New Era Pinstripe Bowl Guide
December 06, 2017 | Football
Read all the latest notes about BC's upcoming bowl game vs. Iowa
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The Game
• Boston College has accepted an invitation to the 2017 New Era Pinstripe Bowl and will face Iowa from the Big Ten. ESPN and ESPN Radio have broadcast coverage of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 27, at 5:15 p.m., from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
• The New Era Pinstripe Bowl is the 26th bowl appearance in school history for Boston College and the 16th bowl in the last 19 years for the Eagles. It will be BC's second appearance in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl (31-30 overtime loss to Penn State in 2014).
• Coverage on the Boston College IMG Sports Network begins at 4:45 p.m. with Jon Meterparel, Pete Cronan and Scott Mutryn. Fans can listen to the game locally on WEEI 850 AM.
• The Eagles are 14-11 all-time in bowl games after last season's 36-30 win over Maryland in the Quick Lane Bowl. The victory over the Terps was the first bowl win for BC since 2007.
First and 10
• BC is the first FBS team since New York University in 1948 to play at both Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park in the same year. The Violets lost to Boston University 28-7 at Fenway Park and they lost 40-0 to Rutgers at Yankee Stadium. BC routed UConn 39-16 earlier this season at Fenway Park.
• Boston College finished the regular season winning five of its last six games as the Eagles closed out a 7-5 season and 4-4 mark in the ACC with a 42-14 win over Syracuse on Nov. 25.Â
• The New Era Pinstripe bowl matchup will be the first meeting in series history between the Eagles and Hawkeyes.
• Over the last six games, BC is averaging 36 points per game and outscoring the opposition by 19 points per contest including wins over Florida State (35-3), at Louisville (45-42) and at Virginia (41-10).
• Boston College features nine All-ACC selections, led by ACC Rookie of the Year and All-ACC first team selection AJ Dillon, the nation's second-leading rusher among freshmen and the country's No. 15 overall rusher with 1,432 yards and 13 touchdowns.Â
• Junior free safety Lukas Denis and junior offensive tackle Chris Lindstrom earned second-team All-ACC honors. Senior defensive end Harold Landry, senior linebacker Ty Schwab, junior tight end Tommy Sweeney and junior return specialist Michael Walker collected third-team All-ACC accolades and junior defensive end Zach Allen and junior offensive guard Sam Schmal were name All-ACC honorable mention.
• Boston College is one of 21 teams nationally - and just one of 13 teams from Power Five conferences - to win at least five of the final six games of the season.Â
• Only No. 1 Clemson (6-0) and Boston College (5-1) won at least five of their last six among ACC schools.
• Boston College has 24 players form New York and New Jersey on its roster.
Bowling Again Under Addazio
• Boston College is making its fourth bowl appearance in five seasons under head coach Steve Addazio. He is the first BC coach to guide the Eagles to four bowls in the first five years as head coach. Addazio is 1-2 in bowls games at BC.
• BC is 14-11 all-time in bowls, including a 2-1 mark against Big Ten opponents.
BC vs. Big Ten Teams in Bowl Games
2007 Champs Sports Bowl Dec. 28, 2007
Boston College 24, Michigan State 21
2014 New Era Pinstripe Bowl Dec. 27, 2014
Penn State 31, Boston College 30 (OT)
2016 Quick Lane Bowl Dec. 26, 2016
Boston College 36, Maryland 30
Playing at Fenway & Yankee Stadium
• Boston College will pull off a first in 2017 - playing a game at Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium in the same season.
• The Eagles rolled past UConn 39-16 at Fenway Park on Nov. 18.
• In addition to playing at Fenway and Yankee Stadium, the Eagles have also played games in two former MLB venues: the Polo Grounds and Braves Field (now Boston University's Nickerson Field) in Boston and three bowl games in San Francisco at the home of the Giants.
• Over the last 15 years, BC has played seven games in current MLB baseball stadiums.
New York State of Mind
• Although the Pinstripe Bowl will be Boston College's second football appearance in famed Yankee Stadium, BC has played five games at another well-known
New York baseball venue: the Polo Grounds.
• BC played Fordham five times between 1927 and 1954 at the Polo Grounds, the former home of the New York Giants baseball team. The Eagles won three of those five contests against the Rams, including the final two games of the Jesuit-school series in 1953 and 1954.
Bowling In The Big Apple
• BC was offered an invitation to play in the original "Gotham Bowl" at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 15, 1962 after coach Jim Miller's first BC team finished with an 8-2 record.
• University officials turned down the bid after weighing financial considerations.
