Boston College Benches QB Thomas Castellanos Ahead of SMU Clash

A Tale of Two QBs: Castellanos and Jurkovec Battle for Starting Role

Boston College football has made a bold decision, benching starting quarterback Thomas Castellanos in favor of Phil Jurkovec for their upcoming game against SMU. This move comes as a surprise to many, as Castellanos had led the Eagles to a 2-2 start this season.

Reasons for the Benching

The decision to bench Castellanos is likely due to a number of factors. First, Castellanos has struggled with accuracy this season, completing just 56.3% of his passes. He has also thrown four interceptions, including two in the Eagles' 27-24 loss to Kansas last week.

Second, Jurkovec has shown promise in his limited playing time this season. In the Eagles' season-opening win over Colgate, Jurkovec completed 14 of 22 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 21 yards and a touchdown.

Third, Boston College is facing a tough schedule in the coming weeks. After SMU, the Eagles will play at Duke, at Wake Forest, and at Notre Dame. The Eagles will need to play their best football in order to compete in these games.

Castellanos' Response

Castellanos has been a model of professionalism since being benched. He has said that he understands the decision and that he will continue to work hard to improve his game.

"I'm disappointed, but I respect the coach's decision," Castellanos said. "I'm going to keep working hard and be ready when my number is called again."

A Look at Phil Jurkovec

Jurkovec is a 6-foot-5, 226-pound quarterback from Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. He was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school, and he committed to Boston College over offers from Penn State, Michigan, and Notre Dame.

Jurkovec redshirted his first season at Boston College in 2018. In 2019, he played in four games as the backup to Anthony Brown. He completed 12 of 23 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown.

This season, Jurkovec has played in two games as the backup to Castellanos. He has completed 20 of 32 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns. He has also run for 28 yards and a touchdown.

Jurkovec is a talented quarterback with a strong arm and good mobility. He is also a good runner, which could be a valuable asset for the Eagles this season.

What's Next for Boston College?

The Eagles will face a tough test on Saturday when they host SMU. The Mustangs are 3-1 this season, and they have a talented offense led by quarterback Tanner Mordecai.

The Eagles will need to play their best game of the season in order to beat SMU. If they can, it will be a big step forward for the program.

Conclusion

The decision to bench Thomas Castellanos is a bold one for Boston College. However, it is a decision that is understandable given Castellanos' struggles this season. Phil Jurkovec is a talented quarterback who has shown promise in his limited playing time. The Eagles will be hoping that Jurkovec can lead them to success in the coming weeks.