Boston College Eagles football
Encyclopedia
The Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football
program of Boston College
. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference
, a Division I Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) league
governed by the NCAA
. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division. Begun in 1892, Boston College was one of six "Major College" football programs in New England
as designated by NCAA classifications, starting in 1938. By 1981, and for the remainder of the twentieth century, BC was New England's sole Division I-A program. It has amassed a 601-419-36 record and is 71-30-0 since the turn of the 21st century. In 2007, the Eagles captured the ACC's Atlantic Division Championship and finished the season ranked in the AP Top 10 for the first time since 1984. They also achieved a mid-season #2 ranking, their highest since being ranked #1 in 1942.
The Eagles are coached by Frank Spaziani
, commonly referred to as "Coach Spaz." Before Spaziani, the team was coached by Jeff Jagodzinski
, however he was fired on January 7, 2009, after interviewing for the head coaching job with the New York Jets
. Boston College is one of only two Catholic universities that field a team in the Football Bowl Subdivision, the other being Notre Dame
. The Eagles' home games are played at Alumni Stadium
on the Boston College campus in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
. In addition to success on the gridiron, Boston College football teams are consistently ranked among the nation's best for academic achievement and graduation. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, the football team's Academic Progress Rate
was the highest of any school that finished the season ranked in the AP
or ESPN/USA Today Coaches' polls.
In 1892, Boston College President Edward Ignatius Devitt, S.J.
, grudgingly agreed to the requests of two undergraduates, Joseph F. O'Connell
of the class of 1893 and Joseph Drum
of the class of 1894, to start a varsity
football team. Drum would become the first head coach
, albeit an unpaid position and O'Connell was captain
. On October 26, 1893, BC played its first official game against the St. John's Literary Institute of Cambridge followed by its first intercollegiate game against MIT
. BC won the first game 4-0, but lost 6-0 to MIT. Some of the original team's alumni had particularly significant careers: captain Joseph Drum
became the first BC graduate to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Joseph F. O'Connell
was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and running back James Carlin became president of the College of the Holy Cross
.
In 1896, Boston College and Holy Cross began what was to become one of the most storied rivalries in college football. For much of the early to mid 20th century, BC and The Cross drew some of New England
's largest sports crowds. In 1913, BC began playing home games at Alumni Field
.
To accommodate larger crowds, the Holy Cross game was routinely held at larger venues off campus, with the 1916 matchup taking place at the newly constructed Fenway Park
. A record 54,000 attended the 1922 game at Braves Field
, home of the Boston Braves
baseball team. On November 28, 1942, BC lost in a huge upset to the Holy Cross Crusaders
by a score of 55-12. This led to the BC players not attending their scheduled victory celebration at the Cocoanut Grove
nightclub, which burned down that night. By the late 1970s the Holy Cross game had become more of a tradition than a rivalry, as Holy Cross football had long since ceased being a major power. By 1980, the game was no longer part of the student ticket package, and was mostly attended by alumni. In 1986 Holy Cross changed the direction of its football program, joining the Division 1-AA Patriot League
, and terminated the series. BC had won 17 of the last 20 games.
The 1940 season can arguably be called the greatest year in the history of Boston College football. BC's undefeated (11-0) and untied team captured the 1941 Sugar Bowl
championship and earned the nickname "Team of Destiny". Five members of that storied team have been inducted into the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame: end Eugene Goodreault (50); guard George Kerr (47); center Chet Gladchuk, Sr. (45); fullback Mike Holovak
(12); and halfback Charles O’Rourke (13). It included a 19-18 victory over Georgetown
before 41,700 fans at sold-out Fenway Park, that was called one of the greatest games ever by famed sportswriter Grantland Rice
. Going into the game, the Hoyas had twenty-two consecutive victories spanning three seasons. BC trailed until the third quarter, when a 43 yard touchdown pass from Charlie O'Rourke
to Monk Maznicki put the Eagles ahead. With just seconds remaining, BC had the ball on their own nine, fourth down and 18 to go. Georgetown set up to return the Eagles’ punt. Instead of punting, O’Rourke scrambled in his own end zone for 45 seconds then took a safety. BC used the free kick to boot the ball far downfield and dashed the Hoyas' three-season unbeaten record. Legendary Coach Frank Leahy
took his undefeated Eagles on to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans where they beat Tennessee
. A banner on BC's campus commemorating the team uses the phrase "national champions," but Boston College was not awarded a national championship by any of the national polls at the time of the 1940 season. Although BC's claim to a title is not recognized by the NCAA or college football historians in general, one website, the College Football Data Warehouse
, claims that selectors named Cliff Morgan and Ray Bryne rated BC #1 in 1940. This web site states that BC's historic 1940 run resulted in a split championship with the University of Minnesota, but it's not clear whether the selectors awarded BC a title at the time of the 1940 season, or if they did so retroactively. The NCAA lists only Minnesota as the national champion in 1940, and does not credit BC with any national championships in football.
played for Boston College from 1981 to 1984, and won the Heisman Trophy
in his senior year. He gained national attention on November 23, 1984, when he led the Eagles to victory in a high-scoring, back-and-forth game against incumbent national champion Miami Hurricanes
(led by star QB Bernie Kosar
). The game was nationally televised on CBS
the day after Thanksgiving
, and had a huge audience. Miami staged a dramatic drive to take the lead, 45-41, in the closing minute of the game. Boston College then took possession at their own 22-yard line with 28 seconds to go. After two passes moved the ball another 30 yards, only six seconds remained on the clock. On the last play of the game, Flutie rolled out right away from the defense and threw a Hail Mary pass
that was caught in the end zone by senior wideout Gerard Phelan
, giving BC an insanely miraculous 47-45 win. A persistent urban legend
holds that this play essentially clinched the Heisman Trophy, the award given to the best player in college football that year, for Flutie; in fact, the Heisman voting was already complete by the day of the game. It has been called "the greatest moment in college football."
In November 2008, Doug Flutie was honored by Boston College with a statue of his famous “Hail Mary
” pass to Gerard Phelan
to beat Miami
.
has become one of BC's football rivals. Today, ND is the only other Catholic university
playing NCAA
Division I FBS football. The match up was dubbed the "Holy War
" in 1975, and has acquired a number of other nicknames over the years. The two teams battle for the Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl
and the Ireland Trophy.
On November 2, 2005, Notre Dame announced that because it had agreed to a request from the Big East
to play teams from that conference each season, it would suspend the Boston College series following the 2010 season. Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese
said the conference made the request after Boston College, Miami, and Virginia Tech withdrew from the Big East to join the Atlantic Coast Conference
. However, on February 6, 2007, BC Director of Athletics Gene DeFilippo stated "The Notre Dame contract calls for two games in South Bend [sic], in 2007 and 2009, and two games in Boston, in 2008 and 2010. We have been in discussions with Notre Dame concerning additional games, and I am very hopeful that we will be able to announce something in the near future."
