time:2 Minute, 30 Second

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Thomas Castellanos rushed for four touchdowns – including the difference maker with 25 seconds remaining – as Boston College took home a 27-24 win at Army on Saturday at Michie Stadium.

Castellanos racked up 142 yards on 31 rushes. He became the first BC player with four touchdowns on the ground since AJ Dillon had four versus Louisville on Oct. 14, 2017. He also completed 4-of-9 passes for 73 yards and an interception.

The Eagles engineered the game-winning scoring drive with 5:24 to go, after Army had a touchdown called back due to an illegal forward pass. BC covered the 69 yards for the go-ahead score on 12 plays, covering 4:59 on the clock. The Eagles sealed the victory on a recovered fumble by John Pupel with seven seconds remaining.

Pat Garwo III rushed for 111 yards on 14 carries. Jaden Williams made one catch for 57 yards, while Joseph Griffin hauled in two passes. In total, BC’s offensive line pushed and pulled, paving the way for 299 rushing yards on the afternoon.

Castellanos got BC on the board in the first quarter, capping a five-play, 40-yard drive with a 20-yard scamper to find the end zone. It marked the first time this season that Army’s defense yielded a touchdown in the opening frame.

Army engineered its first scoring drive of the day, kicking a 22-yard field goal with 10:08 left in the opening half. The Black Knights made their first trip to the red zone but were stuffed by the Eagles’ defensive corps.

The Eagles closed out the first half with another Castellanos rushing TD, finding paydirt from four yards out with 1:24 left. BC controlled time of possession on the drive, converting twice on fourth down as part of the 17-play, 75-yard drive that chewed up 8:44 on the clock. BC led 13-3 at the break.

Army and BC traded touchdown drives on each of the first three possessions of the second half. The Black Knights scored to start the third quarter, cutting the BC lead to 13-10 before the Eagles used their stout ground attack to maintain a two-score lead. Garwo ripped off a 50-yard run – the second-longest of his career – setting up Castellanos’ third TD rush of the afternoon. The fleet-footed signal caller took it to the end zone from 10 yards out, making it 20-10.

After scoring on the next two drives, the Cadets would take their first lead of the day, 24-20, with 11:43 to go, but could not extend their lead and BC capitalized.

Vinny DePalma led BC with nine tackles (six solo), while Pupel and Jalen Cheek registered six tackles apiece. Donovan Ezieruaku made five stops.

After a bye week, Boston College returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Georgia Tech. Game time and network clearance will be announced at a later date.