BC QB Thomas Castellanos is out due to injury, Grayson James starts

University sports

Castellanos led the Eagles to a 3-1 start in Bill O'Brien's first season as head coach.

By Trevor Hass, The Boston Globe

September 27, 2024

Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos will miss Saturday's game against Western Kentucky due to an injury, according to a team source.

According to the source, Grayson James, a transfer from Florida International, will make his first start for the Eagles (3-1).

Kickoff against the Hilltoppers (3-1) is scheduled for noon and the game will be broadcast on the ACC Network.

Here are five things you should know:

1. Castellanos appeared to be limping slightly.

Castellanos had to miss part of practice on Tuesday and appeared to be limping slightly as he watched his teammates practice. Afterwards, he walked around campus without crutches or additional support.

This season, Castellanos has completed 45 of 70 passes for 729 yards, with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had 43 carries for 112 yards and a score, helping the Eagles get off to a strong start.

Castellanos threw a game-winning 42-yard touchdown pass to Lewis Bond in BC's 23-19 win over Michigan State last Saturday.

2. James has a lot of experience.

James, a 6-foot-3-inch, 226-pound right-hander from Duncanville, Texas, posted a 58.4 completion percentage and totaled 2,347 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in three seasons at Florida International.

James faced Western Kentucky in 2022 and finished 13 of 22 for 85 yards in a 73-0 loss.

On September 4, BC coach Bill O'Brien said James was “doing well” but was “still a long way” from recovering from an injury.

In April, Castellanos called James a “good competitor.” O'Brien also praised James, who was one of the Eagles' best players in the spring game.

“He's definitely a much better player compared to what we were when we started with him,” O'Brien said in April. “I'm really glad we have Grayson. He's a great guy. Very smart, calm in the pocket, does not panic. He’s got good size and some good athletic ability too.”

3. Depth at running back is key.

On Friday, BC running back Kye Robichaux's status for the game against his former team was unclear.

Robichaux, a senior who spent two seasons at Western Kentucky, has 31 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown this year. He missed most of last Saturday's game against the Spartans, but played one snap on an unsuccessful four-and-goal attempt in the 1st minute.

In his absence, Treshaun Ward caught a season-high 14 carries for 102 yards and a score. Ward recovered from an early fumble and played a crucial role in BC's comeback.

Freshman Turbo Richard, a 5-foot-8-inch, 200-pound man, contributed 10 carries for 46 yards and scored his first career touchdown.

“It felt really special,” Richard said. “I waited for my number to be called. My number was called and I just took my chance.”

Richard said he models his playing on Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. He said a trainer gave him the nickname “Turbo” when he was 9 years old because he won every race after training.

He gained the trust of the coaches early in the season and appears to have done enough to play a role whether Robichaux is healthy or not.

“I think Turbo is very tough,” O’Brien said. “That's what I like most about him. He’s a very tough young guy.”

4. The defense considers field goals a victory.

BC found the end zone on 9 of 14 trips to the red zone, compared to 3 of 10 for its opponents.

O'Brien said the Eagles managed to stop the run in the red zone, which paid off in key moments.

“This is a big, big deal for us,” O’Brien said. “We have to continue to do that. That was a big thing in the Michigan State game, getting those guys to score, so it has to continue.”

The Eagles have allowed four total touchdowns, which is the second-fewest touchdowns in the Atlantic Coast Conference. They conceded 10 field goals, the most in the conference.

“Obviously we would like to stop them, but sometimes they get into the red zone and make a field goal,” linebacker Kam Arnold said. “But we consider this a victory because we want to prevent touchdowns at all costs.”

5. O'Brien believes the Eagles will be ready.

A cornerstone of O'Brien's tenure so far is that the Eagles have been prepared and poised regardless of the opponent.

He said there should be no trap games.

“If there is disappointment, then we are ashamed,” O’Brien said. “We have to show up and be ready to play.”

The Hilltoppers lost 63-0 in their opener to Alabama, but as O'Brien noted, many teams lose to the Crimson Tide by that margin. Since then, Western Kentucky has won three straight, including a significant victory over Toledo last Saturday.

The Hilltoppers rank 20th nationally in passing offense, so the performance of BC's secondary — which had three timely interceptions against the Spartans — could influence the outcome.

“We have a big challenge ahead of us,” O’Brien said. “It will be a very, very difficult game.

“Western Kentucky has done a great job. Like I said, and I'm not trying to be funny, FBS, FCS, CIA, NCIS, I really don't care. I don’t know about the differences.”