Sep 212 min read

Boston College Defeats Michigan State in the Red Bandanna Game

Boston College | QB Thomas Castellanos — © Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Inside a rainy, wet Alumni Stadium, quarterback Thomas Castellanos and the Boston College Eagles (3-1, 1-0) defeated the Michigan State Spartans (3-1, 1-0) 23-19 in the Red Bandanna Game on Sept. 21 in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

11th Red Bandanna Game

On the 11th anniversary of the Red Bandanna Game, Boston College and Michigan State went wire to wire in a thrilling Eagles' victory. The game gets its name in memory of former BC lacrosse player Welles Crowther. He died while rescuing more than a dozen people in the South Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. Crowther was known for carrying a red bandanna, The Associated Press reported. The Eagles are now 5-6 in these emotionally-charged games.

In the first half, the Spartans throttled the Eagles on offense. Michigan State gained 189 yards of total offense; Boston College was held to 108 total yards. At the half, Michigan State led 13-6. If it wasn’t for an Aidan Chiles interception thrown at the Boston College 36-yard line, then the Spartans' lead could have been greater. When asked about the message at halftime, Sports Illustrated reported that Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien said, “I can’t tell you or I’d have to go to confession. I was upset with the coaches and the players.”

Bill O'Brien | Boston College HC — © Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Spartans' Self-Inflicted Errors

Boston College started the second half strong when Michigan State running back Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams fumbled on the kickoff return at its 5-yard line.

The Eagles settled for a field goal, but the turnover seemed to be the spark that O’Brien’s team needed. After a false start on the next Spartans’ drive, Chiles dropped back and threw an interception to defensive back Amari Jackson. It led to a Treshaun Ward 36-yard rushing touchdown to give Boston College a 16-13 lead.

Boston College Fourth Quarter

Heading into the fourth quarter tied at 16-16, it appeared every play would be pivotal to the game's outcome. Michigan State drove 89 yards on 18 plays, taking 9:24 off the clock, for a 3-point lead. Boston College took over with 4:12 left to play in the game at their 25-yard line.

Just six plays later, they were in the end zone. After the Eagles gained strong yardage on some chunk plays, the ball was at the Spartans' 42-yard line on a third-and-1. Castellanos dropped back and it was as if he had done it a million times. Castellanos found wide receiver Lewis Bond, who dodged two Michigan State defenders before going into the end zone and taking more time off the clock.

Michigan State got the ball back with 1:28 left on the clock. Chiles drove the Spartans down to the Eagles’ 36-yard line. On first-and-10, he floated a ball intended for Montorie Foster Jr. but it ended up in defensive back Max Tucker’s hands. The Boston College student section was sent into a frenzy. They stormed the field as the Eagles won a thriller at Alumni Stadium.