• Nebraska and Miami (Fla.) played in that inaugural Gotham Bowl contest. The game only drew about 2,000 spectators on a cold day.
BC's Bowl History Through the Years
• The Eagles' first postseason victory came in New Orleans at the 1941 Sugar Bowl.
• The year before, Boston College fell, 6-3, to Clemson in the Cotton Bowl in its first-ever bowl bid. BC went undefeated in 11 games in 1940 and refused to let Tennessee tarnish its perfect season. The 19-13 come-from-behind victory over a Volunteers squad that hadn't lost a regular-season game in three years catapulted Boston College football to its best-ever finish and a claim on the national title.
• In Doug Flutie's first full campaign as the Eagles' signal caller, he led BC to the 1982 Tangerine Bowl, BC's first taste of the postseason in 39 years. The last bowl prior the Eagles traveled to was the 1943 Orange Bowl, which resulted in a 37-21 loss to Alabama.
• After a one-point loss to Notre Dame in the 1983 Liberty Bowl, falling 19-18 to the hated Irish in 11-degree temperatures in Memphis, Flutie propelled BC to a 45-28 1985 Cotton Bowl victory over Houston by throwing three touchdowns, leading the Eagles to their first postseason bowl win in 44 years.
• BC football began its eight-game bowl winning streak in 2000 at the Jeep Aloha Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii, with a 31-17 win over Arizona State.
• The Eagles went on a postseason tear: winning eight bowl games in a row:
• 2001 Music City Bowl (BC 20, No. 16 Georgia 16)
• 2002 Motor City Bowl (BC 51, Toledo 25)
• 2003 San Francisco Bowl (BC 35, Colorado State 21)
• 2004 Continental Tire Bowl (BC 37, North Carolina 24)
• 2005 MPC Computers Bowl (BC 27, Boise State 21)
• 2006 Meineke Car Care Bowl (BC 25, Navy 24)
• 2007 Champs Sports Bowl (BC 24, Michigan State 21)
• The final win of the eight-year postseason streak came in Orlando, Fla., at the Champs Sports Bowl. In a fitting end to his brilliant collegiate career, Matt Ryan led the Eagles to a three-point victory over Michigan State. Ryan completed 22-of- 47 attempts for 249 yards and three touchdowns as the Eagles kept the nation's longest bowl game win streak alive with a 24-21 victory.
Ten Opponents Going Bowling in 2017
• Boston College played one of the nation's toughest schedules in 2017 as 10 opponents will be going to a bowl game this postseason.
• BC is one of four teams nationally - and just one of two teams who will play in a bowl game - that faced 10 teams going to a bowl game in 2017.
• Boston College played the nation's 12th-toughest schedule per the NCAA. That is the toughest schedule BC has ever faced since the NCAA ranked schedule strength beginning in 2000.
• The Eagles' five losses this season were against Clemson (12-1), Notre Dame (9-3), Wake Forest (7-5), Virginia Tech (9-3) and NC State (8-4). Combined, those four teams are 45-16 in 2017.
Teams that Played the Most Bowl Opponents
Boston College: 10
Arizona State: 10
Kansas: 10
Syracuse: 10
UTEP: 10
Wake Forest: 9
Florida State: 9
Clemson: 9
UCLA: 9
Baylor: 9
Florida: 9
Iowa: 9
Boise State: 9
Iowa State: 9
Nebraska: 9Â
Teams in BOLD are going to a bowl game as well
Coming in Hot
• Boston College enters the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against Iowa on a roll as the Eagles have won five of their last six games. Only BC and No. 1 Clemson (6-0) have won at least five of the last six in the ACC entering bowl season.
• With a win over Iowa, BC would close the year with six wins in its last seven games for the first time since 1993 under Tom Coughlin.
ACC Rookie of the Year
• AJ Dillon became the first Boston College player in school history to be named the ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year.
• A native of New London, Connecticut, Dillon has rushed for 1,432 yards, the second-highest total by any freshman in ACC history.Â
• Dillon ranks second among all freshmen nationally this season in rushing and 15th among all players. He already holds the Boston College freshman rushing record heading into the Eagles' bowl game and is tied for sixth on the school's single-season rushing chart.
• Dillon was named first-team All-ACC and tied with Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson for most votes among the all-conference honorees.Â
• Dillon was the first true freshman running back to be named first-team All-ACC since T.A. McLendon of NC State in 2002. He was also the first BC true freshman to collect first-team All-ACC accolades since linebacker Luke Kuechly in 2009.
