BC Bowls Over Syracuse; Extends Win Streak to Five Games

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Thomas Castellanos’ seven-yard rushing touchdown with 2:23 left propelled Boston College to a 17-10 win over Syracuse on Friday night at the JMA Wireless Dome.

The victory extended Boston College’s win streak to five games – the longest such streak for the program since the 2010 season – and moved the Eagles to Bowl Eligibility at 6-3 overall (3-2 ACC).

Castellanos was 20-of-37 for 165 yards and a touchdown, while rushing 22 times for 87 yards and a score. Kye Robichaux rushed 23 times for 70 yards, while Andre Hines carried the ball five times for 32 yards.

Dino Tomlin made five catches for 41 yards, Lewis Bond grabbed four passes for 48 yards, and Jaden Willams had three receptions for 10 yards.

BC’s defense helped to set up its first score, as a CJ Clinkscales interception of Syracuse quarterback Carlos DelRio-Wilson put the Eagles at the 50-yard line. The offense drove it into the red zone – to the ‘Cuse eight-yard line – but could not punch it in. Liam Connor drilled the 24-yard field goal, making it 3-0 with 4:55 left in the first.

Syracuse would counter, taking a 7-3 near the end of the first quarter, as DelRio-Wilson found the end zone on a 27-yard rush with :33 ticks left in the period.

The Eagles took a 10-7 lead into the halftime break, after redshirt sophomore Owen McGowan hauled in a two-yard pass from Castellanos for his first career touchdown with :48 seconds to play in the half. The score capped an 18-play, 80-yard drive that chewed up almost 8:00 on the clock.

After a scoreless third quarter, Syracuse used a 36-yard field goal to start the fourth to tie it at 10-10 with 14:18 left. A helmet-first hit by Cuse’s Justin Barron on Robichaux forced a turnover with 12:27 to play, giving the Orange the ball at the Eagles’ 41. But Elijah Jones stripped and stole the ball from Umari Hatcher – his second game with at least two interceptions this season.

After the Castellanos go-ahead touchdown, BC’s Cole Batson notched his first collegiate interception, picking off SU’s DelRio-Wilson with 2:13 left, sealing the win as the Eagles went into victory formation.

Vinny DePalma led BC with 10 tackles (five solo), while Kam Arnold and John Pupel each logged six stops (four solo). The Eagles registered four interceptions on the night – two from Jones and one each from Clinkscales and Batson. It was the first four-interception game for BC since Nov. 25, 2011, when the Eagles had four picks in a 24-17 win at Miami.

Boston College returns home on Saturday, Nov. 11 when it hosts Virginia Tech at noon at Alumni Stadium. The game will air live nationally on ACC Network, and will stream live on WatchESPN (link).