Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/92327
✦ TOP STORYLINES: NOTRE DAME VS. BC BY LOU SOMOGYI LOST IDENTITY Under former head coach Tom O'Brien (1997-2006) and longtime defensive co- ordinator and current head coach Frank Spaziani (2009-12), the Boston College football identity was as basic, hard-hat and blue-collar as they come. 1) Run the ball. 2) Stop the run. This identity was the backbone of re- cording an amazing six straight victories against Notre Dame from 2001-04 and 2007-08. The physical ground attack actually be- gan with second-round draft pick Mike Cloud (1995-98), but first-round selec- tion William Green (1999-2001) began the dominant phase that would then include all-time rushing leaders Derrick Knight (2002-03) and Montel Harris (2008-10). Even when first-round NFL pick Matt Ryan was the centerpiece of the attack at quarterback in 2007, Boston College won at Notre Dame (27-14) with running backs Andre Callender and L.V Whitworth com- bining for 158 yards on 30 carries. As for Boston College stopping the run, in Notre Dame's five consecutive losses to the Eagles from 2002-08, it averaged 73.2 yards per game on the ground. In recent years, even with Harris on of- fense and mega-star linebacker Luke Kue- chly (2009-11) — the 2011 recipient of the Butkus Award, the Lombardi Award, the Lott Impact Trophy and the Bronko Nagurski Award, a feat that Notre Dame's Manti Te'o could conceivably duplicate — that identity has gradually dwindled. In 2012, it has completely faded. During its 2-7 start, Boston College ranked 118th nationally in rushing offense (77.4 yards per game) and 116th in rush- ing defense (235.0 yards per game) among 120 Football Bowl Subdivision programs. Redshirt junior end Kasim Edebali (6-2, 258 pounds) is part of an undersized Boston College defensive front that has surrendered 235.0 rushing yards per game. ✦ PAGE 8 PHOTO COURTESY BOSTON COLLEGE