, Notre Dame came into the game undefeated at 8-0, wearing their celebrated green jerseys (which since 1981 had only been worn against archrival USC or in bowl games). BC won the game 14-7, putting an end – again – to Notre Dame's dreams of an undefeated season. The series was played annually from 1992 to 2004 and from 2007 to present. Boston College and Notre Dame recently agreed to extend the series, with the Eagles hosting the Irish in 2012, 2015 and 2019, and the Eagles traveling to Notre Dame in 2011, 2016 and 2018.
. After the 45-17 beating by the Orangemen, word leaked out to Head Coach Dan Henning
that several players may have bet against the team in the game, and the coach subsequently told the university administration. Following an investigation by the university and law enforcement officials, 13 players would be suspended from the team for the season for placing illegal bets — six permanently from the football program. As a result of the scandal and a mediocre 16-19-1 record as coach, Henning resigned at the end of the 1996 season.
graduate and the former Virginia
offensive coordinator Tom O'Brien
. O'Brien arrived at The Heights
with plans to revive the program after the team had been tarnished in the wake of the scandal. With good recruiting skills and a strong coaching staff around him, notably offensive coordinator Dana Bible and defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani
, O'Brien turned the program into a consistent top-25 team. The team was also helped by increased exposure on the national stage due to the move to the ACC and, later, improved facilities in the form of the Yawkey Center.
Following two mediocre seasons in 1997 (4-7) and 1998 (4-7), O'Brien's vision of a re-built football program began to take shape. In 1999, the Eagles finished the regular season 8-3 including a 31-29 win at Notre Dame Stadium
on November 20. BC had earned itself its first bowl berth since being ensnarled in the 1996 gambling scandal. Despite the excitement of its first postseason game in five years, Boston College laid an egg at the Insight.com Bowl in Tucson, Arizona
, getting squashed by the University of Colorado
, 62-28. In 2000 BC finished the regular season at 6-5 with just enough wins to be bowl-eligible and found themselves in Honolulu for the Aloha Bowl
where they downed Arizona State 31-17, giving O'Brien his first bowl victory as head coach.
The year 2001 saw Boston College end a 21-game losing streak to ranked opponents when, in the Music City Bowl
, the Eagles beat No. 16 Georgia
20-16 to finish at 8-5. But the most memorable moment of the year came in another thrilling game against then-No. 1 Miami at Alumni Stadium. Trailing 12-7 BC stood at the Hurricanes 9-yard-line, poised to win with just over 20 seconds left in the contest, but an interception thrown by Eagles quarterback
Brian St. Pierre
cost the game. St. Pierre threw too low for receiver Ryan Read, and the pass ricocheted off a Miami defender's leg and fell into the hands of defensive back
Ed Reed
, who returned it 80 yards for a touchdown — preserving a win for the Hurricanes and keeping its hopes alive for a national championship, which they would eventually win. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the season had several highs including running back
William Green rushing for 1,559 yards and being the top RB taken in the 2002 NFL Draft
; eight wins for the first time since 1993; and finishing the season ranked (No. 21) for the first time since 1994.
Over the next few years the team posted respectable win-loss records and continued to win bowl games. In 2002, BC went 9-4 and won the Motor City Bowl
, in 2003 they were 8-5 with a victory in the San Francisco Bowl and finished 9-3 in 2004 with a win in the Continental Tire Bowl. The year 2004 would be the Eagles final campaign in the Big East, and it finished the season in a four-way tie atop the league after losing the home finale to Syracuse (thus costing the Eagles a coverted berth in a BCS bowl) — a year in which they closed the season ranked No. 21 in both major polls.
as head coach at NC State. He was replaced by then Green Bay Packers
' offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski
.
BC won eight straight postseason bowl games from 2000-2008. BC footballers routinely rank at or near the top in Division 1-A for best graduation rate and were ranked sixth nationally in Student-Athlete GPA for 2004-05. As of June 2005, 20 Boston College football players were on NFL rosters. Among the more notable: Marc Colombo
'02 (Cowboys
), Doug Flutie
'85 (Patriots
), William Green '02 (Browns
), Matt Hasselbeck
'98 (Seahawks
), Chris Hovan
'00 (Bucs), Dan Koppen
'03 (Patriots
), Tom Nalen
'94 (Broncos
), and Damien Woody
'99 (Lions
).
Mathias Kiwanuka
, BC defensive end
who earned Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2004, was drafted by the New York Giants
in the April 2006 NFL Draft
. The Giants are coached by former BC Head Football Coach Tom Coughlin
.
BJ Raji and Anthony Castonzo
were drafted in 2010 and 2011 in the first round.
Boston College was also the college of New York Giants linebacker and cancer survivor Mark Herzlich
who was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, after his junior year at the school.
It was announced on December 1, 2009, that the Boston College football team, along with 29 other athletic programs on campus, would officially switch its athletic outfitter from Reebok
to Under Armour
. On July 1, 2010, BC became the tenth Football Bowl Subdivision team to wear uniforms from the Baltimore-based outfitter, joining Auburn, Hawaii, Maryland, North Texas, South Carolina, South Florida, Texas Tech and Utah.
, the Eagles finished the regular season at 8-3 including a 4-2 conference record. The Eagles tied West Virginia
, Pittsburgh
and Syracuse
- all at 4-2 - for a share of the Big East regular season title. Pittsburgh was selected as the conference's BCS representative, heading to the Fiesta Bowl only to lose to Utah 35-7. The Eagles were invited to the Continental Tire Bowl where they defeated North Carolina
. BC ended final season in the Big East ranked in the Top 25 of both major polls (No. 21 in the USA Today/Coaches' Poll and No. 21 in the AP Poll
). Boston College reached the 9 win mark for the second time in three years.
in time for the 2005 season and the football team faced a new schedule of opponents. BC football earned its first ACC win at Clemson
on September 24 and finished the year at 8-3 including a 5-3 conference record, tied for the Atlantic Division title with Florida State
, and the Eagles were invited to the where they defeated Boise State
on the Broncos' home blue turf. As of the start of the 2010-11 season, BC remains the last team to beat Boise State on the Broncos' home field. BC ended the 2005-06 campaign at No. 17 in the coaches' poll and at No. 18 in the AP
poll. Boston College won nine games for the second straight year and the third time in four years, while the senior class tied the school record for most wins in a four-year period with 35 (1939–42).
