Boston College Athletics
Football Prepares for Louisville
June 21, 1999 | Football
Sept. 20, 1998
GAME FOUR
BOSTON COLLEGE (3-0) VS. LOUISVILLE (1-2)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26, 1998
Time: 2:00 p.m. EDT
Site: Louisville, Ky.
Stadium/Capacity: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium (42,000)
Television/Radio: BC Radio Network (Sean Grande/Peter Cronan)
The Coaches
Boston College's Tom O'Brien is 7-7 as head coach of the Eagles and overall...A three-year starter at defensive end from 1968-70 at the U.S. Naval Academy, O'Brien was named BC's 32nd head football coach after 15 years on the staff of the University of Virginia, the last six as coordinator of UVA's record-setting offense. O'Brien also was an assistant at Navy for seven years.
John L. Smith is in his first year as the head coach at Louisville, where he has compiled a 1-2 record. Prior to being named head coach on November 22, 1997, Smith compiled a 69-39 career record in nine years at the helm of Utah State and the University of Idaho. Smith served as the head coach at Utah State from 1995-97 and led the Aggies to two BIG WEST championships and a berth in the inaugural Humanitarian Bowl in 1997. Prior to his stint at Utah State, Smith spent six seasons as the head coach at Idaho and became the winningest coach in school history with a 46-21 record.
The Series
Saturday's game will mark the sixth meeting between Boston College and Louisville. The Eagles lead the all-time series 3-2. Boston College has won the last two game in the series, including a 35-14 victory the last time the teams played on Nov. 3, 1994 at Cardinal Stadium. The Eagles are 1-1 in games at Louisville, but Saturday's game will mark the first meeting ever in the new Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Louisville's last victory in the series was during the 1990 season when the Cardinals defeated the Eagles, 17-10, on Nov. 10 at Cardinal Stadium.
Injury Update
Out: RB Greg Bartlett (torn ACL/MCL); OG Matt Knapp (fractured left foot); OG Paul LaQuerre (fractured left fibula); DB Marco Williams (osteochondral defect, right knee); OL Matthew Desmarais (herniated disk, lower back); RG Butch Palaza (left knee sprain).
How they stack up
Statistical Comparison
BC Louisville
Points 37.7 30.3
Total Yards 473.3 473.3
Rushing Attempts 47.7 32.3
Rushing Yards 248.3 142.3
Yards Per Carry 5.2 4.4
Passing Attempts 26.0 50.3
Passing Yards 225.0 331.0
Yards Per Completion 13.5 12.3
Points Allowed 17.3 40.7
Total Yards Allowed 320.0 530.7
Rushing Yards Allowed 123.0 225.7
Yards Per Carry 3.2 5.2
Passing Yards Allowed 197.0 305.0
Yards Per Completion 15.6 15.5
Jump Start
If the Eagles win Saturday, it will mark the first 4-0 start since the 1992 season, when BC began with a 7-0-1 mark...The Eagles are 2-0 in the BIG EAST for the first time since 1995. nEagles off to hot start
Scott Mutryn completed 17 of 22 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown as BC ran its record to 3-0 with a 31-7 win over BIG EAST foe Temple at Alumni Stadium. Anthony DiCosmo was Mutryn's favorite target on the day, snagging four catches (including a 46-yarder) for 94 yards and a touchdown. Mike Cloud rushed for 196 yards and three touchdowns, the third-best performance of his career. Three of Cloud's top performances have come this season. Defensively, BC held Temple's vaunted option offense to its lowest output of the season (297 total net yards).
One week earlier, Cloud rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns to lead BC to a 41-14 win over Rutgers in the home opener. Cloud has rushed for more than 100 yards in all four games against Rutgers in his career. Mutryn also rushed for two scores and was 17-of-30 for 218 yards passing. Senior nose guard Chris Hovan, making his 23rd start as an Eagle, led the defense with eight tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss as the Eagles held the Scarlet Knights to 53 net yards rushing. For his efforts, Hovan was named BIG EAST Co-Defensive Player of the Week.
