How the nation-leading Missouri defense contained Boston College’s rushing attack
Expectations were high for many who donned black and gold inside Memorial Stadium on Saturday as No. 6 Mizzou took on 24th-ranked Boston College. But morale seemed to hit a season low when the Eagles led by eight with five minutes remaining in the first half.
Then entered cornerback Tre’Vez Johnson with an electrifying interception that brought momentum back to Memorial Stadium.
On a pass meant for Boston College wide receiver Reed Harris, Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos’ instead threw his first interception of the season to Johnson. As if breathing life into Mizzou, the Tigers quickly capitalized with a 19-yard passing touchdown from Brady Cook to wide receiver Luther Burden, along with an ensuing 2-point conversion from running back Nate Noel to tie the score at 14-all.
The secret to turning things around in the eventual 27-21 win? Maintaining a “don’t flinch” mindset, Johnson said.
Coming back from the half, Missouri needed to maintain that momentum to win a much-closer-than-anticipated contest. The Tigers held Boston College to a three-and-out on the opening drive of the second half with a big-time tackle for loss of 3 yards by defensive end Johnny Walker Jr.
Missouri’s defense contained the Eagles to just 14 yards of offense in the third quarter.
On the third play of the fourth quarter, a leaping interception from cornerback Dreyden Norwood put the Tigers close to their own 40-yard line. The second interception of the day turned into a 31-yard field goal for Missouri kicker Blake Craig. Drinkwitz said he was grateful for Norwood’s interception on an otherwise disappointing play by the defense.
“It was really good because we had done the exact same thing when he scrambled,” Drinkwitz said. “We all just took off running like a ... Little League football team chasing the ball. So fortunate for us that Dreyden had enough wherewithal to stay in the zone.”
Missouri held the Eagles to 49 rushing yards on 26 attempts, silencing a team that has three 100-yard running backs this season in Treshaun Ward (132), Kye Robichaux (112) and Turbo Richard (102). The Tigers didn’t allow a rushing touchdown either, containing the run game like Drinkwitz had emphasized leading up to Saturday’s matchup, with a special emphasis on Castellanos.
“We really felt like if we could stuff the run and contain the quarterback, that was the key to having success,” Drinkwitz said. “And we really did that. We stuffed the run, we contained the quarterback after that first drive. It felt like we got into a rhythm of really compressing him in the pocket, and that was really the key for us.”
“(Castellanos) being a good such good runner, you’ve got to also have your eyes in the backfield for the quarterback,” Johnson said. “He created a lot of confusion, a lot of problems ... but we came out and executed.”
Castellanos rushed for just 25 yards at Faurot Field, a feat that earned some additional praise for defensive coordinator Corey Batoon.
“That dude’s cool as a cucumber, man. Nothing fazes him,” Drinkwitz said of Batoon. “(He’s) up there dialing up great calls. He did lose it a little bit on the last coverage bust, but he’s a vet. Can’t say enough great things about him, and the calming presence and the tactical advantages that he gives us. Again, disappointed that we gave up that many points, but he did a really good job keeping our guys focused for a very difficult contain.”
Perhaps the most discouraging area for the Tigers came in the passing game. After allowing a combined 82 yards through the air against Murray State and Buffalo, Castellanos went 16-of-28 passing for 249 yards, an eye opener for Missouri.
Despite the Eagles’ competent attack through the air, Noel’s faith in the defense never wavered.
“I knew that the defense would have our back, and (the) defense knew that we would have their back,” Noel said. “Off the touchdown coming off the field, we’re giving them words of encouragement. ... We’ve got each other’s back, and everybody buying in, everybody believed each other. So I feel like that was a big part.”
Defense’s penalties streak ends
The “Death Row Defense” clogged up Boston College’s inside run game, forcing a game full of runs and quarterback scrambles on the outside. But the No. 1 total defense in the country ended its clean streak of penalty-free games against Boston College.
A hands to the face penalty on defensive tackle Chris McClellan ended the streak for the Tigers after McClellan got up close and personal with a Boston College offensive lineman, turning what would have been a fourth down for the Eagles into a fresh set of downs.
Cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. picked up another penalty in the first quarter, with a controversial pass interference call that gave the Eagles 10 yards and a first down. The pass interference played a part in the first touchdown of the game by Boston College.
One other notable penalty was against safety Joseph Charleston, who got an unsportsmanlike conduct call after a punt in the second quarter. Freshman safety Trajen Greco filled in for Charleston about halfway through the third quarter when he walked into the locker room without a helmet.
For that, it wasn’t exactly a clean game for Missouri.
“First fourth-down of the game, we’re in zone, it’s inexcusable for that ball to even be completed,” Drinkwitz said. “They fumble a ball, and we have everybody on the defense run up instead of staying in coverage, and then that last touchdown, it’s cover three. I know Corey is disappointed. I thought he did a really good job stopping the run. But we found out a lot about our guys today on both sides of the ball.”
This story was originally published September 14, 2024 at 9:01 PM with the headline "How the nation-leading Missouri defense contained Boston College’s rushing attack."