Boston College Athletics
Football to Face West Virginia
June 21, 1999 | Football
November 16, 1998
GAME ELEVEN
BOSTON COLLEGE (4-6, 3-3) VS. WEST VIRGINIA (6-3, 3-2) Date: Saturday, Nov. 21, 1998
Time: Noon EST
Site: Morgantown, WV
Stadium/Capacity: Mountaineer Field (63,500) Television/Radio: ESPN; BC Radio Network (Sean Grande/Peter Cronan)
The Coaches
Boston College's Tom O'Brien is 8-13 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.
Don Nehlen is in his 19th year as the head coach at West Virginia, where he has compiled a 136-80-4 record. A year ago, he led the Mountaineers to a 7-5 record and a berth in the Carquest Bowl. In 18 years, Nehlen has led West Virginia to 15 winning seasons, 11 bowl appearances, two Lambert Trophies, and the 1993 BIG EAST championship. Prior to being named the Mountaineers' head coach in December 1979, he served as the recruiting coordinator and quarterback coach at Michigan for three seasons. His first head coaching position was at Bowling Green where he coached his alma mater to a 53-35-4 record from 1968-77.
The Series
Saturday's game will mark the 27th meeting between Boston College and West Virginia. The Mountaineers lead the all-time series, 17-8-1, and have won seven of the last 10 times that the teams have played. A year ago, the Eagles defeated West Virginia, 31-24, on September 13 at Alumni Stadium. The Eagles scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to defeat No. 24 West Virginia and give Tom O'Brien his first win as head coach at Boston College. West Virginia's last victory in the series was on Oct. 5, 1996, when the Mountaineers defeated the Eagles, 34-17, at Mountaineer Field. Boston College is 4-7-1 against West Virginia at Mountaineer Field. Tom O'Brien is 1-0 against West Virginia. nInjury Update
Out:
RB Greg Bartlett (torn ACL/MCL); WR Jermaine Walker (ACL, left knee); DB Jason Smith (left shoulder surgery); OL Matthew Desmarais (herniated disk, lower back); DB D.J. Sutton (ACL, right knee);
How they stack up
Statistical Comparison
BC West Virginia
Points 26.3 32.4
Total Yards 426.0 447.8
Rushing Attempts 42.4 36.3
Rushing Yards 199.2 170.6
Yards Per Carry 4.7 4.7
Passing Attempts 28.2 34.8
Passing Yards 226.8 277.2
Yards Per Completion 13.2 12.6
Points Allowed 27.6 23.2
Total Yards Allowed 388.8 380.4
Rushing Yards Allowed 165.6 182.2
Yards Per Carry 3.9 4.0
Passing Yards Allowed 223.2 198.2
Yards Per Completion 14.8 13.9
Eagles on the radio
BC's game with West Virginia will be heard on SportsRadio WEEI (850 AM), as well as WHYN in Springfield (560 AM), WSAR in Fall River/New Bedford (1480 AM); WTAG in Worcester (580 AM); WGIR in Manchester, N.H. (610 AM), WTMN in Portsmouth, NH (1380 AM); WLPZ in Portland, Maine (1440 AM), and WNRI in Woonsocket, RI (1380 AM). BC radio broadcasts are handled by announcer Sean Grande and expert analyst Peter Cronan. The game also will be heard on BC student station WZBC (90.3 FM).
CLOUD WATCH
Senior running back Mike Cloud is 87 yards away from becoming BC's all-time leading rusher. Cloud currently has 3,418 career yards. The previous record is held by Troy Stradford (1982-86), who had 3,504 yards. This past week, Cloud set a BIG EAST and BC single-season rushing record (the previous BIG EAST record was held by WVU's Amos Zereoue). He has 1,547 yards on the year. He has rushed for 100+ yards in all but one game this season. Cloud stormed into the 1998 season by reeling off the second-best game of his career with 200 yards vs. Georgia Tech. Perhaps most impressively, Cloud rushed for 186 yards against a Virginia Tech defense that ranked first in the nation against the run.
