Boston College Athletics
Gunnell, McLaughlin & Tennant Elected Captains
August 11, 2009 | Football
Aug. 11, 2009
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Fifth-year seniors Rich Gunnell, Mike McLaughlin and Matt Tennant have been elected the team captains for the 2009 football season, announced by head coach Frank Spaziani.
Gunnell, a wide receiver from East Windsor, NJ, is the most seasoned wide out in the ACC. He ranks first among active ACC receivers in receptions (121), receiving yards (1,579) and touchdowns (11). He is also 10th on the all-time BC receptions list with 121 and 12th in receiving yards with 1,579. Gunnell led the team in 2008 with 49 catches and four touchdowns.
McLaughlin will be serving his second season as captain. As the leader of one of the best defenses in the country in 2008, the linebacker from Woburn, MA, was second on the team with 53 solo tackles and 89 total stops. He also ranked second in sacks (4) and third in tackles for a loss (12) and pass break-ups (5). McLaughlin forced a team-high two fumbles as well.
Tennant enters the 2009 season as one of the top-rated centers in the country. He was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List and the All-ACC Preseason Team. Last season, the Cincinnati, OH, product led an offensive line that ranked 25th in the country in tackles for a loss allowed (4.77) and 49th in sacks allowed (1.69). The line paved the way for true freshman Montel Harris to break BC freshman records with 900 rushing yards and five 100-yard performances. Harris and classmate Josh Haden were the second-most prolific true freshman backfield in the country.
Eagles Back To Practice On Day Two
The Boston College football team returned to Shea Field on Tuesday for the second day of preseason workouts in Chestnut Hill. With the first day kinks worked out of their systems, the team seemed much more focused and ready to play when they jogged onto the field.
Like Monday, the weather decided to fully cooperate with the Eagles' practice plans and gave the team a beautiful day outside of Alumni Stadium to work on line formations, kickoff returns and running plays. Last year's early preseason was marred by overcast skies and occasional rain showers, so the team hopes these gorgeous days are signs of good fortunes to come.
Another noteworthy point, similar to the excellent news regarding Clarence Megwa yesterday, was that junior defensive end Alex Albright was back in his three-point stance on the line. The 6-5 end from Cincinnati looked determined to put last year behind him and focus on preparing for a successful year ahead.
The big question that stands in front of Albright and the rest of the defense concerns the takeover of the central line positions that were once occupied by BJ Raji and Ron Brace, both of whom are now making their way into the NFL. Head Coach Frank Spaziani addressed the situation and reminded everyone that losing players to the pros is nothing new.
"It's the common thing that happens all the time in college football," Spaziani said. "We can replace them but other guys have to (step in). Some guys may be sixty or seventy percent as good as (Brace and Raji) were and then some other guys are going to have to get better."
With the preseason just getting started, it may be a while before any final decision is made concerning spots on the depth chart.