• He is just the second freshman in ACC history with two 200-yard games.
Leading the Nation
• AJ Dillon has been at his best as the Eagles have rolled off five wins in their final six games of the season. During the last six games, Dillon has rushed for 1,099 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has averaged 183.2 yards per game over the last half of the season.
• No player in the nation has rushed for more yards over the last six games than Dillon.
ACC Freshman Rushing Yards Leaders
1. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech (2009) 1,655
2. AJ Dillon, Boston College (2017) Â 1,432
3. Darren Evans, Virginia Tech (2008) 1,265
4. Giovani Bernard, North Carolina (2011) 1,253
5. Amos Lawrence, North Carolina (1977) 1,211
BC Single-Season Rushing Yards Leaders
1. Andre Williams (2013) 2,177
2. Mike Cloud (1998) 1,726
3. Derrick Knight (2003) 1,721
4. William Green (2001) 1,559
5. Montel Harris (2009) 1,457
6. AJ Dillon (2017) 1,432
Derrick Knight (2002) 1,432
BC's Freshman Rushing Leader
• True freshman running back AJ Dillon became BC's all-time leading freshman rusher with 1,039 rushing yards after logging 196 yards against NC State on Nov. 11. Dillon scored the game's first touchdown on a 66-yard run, his second-longest carry of the season.
• Dillon eclipsed Montel Harris' BC freshman rushing record of 920 yards in 13 games during the 2008 season.
• Dillon now has eight-career 100-yard games, including two games of 200+ rushing yards.
• Dillon has 268 rushing attempts this season, the most of any Boston College freshman in school history. The previous best by a rookie running back at BC was Jon Hilliman in 2014 (210 rushing attempts). Dillon finished with 36 carries against the Wolfpack, his second-highest total in a single game this season.
• Dillon's 268 carries rank sixth in Boston College single-season history.
• Dillon's eight 100-yard games this season are tied for sixth in school history for single-season 100-yard games.Â
Breakout Performance
• AJ Dillon had one of the best performances in school history in the 45-42 victory at Louisville on Oct. 14.
• Dillon finished the day with a career-high 272 yards on 39 carries, his first career 200-yard game, along with a career-best four touchdowns.
• Dillon finished with the third-best single-game rushing total in school history and the most ever by a true freshman in Boston College history.
• He earned Walter Camp Football Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts in the Louisville victory. He was the fifth Boston College player to earn Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004, and the first since running back Andre Williams (Nov. 17, 2013).
Top Performance Nationally
• AJ Dillon's 272 yards rushing were the seventh-most nationally in a game this season and the most by a true freshman.
NCAA Single-Game Rushing LeadersÂ
1. Khalil Tate, Arizona 327 at Colorado
2. Bryce Love, Stanford 301 vs. Arizona State
3. Khalil Herbert, Kansas 291 vs. West Virginia
4. Malcolm Perry, Navy 282 vs. SMU
5. Phillip Lindsay, Colorado 281 vs. Arizona
6. Darrius Guice, LSU 276 at Ole Miss
7. AJ Dillon, Boston College 272 at Louisville
Second-Best Rookie Performance in ACC History
• AJ Dillon rushed for 272 yards (on 39 carries), the sixth-highest single-game rushing total in the nation this season, 11th-best total in ACC history, and second-highest ACC freshman total behind only North Carolina's Amos Lawrence, who had 286 rushing yards in 1977.
More Notes on AJ's Big Day
• The four rushing touchdowns by Dillon vs. Louisville tied for the third-best performance in BC single-game history. Andre Williams (2013 vs. Army) and Montel Harris (2009 vs. NC State) hold the school record with five rushing touchdowns in a game.
BC Single-Game Rushing Leaders
1. Andre Williams (339 vs. NC State) 11/16/13
2. Andre Williams (295 at New Mexico State) 11/9/13
3. AJ Dillon (272 at Louisville) 10/14/17
4. Montel Harris (264 vs. NC State) 10/17/09
• It was the first 200-yard rushing game for a Boston College player since Andre Williams rushed for 295 yards at New Mexico State (Nov. 9, 2013).
• Dillon's 39 carries tied for the fifth-highest total in Boston College single-game history.
BC Single-Game Rushing Attempt Leaders
1. Andre Williams (42 vs. NC State) 11/16/13
Andre Williams (42 at Syracuse) 11/27/10
3. Montel Harris (41 vs. Maryland) 11/28/09
Fred Willis (41 vs. Pitt) 11/14/70
5. AJ Dillon (39 at Louisville) 10/14/17
Rolandan Finch (39 vs. Maryland) 10/29/11
Jim Bell (39 vs. Tennessee) 10/31/87
Quick Notes
• Boston College is currently ranked No. 32 in the latest Sagarin ratings. It is the highest Sagarin rating for BC since 2008 (28). The year prior to Addazio's arrival, BC was No. 113 in the Sagarin ratings.
