Boston College Athletics
Tom O'Brien On The Weekly BIG EAST Media Teleconference
August 27, 2001 | Football
Can you talk about this past weekend's game with Rutgers and talk about your observations about Saturday's game with Syracuse?
"I was pleased with the way we came out and played, especially after the tough loss we had against Miami. We lost focus a little bit there in the second quarter, but got it back to start the third period and we were able to finish the game out. Obviously, we look forward going to Syracuse, it's a big game in the Northeast ... I hope it ends up being a big game in the Northeast.
"Syracuse and Paul (Pasqualoni) did a great job this year. They're extremely well coached. They don't turn the football over and they're getting a lot of turnovers. Very experienced up front, very multiple on offense like they've always been. They're playing good special teams, good defense and then the Dome is a tough place to play. We look forward to the opportunity to go on national TV and play them Saturday night."
Can you talk about the tradition behind the offensive line at Boston College?
"It has to start somewhere. Obviously back prior to me back to Jack Bicknell and Tom Coughlin, when Mike Maser was the offensive line coach. He did a great job developing kids and they did a great job finding kids like (Tom) Nalen who ends up playing with the Broncos at center. And people like that. What happens is good players beget good players. Syracuse has had the tradition of 44 with their running back and I think different schools are known for different things. Once we got the ball going with offensive linemen, we've tried hard to maintain that profile and its adds up to a lot of offensive linemen. Draft day you sit there and listen to Mel Kiper sit there and say, 'He's a Boston College lineman. What more do you have to say?' I think we've perpetuated that and we'll continue to work hard to get good linemen here. (Once they're here,) Doug Magazu has done a good job coaching them."
