Countdown to Kickoff - Virginia - Boston College Athletics

The Eagles swoop into Charlottesville looking to spoil Virginia's homecoming and their four-game winning streak, while more importantly putting together their first back-to-back wins of the season.

On the heels of a last second field goal from Colton Lichtenberg, Boston College (3-4,1-3 ACC) enters with the momentum of their 45-42 victory at Louisville last week, as well as their perfect record (5-0) all-time over the Cavaliers.

Freshman running back AJ Dillon caught the eyes of the nation with his 272 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 39 carries, earning him the Walter Camp National Player of the Week, ACC Rookie of the Week and Co-Offensive Back of the Week, and N.E. Football Writers Associations Gold Helmet honors.

"I'm just happy the coaches trust me with that kind of workload in a game like that," said Dillon, who had the third-best single-game rushing total in Eagles history. "I'm not really a number counter, I don't tend to look up to see where my yards are at, or where my carries are at...as long as we come out with a W and I help the team in a positive way, it doesn't really matter to me."

The Cavaliers (5-1, 2-0) are looking to maintain their perfect standing in the conference while also securing a bowl bid in the process with a win.

Having seen what the Eagles did last week, Virginia is hunkering down for a physical battle.

"You have to have a stomach for contact in this kind of game because your gap is your gap regardless of the number of times the 240-pound back smashes in there with another body, puller," Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "You can't ever get tired of taking that on. That's the kind of game Boston College likes to play."

The 12:30 p.m. kickoff can be seen locally on NESN with Wes Durham (play-by-play), James Bates (color) and Rebecca Kaple (sideline) on the call.

The BC IMG Sports Network has your radio broadcast locally on WEEI 850 AM and nationally on Sirius channel 81 and XM channel 81, as Jon Meterparel calls the plays, accompanied by Pete Cronan (color) and Scott Mutryn (sideline).

What they're saying

"[Virginia quarterback Kurt Benkert's] a precision thrower. He's very accurate. He's got leadership and experience. He's playing at a high level. He was a tremendous infusion into their football program, obviously. He's a very talented guy… He's got arm talent. He's got pocket presence. He's a legitimate throwing quarterback. I haven't seen him in person. They say he's about 6'4. He's got some size too. He's very impressive." – BC head coach Steve Addazio

"They're a 5-1 team. They're a great team. Once again, anytime you're playing somebody at this level, they're going to have guys…They have a pretty solid defense. They've played some good opponents. [Our] coaches have a great gameplan in place every week. So, I'm going to go, get into film studies, take the knowledge that they give me and put in on the field." – BC running back AJ Dillon

"They have a mobile quarterback, but more traditional in the sets they're aligned in. They have some 11 personnel sets, they prefer to have multiple tight ends in, if possible. Tight ends and wings, the appearance of two backs in the backfield with run and play-action, a physical run game with play and power and counter and play-action that comes off of that. They're not afraid of tricks or gadgets when they cross the 50. I haven't yet been able to spend enough time to see their defense at all. All I've been studying so far today is their offensive side. But I think they're a tough, physical football team. I think they played a difficult schedule so far." – Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall

"They're really big up front. Their DBs are tall, lengthy guys, and they're aggressive and they're not afraid to come down and hit somebody. Same with their safety. They use their linebackers in a lot of different ways; ask them to cover people, ask them to blitz, ask them to fill holes. They move a lot of guys around, have a lot of different coverages they like to use. It's going to be about staying focused and seeing it as it's happening." Virginia quarterback Kurt Benkert

Countdown to kickoff

10…Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser and free safety Quin Blanding are 1-2 in the ACC in average tackles per game. Kiser, named one of 20 finalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, has averaged 10.5 tackles through six games, and Blanding, who was named the ACC Defensive Back of the Week on Monday, averages 10.2 per game.

9…Both the Eagles and Cavaliers defenses have picked off nine passes this season, tied for 12^th most in the nation.

8…Redshirt freshman quarterback Anthony Brown had a game-best and season best 8.7 yards per rush versus Louisville. He finished with 52 yards on six carries, giving him 130 net rushing yards this season.

7…The Eagles offensive line has held opponents to only seven sacks in seven games, the best ratio amongst the ACC. Their one sack allowed per game is 13^th best in the country.

6…Senior defensive end Harold Landry, recently named to CBSSports.com's Midseason All-American team, and junior defensive end Zach Allen are tied for sixth in the ACC with eight tackles for a loss. For both, all tackles recorded have been solo efforts.

5…Boston College has won all five meetings against Virginia, with their first win over the Cavaliers coming in 1963 and their last in 2010. Three of those wins have come in ACC play.

4…Versatile Cavaliers half back Olamide Zaccheaus is fourth in the ACC with 43 receptions on the season. Last week versus North Carolina, the junior had an 81-yard touchdown reception, the longest in the conference this season.

3…AJ Dillon vaulted to third in the ACC with his 605 total rushing yards on the season, and 30^th in the nation.

2…Of the eight field goals that junior Colton Lichtenberg has connected on for the Eagles this season, two have stood as game-winners, including last week's 27-yard with no time remaining against Louisville

1…Senior punted Mike Knoll, recently named to ESPN.com's Midseason All-American Team, is first in the ACC with 24 of his 52 punts being pinned inside the 20-yard line.

Boston College Athletics

Countdown to Kickoff - Virginia

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Players Mentioned

Zach Allen

Anthony Brown

AJ Dillon

Mike Knoll

Harold Landry

Colton Lichtenberg

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