• Boston College has the seventh-most improved scoring offense among Power 5 teams nationally.
• The Eagles feature ACC Rookie of the Year AJ Dillon, the nation's second-leading rusher among freshmen and the country's No. 15 overall rusher with 1,432 yards and 13 touchdowns.
• Dillon is BC's first ACC Rookie of the Year. He has 1,099 rushing yards over the last six games, the most of any player in the country.
• Dillon's 1,432 rushing yards are the second-most by any ACC freshman in conference history.
• Boston College had nine players earn All-ACC honors, tied for the most in school history. Only two of the nine All-ACC selections are seniors.
• Over the last six games, BC is averaging 36 points per game and outscoring the opposition by 19 points per contest including wins over Florida State (35-3), at Louisville (45-42) and at Virginia (41-10).
• Boston College defeated Syracuse 42-14, the most points scored for BC in series history (51 games).
• Boston College defeated Florida State 35-3, the most points scored for BC in series history (16 games).
• Boston College defeated Virginia 41-10, the most points scored for BC in series history (six games).
• Boston College is fourth nationally in pass efficiency defense.
• Boston College is tied for fifth nationally in interceptions (18).
• Boston College is tied for 13th nationally in turnovers gained (25).
• BC scored 35+ points in three consecutive games for the first time since 2002.
• BC scored 40+ points in consecutive conference games once in school history in the BIG EAST and ACC (this season).
• 500+ yards of total offense in consecutive games against Louisville and Virginia is also a first in ACC history for BC.
• Boston College's rushing offense is the most improved unit of any Power 5 school in yards per carry (96th to 25th).
• This year's schedule featured six games against opponents who at one time during the season were ranked: Clemson (1), Florida State (3), Louisville (14), NC State (14), Virginia Tech (12) and Notre Dame (3).
• Boston College is first nationally in fewest penalty yards per game, first in fewest penalty yards, second in fewest penalties per game and second in fewest total penalties.
• Boston College is 10th nationally and is second in the ACC with just 12 sacks allowed this season.
• Boston College is 17th nationally in total plays. Last season, the Eagles ranked 94th nationally in total plays.
• Junior free safety Lukas Denis is tied for first nationally with seven interceptions.
• Junior wide receiver Mike Walker leads the country with 1,110 combined return yards.
40-40
• The Eagles scored 40-plus in consecutive ACC games for the first time in school history following the wins at Louisville (45-42) on Oct. 14 and at Virginia (41-10) on Oct. 21.Â
• The last time BC scored 40 or more points in back-to-back games prior to 2017 was against Rutgers (44-14) and Toledo (51-25) in the final two games of the 2002 season.
35+Â
• Boston College scored 35+ points in three straight games for the first time since 2002. The Eagles scored 45 in the Oct. 14 win at Louisville, 41 in the Oct. 21 victory at Virginia and 35 in the Oct. 27 win over Florida State.
• The Eagles closed out the 2002 campaign with four straight games scoring 35+ against Syracuse (W, 41-20), Temple (W, 36-14), Rutgers (W, 44-14) and in the Motor City Bowl against Toledo (W, 51-25).
• Boston College has five games of scoring 35+ points in 2017, the most in a season by the Eagles since 2007 (five games).
500 Club
• Boston College rolled up a season-high 581 yards of total offense in the 42-14 win at Syracuse on Nov. 25.
• It marked the best day of total offense for the Eagles since rolling up 578 yards of total offense at NC State on Oct. 4, 2008.
• BC went over 500 yards of total offense for the sixth time under head coach Steve Addazio in the victory at Virginia. The Eagles finished with 512 yards of total offense against a Virginia defense that entered the game in the Top 20 nationally in total defense.
• The last time BC went over 500 yards of total offense in consecutive games was against Maine and Southern California in 2014 prior to doing it in back to back games against Louisville and Virginia this season.
• In ACC play, it marked the first time ever over 500 yards in consecutive games for the Eagles.