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 Navy 10/24/98 29 186 2 Virginia Tech 10/8/98 32 186 0 Pittsburgh 11/14/98 37 179 1 Rutgers 9/20/97 35 166 3 Miami 10/18/97 19 157 1 Rutgers 9/12/98 27 156 2 Notre Dame 11/7/98 28 141 1 Louisville 9/26/98 21 124 1 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 Syracuse 10/17/98 25 104 1 Rutgers 10/19/96 14 104 1
Cloud in 1998
Game Rushes Yds. TDs Georgia Tech 34 200 2 Rutgers 27 156 2 Temple 27 196 3 Louisville 21 124 1 Virginia Tech 32 186 0 Syracuse 25 104 1 Navy 29 186 2 Miami 20 75 0 Notre Dame 28 141 1 Pittsburgh 37 179 1 Total (1998) 280 1,547 13 Career 586 3,418 24
BC Career Rushing Leaders
1. Troy Stradford (1982-86) 3,504 2. Mike Cloud (1995-98) 3,418 3. Mike Esposito (1972-74) 2,759 4. Keith Barnette (1973-75) 2,500
Record watch:
BC Rushing Yardage (Season) 1. Mike Cloud (1998) - 1,547 2. Chuckie Dukes (1992) - 1,387 BC Rushing Attempts (Career) 1. Troy Stradford (1982-86) - 658 2. Mike Cloud (1995-98) - 586 BC Rushing Attempts (Season) 1. Mike Cloud (1998) - 280 2. Omari Walker (1996) - 261 BIG EAST single-season rushing 1. Mike Cloud (1998) - 1,547 2. Amos Zereoue, WVU (1997) - 1,505
Cloud in the BIG EAST
Category Statistic Rank Rushing 154.7 ypg. 1st All Purpose Yds. 172.4 avg/g 3rd Scoring 7.8 ppg. 6th Total Offense 154.7 ypg. 7th
Individual BIG EAST season game highs
Rushing Yards 200 vs. Georgia Tech Rushing Attempts 37 vs. Pittsburgh Rushing TDs 3 vs. Temple Longest Rush 85 vs. Temple
Cloud's national rankings
Category Statistic Rank Rushing 154.7 ypg. 3rd All-Purpose Yds.172.4 avg/g 8th Scoring Off. 7.8 ppg. 35th
Eagles fly to West Virginia to end season
Boston College travels to West Virginia to close out the 1998 season on Saturday following a 23-15 win at Pittsburgh that snapped a six-game losing streak. The game will match the BIG EAST's two most prolific 1998 rushers in BC's Mike Cloud and West Virginia's Amos Zereoue. The two teams have players in the top two in nine of the 13 individual rushing, passing and receiving categories in the BIG EAST superlatives this season.
A brief synopsis of BC's season to date:
Game 1 -- Boston College 41, Georgia Tech 31
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, Chris 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.
Game 2 - Boston College 41, Rutgers 14
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. 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.
Game 3 - Boston College 31, Temple 7
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. Cloud rushed for 196 yards and three touchdowns, the third-best performance of his career. Defensively, BC held Temple's vaunted option offense to its lowest output of the season (297 total net yards).
Game 4 - Louisville 52, Boston College 28
BC suffered its first setback of the season, a surprising 52-28 loss to the Louisville Cardinals. Cloud rushed for 124 yards to move into third place on the all-time BC rushing list. Mutryn completed 19 of 31 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to overtake the Cardinals, whose quarterback, Chris Redman, passed for 362 yards and five touchdowns. Although BC amassed 465 total net yards, four turnovers spelled doom for the previously undefeated Eagles.
Game 5 - Virginia Tech 17, Boston College 0
On a rain-soaked Thursday night, Virginia Tech handed BC a 17-0 loss. Cloud rushed for 186 yards against the nation's best rushing defense. BC bested the Hokies in total net yards (295-236), rushing (179-164), passing (116-72) and time of possession (35:26-24:34), but three turnovers and a missed goal-line scoring opportunity cost the Eagles dearly.
Game 6 - Syracuse 42, Boston College 25
Senior quarterback Donovan McNabb three two touchdown passes (13-of-19, 182 yards) to lead Syracuse to the 42-25 victory before 43,413 in Chestnut Hill. Syracuse's Kyle McIntosh rushed for 103 yards on 15 carries. Cloud rushed for 104 yards on 25 carries with a touchdown, while Mutryn completed 11-of-20 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles.
Game 7 - Navy 32, Boston College 31
Despite taking a 28-10 lead into the fourth quarter, Boston College suffered a heartbreaking 32-31 loss to the Midshipmen in Chestnut Hill. Navy's fourth-quarter comeback was capped when John Vereen rushed for an eight-yard touchdown with 1:41 remaining to put the Middies ahead. A 40-yard field goal attempt by Matich fell wide left as time expired. Mutryn completed 30-of-46 passes for 369 yards and two touchdowns, while Cloud rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns. BC outgained Navy 610-419 in total offense.
Game 8 - Miami 35, Boston College 17
Miami held Cloud to under 100 yards rushing (75 yards on 20 carries) for only the first time this season as the Hurricanes took a 35-17 win in the Orange Bowl. Matich connected on a 53-yard field goal, the second-longest in BC football history, in the third quarter. Running back Cedric Washington threw a touchdown completion to Dedrick Dewalt in the fourth quarter.