, the Boston College Eagles started their season 8-0, featuring a dramatic last-minute win engineered by QB Matt Ryan against Virginia Tech
. They rose to Number 2, a position not held by a BC football team since the 1940s. Florida State
upset the Eagles in the 9th week, ending Boston College's hopes of contending for a National Championship. After a second consecutive loss, this time to Maryland
, they beat Clemson
to clinch a position in the ACC Championship Game. The next week they beat Miami
for the first time since "Hail Flutie" in 1984, and sent Miami to their first bowl-ineligible season in 9 years. A loss to Virginia Tech in the , however, dashed Boston College's hopes of its first BCS bowl bid.
Despite their #2 conference ranking, #14 BCS ranking and 10-3 record the Eagles were the 4th overall bowl selection in their conference and were chosen by the . Due to loopholes in the ACC bowl selection process the used its #2 pick to select Clemson, a team BC had beaten on the road. With the third choice the selected Virginia
. Both Clemson and Virginia had 9-3 records and only 1 win each over ranked teams to BC's 3 wins (over ranked opponents). This made Boston College and its former conference rival Connecticut
the only bowl-eligible teams in 2007 that received a bowl bid lower than its conference ranking. At one point they were number 1 in the BCS rankings. ESPN had it wrong they changed it 15 minutes before they lost.
The Chapter is led by current president Ryan Lindsey.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
program of Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
, a Division I Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) league
Athletic conference
An athletic conference is a collection of sports teams, playing competitively against each other at the professional, collegiate, or high school level. In many cases conferences are subdivided into smaller and smaller divisions, with the best teams competing at successively higher levels...
governed by the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division. Begun in 1892, Boston College was one of six "Major College" football programs in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
as designated by NCAA classifications, starting in 1938. By 1981, and for the remainder of the twentieth century, BC was New England's sole Division I-A program. It has amassed a 601-419-36 record and is 71-30-0 since the turn of the 21st century. In 2007, the Eagles captured the ACC's Atlantic Division Championship and finished the season ranked in the AP Top 10 for the first time since 1984. They also achieved a mid-season #2 ranking, their highest since being ranked #1 in 1942.
The Eagles are coached by Frank Spaziani
Frank Spaziani
-External links:*...
, commonly referred to as "Coach Spaz." Before Spaziani, the team was coached by Jeff Jagodzinski
Jeff Jagodzinski
-United Football League:-External links:*...
, however he was fired on January 7, 2009, after interviewing for the head coaching job with the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Boston College is one of only two Catholic universities that field a team in the Football Bowl Subdivision, the other being Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
. The Eagles' home games are played at Alumni Stadium
Alumni Stadium
Alumni Stadium is a football stadium located on the campus of Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, approximately sixmiles west of downtown Boston. The stadium lies within the city limits of Boston, although its postal address is Chestnut Hill. It is the home of the Boston College Eagles...
on the Boston College campus in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Chestnut Hill is a wealthy New England village located six miles west of downtown Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Like all Massachusetts villages, Chestnut Hill is not an incorporated municipal entity, but unlike most of them, it encompasses parts of three separate municipalities, each of...
. In addition to success on the gridiron, Boston College football teams are consistently ranked among the nation's best for academic achievement and graduation. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, the football team's Academic Progress Rate
Academic Progress Rate
The Academic Progress Rate, sometimes also known as Academic Performance Rating and generally abbreviated as APR, is a metric established by the NCAA to indicate the success of collegiate athletic teams in moving student athletes towards graduation . It was instituted in February of 2005...
was the highest of any school that finished the season ranked in the AP
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
or ESPN/USA Today Coaches' polls.
Conference affiliations
- 1892-1972: IndependentNCAA Division I-A independent schoolsNCAA Football Bowl Subdivision independent schools are four-year institutions whose football programs are not part of an NCAA-affiliated conference. This means that FBS independents are not required to schedule each other for competition like conference schools do...
- 1973-1977: Division I IndependentNCAA Division I-A independent schoolsNCAA Football Bowl Subdivision independent schools are four-year institutions whose football programs are not part of an NCAA-affiliated conference. This means that FBS independents are not required to schedule each other for competition like conference schools do...
- 1978-1990: Division I-A IndependentNCAA Division I-A independent schoolsNCAA Football Bowl Subdivision independent schools are four-year institutions whose football programs are not part of an NCAA-affiliated conference. This means that FBS independents are not required to schedule each other for competition like conference schools do...
- 1991-2004: Big East ConferenceBig East ConferenceThe Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
- 2005–present: Atlantic Coast ConferenceAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
Early history
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
, grudgingly agreed to the requests of two undergraduates, Joseph F. O'Connell
Joseph F. O'Connell
Joseph Francis O'Connell was a Massachusetts lawyer, law professor, politician and U.S. Representative.-Early life:...
of the class of 1893 and Joseph Drum
Joseph Drum
-External links:...
of the class of 1894, to start a varsity
Varsity team
In the United States and Canada, varsity sports teams are the principal athletic teams representing a college, university, high school or other secondary school. Such teams compete against the principal athletic teams at other colleges/universities, or in the case of secondary schools, against...
football team. Drum would become the first head coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
, albeit an unpaid position and O'Connell was captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
. On October 26, 1893, BC played its first official game against the St. John's Literary Institute of Cambridge followed by its first intercollegiate game against MIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
. BC won the first game 4-0, but lost 6-0 to MIT. Some of the original team's alumni had particularly significant careers: captain Joseph Drum
Joseph Drum
-External links:...
became the first BC graduate to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Joseph F. O'Connell
Joseph F. O'Connell
Joseph Francis O'Connell was a Massachusetts lawyer, law professor, politician and U.S. Representative.-Early life:...
was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and running back James Carlin became president of the College of the Holy Cross
College of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
.
Holy Cross rivalry
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
's largest sports crowds. In 1913, BC began playing home games at Alumni Field
Alumni Stadium
Alumni Stadium is a football stadium located on the campus of Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, approximately sixmiles west of downtown Boston. The stadium lies within the city limits of Boston, although its postal address is Chestnut Hill. It is the home of the Boston College Eagles...
.
To accommodate larger crowds, the Holy Cross game was routinely held at larger venues off campus, with the 1916 matchup taking place at the newly constructed Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
. A record 54,000 attended the 1922 game at Braves Field
Braves Field
Braves Field was a baseball park that formerly stood on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. The stadium was home to the Boston Braves National League franchise from 1915–1952, when the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
, home of the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
baseball team. On November 28, 1942, BC lost in a huge upset to the Holy Cross Crusaders
Holy Cross Crusaders
The Holy Cross Crusaders are the athletic teams representing the College of the Holy Cross. They compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Patriot League. The men's and women's ice hockey teams compete in Atlantic Hockey Association and women's golf in the Big South Conference...
by a score of 55-12. This led to the BC players not attending their scheduled victory celebration at the Cocoanut Grove
Cocoanut Grove fire
The Cocoanut Grove was Boston's premier nightclub during the post-Prohibition 1930s and 40s. On November 28, 1942, occurred the scene of what remains the deadliest nightclub fire, killing 492 people and injuring hundreds more...
nightclub, which burned down that night. By the late 1970s the Holy Cross game had become more of a tradition than a rivalry, as Holy Cross football had long since ceased being a major power. By 1980, the game was no longer part of the student ticket package, and was mostly attended by alumni. In 1986 Holy Cross changed the direction of its football program, joining the Division 1-AA Patriot League
Patriot League
The Patriot League is a college athletic conference which operates in the northeastern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I) for a number of sports; in football, it participates in the Football Championship Subdivision...