500+ Yards of Total Offense During Addazio Era
1. 581 at Syracuse (11/25/17)
2. 555 at Louisville (10/14/17)
3. 550 at New Mexico State (11/9/13)
4. 523 Army (10/5/13)
5. 512 at Virginia (10/21/17)
6. 511 UMass (8/30/14)
7. 506 No. 9 Southern California (9/13/14)
Brown Out for the Season with Injury
• Redshirt freshman quarterback Anthony Brown will miss the remainder of the 2017 season after suffering a leg injury against No. 23 NC State on Nov. 11. Brown started all 10 games he played in at quarterback for Boston College in 2017 and was one of the top freshmen passers in the country. He was in the top five among rookie signal callers in passing yards (1,367) and passing touchdowns (11) at the time of his injury.
What Can Brown Do for You?
• Anthony Brown had his best performance of his young career in the Oct. 21 win at Virginia. The New Jersey native finished 19-of-24 passing for 275 yards and three touchdowns.
• Brown was named ACC Rookie of the Week for the first time in his career following the UVA victory and also was one of eight quarterbacks nationally recognized by The Manning Award as its "Stars of the Week."
• Brown established new career-highs in passing yards and passing touchdowns in the victory.
• He was the first Boston College player with three passing touchdowns and zero interceptions in a conference game since Quinton Porter in 2003 in the 41-10 victory at UVA.
119th Season of Boston College Football
• The 119th season of Boston College football began with a 23-20 victory at Northern Illinois on Sept. 1. All-time, BC is 659-486-37 in 1,181 games.
• BC is 36th in NCAA history with 659 victories. The Eagles are one of eight ACC schools ranked in the top 40 all-time in victories.
Pound the Rock
• For the 12th time under Steve Addazio and third time this season, Boston College rushed for 300 yards or more in the Nov. 25 win over Syracuse.
• Under Addazio, BC is 12-0 when rushing for 300+ yards in a game.
• The Eagles rank fourth in the ACC and 24th nationally averaging 2224.2 rushing yards per game.
300+ Rushing Yards During Addazio Era
1. 452 No. 9 Southern California (9/13/14)
2. 420 NC State (11/1613)
3. 413 Maine (9/20/14)
4. 364 at Louisville (10/14/17)
5. 347 Howard (9/12/15)
6. 338 UMass (8/30/14)
7. 333 at Syracuse (11/25/17)
8. 330 at UConn (11/18/17)
9. 320 at New Mexico State (11/9/13)
10. 320 Army (10/5/13)
11. 310 at NC State (10/11/14)
12. 300 Wagner (9/24/16)
Lighting Up the Scoreboard
• Boston College's 45 points in the win at Louisville on Oct. 14 were the most points scored against a Power Five opponent since scoring 52 against NC State (52-20) on Oct. 17, 2009.
• It also marked just the second time in school history the Eagles scored 40 or more points in an ACC game.
• BC scored 41 one week later on Oct. 21 at Virginia for the first back-to-back 40-point performances in ACC history for the Eagles.
• The last time BC scored 40+ in two games against Power Five competition prior to this season was in 1998 against Georgia Tech (41-31) and Rutgers (41-14).
• BC never scored 40+ in consecutive conference games as a member of the BIG EAST from 1993-2004.
Defending the Pass
• Boston College's secondary of Lukas Denis, Will Harris, Taj-Amir Torres, Hamp Cheevers, Isaac Yiadom and Kamrin Moore have combined for 13 of the team's 18 interceptions in 2017.
• Boston College is tied for fifth nationally with the 18 interceptions.
• Opponents have had a tough time completing passes against the BC pass defense in 2017. The Eagles rank fourth nationally in passing efficiency defense as opponents have only a 100.75 pass efficiency rate. BC leads the ACC in passing efficiency defense.
Look Out for Lukas
• Junior Lukas Denis has made a flawless transition from cornerback to free safety in 2017. The Everett native is tied for first nationally with seven interceptions this season en route to All-ACC second team honors.
• Denis finished with a game-high and new career-high with 13 tackles in the Clemson game. He also forced a fumble against the second-ranked Tigers and had one interception.
• In the Sept. 30 victory over Central Michigan, Denis recorded the first two-interception game of his career.
• Denis is also tied for 13th nationally with 16 passes defended in 2017.
Young Guns
• Boston College is the only school in the country to have a freshman lead the team in passing (Anthony Brown), rushing (AJ Dillon) and receiving (Kobay White).Â
The Trifecta
• Senior Harold Landry recorded three sacks in a game for the third time in his career Oct. 7 against No. 16 Virginia Tech.Â
• Since 2014, only three players in college football have recorded three, three-sack games: Myles Garrett (Texas A&M), Derek Barnett (Tennessee) and Landry.
