TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Bill O'Brien emphasized that it was just one win, but what a monumental first victory of 2024 it was for Boston College and the beginning of the O'Brien era.
Treshaun Ward racked up 138 yards of total offense, including a 13-yard touchdown catch, against his former team as Boston College shocked No. 10 Florida State with a 28-13 win on Monday night.
Ward, a Tampa native who played for Florida State from 2019 to 2022, contributed 77 rushing yards and 61 receiving yards as the Eagles (1-0, 1-0 ACC) amassed 263 yards on the ground.
It was an emphatic debut for O'Brien, who took over in mid-February after Jeff Hafley left to become the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator.
"I'm very proud of these guys," O'Brien said. "They showed incredible resilience tonight. To come down here and beat a team that felt they needed this win is a big statement for BC. But it's just one win."
The Eagles' offense orchestrated touchdown drives of 71, 68, and 60 yards. BC defensive back Max Tucker also intercepted DJ Uiagalelei and returned it 58 yards, setting up another Eagles touchdown at FSU's goal line.
Florida State had won five straight in the series but struggled on both offense and defense in this game.
Once considered a strong contender for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, the Seminoles fell to 0-2 for the first time since 2021.
"Disappointed with how the season has started," Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. "I failed to prepare the team to respond tonight."
Uiagalelei completed 21 of 42 passes for 272 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown to Kentron Poitier in the third quarter, narrowing BC's lead to 21-13.
However, the Eagles answered on their next drive, going 60 yards in 12 plays, capped by Kye Robichaux's 2-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 28-13 with 1:03 left in the third quarter.
Florida State managed to score on just one of their six second-half drives.
Thomas Castellanos nearly upset Florida State in 2023, throwing for 305 yards and rushing for 95 yards with a passing and rushing touchdown in a narrow 31-29 loss. While not as dominant on Monday, the BC quarterback completed 10 of 16 passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns, adding 73 yards on the ground and a 4-yard touchdown run.
"Everything we did this offseason—from winter workouts to summer training—led up to this moment," Castellanos said. "This is what we prepared for, and it all paid off."
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