Game 9 - Notre Dame 31
Boston College 26 BC had first-and-goal at the four-yard-line, but Cloud was stopped inches from the goal line as time expired. The Eagles won virtually every statistical category on the day, including total net yards (491-383), net yards passing (318-210), first downs (26-19) and time of possession (31:25 to 28:35), but still came up short. Mutryn completed 22 of 35 passes for 318 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cloud carried the ball 28 times for 141 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Chris Hovan came up big with 10 tackles (7 solo), two sacks and two forced fumbles.
Game 10 - Boston College 23
Pittsburgh 15 Despite being outgained 401-284 in total offense, The Eagles snapped a six-game losing streak with a 23-15 win at Pitt Stadium. Cloud carried the ball 37 times for 179 yards to set a new BIG EAST and BC mark for single-season rushing yards. Mutryn completed 10 of 23 passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
The Mountaineers
The Mountaineers enter Saturday's game with a 6-3 overall record and a 3-2 mark in the BIG EAST. The West Virginia offense leads the BIG EAST in total offense, averaging 447.8 yards, and is third in scoring with 32.4 points per game. Quarterback Marc Bulger leads the West Virginia offense that is first in the league in pass offense with an average of 277.2 yards per game. The junior quarterback leads the league in passing and total offense with an average of 265.7 total yards per game, and has connected for 19 touchdowns. Bulger completed 19-of-33 attempts for 191 yards and two touchdowns in last Saturday's victory over Rutgers. Amos Zereoue is second in the league in rushing with an average of 147.1 yards per game. The junior running back has rushed for 1,177 total yards on 209 carries and has scored 11 touchdowns in eight games. Zereoue rushed for 228 yards on 35 carries in the win over Rutgers. David Saunders is West Virginia's top receiver with an average of 70.0 yards per game. The senior receiver's 6.3 receptions per game is first in the BIG EAST. The Mountaineers' defense is third in the BIG EAST in scoring defense, allowing an average of 23.2 points in nine games. West Virginia has registered 30 sacks in nine games. Junior linebacker Barrett Green leads West Virginia with 114 tackles, including 76 solo.
Eagles in the BIG EAST
Category Statistic Rank Rushing Offense 199.2 3rd Total Offense 426.0 4th Total Defense 388.8 6th First Downs 221 1st 3rd Down Conv 44.7 pct. 2nd Sacks Against 13/97 1st Penalties 56/484 5th Field Goals 71.4% 2nd Time of Possession 31:11 3rd
Grand finale
Although much of the attention is focused on Mike Cloud, heading into the last games of their BC careers Eagles Scott Mutryn and Anthony Dicosmo have a chance to leave their marks in the BC record books in the following categories:
Career passing yards - Scott Mutryn could finish seventh on the all-time list; he currently has 3,020 career yards; he needs 157 yards to finish seventh all-time.
Passing yards, single season - Mutryn currently has 2,119, 10th-best of all-time. He could reasonably finish as high as sixth in this category. Completion percentage, season - At 60.4%, Mutryn is currently tied with Doug Flutie (1984) for sixth-best all-time in this category. Career receptions - With 105, Anthony Dicosmo is currently 10th place all-time. He could move up substantially in this category. Career receiving yards - Dicosmo currently has 1,762 career yards, which puts him in seventh place on this category. Tom Waddle (1985-88) is in sixth place with 1,965 yards.
Fountain of youth
While nine of the BC starting 11 on offense are either juniors or seniors, a look elsewhere reveals a decided lack of experience. Of the 44 players on the BC two-deep (offense/defense), nearly half (21-44, 47.7%) are either true freshmen, redshirt freshmen or sophomores; 50% (11-22) of BC's two-deep defense are either true freshmen, redshirt freshmen or sophomores.
Code RED
BC's "red zone" statistics (inside the 20-yard-line) - 31-of-37 (24 TDs, 7 FGs).
It's what's up front that counts
A look at the Eagles' defensive stats sheet reveals a major difference between this edition of the BC defense and last year's. The Eagles are led in tackles by front-line players Brian Maye (85 tackles, 51 solo) and Chris Hovan (72 tackles, 42 solo). Last season, safety Pedro Cirino led the Eagles in tackles.
Laying it on the line
It's no coincidence that BC is first in the BIG EAST in the category "Sacks Against", allowing only 11 in nine games. 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
Keep an eye on these Eagles
Doug Brzezinski
The standout left guard is part of the reason BC has racked up 4,260 yards in total offense 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
Back from a shoulder "burner" that caused him to miss the Navy and Miami games, the junior safety has once again emerged as a leader of the Eagle defense, already racking up 57 tackles. He had an outstanding game this past Saturday vs. Pittsburgh (10 tackles, 4 solo, 1 interception and a broken up pass). Cirino was credited with seven tackles (5 solo) vs. Louisville, seven tackles (4 solo) vs. Temple, seven tackles (3 solo) and an interception vs. Rutgers, and six tackles (4 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.
