How the Tigers managed their first premier quarterback of the season
By-Newsnyork
Mobile quarterbacks were a challenge for the Tiger defense last season, and they faced another tough test with Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos. Castellanos aimed to derail the playoff hopes of the No. 6 Missouri Tigers with his No. 24 Boston College Eagles and started strong, meeting the expectations of both himself and BC supporters.
Heading into the game, Castellanos' mobility was a major talking point. His ability to scramble and create significant runs, as well as extend plays to make big passes, posed a serious challenge for the Tigers from the start.
Missouri's defensive strategy appeared to focus on containing Castellanos rather than applying early pressure, compelling him to rely on his arm. Castellanos responded effectively, completing 9 of 16 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns, with an interception in the first half. Notably, he connected on a 67-yard touchdown pass to Reed Harris after a fumble, showcasing his ability to make plays even under pressure.
“It’s challenging; we have to cover longer,” said defensive back Tre’Vez Johnson. “[Castellanos] being such a good runner means we have to keep our eyes on him in the backfield, which leads to a lot of confusion.”
Focusing on that Harris touchdown, it seemed the entire defense was fixated on the football, which stemmed from their aggressive mentality. This defense is known for its focus on pressuring the quarterback, and while this approach is usually effective, it backfired on this particular play. Castellanos made a sharp play, putting pressure on defensive coordinator Corey Batoon to adjust his strategy.
Batoon faced another challenge late in the game when Kamari Morales found the end zone from 38 yards out, wide open due to a missed assignment by Marvin Burks Jr. in a Cover 3 defense.
“Nothing phases him,” said head coach Eliah Drinkwitz. “Although he did lose his composure a bit after that coverage breakdown.”
On the following defensive drive, the Tigers shifted their strategy to focus on pressuring Castellanos rather than containing him. This adjustment paid off, as it led to a momentum-shifting interception by Johnson. After that play, the Eagles managed only 114 yards for the rest of the game.
“It was a great play; the team needed it,” said wide receiver Luther Burden III. “We capitalized on it by scoring.”
Johnson’s play occurred just before what head coach Eliah Drinkwitz refers to as the “swing eight”—the final four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half. Thanks to Johnson’s interception, the Tigers dominated this segment 18-0. In a game that ended 27-21, those 18 points were crucial.
A key factor in this turnaround was the defensive adjustment from two interior linemen to three after the Harris touchdown. This change allowed the Tigers to more effectively shut down running lanes and stifle a usually strong rushing attack. Before the adjustment, the Eagles had amassed 189 yards on 21 plays and scored 14 points on three drives. After the switch, they managed only 7 points and 114 yards on 29 plays.
The initial game plan focused on containing Castellanos with the expectation that he would extend plays, while maximizing the presence of defensive backs in the secondary. This strategy was informed by previous challenges, such as facing LSU’s Jayden Daniels, who exploited the Tigers with significant runs. The Tigers’ defense aimed to push the Eagles’ offensive line back to force Castellanos into poor decisions without leaving the second level exposed.
“It’s a solid plan if you don’t leave players wide open,” Drinkwitz commented. “We believed that stopping the run and containing the quarterback were key to our success.”
The Tigers indeed stifled the run, limiting the Eagles to 49 yards, their lowest total since November 12, 2022, when they managed just -1 yards in a win against No. 16 NC State. With Castellanos on the field, the Eagles typically pass on 36% of their plays, but on Saturday, that shifted to 58%. Batoon’s defensive adjustments significantly altered the game’s dynamic, which played a major role in preventing the upset.
Missouri ranked in the 82nd percentile for havoc rate per game, which includes tackles for loss, fumbles, interceptions, and pass breakups. Boston College, on the other hand, was in the 17th percentile for EPA per rush, underscoring the Tigers’ effective run defense.
Looking ahead, the Tigers face another running-focused quarterback, Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, marking the third consecutive week with a similar challenge. However, Saturday’s experience provided valuable practice for the defense.