, and terminated the series. BC had won 17 of the last 20 games.
1940 - "Team of Destiny"
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
championship and earned the nickname "Team of Destiny". Five members of that storied team have been inducted into the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame: end Eugene Goodreault (50); guard George Kerr (47); center Chet Gladchuk, Sr. (45); fullback Mike Holovak
Mike Holovak
Michael Joseph Holovak was an American football player, coach, and executive. He played college football at Boston College, where he was named an All-American at fullback in 1942. Holovak was selected in the first round of the 1943 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Rams...
(12); and halfback Charles O’Rourke (13). It included a 19-18 victory over Georgetown
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
before 41,700 fans at sold-out Fenway Park, that was called one of the greatest games ever by famed sportswriter Grantland Rice
Grantland Rice
Grantland Rice was an early 20th century American sportswriter known for his elegant prose. His writing was published in newspapers around the country and broadcast on the radio.-Biography:...
. Going into the game, the Hoyas had twenty-two consecutive victories spanning three seasons. BC trailed until the third quarter, when a 43 yard touchdown pass from Charlie O'Rourke
Charlie O'Rourke
Charles C. O'Rourke also known as Chuckin' Charlie is a former quarterback and defensive back for the Boston College Eagles, Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Dons, and Baltimore Colts. He quarterbacked the BC football team to one of its most famous wins...
to Monk Maznicki put the Eagles ahead. With just seconds remaining, BC had the ball on their own nine, fourth down and 18 to go. Georgetown set up to return the Eagles’ punt. Instead of punting, O’Rourke scrambled in his own end zone for 45 seconds then took a safety. BC used the free kick to boot the ball far downfield and dashed the Hoyas' three-season unbeaten record. Legendary Coach Frank Leahy
Frank Leahy
Francis William Leahy was an American football player, coach, college athletics administrator, and professional sports executive...
took his undefeated Eagles on to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans where they beat Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
. A banner on BC's campus commemorating the team uses the phrase "national champions," but Boston College was not awarded a national championship by any of the national polls at the time of the 1940 season. Although BC's claim to a title is not recognized by the NCAA or college football historians in general, one website, the College Football Data Warehouse
College Football Data Warehouse
College Football Data Warehouse is an American college football statistics website. The site has compiled the yearly team records, game-by-game results, championships, and statistics of college football teams, conferences, and head coaches at the NCAA Division I FBS and Division I FCS levels, as...
, claims that selectors named Cliff Morgan and Ray Bryne rated BC #1 in 1940. This web site states that BC's historic 1940 run resulted in a split championship with the University of Minnesota, but it's not clear whether the selectors awarded BC a title at the time of the 1940 season, or if they did so retroactively. The NCAA lists only Minnesota as the national champion in 1940, and does not credit BC with any national championships in football.
The Flutie years
The early 1980s are sometimes referred to as "The Flutie Era", and are often credited with putting BC football firmly into the big time. Quarterback Doug FlutieDoug Flutie
Douglas Richard "Doug" Flutie is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League...
played for Boston College from 1981 to 1984, and won the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
in his senior year. He gained national attention on November 23, 1984, when he led the Eagles to victory in a high-scoring, back-and-forth game against incumbent national champion Miami Hurricanes
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
(led by star QB Bernie Kosar
Bernie Kosar
Bernard Joseph "Bernie" Kosar, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Kosar played for the Cleveland Browns from 1985 to 1993 and then finished his career with the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins.-Early life and high school career:A Hungarian-American...
). The game was nationally televised on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
the day after Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
, and had a huge audience. Miami staged a dramatic drive to take the lead, 45-41, in the closing minute of the game. Boston College then took possession at their own 22-yard line with 28 seconds to go. After two passes moved the ball another 30 yards, only six seconds remained on the clock. On the last play of the game, Flutie rolled out right away from the defense and threw a Hail Mary pass
Hail Mary pass
A Hail Mary pass or Hail Mary route in American football refers to any very long forward pass made in desperation with only a small chance of success, especially at or near the end of a half....
that was caught in the end zone by senior wideout Gerard Phelan
Gerard Phelan
Gerard Phelan is a former college football player, who lined up at wide receiver for Boston College.-Early years:Phelan played football for Archbishop John Carroll Catholic High School in Radnor, Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1981....
, giving BC an insanely miraculous 47-45 win. A persistent urban legend
Urban legend
An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true...
holds that this play essentially clinched the Heisman Trophy, the award given to the best player in college football that year, for Flutie; in fact, the Heisman voting was already complete by the day of the game. It has been called "the greatest moment in college football."
In November 2008, Doug Flutie was honored by Boston College with a statue of his famous “Hail Mary
Hail Mary pass
A Hail Mary pass or Hail Mary route in American football refers to any very long forward pass made in desperation with only a small chance of success, especially at or near the end of a half....
” pass to Gerard Phelan
Gerard Phelan
Gerard Phelan is a former college football player, who lined up at wide receiver for Boston College.-Early years:Phelan played football for Archbishop John Carroll Catholic High School in Radnor, Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1981....
to beat Miami
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
.
The Holy War
In recent years, Notre DameNotre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
has become one of BC's football rivals. Today, ND is the only other Catholic university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
playing NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division I FBS football. The match up was dubbed the "Holy War
Holy War (Boston College vs. Notre Dame)
The Holy War is an American college football rivalry between the Boston College Eagles football team of Boston College and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team of the University of Notre Dame...
" in 1975, and has acquired a number of other nicknames over the years. The two teams battle for the Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl
Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl
The Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl is an award given to the winner of the University of Notre Dame-Boston College football game. It is awarded by the Notre Dame Club of Boston. In addition to this trophy, the winner is also awarded the Ireland Trophy by each school's respective student government....
and the Ireland Trophy.
