Boston College Athletics
BC Defense Preparing For Nation's Top Rusher
August 27, 2008 | Football
Aug. 27, 2008
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Boston College opens its 2008 season on Saturday, August 30 against Kent State at Cleveland Browns Stadium and the vaunted Eagles' front seven will be tested immediately. The defense will face running back Eugene Jarvis, who returns as the nation's leading rusher after gaining a Kent State record 1,669 yards last year. He posted 1,975 total yards and nine 100-yard rushing performances as part of his record breaking season.
"He's a very talented running back. He's the real deal," junior linebacker Mike McLaughlin said. "He has great feet and great balance. He's going to be tough. He's going to be one of the best that we face, so we're just going to have to prepare for the best and see what happens."
With the return of seniors B.J. Raji on the line and linebacker Brian Toal, the defense will be ready. The returning starters in the front seven accounted for 245 tackles last season. Junior defensive end Alex Albright and senior tackle Ron Brace were both All-ACC honorable mention picks a year ago while Raji was a second team selection in 2006.
Junior linebacker Mark Herzlich, BC's leading tackler in 2007 with 97, is a member of the preseason Butkus and Lott Award watch lists while Toal is a part of the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List.
"(Kent State) can rush the ball and it's the one thing we need to stop," Herzlich said. "We have to take away their run offense first and then react to their passing and make them throw the ball down field."
Boston College's defense has proven itself as one of the best in the country year after year. The Eagles have forced 196 turnovers since 2001 which ranks 13th in the country. Last season, BC ranked second in the country in rushing defense, allowing a mere 75.5 yards a game.
Saturday's game is slated for 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on ESPNU. The matchup is a part of the second annual FirstMerit Patriot Bowl. This is the first time the two programs will meet.
