Weekly Football Release
June 21, 1999 | Football
September 13, 1998
GAME THREE BOSTON COLLEGE (2-0) VS. TEMPLE (0-2) Date: Saturday, Sept. 19, 1998 Time: Noon EDT Site: Chestnut Hill, MA Stadium/Capacity: Alumni Stadium (44,500) Television/Radio: BC Radio Network (Sean Grande/Peter Cronan)
The Coaches Boston College's Tom O'Brien is 6-7 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.
Bobby Wallace, who is in his first season as the head coach at Temple, has led the Owls to an 0-2 record in 1998. Prior to being named head coach at Temple on December 5, 1997, Wallace was honored by the NCAA as the Division II Coach of the Quarter Century for his success at North Alabama. In 10 years as the head coach at North Alabama, he compiled an 82-36-1 record and led the Lions to three consecutive national championships (1993, 1994, 1995). In the three championship seasons, Wallace's North Alabama teams registered a 41-1 mark, including 14-0 records in 1993 and 1995. Wallace earned National Division II Coach of the Year honors following each of those seasons.
The Series Saturday's game will mark the 31st meeting between Boston College and Temple. The Eagles lead the all-time series 22-6-2, but lost to Temple 28-21 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia in the season opener a year ago. Temple tailback Stacey Mack rushed 27 yards for a touchdown with 1:18 left in the game to spoil Tom O'Brien's coaching debut. Boston College has won seven of the last 10 games played in the series. Prior to Temple's victory in 1997, the Eagles had won six consecutive games in the series. The Owls' last victory at Alumni Stadium was a 29-10 win on November 24, 1990.
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); TE Rob Tardio suffered a mild concussion in the Rutgers game but is expected to return for the Temple game.
How they stack up
Statistical Comparison
BC Temple
Points 41.0 20.0
Total Yards 488.5 397.5
Rushing Attempts 51.5 58.0
Rushing Yards 269.5 298.5
Yards Per Carry 5.2 5.1
Passing Attempts 28.0 9.0
Passing Yards 219.0 99.0
Yards Per Completion 13.3 19.8
Points Allowed 22.5 29.5
Total Yards Allowed 331.5 378.5
Rushing Yards Allowed 109.0 194.5
Yards Per Carry 3.3 4.8
Passing Yards Allowed 222.5 184.0
Yards Per Completion 15.9 10.8
Eagles on the radio Once again this season, BC games will be broadcast on two of Boston's most powerful radio stations WEEI (850 AM) or WRKO (680 AM), depending upon conflicts with Boston Red Sox games. BC's game with Temple will be heard on WEEI, 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).
Jump Start If the Eagles win Saturday, it will mark the first 3-0 start since the 1992 season, when BC began with a 7-0-1 mark. Eagles bite Knights, swat Jackets.
Mike Cloud rushed for 156 yards (his second consecutive game over 150 yards) and two touchdowns to lead BC to a 41-14 win over Rutgers in the home opener this past Saturday at Alumni Stadium. Cloud has rushed for more than 100 yards in all four games against Rutgers in his career. Senior quarterback Scott 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.
The week before, 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.
Eyeing the Owls The Owls enter Saturday's game with an 0-2 record after losing at Toledo (24-12) and dropping their home opener against Akron (35-28). Last season, Temple registered its best overall record since 1990 and finished with a 3-4 BIG EAST record, marking the most league wins ever for the Owls.
First-year coach Bobby Wallace brings a new offensive system to the Owls, changing from the pro set used a year ago to the slot-I that he developed at North Alabama. Junior quarterback Kevin Harvey leads the offense, recording an average of 135.0 total yards in Temples two games. He has rushed for 85 yards on 41 carries and passed for 185 yards, completing 8 of 15 attempts. Senior tailback Stacey Mack currently leads Temple in rushing with 216 yards on 35 carries, including 102 yards against Akron last Saturday. Mack was sixth in the BIG EAST in rushing last season with 76.5 yards per game. Senior split end Kenyatta Carter leads the Owls in receiving with 133 yards on four receptions in the two games.
Six starters return on defense, including senior safety Jerry Urias, who led the Owls in tackles with 94 in 1997. Sophomore linebacker LeVar Talley leads Temple in tackles after two games with 18. Senior defensive end Michael Tripp, who finished third in the BIG EAST last season with nine sacks, has 10 tackles after two games.
Temple shutouts BC has recorded six shutouts in its 30-game series against Temple. The most recent shutout was a 66-0 BC victory in Alumni Stadium on Sept. 25, 1993. Two of the six shutouts have come in Alumni Stadium, while the first four came in Bostons Fenway Park.