On November 2, 2005, Notre Dame announced that because it had agreed to a request from the Big East
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
to play teams from that conference each season, it would suspend the Boston College series following the 2010 season. Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese
Mike Tranghese
Michael "Mike" Tranghese was the commissioner of the Big East Conference and helped create the conference as founder Dave Gavitt's right-hand man in 1979.Tranghese retired as commissioner in the spring of 2009. John Marinatto succeeded him as commissioner....
said the conference made the request after Boston College, Miami, and Virginia Tech withdrew from the Big East to join the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
. However, on February 6, 2007, BC Director of Athletics Gene DeFilippo stated "The Notre Dame contract calls for two games in South Bend [sic], in 2007 and 2009, and two games in Boston, in 2008 and 2010. We have been in discussions with Notre Dame concerning additional games, and I am very hopeful that we will be able to announce something in the near future."
Memorable moments in the BC-ND rivalry
The series produced one of the top moments in college football history when in 1993, David Gordon kicked a wobbly 41-yard field goal as time expired to beat top-ranked and undefeated Notre Dame 41-39, ending Irish hopes for a national championship. During the 2002 matchup in Notre Dame, IndianaNotre Dame, Indiana
Notre Dame is a census-designated place north of South Bend in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States; it includes the campuses of three colleges: the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary's College, and Holy Cross College. Notre Dame is split between Clay and Portage Townships...
, Notre Dame came into the game undefeated at 8-0, wearing their celebrated green jerseys (which since 1981 had only been worn against archrival USC or in bowl games). BC won the game 14-7, putting an end – again – to Notre Dame's dreams of an undefeated season. The series was played annually from 1992 to 2004 and from 2007 to present. Boston College and Notre Dame recently agreed to extend the series, with the Eagles hosting the Irish in 2012, 2015 and 2019, and the Eagles traveling to Notre Dame in 2011, 2016 and 2018.
- 1992 - The beginning of the current "Holy War". In a move he would later regret, ND coach Lou HoltzLou HoltzLouis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
called a successful fake punt with a 37-0 lead on the way to running up a 54-7 score. While the game was a blowout in Notre Dame's favor, halftime brought the filming of the game scenes used in the film RudyRudy (film)Rudy is a 1993 American sports film directed by David Anspaugh. It is an account of the life of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, who harbored dreams of playing football at the University of Notre Dame despite significant obstacles...
. Watch closely on the sideline and you can see Boston College paraphernalia. - 1993 - A week after Notre Dame's "Game of the Century1993 Florida State vs. Notre Dame football gameThe 1993 Florida State vs. Notre Dame Game was a regular season college football game between the unbeaten Florida State Seminoles , and the unbeaten Notre Dame Fighting Irish . The game took place at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana on the campus of the University of Notre Dame...
" win over then #1-ranked Florida State1993 Florida State Seminoles football teamThe 1993 Florida State Seminoles football team was the national champion of the 1993 college football season. The team finished with a 12-1 record.-Regular season:...
, BC dominated for three quarters then fell behind after ND scored three touchdowns in 11 minutes. In the end, BC won on a last second field goal to knock the Irish out of the #1 ranking, a 41-39 loss that would keep ND from winning the national championship. - 1998 - Deke Cooper's tackle on Mike Cloud at the one yard line completed a dramatic goal line stand in the game's closing moments and preserved a 31-26 victory for Notre Dame in Chestnut Hill. Despite a first and goal from the four yard line, Boston College was unable to score in four plays.
- 2002 - BC's 14-7 win in Notre Dame, Indiana over the green-jerseyed and previously 8-0 Irish is the first loss for then head coach Tyrone WillinghamTyrone WillinghamLionel Tyrone "Ty" Willingham is a former American football player and coach. He was the head coach at Stanford University , the University of Notre Dame , and the University of Washington , compiling a career college football record of 76–88–1.-Early career:Willingham attended...
. - 2007 - BC's 27-14 win not only marked the first 7-0 record for the Eagles since 1942, but also marked the first time either team won five consecutive games in the match up between these teams.
- 2008 - BC's 17-0 win was the first time that either team was able to shut out its opponent. BC joins MichiganMichigan Wolverines footballThe Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
and USC in the ranks of teams that have shut out the Irish under coach Charlie WeisCharlie WeisCharles Joseph "Charlie" Weis is an American football coach. He currently serves as offensive coordinator for the Florida Gators. For five years, from December 2004 through 2009, he was the head football coach at the University of Notre Dame...
. - 2009 - ND's 20-16 win ended their six game winless streak. Dave Shinskie threw for 279 yards, but the Eagles' rally fell short with an interception late in the fourth quarter.McClatchy Tribune News Service
Gambling scandal
Boston College's Cody Williams earned some negative press in 1996 when news broke that some football players had bet against BC in a bad loss on October 26 to SyracuseSyracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
. After the 45-17 beating by the Orangemen, word leaked out to Head Coach Dan Henning
Dan Henning
-External links:...
that several players may have bet against the team in the game, and the coach subsequently told the university administration. Following an investigation by the university and law enforcement officials, 13 players would be suspended from the team for the season for placing illegal bets — six permanently from the football program. As a result of the scandal and a mediocre 16-19-1 record as coach, Henning resigned at the end of the 1996 season.
Tom O'Brien era
In December 1996 BC hired a 1971 NavyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
graduate and the former Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
offensive coordinator Tom O'Brien
Tom O'Brien (football coach)
Thomas P. O'Brien is an American football coach and former player. He is the head football coach at North Carolina State University, a position he has held since the 2007 season...
. O'Brien arrived at The Heights
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
with plans to revive the program after the team had been tarnished in the wake of the scandal. With good recruiting skills and a strong coaching staff around him, notably offensive coordinator Dana Bible and defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani
Frank Spaziani
-External links:*...
, O'Brien turned the program into a consistent top-25 team. The team was also helped by increased exposure on the national stage due to the move to the ACC and, later, improved facilities in the form of the Yawkey Center.
Following two mediocre seasons in 1997 (4-7) and 1998 (4-7), O'Brien's vision of a re-built football program began to take shape. In 1999, the Eagles finished the regular season 8-3 including a 31-29 win at Notre Dame Stadium
Notre Dame Stadium
Notre Dame Stadium is the home football stadium for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. The stadium is located on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States, just north of the city of South Bend....
on November 20. BC had earned itself its first bowl berth since being ensnarled in the 1996 gambling scandal. Despite the excitement of its first postseason game in five years, Boston College laid an egg at the Insight.com Bowl in Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
, getting squashed by the University of Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
, 62-28. In 2000 BC finished the regular season at 6-5 with just enough wins to be bowl-eligible and found themselves in Honolulu for the Aloha Bowl
Aloha Bowl
The Aloha Bowl was a National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game played in Honolulu, Hawaii at Aloha Stadium. With the exception of the 1983-86 playings, the Aloha Bowl was traditionally played on Christmas morning in Honolulu. For most of its...
where they downed Arizona State 31-17, giving O'Brien his first bowl victory as head coach.
