SMU Mustangs vs Boston College Eagles Match Player Stats On Dec 28, 2023

BOSTON -- Thomas Castellanos rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns as Boston College rallied past SMU 23-14 on Thursday in the Fenway Bowl at Fenway Park.

Castellanos ran for 156 yards on 21 carries and logged 96 of his 102 passing yards in the second half to lead the Eagles (7-6), who lost their last three regular-season games.

The bowl win was BC's first since 2016.

Castellanos' rushing touchdowns came from 15 and 14 yards and enabled Boston College to overcome a 14-10 deficit.

BC's Kye Robichaux also rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown.

SMU (11-3), which had a nine-game winning streak snapped, was shut out 13-0 in the second half and gained just three first downs in the fourth quarter.

SMU's Kevin Jennings was 24-of-48 for 191 passing yards and a score. He added 51 yards on the ground.

Castellanos ran in the go-ahead score with 12:22 left after hitting freshman Jaedn Skeete twice during the eight-play, 72-yard drive, including a 32-yarder to set up the chance in the red zone.

After John Pupel broke up Jennings' fourth-down pass, the Eagles needed just three plays to convert again, taking a 23-14 lead after a missed Liam Connor PAT. Robichaux ripped off consecutive runs before Castellanos found the right edge for the insurance score.

SMU crossed midfield on its opening series before a turnover -- Neto Okpala recovering Jennings' fumble -- allowed Boston College to score first on Connor's 45-yard field goal through steady rain and wind with 6:21 left in the first quarter.

Castellanos moved the chains with his feet on each of the Eagles' first two drives, but a penalty on fourth down forced Connor to attempt a 45-yarder. A miss kept the 3-0 score.

The Mustangs took a 7-3 lead on LJ Johnson Jr.'s 1-yard run with 9:14 left before halftime. Jennings extended the 15-play, 78-yard drive on fourth-and-4, finding Jake Bailey for a 5-yard completion along the sideline.

After Castellanos racked up 48 yards on five consecutive rushes, Robichaux scored a 6-yard run up the middle four plays later to lift the Eagles with 3:07 in the half.

SMU led 14-10 at the break as Jennings hit Jaylan Knighton for a 6-yard pass to the right after eluding two tackles ahead of an earlier completion to Adam Moore.

With Boston College driving deep into opposing territory to start the third quarter, Alexander Kilgore intercepted Castellanos' underthrown pass. However, SMU was scoreless in the period after KP Price blocked Collin Rogers' 45-yard field-goal attempt to end a separate 15-play, 60-yard drive.

--By Josh Kummins, Field Level Media