Boston College Athletics
BC Football and Notre Dame Renew Rivalry Saturday Night
November 05, 2008 | Football
Nov. 5, 2008
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The only two Catholic universities in the nation to sponsor FBS football will meet for the 18th time on Saturday, November 8 at 8 p.m. at Alumni Stadium in front of a national television audience on ESPN. Boston College will look to even the all-time series with Notre Dame at nine wins apiece and is looking for its sixth-straight win against the Irish.
Notre Dame and sophomore QB Jimmy Clausen feature one of the top passing attacks in the country. Clausen ranks 16th in the nation in passing yards per game (262.98), 18th in completions per game (21.50), and 21st in total passing yards (2,103).
"It looks like he has improved a whole lot (from last season)," senior CB Kevin Akins said. "His progression is a lot quicker and he is more decisive about where he wants to put the ball. His ability is going to be a great challenge for us."
Both teams are coming off of close losses. BC's comeback attempt against Clemson last weekend came up short in a 27-21 loss. The Eagles were down 17-0 at halftime, but scored 21 unanswered points before the Tigers sealed the win late in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame was up 17-3 on Pittsburgh at halftime but squandered the lead and eventually lost, 36-33, in four overtimes.
Both schools enter the game with a 5-3 record.
"With us having two losses, we want to get that taste out of our mouths," Akins added. "(Notre Dame) will want to come back even harder as well. This game will probably be very intense with a lot of emotion. The guys in our locker room are really excited about this opportunity."
