Linebacker Vinny DePalma finishes his BC career holding Fenway Bowl trophy aloft.

Well, that was refreshing . . . and unexpected.

In Fenway Park, in the rain, BC defeated SMU 23-14 today to win the Wasabi Fenway Bowl. The Mustangs, ranked #17 in the Associated Press top 25, came into the game 10 1/2-point favorites. And the victory was not because of some sudden, fluke play. The Eagles outgained SMU, which had averaged 40 points a game winning 11 of 13, and held the Mustangs scoreless in the second half.

Quarterback Thomas Castellanos was the star for BC, as he had been in most Eagle victories this season. He rushed for 156 yards in 21 carries, losing only one yard in the game, and scored two touchdowns. The conditions made passing difficult for both teams. Castellanos was 11-of-18 for 102 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception.

Castellanos finished his debut season at BC with 3,361 yards total offense in 13 games, third in BC history behind Matt Ryan in 2007 (14 games) and Doug Flutie in 1984 (12 games). He gained 2,248 yards passing and 1,113 rushing.

The Eagles scored first, converting an SMU fumble on their opening drive forced by defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku and recovered by DE Neto Okpala into a 45-yard field goal by Liam Connor, his longest ever.

The Mustangs went ahead 7-3 in the second quarter, but BC responded with a 10-play, 77-yard drive for a touchdown, scoring on a six-yard run by Kye Robichaux. SMU essentially closed out the first half with their own 10-play drive to take the lead 14-10.

SMU had the clear statistical edge in the first half. They ran 40 plays for 192 yards, while BC managed only 26 plays for 122 yards. The Mustangs were 15-22 passing for 122 yards, while the Eagles attempted only 7 passes, completing 3 for 6 yards.

The third quarter was essentially even and scoreless. SMU gained 85 yards total offense, BC 69 yards.

The Eagles won the game in the final quarter. While scoring two touchdowns and gaining 173 yards total offense, BC held the Mustangs to 32 yards, 10 of them passing. (Connor missed the final point-after.) The Eagles had the ball for 9:46 and SMU for only 5:14. The game ended with BC on the SMU 7, Castellanos taking two kneeldowns to run out the clock.

Castellanos was named the game’s offensive MVP and linebacker Kam Arnold won the defensive MVP award. Arnold led the team with six tackles — four solo and two for a loss. Five other Eagles had five tackles apiece.

Highlights (3:09)

BC finished the season with a 7-6 record and their first bowl game victory since 2016, a 30-16 win over Maryland in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit.

Somewhat ironically, BC and SMU play again next season. SMU, Cal Berkeley, and Stanford join the ACC. Schedules will be announced in late January.

With the early kickoff time (8 am PT), the emphasis of the chapter gamewatch moved more to breakfast. San Diego Eagles gathered at The Bar at The Grill at The Lodge at Torrey Pines. Below is the group.

L-R: Lissa Tsu ’00, daughter, Brian Tsu ’00, Bill McDonald ’68 standing in rear, Dave Cubeta ’07 and kids and wife Christa, Joe Mahler ’74 P’07 standing, Caitlin Mahler ’07 CGSOM’17, and Eileen Mahler.