The year 2001 saw Boston College end a 21-game losing streak to ranked opponents when, in the Music City Bowl
Music City Bowl
The Music City Bowl is a post-season American college football bowl game certified by the NCAA that has been played in Nashville, Tennessee, since 1998.-Site:The first Music City Bowl was played at Vanderbilt Stadium in 1998...
, the Eagles beat No. 16 Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
20-16 to finish at 8-5. But the most memorable moment of the year came in another thrilling game against then-No. 1 Miami at Alumni Stadium. Trailing 12-7 BC stood at the Hurricanes 9-yard-line, poised to win with just over 20 seconds left in the contest, but an interception thrown by Eagles quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Brian St. Pierre
Brian St. Pierre
Brian St. Pierre is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College....
cost the game. St. Pierre threw too low for receiver Ryan Read, and the pass ricocheted off a Miami defender's leg and fell into the hands of defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
Ed Reed
Ed Reed
Edward Earl Reed Jr. is an American football free safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens 24th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
, who returned it 80 yards for a touchdown — preserving a win for the Hurricanes and keeping its hopes alive for a national championship, which they would eventually win. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the season had several highs including running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
William Green rushing for 1,559 yards and being the top RB taken in the 2002 NFL Draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
; eight wins for the first time since 1993; and finishing the season ranked (No. 21) for the first time since 1994.
Over the next few years the team posted respectable win-loss records and continued to win bowl games. In 2002, BC went 9-4 and won the Motor City Bowl
Motor City Bowl
The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl is a post-season college football bowl game certified by the NCAA that has been played annually since 1997. The first five games were played at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. Starting in 2002, the game was moved to 65,000-seat Ford Field in downtown...
, in 2003 they were 8-5 with a victory in the San Francisco Bowl and finished 9-3 in 2004 with a win in the Continental Tire Bowl. The year 2004 would be the Eagles final campaign in the Big East, and it finished the season in a four-way tie atop the league after losing the home finale to Syracuse (thus costing the Eagles a coverted berth in a BCS bowl) — a year in which they closed the season ranked No. 21 in both major polls.
Post-O'Brien
On December 6, 2006, O'Brien decided to leave the Eagles and replace Chuck AmatoChuck Amato
-External links:...
as head coach at NC State. He was replaced by then Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
' offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski
Jeff Jagodzinski
-United Football League:-External links:*...
.
BC won eight straight postseason bowl games from 2000-2008. BC footballers routinely rank at or near the top in Division 1-A for best graduation rate and were ranked sixth nationally in Student-Athlete GPA for 2004-05. As of June 2005, 20 Boston College football players were on NFL rosters. Among the more notable: Marc Colombo
Marc Colombo
Marc Edward Colombo is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally selected in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He played college football for Boston College...
'02 (Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
), Doug Flutie
Doug Flutie
Douglas Richard "Doug" Flutie is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League...
'85 (Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
), William Green '02 (Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
), Matt Hasselbeck
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck is a National Football League quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft, and traded to Seattle in 2001. After becoming the starter in 2003, Hasselbeck led Seattle to six playoff appearances and...
'98 (Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
), Chris Hovan
Chris Hovan
Christopher James Hovan is an American football defensive tackle for the Virginia Destroyers. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College....
'00 (Bucs), Dan Koppen
Dan Koppen
Daniel Koppen is an American football center for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
'03 (Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
), Tom Nalen
Tom Nalen
Thomas Andrew Nalen is a former American football center who played for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League...
'94 (Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
), and Damien Woody
Damien Woody
Damien Michael Woody is a former American football offensive lineman who played for the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and New York Jets of the National Football League...
'99 (Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
).
Mathias Kiwanuka
Mathias Kiwanuka
Mathias Kagimu Kiwanuka is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was originally drafted 32nd overall in the 2006 NFL draft. He played college football at Boston College. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII.-Early...
, BC defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
who earned Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2004, was drafted by the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the April 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
. The Giants are coached by former BC Head Football Coach Tom Coughlin
Tom Coughlin
Thomas Richard Coughlin is an American football coach who is currently head coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League . Coughlin has led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII. Coughlin was also the inaugural head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, serving from 1995–2002 and...
.
BJ Raji and Anthony Castonzo
Anthony Castonzo
Anthony Salvatore Castonzo is an American football offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts. After a college career at Boston College, Castonzo was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with their first round draft pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.-High school career:Castonzo attended Fork Union...
were drafted in 2010 and 2011 in the first round.
Boston College was also the college of New York Giants linebacker and cancer survivor Mark Herzlich
Mark Herzlich
Sandon Mark Herzlich, Jr. is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2011...
who was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, after his junior year at the school.
It was announced on December 1, 2009, that the Boston College football team, along with 29 other athletic programs on campus, would officially switch its athletic outfitter from Reebok
Reebok
Reebok International Limited, a subsidiary of the German sportswear company Adidas since 2005, is a producer of Athletic shoes, apparel, and accessories. The name comes from the Afrikaans spelling of rhebok, a type of African antelope or gazelle...
to Under Armour
Under Armour
Under Armour is an American sports clothing and accessories company. The company is a supplier of a wide range of sportswear and casual apparel mainly focusing on hi-tech sportswear for professional athletes...
. On July 1, 2010, BC became the tenth Football Bowl Subdivision team to wear uniforms from the Baltimore-based outfitter, joining Auburn, Hawaii, Maryland, North Texas, South Carolina, South Florida, Texas Tech and Utah.
2004
In Boston College's final year as a member of the Big East ConferenceBig East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
, the Eagles finished the regular season at 8-3 including a 4-2 conference record. The Eagles tied West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Panthers football
Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football...
and Syracuse
Syracuse Orange football
The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision...
- all at 4-2 - for a share of the Big East regular season title. Pittsburgh was selected as the conference's BCS representative, heading to the Fiesta Bowl only to lose to Utah 35-7. The Eagles were invited to the Continental Tire Bowl where they defeated North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels football
The North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566...
. BC ended final season in the Big East ranked in the Top 25 of both major polls (No. 21 in the USA Today/Coaches' Poll and No. 21 in the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
). Boston College reached the 9 win mark for the second time in three years.
2005
Boston College moved to the Atlantic Coast ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
in time for the 2005 season and the football team faced a new schedule of opponents. BC football earned its first ACC win at Clemson
2005 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2005 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tommy Bowden and played their homes game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.-Season:...
on September 24 and finished the year at 8-3 including a 5-3 conference record, tied for the Atlantic Division title with Florida State
2005 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2005 Florida State Seminoles football team won the 2005 ACC Championship Game over the Virginia Tech Hokies by a score of 27-22. With the victory, they were a selection to go to the 2006 Orange Bowl as the ACC representative in the BCS.-Schedule:...