In the season opener, BC racked up 491 yards total offense en route to an impressive 41-31 victory over Georgia Tech on a sweltering Saturday in Atlanta. Cloud rushed for 200 yards and two touchdowns, while Mutryn completed 16 of 26 passes for 220 yards and one TD. Mutryn also rushed for two touchdowns. Defensively, Hovan had an outstanding game with 8 tackles (4 solo), including an eight-yard sack on Georgia Tech quarterback Joe Hamilton. The Eagles held the Jackets to 165 yards on the ground.
The Cards are on deck
The Cardinals registered their first victory of the season on Sept. 19, defeating Illinois 35-9, and enter Saturday's game against BC with a 1-2 record. Louisville opened the season with losses to Kentucky (68-34) and Utah (45-22).
The Cardinal offense is averaging 473.3 total yards per game and 30.3 points, and is ninth in the nation in passing offense with an average of 331.0 yards. Louisville has its third offensive coordinator in three years and has changed to a one-back system that features three wide receives and one tight end. Chris Redman leads the Cardinals with 993 yards passing (331.0 per game) in three games, completing 81 of 151 attempts. The junior quarterback is among the top five in four Louisville career passing categories after only 20 career starts. Redman opened the 1998 season with over 300 yards passing in the first two games and is currently sixth in the nation in total offense (333.7 yards). Junior Leroy Collins is the leading rusher in the one-back set, averaging 77.7 yards per game, and has scored three touchdowns. Junior Arnold Jackson leads the Cardinals in receiving with 21 receptions for 319 yards. Junior tight end Ibn Green leads the nation's tight ends in receiving with 12 receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, Louisville has allowed 530.7 yards per game and 40.7 points. Sophomore linebacker Bud Herring leads the Louisville defense with 38 tackles (20 solo), including two for a loss of 15 yards in three games. Sophomore linebacker Rashad Harris has 36 tackles (23 solo), including one sack for a loss of five yards.
Cloud storms ahead
BC's Mike Cloud is causing quite a storm. Cloud is off to the best rushing start after three games in BIG EAST history. He has rushed for 552 yards in three games. West Virginia's Amos Zereoue set the record last year with 442 yards after three games. Cloud is fourth in the nation in rushing and leads the league in rushing (184.0 yard per game) and all-purpose yards (210.7 per game).
Other BIG EAST notes
BC placekicker John Matich is leading the league in scoring (11.0 ppg.). Matich is four-for-five in field goals and a perfect 10-for-10 in PATs this season...One of BC's stated goals for the season was to improve its rush defense. So far, so good. BC is currently third in the league against the run (109.0 yards per game)...BC is second in the BIG EAST in rushing offense (269.5 yards per game) and total offense (488.5 yards per game)...BC leads the league in punt returns (14.0 ypg)...BC leads the league in first downs (52 total), quarterback sacks (5 for 20 yards) and "sacks against" (0 in 2 games).
Code RED
BC is off to a red-hot start in the "Red Zone" 17-of-18 (12 TDs, 5 FGs).
What a rush!
In three games, Mike Cloud and Scott Mutryn have rushed for 11 touchdowns. BC opponents have rushed for three.
Points to remember
BC scored 41 points in each of its first two games. Prior to this season, the Eagles had not scored 41 points or more in their first two games in 99 years of Boston College football.
Laying it on the line
At an average of 6-4 1/2, 307 pounds, BC's starting offensive line of center Damien Woody (6-4, 312), guards Doug Brzezinski (6-5, 305) and Dan Collins (6-5, 287), and tackles Paul Zukauskas (6-5, 306) and Darnell Alford (6-4, 323) is the biggest in the BIG EAST. A look at the starting five along the line at the BIG EAST football schools:
School Average Ht. Average Wt. Boston College 6-4 1/2 307 Miami 6-3 1/2 288 Pittsburgh 6-5 1/4 281 Rutgers 6-3 1/4 292 Syracuse 6-4 1/2 288 Temple 6-3 3/4 298 Virginia Tech 6-4 1/2 297 West Virginia 6-4 1/2 298
Team effort
Boston College limited Temple and its option attack to 151 rushing yards. The Owls entered the game ranked fourth in the nation in rushing offense (298.5 per game). In fact, BC limited Temple to 297 total yards, less than its previous games' rushing average.