Cloud storms ahead BC's Mike Cloud is causing quite a storm in the BIG EAST. Cloud has the second-best two-game start among rusher in BIG EAST history, just 17 yards shy of the 373-yard start by Amos Zereoue last season. Cloud leads the league in rushing (178.0 yard per game) and all-purpose yards (205.0 per game). The senior running back is third in the league in scoring (12.0 ppg., tied with quarterback Scott Mutryn), and is fifth in total offense (178.0 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 BCs 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 14-of-15 (10 TDs, 4 FGs).
What a rush! In two games, Mike Cloud and Scott Mutryn have rushed for eight touchdowns. BC opponents have rushed for two.
Points to remember BC has 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
A 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 last week, 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 14 tackles in the season's first two games, while Cirino has made 13 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 another strong performance two solo and three assisted tackles against Rutgers.
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 977 yards in total offense in just two 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 been the Eagles' defensive leader in each of the last two games against Temple. As a freshman in 1996, Cirino registered nine tackles, including six solo stops in a home victory. Last fall, he duplicated those numbers in a season-opening loss at Veterans Stadium...Cirino was credited with seven tackles (3 solo) and an interception vs. Rutgers and six tackles (four solo) vs. Georgia Tech. In his three seasons at BC, Cirino has made four interceptions vs. Rutgers. 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 and followed that with a 156-yard performance vs. Rutgers. At 178.0 yards per game (his current average), Cloud would finish with 1,958 yards in an 11-game season. He has now rushed for 100 or more yard 10 times in his BC career, including all four years vs. Rutgers.
Cloud's 100+ Games Game Date Rushes Yds. TDs West Virginia 9/13/97 24 211 2 Georgia Tech 9/05/98 34 200 2 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 11/01/97 13 117 2 Syracuse 11/18/95 10 113 1 Miami 11/11/95 12 109 0 Rutgers 10/19/96 14 104 1
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 did nothing to diminish that reputation in the Georgia Tech game, hauling 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 has registered eight tackles in each of the first two games. Most recently, he had six solo and two assisted tackles in the Eagles' home win over Rutgers. Included among those totals were two tackles for losses and one quarterback sack. 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 23 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 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, bringing his two-game total to 13 stops. Included among his totals against the Scarlet Knights were one tackle for loss and one quarterback sack.
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.
Short Takes Sophomore defensive tackle Adam Grace (6-3, 272, Kings Park, NY) made seven tackles (three solo) in the season opener vs. Georgia Tech, half the number of tackles he recorded in 11 games last fall...Since 1992, BC has appeared on regional or national television 59 times...Former BC athletes competed in the 1998 Super Bowl, NBA Championship Finals and Stanley Cup Finals.
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.
BC honors football lettermen At its home opener vs. Rutgers, Boston College retired jerseys in honor of four players who represent nearly 90 years of Eagles history. BC retired jerseys honoring Louis Urban (1916-17, 1919-20), Charles O'Rourke (1938-40), Mike Holovak (1940-42) and Tony Thurman (1981-85). In addition, BC will formally retire the numbers of Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie (1981-84) and Outland Trophy recipient Mike Ruth (1982-85) at halftime ceremonies of its game vs. Virginia Tech on October 8.
"As we begin the 100th year of Boston College football, it is extremely important to honor some of the individuals who have contributed greatly to our outstanding tradition," DeFilippo says. "The four men we honored Saturday have played vital roles for several generations in the building of our football program, and Doug Futie and Mike Ruth have brought great honor and prestige to Boston College. We are extremely excited about the future of our program under Tom O'Brien and his staff. At the same time, we are very proud of our past. This is our way of showing our gratitude to these men for their contributions."
A four-year BC letterwinner at end and team captain in 1920, Urban played on BC teams that compiled a record of 25-7, including the 1920 team that went 8-0 and gave the school its first "Eastern Championship." Urban was a consensus first-team All-America selection in 1920.
O'Rourke's BC teams compiled a cumulative record of 26-3-2. "Chuckin' Charlie" helped lead BC to an undefeated (11-0) season in 1940, capped by the Sugar Bowl championship and the claim of a national championship. In 1972, he was inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
Known as one of the best running backs in BC football history, Holovak's BC teams finished 26-5. He scored all three of BC's touchdowns in the 1943 Orange Bowl and averaged 15.8 yards every time he touched the football in that game an Orange Bowl record that stands to this day. A consensus first-team All-American in 1942, he was inducted into the NFF and College Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
Thurman was a consensus first-team All-American and Walter Camp All-American in 1984 as a defensive back and played on storied BC teams that also featured Ruth and Flutie. He still holds BC all-time records for interceptions in a game (3), season (12) and career (25).
