SMU’s bid for a 12th win came up short as the Mustangs fell to Boston College 23-14 in the second annual Wasabi Fenway Bowl on Thursday at Boston’s Fenway Park.
In a sloppy game, Mustangs willed their way to a halftime lead, but the momentum shifted near the end of the third quarter, and Boston College used a 13-0 second half to pull out the victory and end SMU’s nine-game winning streak.
Both teams struggled to find a rhythm in the first half, as SMU took the game’s first drive into Boston College territory but turned the ball over on a Kevin Jennings fumble, leading to a field goal to give Boston College an early 3-0 lead.
The Mustangs managed just -2 yards on their next six plays while their defense stood tall, holding the Eagles to 11 yards and a missed field goal.
The SMU offense came alive in the second quarter, scoring twice to take a 14-10 lead into halftime. Running back L.J. Johnson scored a one-yard rushing touchdown, and after Boston College reclaimed the lead on a six-yard run from Kye Robichaux, Jennings led the Mustangs down the field and capped a three-minute drive with a third-down touchdown pass to Jaylan Knighton.
Boston College opened the second half with a fumble, but SMU could not capitalize, gaining just 11 yards in five plays.
The Mustangs had an opportunity to add to their lead late in the third quarter, but Boston College blocked a 46-yard field goal attempt and cashed in with a 15-yard touchdown run from quarterback Thomas Castellanos to reclaim the lead and flip momentum early in the fourth.
On the ensuing drive, Jennings was tripped up just short of the first down as he tried to scramble, setting up a fourth-and-three from the SMU 42-yard line. After a timeout, Jennings dropped back to pass, and his throw was knocked to the ground, returning the ball to Boston College.
Castellanos found the endzone again three plays later, and the Eagles opened up a 23-14 lead after missing the extra point.
Jennings tried to help SMU mount a quick response but failed to reach midfield on the final two possessions, and Boston College took over on downs and ran out the clock.
Castellanos finished the game with 357 total yards (102 passing and 155 rushing), two rushing touchdowns, and one interception thrown, while Robichaux added 91 yards and a touchdown.
Jennings led SMU with 191 passing yards and a touchdown while rushing for an additional 51 yards.
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WHAT TO KNOW
— Boston College defeated SMU 23-14 in Thursday’s second annual Wasabi Fenway Bowl at Boston’s Fenway Park.
–Castellanos was named Offensive MVP, and Boston College linebacker Kam Arnold earned the defensive honor.
— The American Athletic Conference is now 0-2 in the Fenway Bowl, and SMU is 0-3 in its last three bowl appearances. The Mustangs’ last bowl victory came in the 2012 Hawaii Bowl against Fresno State.
— SMU finishes the season 11-3 with its first conference championship since 1984.
— The teams had only one previous meeting, won by SMU 31-29 in 1986.
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BY THE NUMBERS
— The 14 points were the second-fewest SMU has scored this season, and the Mustangs were shut out in the second half for the first time.
— Boston College gained 263 of its 365 yards through the running game. SMU’s defense entered the bowl game, allowing just over 111 yards per game on the ground this season.
— SMU falls to 1-3 on the season when scoring fewer than 30 points.
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NEXT UP
— SMU (11-3) enters the offseason looking to continue to build on the season’s momentum and progress as it enters its first season in the ACC next year.