, and the Eagles were invited to the where they defeated Boise State
2005 Boise State Broncos football team
The 2005 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2005 season...
on the Broncos' home blue turf. As of the start of the 2010-11 season, BC remains the last team to beat Boise State on the Broncos' home field. BC ended the 2005-06 campaign at No. 17 in the coaches' poll and at No. 18 in the AP
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
poll. Boston College won nine games for the second straight year and the third time in four years, while the senior class tied the school record for most wins in a four-year period with 35 (1939–42).
2006
2007
The Eagles, under first year coach Jeff JagodzinskiJeff Jagodzinski
-United Football League:-External links:*...
, the Boston College Eagles started their season 8-0, featuring a dramatic last-minute win engineered by QB Matt Ryan against Virginia Tech
2007 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
The 2007 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
. They rose to Number 2, a position not held by a BC football team since the 1940s. Florida State
2007 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2007 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University during the 2007 college football season. Florida State entered the 2007 season coming off a 2006 that ended with an overall record of 7-6, which was head coach Bobby Bowden's worst record since going 6-5 in 1981,...
upset the Eagles in the 9th week, ending Boston College's hopes of contending for a National Championship. After a second consecutive loss, this time to Maryland
2007 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2007 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 55th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its third within the...
, they beat Clemson
2007 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2007 Clemson football team represented Clemson University in the 2007 college football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Tommy Bowden and played their home games in Memorial Stadium.- Notable :...
to clinch a position in the ACC Championship Game. The next week they beat Miami
2007 Miami Hurricanes football team
The 2007 Miami Hurricanes football team was Randy Shannon's first as head coach of his alma mater. It also marked the last year that Miami played its home games in the Miami Orange Bowl. Miami was 5-7 for the season.- Changes :...
for the first time since "Hail Flutie" in 1984, and sent Miami to their first bowl-ineligible season in 9 years. A loss to Virginia Tech in the , however, dashed Boston College's hopes of its first BCS bowl bid.
Despite their #2 conference ranking, #14 BCS ranking and 10-3 record the Eagles were the 4th overall bowl selection in their conference and were chosen by the . Due to loopholes in the ACC bowl selection process the used its #2 pick to select Clemson, a team BC had beaten on the road. With the third choice the selected Virginia
2007 Virginia Cavaliers football team
The 2007 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's coach is coach Al Groh. They played their home games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.- Preseason :...
. Both Clemson and Virginia had 9-3 records and only 1 win each over ranked teams to BC's 3 wins (over ranked opponents). This made Boston College and its former conference rival Connecticut
2007 Connecticut Huskies football team
The 2007 Connecticut Huskies football team represented the University of Connecticut in the 2007 college football season as a member of the Big East Conference. The team was coached by Randy Edsall and played its home games at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut...
the only bowl-eligible teams in 2007 that received a bowl bid lower than its conference ranking. At one point they were number 1 in the BCS rankings. ESPN had it wrong they changed it 15 minutes before they lost.
2008
Following the 2008 season star linebacker and NFL prospect Mark Herzlich was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Although the chances of him living were not good, Mark tackled the disease with a positive attitude, and attended every BC game that year. Boston College redshirted him and he was back on the field in for the 2010 season opener, registering five tackles (three solo) in a 38-20 win over Football Championship Subdivision school Weber State.2009
After learning that their fellow Eagle, Mark Herzlich, had been diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma during the summer before the 2009 season, the Boston College football team started the BC Chapter of Uplifting Athletes in order to raise money for research of the disease.The Chapter is led by current president Ryan Lindsey.
Yearly records
The Boston College Eagles football season records are taken from the Boston College football media guide.
|
|||
Head coaches
| Years | Head Coach | Record | Winning Pct |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1893 | Joseph Drum Joseph Drum -External links:... |
3-3-0 | .500 |
| 1894 | William Nagle | 1-6-0 | .143 |
| 1895 | Joseph Lawless Joseph Lawless -External links:... |
2-4-2 | .250 |
| 1896 | Frank Carney | 5-3-0 | .625 |
| 1897–1899, 1901 | John Dunlop | 15-17-2 | .441 |
| 1902 | Arthur White | 0-7-1 | .000 |
| 1908 | Joe Reilly Joe Reilly -External links:... & Joe Kenney Joe Kenney -External links:... |
2-4-2 | .250 |
| 1909 | Charles McCarthy Charles McCarthy (football coach) Charles McCarthy was a political scientist, public administrator, Progressive reformer, and briefly, an American football coach. He is credited with founding the first legislative reference library in the United States. McCarthy was active in policy formation, with special interests in... |
3-4-1 | .375 |
| 1910 | James Hart | 0-4-2 | .000 |
| 1911 | Joseph Courtney | 0-7-0 | .000 |
| 1912–1913 | William Joy | 6-7-2 | .400 |
| 1914–1915 | Stephen Mahoney Stephen Mahoney -External links:... |
8-8-0 | .500 |
| 1916–1917 | Charles Brickley Charles Brickley Charles Edward Brickley was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the Johns Hopkins University in 1915, at Boston College from 1916 to 1917, and at Fordham University in 1920 with Joseph DuMoe as co-coach, compiling a career college football record of 22–9... |
12-4-0 | .750 |
| 1918 | Frank Morrissey Frank Morrissey -External links:... |
5-2-0 | .714 |
| 1919–1926 | Frank Cavanaugh | 48-14-5 | .716 |
| 1927 | D. Leo Daley D. Leo Daley -External links:... |
4-4-0 | .500 |
| 1928–1934 | Joe McKenney Joe McKenney Joseph "Joe" McKenney was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Boston College from 1928 to 1934, compiling a record of 44–18–3... |
44-18-3 | .677 |
| 1935 | Dinny McNamara Dinny McNamara -External links:... / Harry Downes Harry Downes -External links:*... |
3-1-0 / 3-2-0 | .667 |
| 1936–1938 | Gil Dobie Gil Dobie Gilmour "Gloomy Gil" Dobie was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at North Dakota Agricultural College—now North Dakota State University , the University of Washington , the United States Naval Academy , Cornell University , and... |
16-6-5 | .593 |
| 1939–1940 | Frank Leahy Frank Leahy Francis William Leahy was an American football player, coach, college athletics administrator, and professional sports executive... |
20-2-0 | .909 |
| 1941–1942 | Denny Myers Denny Myers -External links:... |
35-27-4 | .530 |
| 1943–1945 | Moody Sarno Moody Sarno -External links:... |
11-7-1 | .579 |
| 1946–1950 | Denny Myers Denny Myers -External links:... |
35-27-4 | .530 |
| 1951–1959 | Mike Holovak Mike Holovak Michael Joseph Holovak was an American football player, coach, and executive. He played college football at Boston College, where he was named an All-American at fullback in 1942. Holovak was selected in the first round of the 1943 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Rams... |
49-29-3 | .605 |
| 1960–1961 | Ernie Hefferle Ernie Hefferle -External links:... |
7-12-1 | .350 |
| 1962–1967 | Jim Miller | 34-24-0 | .586 |
| 1968–1977 | Joe Yukica Joe Yukica Joe Yukica is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of New Hampshire , Boston College , and Dartmouth College , compiling a career college football record of 111–93–4... |
68-37-0 | .648 |
| 1978–1980 | Ed Chlebek Ed Chlebek -External links:... |
12-21-0 | .364 |
| 1981–1990 | Jack Bicknell Jack Bicknell -Professional:-External links:... |
59-55-1 | .513 |
| 1991–1993 | Tom Coughlin Tom Coughlin Thomas Richard Coughlin is an American football coach who is currently head coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League . Coughlin has led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII. Coughlin was also the inaugural head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, serving from 1995–2002 and... |
21-13-1 | .600 |
| 1994–1996 | Dan Henning Dan Henning -External links:... |
16-19-1 | .444 |
| 1997–2006 | Tom O'Brien | 75-45-0 | .625 |
| 2007–2008 | Jeff Jagodzinski Jeff Jagodzinski -United Football League:-External links:*... |
20-8-0 | .714 |
| 2009–Present | Frank Spaziani Frank Spaziani -External links:*... |
18-18-0 | .500 |
Defensive coordinators
- 2009–Present: Bill McGovern
- 1999-2009: Frank SpazianiFrank Spaziani-External links:*...
