Twenty-two years ago, Boston College was involved in one of the greatest football "miracles" in sports history. Eagles quarterback Doug Flutie completed a Hail Mary pass to wide receiver Gerard Phelan with no time left to lift the Eagles over national powerhouse Miami Hurricanes. To come away with a victory Saturday, the Bulls football team will need a miracle of their own against the Eagles.
When the teams meet at 1 p.m., it will be the second time this season that head coach Turner Gill will lead his team against a nationally ranked opponent. After experiencing the big stage against the then No. 2 ranked Auburn Tigers last month, the team has an idea of what to expect when heading to Boston to face the Eagles, the 17th ranked team in the country.
"You don't get caught up in who you are playing, but you do respect them and their talents," Gill said. "We experienced the awe factor with Auburn, now were ready for the challenge."
Boston College is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, which boasts three top 25 teams and is one of the nation's premier football conferences. The Eagles come into the contest on a three game winning streak that includes an impressive victory over the Hokies of Virginia Tech.
It is quite the opposite for the Bulls - the team is coming off an embarrassing loss to the Ohio Bobcats. The team is on a six game skid and is still trying to find their identity. The Bulls could be in for a very long afternoon when they meet up with the Eagles, as even Mid-American Conference opponents have given the team fits as of late.
Buffalo will be looking towards their running game and freshman James Starks to carry the brunt of the offense this week. The challenge will be a stout run defense that limited the Florida State Seminoles to only 28 yards rushing last week.
If Buffalo can get its aerial attack together they may be able to make some headway against a Boston College pass defense that ranks last in the ACC. Sophomore quarterback Drew Willy must bounce back from two lackluster games if the Bulls are going to succeed.
On the defensive side of the football, the Bulls obviously have questions marks. The run defense has been gift-wrapping huge rushing totals for the opposing teams and has not been able to stop the opponents from scoring on their first drive of the game. Compounding the problem will be the absence of senior linebacker and captain Ramon Guzman, who is listed as doubtful for the game. Without Guzman, Gill looks to get several young players reps against high quality competition.
Penalties have begun to pile up on the Bulls, with each of their past two games having penalty totals of over 100 yards. The team will have to keep their penalties in check this week against the Eagles, as their experience and discipline have come under fire in the wake of all their miscues.
"We're disappointed, we're a young team and we aren't going to get down on them," Gill said. "We're here to teach them and to be here for them."
The Bulls will have to contend with the Eagles cohesive passing assault that features ACC leading passer, junior quarterback Matthew Ryan, and his top targets senior Tony Gonzales and junior Kevin Challenger. Handling the rushing duties for BC will be junior L.V. Whitworth, an up and coming runner with the help of a savvy and cohesive offensive line.
Defensively the Eagles are quick and active and get great results from their defensive line. Defensive backs DeJuan Tribble and Larry Anam will challenge Drew Willy's ability to make quick, decisive reads and passes.
Eagles head coach Tom O'Brien is not looking to let up this week against an under matched Buffalo team. With his team on the rise and hopes of making a Bowl Championship Series appearance, he has his team focused on the task at hand and isn't looking past the Bulls.
"Were not going to be anyone's upset special of the week this week," O'Brien said in a press release.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