• Garrett was the first pick of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns while Barnett was taken 14th overall in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Boston College Single-Game Sack Leaders
Sacks, Player Year Opponent
3.5, Mathias Kiwanuka 2005 NC StateÂ
3.5, Mike Mamula 1994 TempleÂ
3, Harold Landry 2017 No. 16 Va. Tech
3, Harold Landry 2016 Wake Forest
3, Harold Landry 2016 WagnerÂ
3, B.J. Raji 2008 NC StateÂ
3, Mathias Kiwanuka 2005 Ball StateÂ
3, Mathias Kiwanuka 2003 Notre DameÂ
3, Mike Mamula 1994 SyracuseÂ
3, Joe Glandorf 1974 Syracuse
The Nation's Leader Returns
• Boston College defensive end Harold Landry decided to return to Boston College for his senior season in January. The All-American led the nation in sacks in 2016 with 16.5.
• Landry led the country with seven forced fumbles en route to Walter Camp and Associated Press All-America honors.
• Landry finished with one of the best seasons of any defensive player in the country in 2016. An AP All-ACC first-team selection, Landry was also selected as the Division I Gold Helmet of the Year Award recipient, given annually to the top player in New England by the New England Football Writers' Association and the recipient of the 78th annual George "Bulger" Lowe Award, "New England's Heisman Trophy" and one of America's oldest college football accolades.
 • Landry, who collected All-ACC second-team honors by the media and coaches, was one of six finalists for the Ted Hendricks Award, given annually to the nation's top defensive end.
 • The North Carolina native led the nation with 16.5 sacks and seven fumbles forced. Landry rewrote the Boston College single-season record for sacks in 2016, breaking the old mark of 13 held by Eric Storz (1997) and Mike Mamula (1994). Landry was fifth in the country with 22.0 tackles-for-loss, the second-best total in Boston College single-season history behind only Mathias Kiwanuka's 25.5 TFLs in 2004.
• Since 2005, only two players have led the nation in sacks and decided to return to school instead of opting for the NFL Draft: Harold Landry and Von Miller (Texas A&M).
• Landry recorded at least one sack in 10 of BC's 13 games in 2016. He set the BC single-season sack record, breaking the mark of 13 held by Erik Storz in 1997 and Mike Mamula in 1994.
• Landry finished 2016 with 22 tackles-for-loss, the second-best single-season total in BC history.
BC Career Sacks Leaders
1. Mathias Kiwanuka (2002-05) 37.5
2. Harold Landry (2014-present) 26
3. Mike Mamula (1992-94) 24
4. Chris Hovan (1996-99) 20.5
5. Erik Storz (1994-97) 19
BC Career TFL Leaders
1. Mathias Kiwanuka (2002-05) 65.5
2. Harold Landry (2014-present) 47.5
3. Luke Kuechly (2009-11) 44
4. Chris Hovan (1996-99) 43
5. Tim Bulman (2001-04) 38
Zach Attack
• Boston College junior defensive end Zach Allen has quietly become one of the top defensive ends in the ACC. Allen is second on the team with 93 tackles and leads BC with 14.5 tackles-for-loss. His 5.0 sacks are tied for the team lead while he leads the team with six quarterback hurries.
• Allen's 93 tackles are the second-most by a defensive lineman nationally.
• Allen recorded a career-high 14 tackles, leading all players, in the Oct. 7 game against No. 16 Virginia Tech. He notched a career-high three tackles for loss and one sack on the night. He was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his efforts in the Virginia Tech game.
• Allen recorded two TFLs, one sack and his first career interception in the 28-8 win over Central Michigan on Sept. 30.
Watch Out for Walker
• Junior wide receiver Michael Walker has been all over the field for the Eagles this season. The Naples, Fla., native leads the nation in combined returns with 1,110 yards in 2017.
• In punt returns, Walker is fourth nationally with an average of 13.7 yards per return.
• Against Central Michigan, Walker registered 128 punt return yards - including 124 in the first half - the fourth-best single-game total in BC history. It was the most punt return yards in a game since Ed Rideout finished with 131 punt return yards against Holy Cross in 1970. He finished the game with 135 all-purpose yards.Â
Yards Name (Year) Opponent
166 Kelvin Martin (1985) Holy Cross
136 Kelvin Martin (1986) SMU
131 Ed Rideout (1970) Holy Cross
128 Michael Walker (2017) Central Michigan
109 Spiffy Evans (2012) Maryland
• Walker set up BC's first touchdown of the game with a career-long 61-yard punt return vs. CMU. The week prior at No. 2 Clemson, Walker's previous career-long of 27 yards also set up a BC touchdown.