- 1997-1998: Tim RoseTim Rose (football coach)-External links:*...
- 1996: Phil Elmassian
- 1995: Bill McGovernBill McGovernBill McGovern is a British former auto racing driver from Ireland.McGovern is best known for becoming the first person to win three British Touring Car Championship driver titles. He won three consecutive titles between 1970-72, with a George Bevan prepared class D Sunbeam Imp.-External links:*...
- 1994: Jim Reid
- 1991-1994: Steve Szabo
- 1981-1990: None
- 1980: Dave BrazilDave BrazilDave Brazil is an American football coach who last served with the New York Giants under head coach Jim Fassel. He was the last defensive coordinator for Chuck Noll with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1990-91.- References :...
- 1969-1972: John Petercuskie
Offensive coordinators
- 2011–Present: Kevin RogersKevin Rogers (American football)-External links:*-References:...
- 2009–2011: Gary TranquillGary Tranquill-External links:*...
- 2007-2008: Steve LoganSteve Logan (football)Steve Logan is an American football coach currently serving as the running backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was the head coach at East Carolina University from 1992–2002, where he is the all-time winning coach in program history.-Early years:Logan is a...
- 1999-2006: Dana BibleDana BibleDana Bible is currently the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks/wide receivers coach for the North Carolina State University Wolfpack.Bible graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1972 and the University of Cincinnati in 1976, where he earned a BA in Economics and in 1982 an MBA in Management. He...
- 1997-1998: Jeff JagodzinskiJeff Jagodzinski-United Football League:-External links:*...
- 1996: none
- 1994-1995: Dirk KoetterDirk Koetter-NFL drafted players under Koetter:-External links:* *...
- 1991-1993: Gary CrowtonGary Crowton-External links:* *...
- 1990: Dick CurlDick CurlRichard "Dick" Curl is a former American football coach who has retired as the assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League.-External links:*...
- 1984-1989: Sam Timer
- 1981-1983: Tom CoughlinTom CoughlinThomas Richard Coughlin is an American football coach who is currently head coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League . Coughlin has led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII. Coughlin was also the inaugural head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, serving from 1995–2002 and...
Assistant head coach
- Jack Heaphy: 1926
- Joe McKenneyJoe McKenneyJoseph "Joe" McKenney was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Boston College from 1928 to 1934, compiling a record of 44–18–3...
: 1927 - Dinny McNamaraDinny McNamara-External links:...
: 1933 - Edward McKeeverEdward McKeeverEdward Clark Timothy McKeever was an American football player, coach, and executive. He served as the head football coach at the University of Notre Dame and Cornell University and the University of San Francisco , compiling a career college football record of 25–12–1...
: 1939-1940 - Jerry Petercuskie: 1997-2006
- Jack Bicknell, Jr.Jack Bicknell, Jr.Jack Bicknell, Jr. is an American football coach, currently serving as the assistant offensive line coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the head coach of Louisiana Tech from 1999-2006...
: 2007-2008
Individual award winners
- Heisman TrophyHeisman TrophyThe Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
- Doug FlutieDoug FlutieDouglas Richard "Doug" Flutie is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League...
- 19841984 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 1984 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with Brigham Young University winning their first national championship by beating an unranked Michigan team in the Holiday Bowl...
- Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
- Maxwell Award
- Doug Flutie - 1984
- Walter Camp AwardWalter Camp AwardThe Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football Player of the Year, as decided by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors under the auspices of the Walter Camp Football Foundation;...
- Walter Camp Award
- Doug Flutie - 1984
- Davey O'Brien AwardDavey O'Brien AwardThe Davey O'Brien Award, officially the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, named after Davey O'Brien, is presented annually to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the Davey O'Brien Foundation to be the best of all National Collegiate Athletic Association quarterbacks. The...
- Davey O'Brien Award
- Doug Flutie - 1984
- Outland TrophyOutland TrophyThe Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
- Mike RuthMike RuthMike Ruth was an American football player. Ruth was a member of the College Football All-America Team and the winner of the 1985 Outland Trophy as college football's best lineman....
- 19851985 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season saw the Oklahoma Sooners, led by head coach Barry Switzer, win the national championship.Oklahoma finished the season 11-1, with their only loss to Miami at home, in a game future NFL star Troy Aikman was lost for the season...
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardJohnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardThe Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is given annually in the United States to the nation's outstanding senior quarterback in college football. It was established in 1987 by a foundation named for Johnny Unitas , the Hall of Fame quarterback who played his college career at the University of...
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
- Matt RyanMatt Ryan (American football)Matthew Thomas "Matt" Ryan , nicknamed "Matty Ice," is the starting American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round as the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft...
- 20072007 NCAA Division I FBS football seasonThe 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 30, 2007, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 7, 2008, where the top...
- Manning AwardManning AwardThe Manning Award has been presented annually since 2004 to the collegiate American football quarterback adjudged by the Sugar Bowl Committee to be the best in the United States...
- Manning Award
- Matt Ryan - 2007
- Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award
- Mark HerzlichMark HerzlichSandon Mark Herzlich, Jr. is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2011...
- 2009