Michigan State football: What we learned, what to watch at Boston College

EAST LANSING – Free Press sports writer Chris Solari looks back at Michigan State football’s 40-0 win over Prairie View A&M and looks ahead to the Spartans’ final nonconference game at Boston College.

Next up for the Spartans: Boston College

Matchup: Michigan State (3-0) at Boston College (2-1).

Kickoff: 8 p.m. Saturday; Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hills, Massachusetts

TV/radio: Big Ten Network, WJR-AM (760).

Line: Eagles by 6½.

Know the foe

The Eagles shocked college football in Week 1 by going on the road to Florida State and winning their season (and ACC) opener, 28-13, on Sept. 2. Even though knocking off the still-struggling Seminoles is looking less impressive, Boston College made another statement Saturday in going to No. 8 Missouri and taking the Tigers to the wire before falling, 27-21. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos is a more talented version of Florida Atlantic QB Cam Fancher, whom the Spartans beat in their opener. Castellanos, an elusive 5-foot-9, 196-pound junior, began his career at Central Florida and is coming off rushing for more than 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns last season for the Eagles. He has 97 yards on 28 attempts with a score this season while completing 64.8% of his 54 passes for 589 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. Former Houston Texans and Penn State coach Bill O’Brien is in his first year at B.C., and the Eagles quickly have improved, averaging 408.7 yards a game (64th in the Football Bowl Subdivision) and 204.7 rushing yards (32nd). O’Brien’s offense is 37th in the FBS at 35 points a game, thanks to having Castellanos and the fourth-rated team passing efficiency. While MSU continues to struggle with penalties, B.C. ranks sixth in the FBS in fewest penalty yards (26.0) and 10th in fewest flags per game (3.67). The Eagles rank 38th in total defense (289.3 yards) and…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-football-learned-watch-205425410.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2024-09-15 20:54:25

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.