Early jitters
After never trailing in its win at Georgia Tech, the Eagles surrendered early scores in their games against Rutgers and Temple. On Sept. 12, Rutgers connected on a 56-yard TD pass just 1:12 into the game. On Sept. 19, Temple recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff and needed just two plays to take a 7-0 lead just 22 seconds into the contest. In each game, however, BC's "D" settled down quickly. The Eagles' defense did not allow either team to score again (Rutgers' second touchdown came on a 28-yard interception return).
First INT
True freshman DuJuan Daniels recorded his first collegiate interception in the second quarter of the Eagles' home victory over Temple. Daniels is the first true freshman to record an interception since 1995.
Maye Day Senior inside linebacker Brian Maye enjoyed the "biggest" game of his career against Temple. Maye finished with 15 tackles (8 solo), including one tackle for a loss.
"Stone Cold" Hovan
Junior Chris Hovan registered 12 tackles against Temple (8 solo) to raise his team-leading season total to 28 tackles.
Amazing Grace
Sophomore defensive lineman Adam Grace surpassed his 1997 defensive totals with his 9 tackles against Temple. nA few exceptions...
After surrendering 392 total net yards at Georgia Tech, the BC defense allowed just 271 yards in its home-opening win over Rutgers. The Eagles allowed 173 of the 271 yards on five plays. The Scarlet Knights completed two passes of more than 50 yards a 56-yard TD pass on their opening possession and a 54-yard completion in the final quarter and three more passes for gains of 20 yards or more (all in the second quarter).
What's your rush?
Boston College allowed Rutgers just 53 net yards on the ground, the fewest rushing yards by a BC opponent since Rutgers gained just 35 yards at Alumni Stadium on Oct. 19, 1996.
They're baaaaack....
Once again this year, junior safeties George White and Pedro Cirino are emerging as two of the Eagles' defensive leaders. White has recorded 15 tackles in the season's first two games, while Cirino has made 20 stops and one interception...A positive addition to the Eagles' last line of defense has been redshirt freshman Jonathan Ordway. After making seven tackles in his collegiate debut at Georgia Tech, Ordway turned in strong performances against Rutgers (2 solo, 3 assists) and Temple (3 solo, 3 assists).
Doing a double-take
Junior inside linebacker Frank Chamberlin (6-0, 239, Mahwah, NJ) was credited with seven stops (three solo) in the season opener at Georgia Tech. But, Chamberlin also lined up in his old position as a fullback and made two carries in short-yardage situations. Last year, Chamberlin gained 18 yards on seven rushes while serving as the team's lead blocker.
Keep an eye on these Eagles
Doug Brzezinski
The standout left guard was part of the reason BC racked up 1,420 yards in total offense in just three games this season. The 1998 team co-captain (along with Brian Maye), BC's coaches call Brzezinski a "prototypical BC-type lineman," a blue-collar player. His knowledge, skills, work ethic and "coachability" make him one of the cornerstones of BC's offensive line. Brzezinski added 10 pounds of muscle over the winter to help further his success in the trenches.
Pedro Cirino
The junior safety has once again emerged as a leader of the Eagle defense, already racking up 20 tackles. Cirino was credited with seven tackles (4 solo) vs. Temple, seven tackles (3 solo) and an interception vs. Rutgers and six tackles (four solo) vs. Georgia Tech. Making the switch to free safety last fall, the junior made his presence felt immediately. He finished the season as the BIG EAST's second-leading tackler, making 130 tackles (73 solo) in 11 games. He added two interceptions, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. At year's end, he captured All-Conference second team accolades. A talented athlete who has great range, Cirino improved his speed and increased his size in the off-season to become an anchor in the secondary.
Mike Cloud
Cloud may have caused some shockwaves when he told several members of the news media his goal was to reach 2,000 yards this season, but he then reeled off the second-best game of his career with 200 yards vs. Georgia Tech, followed that with a 156-yard performance vs. Rutgers, then added 196 vs. Temple. At 184.0 yards per game (his current average), Cloud would finish with 2,024 yards in an 11-game season. He has now rushed for 100 or more yard 11 times in his BC career.
