Boston College Athletics
BC Defense Preparing For Another Strong Running Attack
September 03, 2008 | Football
Sept. 3, 2008
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The Boston College defense shut down the dynamic running attack of Kent State's Eugene Jarvis last Saturday and will have to face another challenge in the running game this week as the Eagles take on Georgia Tech's new spread option offense.
Kent's Jarvis was the nation's leading returning rusher from 2007 but managed just 51 yards against BC. He averaged 139 yards per game last year.
Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson brought his creative offensive system to Atlanta after a successful six year stint at Navy. The Midshipmen led the nation in rushing the past three seasons and produced more than 350 yards per game in 2007. Under Johnson, Navy had never finished lower than third nationally in rushing offense.
The Yellow Jackets opened up the Johnson era with a 41-14 win against Jacksonville State. Georgia Tech ran for 349 yards and had 484 total yards.
BC's upper classmen have seen the triple option offense before, having faced Johson's offense while at Navy in 2006. The Eagles faced the Midshipmen in the Meineke Car Care Bowl and came away with a 25-24 win.
"We played against Navy two years ago, so we know what to expect," senior defensive tackle Ron Brace said. "They come off the line low and hard. What we have to do is come off lower and harder, knock them back, and hopefully disturb the quarterback. Our job as defensive linemen and some of the linebackers is to start that dive forward first and foremost."
Navy racked up 322 yards rushing in the bowl game but Steve Aponavicius hit a game-winning 37-yard field goal as time expired to seal the win for Boston College.
"Going against Navy two years ago and knowing what they were able to do against us makes us respect this offense a lot more," senior linebacker Brian Toal said.
Game time is slated for noon on Saturday at Alumni Stadium. This marks the first time since joining the ACC that Georgia Tech will come to Boston.
Local TV Stations Carrying The Game
| Area | Station | Affiliate | AKA | Station Website |
| Boston/Springfield, MA | WSBK-TV | INDEP | TV 38 | www.tv38.com |
| Providence/New Bedford, RI/MA | WLWC-TV | CW | CW 28 | www.cw28tv.com |
| Portland/Auburn, ME | WPME-TV | My TV | TV 35 | www.ourmaine.com |
For a complete listing of the stations that will carry the game, click here.
