Boston College Athletics
Defensive Leaders Guide Eagles Into New Season
August 18, 2015 | Football
Written by Mark Daly
Chestnut Hill, Mass. - For a Boston College team that finished with the second best rush defense in the nation and one that was ranked 11th overall to end the 2014 campaign, one would think the Eagles are poised for dominance again as they begin the 2015 season.
But for the Eagles coaching staff, last year's noteworthy defensive rankings did not produce a record that they, nor anyone at BC, could write home about. With a final record of 7-6, the staff felt that they easily could have had a few more victories in the win column and that sentiment began with defensive coordinator Don Brown.
"Coaches really made a point that, as a team, we left four wins on the table," Brown said. "There is enough blame to go around and [the team] is trying to improve in all phases that can help finish games."
Finishing games has been a focus for Brown's squad in the first two weeks of preseason camp and he has greatly relied on the veteran leaders who have anchored the defense to help continue the success into the upcoming season.
One of those anchors is senior Connor Wujciak, a 300-pound defensive lineman out of West Caldwell, N.J. With three letters earned in his first three seasons, Brown sees a bright season ahead for the 2014 All-ACC third team honoree.
"Up front, it's Wujciak, a tough guy who can really make plays for us. I wouldn't trade him for any nose guard in the ACC," Brown said. "Connor has really come out of his shell in terms of his personality to the defense, which is great to see. His own maturity and makeup has changed drastically and I think that this is a guy who is fixed and focused on being one of those guys who can have a great season and then move on from there."
For Wujciak, the focus has not only been on what he can do to help the team, but he also hopes to help the freshmen make the adjustment to collegiate football and show his younger teammates what BC football is about, including what to expect every Saturday.
Part of that is getting through the dog days of summer.
"Camp is hard for everybody," Wujciak said. "The first year of camp, everyone remembers that as being terrible. We are trying to take the young guys under our wings and tell them, `We know this is hard but just push through it and everything will be fine.'"
For fellow starter Mike Strizak, a junior linebacker from Fair Lawn, N.J., developing the youth and setting them up to succeed is a point of emphasis that he wants to instill as he looks to lead the defense this season.
"We all just bought into [the goals for this season]. There are a lot of veterans, a lot of returning starters and everyone just believes in the system," Strizak said. "We want to build on the success of last year and just keep rolling."
While being a leader in the locker room, Strizak built on Wujciak's idea of guiding the younger players.
"We are just trying to teach them all the little things and take them under our wings to be successful here. We're just trying to help them learn the defense and that will [lead to us] achieving success."
Although the attention seems to be on developing the new Eagles and continuing to help the mainstays grow, both Brown and his players have one thing on their mind: Coming out each game with a strong defense that can create confusion for the opponent.
"You've got to be ready to deal from all kinds of things from us. Whether it's a four-man rush, a five-man rush, a six-man rush, or even a seven-man rush, but at least we plant it in their head," Brown said. "[Opponents] have to be ready for max pressure and we are hoping that we can do what we want to do and not what we need to do. That is kind of what we are looking to get done this year."
As for what fans can expect from the Maroon and Gold defense this season, Strizak explained, "A lot of energy, tough, flying [after the ball] and a hard-nose defense. That is what we pride ourselves on."
The Eagles will showcase that pride beginning on Sept. 5 when they host Maine in the season opener. Kickoff against the Black Bears is scheduled for 1 p.m.