• Walker had the second-longest punt return of his career on his second return of the day with a 33-yard return. BC scored on the drive as true freshman running back AJ Dillon scored his second career touchdown (first at Alumni Stadium) to give BC a 14-2 lead.
• Walker's 29-yard punt return put BC in position for BC's third touchdown as BC started the drive on the CMU 17-yard line. Hilliman scored his second touchdown of the game to extend the BC lead to 21-8.
• Over two games at No. 2 Clemson and against Central Michigan, BC had four scoring drives ending in touchdowns after Walker got things started with a punt return of 27 yards or longer.
• Walker is fifth in BC single-season history with 754 kick return yards in 2017.
Schwab Stepping Up
• Boston College senior linebacker Ty Schwab has played the best football of his career as a senior. The Florida native leads the team with 101 tackles and ranks among the team leaders in sacks (4.0) and TFLs (8.5). Even more impressive, Schwab has been the one steady force at the position with injuries to Connor Strachan and Max Richardson en route to All-ACC third team honors.
• Against defending National Champion Clemson, Schwab set career-highs in tackles (11) and sacks (1.5).
• Schwab has played in 29 consecutive games, including 25 starts, at weakside linebacker.
Career Day for the Captain
• Boston College wide receiver and tri-captain Charlie Callinan had the best game of his career Sept. 16 vs. Notre Dame. Playing in his 41st career game including his 31st start, Callinan set career-highs in receptions (7), receiving yards (82) and receiving touchdowns (2) against the Fighting Irish.
• Callinan missed four games with a foot injury but returned Oct. 21 against Virginia.
Scouting Iowa
• Iowa tied for third in the Big Ten Conference West Division with a record of 7-5, including 4-5 in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes played the sixth-toughest schedule in college football, per the Jeff Sagarin ratings. Iowa's 12 opponents in 2017 have a combined record of 91-55 (.623). The Hawkeyes' biggest win of the year was a 55-24 victory over No. 3 Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium.
• Iowa ranks third among Big Ten teams in bowl appearances and is bowl eligible for the 16th time under coach head Kirk Ferentz. Iowa has posted a 6-8 bowl record under head coach Kirk Ferentz. Since the 2001 season, only Ohio State and Wisconsin have won more bowl games (including the FBS championship game), than Iowa.
• The Hawkeyes are making their 31st bowl game appearance, and their first in New York. Iowa has posted a 14-15-1 record in 30 previous bowl games. Â
• Boston College defensive coordinator Jim Reid spent three seasons as the Hawkeyes' linebackers coach from 2013-15 prior to arriving at BC.
Setting the Tempo
• Boston College is 17th nationally with 915 total plays on offense in 2017. The Eagles finished 94th nationally in 2016 with 862 plays run the entire season in 13 games.
• Boston College ran 92 plays out of a no-huddle, up-tempo offense in the win at Northern Illinois. It was the most plays run under head coach Steve Addazio, beating the previous game-high of 86 vs. UMass in 2014.
• The 92 plays were the most by a BC team since the Eagles joined the ACC in 2005. Only three other times since 2005 has BC ran 90 plays in a game - 2007 vs. Army (90), 2005 vs. Florida State (90) and 2005 vs. Clemson (90).
• Heading into the 2016 Quick Lane Bowl, BC shifted its focus to an up-tempo, no-huddle offense. The results were immediate as the Eagles scored 29 points in the first half and 36 for the game in a 36-30 victory over Maryland.
BC Total Plays in a Game (since 2005)
1. Northern Illinois (9/1/17) 92
2. Army (9/22/07) 90
Florida State (9/17/05) 90
Clemson (9/24/05) 90
5. Louisville (10/14/17) 87
6. UMass (8/30/14) 86
7. Notre Dame (9/16/17) 85
Maine (9/20/14) 85
Miami (9/1/12) 85
10. Buffalo (10/1/16) 84
11. Maryland (11/10/07) 83
12. Wake Forest (9/9/17) 82
Wake Forest (10/1/11) 82
Wake Forest (11/4/06) 82
Duke (11/11/06) 82
First Bowl Win Since 2007
• Boston College earned its first bowl victory since 2007 with a 36-30 victory over Maryland in the 2016 Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit on Dec. 26.