Anthony DiCosmo
The senior established himself as BC's "big-play" wide receiver last year, averaging a team-high 15.1 yards per catch. This year, DiCosmo is leading BC in receiving, averaging 76.8 yards per game and 17.1 yards per catch. He had an outstanding game vs. Notre Dame with eight catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns. He won the Orrie Scarminach Award, presented annually to the MVP in the BC-Syracuse game, after catching three passes for 79 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown reception. 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 noesguard had an outstanding game vs. Notre Dame, registering 10 tackles (7 solo), 2 sacks, 2 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles and 3 quarterback pressures. He 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 4 quarterback sacks in '97, has already surpassed those totals this year. Through 10 games, Hovan has made 10 TFLs and 5.5 QB sacks. With 32 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
This week's BIG EAST Co-Defensive Player of the Week, Maye came up big against Pittsburgh with 13 tackles (9 solo) and a QB sack. Back from a groin pull that caused him to miss the Miami game, the senior co-captain registered 11 tackles (7 solo) and a TFL in the Notre Dame game. Maye leads the Eagles' defensive stats sheet with 85 tackles (51 solo). Maye was outstanding in BC's win vs. Temple, leading 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).
Scott Mutryn
BC's fifth-year senior quarterback has completed 163 of 270 attempts (60.4%) for 2,119 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. With 3,020 career yards to date, Mutryn is eighth on the all-time BC career passing yardage list. He set new career records vs. Navy with his 30-46, 369-yard, two-touchdown performance. He was BIG EAST Co-Offensive Player of the Week after he completed 17 of 22 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown vs. Temple.
George White
White has quietly edged his way to third on the BC tackles list (66 total, 41 solo). He registered 7 tackles (5 solo) in the Notre Dame game. He 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 returned 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 has registered 63 tackles (35 solo), including five quarterback sacks. He "quietly" registered eight tackles in the Eagles' home win over Rutgers, then registered eight more (5 solo) in the Temple game.
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.
Eagles in the NFL
According to the NFL, 14 former Eagles were on NFL opening-day rosters. The list:
Player (Yrs. lettered) Pos. NFL Team Stephen Boyd (1992-94) LB Detroit Mark Chmura (1988-91) TE Green Bay Stalin Colinet (1993-96) DE Minnesota Doug Flutie (1981-84) QB Buffalo Glenn Foley (1990-93) QB New York Jets Pete Kendall (1992-95) OT Seattle Tom McManus (1989-92) LB Jacksonville Pete Mitchell (1991-94) TE Jacksonville Tim Morabito (1992-95) DL Carolina Tom Nalen (1990-93) C Denver Bill Romanowski (1984-87) LB Denver Ron Stone (1990-92) OL New York Giants Chris Sullivan (1992-95) DL New England Dave Widell (1985-87) T Atlanta
BC honors football lettermen
One of the highlights of BC's nationally televised game vs. Virginia Tech was a halftime ceremony to officially retire the numbers of Eagle greats Doug Flutie (22) and Mike Ruth (68).
Flutie capped off a legendary BC career by winning the 1984 Heisman Trophy. Perhaps best remembered for his last-second "Hail Mary" pass that led the Eagles to a 47-45 upset of defending national champion Miami in 1984, Flutie still holds six BC career passing records. Ruth, the dominating nose guard who terrorized opponent quarterbacks from 1981-85, capped off his career by winning the Outland Award in 1985 as college football's top lineman.
At its home opener vs. Rutgers, BC retired jerseys honoring Louis Urban (1916-17, 1919-20), Charles O'Rourke (1938-40), Mike Holovak (1940-42) and Tony Thurman (1981-85).
Short takes
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)...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...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...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...Sophomore defensive lineman Adam Grace surpassed his 1997 defensive totals with his 9 tackles against Temple... 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...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...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 Writers' Association...BC's 35-17 loss to Miami on Halloween brought the Eagles' two-year October record to 0-8. The Eagles were 0-4 in 1997 and 1998 during the month of October. Over the course of the past four seasons (1995-96-97-98), BC is 3-13 during the month of October.
Class Act
In the past 12 years, the Boston College football team has won the American Football Coaches' Association (formerly CFA) Academic Achievement Award three times and finished as an honorable mention selection eight times, including 1998. BC has one of the nation's highest graduation rates for all varsity athletes. That figure averaged 87 percent over the last 10 years.
Ever to Excel
Boston College is ranked among the top 40 national universities by U.S. News and World Report...There are some 120,000 living Boston College graduates, the largest alumni body of any Catholic university in the world...Boston College's endowment of $792 million is ranked among the 40 largest of any college or university in the world...In 1998, there were more than 16,000 applications for some 2,200 freshman seats...Noteworthy BC alumni include actor Chris O'Donnell, sportswriter Mike Lupica and ABC/ESPN's Lesley Visser.
