Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1185700
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 23, 2019 37 lege, where he has become one of its best to ever suit up. As a 2017 freshman, Dillon romped for 1,589 yards and 14 touchdowns to earn ACC Rookie of the Year hon- ors. An injury sidelined him for three games in 2018, but he still became the first player in school history to eclipse 1,000 yards (1,149) rushing in his first two seasons. During this year's 5-5 start his 272 carries — 40 in the 38-31 loss at Flor- ida State Nov. 9 — led the nation and produced 1,451 yards (No. 2 nation- ally) and 13 scores. Behind a strong offensive line led by Preseason All-ACC right tackle Ben Petrula, Dillon and 240-pound David Bailey (760 rushing yards, 6.4 yards per carry and seven touch- downs) headline a power-based at- tack that ranked No. 4 nationally in rushing with a 282.2-yard average per contest. However, with tread on the tires so vital to running backs in the NFL, Dillon will have to seriously contem- plate turning pro after this season, lest another 300-carry season in col- lege add to the physical poundings he has absorbed. That bring us to his head coach … STEVE ADDAZIO AND 'THE NEXT LEVEL' When Notre Dame finished 5-7 in 1999, it had a coaching staff that included future head coaches Ur- ban Meyer (wide receivers/special teams), Charlie Strong (defensive line) and Steve Addazio (tackles/ tight ends, and later special teams), plus a rising graduate assistant in Dan Mullen. While the retired (temporary or otherwise) Meyer has become one of the game's titans, Mullen pros- pered as head coach at Mississippi State before advancing to become the Florida Gators' head coach, and Strong recorded a Sugar Bowl win at Louisville, plus victories over Notre Dame in 2015 and Oklahoma in 2016 while coaching at the University of Texas (and now at South Florida). Meanwhile, Addazio has quietly fashioned a quality career for him- self, first while serving as an assis- tant coach for Meyer at Florida from 2005-10 when the Gators captured two national titles. Next he served as Temple's head coach in 2011-12 before parlaying that into a move to Boston College in 2013. At Chestnut Hill, he has become "Seven-Win Steve" finishing 7-6 in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017, and 7-5 in 2018 when the bowl game was can- celled due to lightning. Much like critics of Brian Kelly lament that he has not taken Notre Dame to "top tier" standing, Addazio deals with similar backlash about not getting to a higher level than the usual seven wins, especially after a 48-24 loss to Kansas this season. The roller-coaster tendencies of the 2019 team (see pages 30-32) prompts inquiry of whether Addazio has gone as far as he can at Boston College. Entering Notre Dame Nov. 23, he will need to upset both the Irish and defeat Pitt Nov. 30 to reach seven wins once again. ✦ GAME PREVIEW: BOSTON COLLEGE Steve Addazio is the first head coach in Boston College history to lead the Eagles to five bowls in his first six seasons, but his overall record at Chestnut Hill stands at just 43-43 heading into their matchup with the Fighting Irish. PHOTO COURTESY BOSTON COLLEGE FOOTBALL Predictions Todd Burlage: Notre Dame 40, Boston College 20 Notre Dame will be tasked with stopping the Eagles' bruising 250-pound running back AJ Dillon if it wants to survive at home. Unfortunately for Boston College, Dillon can't play defense as well. Vince DeDario: Notre Dame 42, Boston College 14 Boston College is giving up almost 500 yards per game. With the resurgence of the Notre Dame offense at Duke and the way the defense has been playing, BC will struggle to move the ball and the offense should take advantage. This game should not be close. Andrew Mentock: Notre Dame 37, Boston College 17 The Irish manage to contain the Boston College running attack, which puts the game in the hands of quarterback Dennis Grosel, who is completing only 49.5 percent of his passes. On the other side of the ball, the Irish offense is able to take advantage of an Eagle defense that's prone to missed tackles. Mike Singer: Notre Dame 48, Boston College 24 What has been most impressive about Boston College's season is that it has been able to keep the ship afloat after being trounced 48-24 by Kansas. Boston College can score, but Notre Dame shouldn't have much of a problem in this one. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 31, Boston College 17 Minus the injured Anthony Brown at quarterback, the Eagles might be hard-pressed to score a lot of points. They do usually have a habit of making the game into a tough grind for Notre Dame.