• Boston College is 14-11 all-time in 25 bowl appearances. The last bowl victory prior to the win over Maryland was a 24-21 win over Michigan State on Dec. 28, 2007 in the Champs Sports Bowl.Â
• Boston College's 29 first-half points marked the third-best first half scoring effort in BC's bowl history.Â
• The defensive line was named Most Outstanding Player in the 2016 Quick Lane Bowl. Boston College finished with eight sacks and 14 tackles-for-loss.
Welcome to The Heights
• Martin Jarmond was named the William V. Campbell Director of Athletics on April 24, 2017, becoming the eighth athletic director in Boston College history. At 38, Jarmond is the youngest athletic director of a Power Five conference institution in Division 1 athletics.
• A native of Fayetteville, N.C., Jarmond graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in communication studies. He was a two-time captain of the basketball team, earned All-CAA Academic honors and helped the Seahawks gain their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2000. He earned both an MBA (2002) and a master's in sports administration (2003) from Ohio University.
• Jarmond and Harold Landry are both graduates of Pine Forest High School in North Carolina.
Nine Earn All-ACC Honors
• Boston College tied a school record with nine players earning All-ACC football honors, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced on Nov. 27. True freshman running back AJ Dillon was named first team All-ACC and tied with Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson for most votes among the all-conference teams. Dillon is the first true freshman running back to be named first team All-ACC since T.A. McLendon of NC State in 2002. He is also the first BC true freshman to collect first team All-ACC accolades since linebacker Luke Kuechly in 2009.
• In addition to Dillon, junior free safety Lukas Denis and junior offensive tackle Chris Lindstrom earned second team All-ACC honors, senior defensive end Harold Landry, senior linebacker Ty Schwab, junior tight end Tommy Sweeney and junior specialist Michael Walker collected third team All-ACC accolades while junior defensive end Zach Allen and junior offensive guard Sam Schmal were name All-ACC honorable mention.
• Boston College also had nine players earn All-ACC honors in 2007, 2008 and 2013.
• Dillon's magnificent rookie campaign was one of the best by any ACC freshman running back in conference history. The New London, Conn., native has rushed for 1,432 yards, the second-most by any freshman in ACC history. Dillon is second among all freshmen nationally in rushing and 15th overall.
• In his first year as a starter at free safety, Denis put together a strong season to earn All-ACC honors for the first time. The Everett, Mass., native is tied for the national lead with seven interceptions, which is fourth in Boston College single-season history. Denis is tied for 13th nationally with 16 passes defended in 2017 and ranks third on the team with 80 tackles.
• Lindstrom was BC's highest-graded offensive linemen the entire season and led a productive unit that ranked second in the ACC - and tied for 12th nationally - with just 13 sacks allowed all season. The Dudley, Mass., native was the key cog in a rushing offense that is 24th nationally, averaging 224.2 yards per game.
• Landry earned All-ACC honors for the third time in his career after an injury-riddled senior campaign. The North Carolina product played in eight games before an ankle injury forced him to miss the final four games of the regular season. Landry is tied for the team lead with five sacks and ranks second in BC career history with 26.0 sacks.
• Schwab collected All-ACC honors for the first time in his career after leading the Eagles with 101 tackles in 2017. The Florida native has played the best football of his career as a senior, totaling 8.5 tackles-for-loss and four sacks to go along with two interceptions and a forced fumble this season. Schwab has made 31 starts over his four-year career and played in 47 games for the Eagles, with 179 career tackles.
• Sweeney nabbed All-ACC honors for the first time in his career and became the first BC tight end since Ryan Purvis in 2008 to garner All-ACC accolades. The New Jersey native is second on the team in receptions (29) and receiving yards (375) and leads BC with three touchdown receptions in 2017. Sweeney has started all 12 games for Boston College this year.
• Walker is another first-time All-ACC recipient as a return specialist. The Florida native leads the nation with 1,110 combined kick return yards and is fifth nationally averaging 13.7 yards per punt return. Walker leads the ACC in punt returns (13.7) and is fifth in the conference in kickoff returns (24.3). Walker is fifth in BC single-season history with 754 kickoff return yards in 2017.
• Despite being second in the nation in tackles by a defensive lineman with 93, Allen was named All-ACC honorable mention. The Connecticut native has been one of the most disruptive players in the country in 2017, totaling a team-best 14.5 tackles-for-loss and tying for the team lead with five sacks. Allen ranks second on the team with 93 tackles and totaled 40 tackles against nationally-ranked Clemson, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and NC State in 2017.
• Schmal garnered All-ACC honorable mention honors for the first time as part of one of the top offensive lines in the ACC. The Georgia native played in all 12 games with 11 starts at left guard. BC scored 40+ points five times this season, the most since 2007 (five games).