Cloud's 100+ Games
Game Date Rushes Yds. TDs West Virginia 9/13/97 24 211 2 Georgia Tech 9/5/98 34 200 2 Temple 9/19/98 27 196 3 Rutgers 9/20/97 35 166 3 Miami 10/18/97 19 157 1 Rutgers 9/12/98 27 156 2 Rutgers 11/24/95 26 122 0 Pittsburgh 11/1/97 13 117 2 Syracuse 11/18/95 10 113 1 Miami 11/11/95 12 109 0 Rutgers 10/19/96 14 104 1Cloud in 1998 Game Rushes Yds. TDs Georgia Tech 34 200 2 Rutgers 27 156 2 Temple 27 196 3 Total 88 552 7
Anthony DiCosmo
The senior established himself as BC's "big-play" wide receiver last year, averaging a team-high 15.1 yards per catch, and he has done nothing to diminish that reputation this season. In the Temple game, DiCosmo caught four passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. In the Georgia Tech game, he hauled in three passes for 92 yards for an average of 30.7 per catch, including a 66-yarder that nearly resulted in a touchdown. An outstanding track athlete as well, DiCosmo finished sixth in the triple jump (48-feet, 9.50 inches) at the BIG EAST Outdoor Track and Field Championships in May, 1998.
Chris Hovan
The junior noseguard registered eight tackles in each of the first two games and 12 in the Temple game. Following the Rutgers game, Hovan was BIG EAST Co-Defensive Player of the WEek. Hovan, who registered eight tackles for losses and four quarterback sacks last fall, is well on his way to surpassing those totals this year. Through two games, Hovan has made three TFLs and two QB sacks. Against Temple in 1997, Hovan registered seven tackles, all unassisted. Included among those totals were four tackles behind the line of scrimmage...With 24 career starts to his credit, the 6-3, 295-lb. Hovan brings great strength and a ferocious attitude to the front line. An All-BIG EAST and All-ECAC selection in 1997, he finished with 58 tackles, four sacks and six quarterback pressures in his 11 starts. In his true freshman season, he made 31 stops in 10 starts, becoming one of only six true freshmen to earn The Sporting News All-Rookie Team honors.
Brian Maye
Maye was outstanding in BC's win vs. Temple. The senior co-captain led the team with 15 tackles (8 solo). Maye made his third career interception in the Eagles' win at Georgia Tech. The interception, which came in the final minute of the first half and set up a BC touchdown, was Maye's first since picking off a Rutgers pass on October 19, 1996. His other interception came in the 1996 season opener at Hawaii. He followed that performance with seven tackles (3 solo) vs. Rutgers. Maye is a rare "sixth-year" senior for the Eagles. Dogged by injuries for the past three years, the NCAA granted him an extension to complete his final year of eligibility. In his first five seasons (he saw some game action in four), Maye played in two bowl games (1993 Carquest and 1994 Aloha) and been part of winning teams.
George White
White was credited with eight tackles (7 solo) vs. Rutgers and six tackles (3 solo) in BC's win vs. Georgia Tech. White also is making his presence known on special (coverage) teams, where he was credited with four tackles (3 solo) in the Rutgers game. Like his fellow safety Cirino, White returns for the 1998 season with better size and speed than last fall. One of the team's better athletes, White played in all 11 games as a sophomore and finished second on the team with 91 tackles. White is also a key member of the BC track team. In 1997-98, he placed and scored points in the long jump in both the New England and BIG EAST Championship meets.
Mike Willetts
Often overshadowed by fellow lineman Chris Hovan, junior Mike Willetts "quietly" registered eight tackles in the Eagles' home win over Rutgers, then registered eight more (5 solo) in the Temple game, bringing his three-game total to 21 stops.
Damien Woody
One of the nation's best centers, Woody is a legitimate All-America candidate. He won the starting position as a freshman, and added 30 pounds of muscle to his body in off-season conditioning. Strong and fast, Woody is a powerful blocker and an outstanding pass protector.
Cirino among Thorpe Award candidates
BC's Pedro Cirino is among 44 prospects for the 1998 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back. The list was compiled through a survey of All-American picks and "watch lists" contained in pre-season publications including Athlon's, Lindy's, Bob Griese's, Street & Smith's, Sport, Preview Sports, The Sporting News and the Football Writs Association. Three finalists for the Thorpe Award will be invited to ESPN's College Football Awards Show, broadcast December 10 from Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.
