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✦ TOP STORYLINES: NOTRE DAME VS. BC 5.7 yards per carry while finishing 0-4 to close the 2009 season. "It starts with you have to be able to stop the run," Kelly said. "Even if you're somebody who doesn't watch a lot of foot- ball, you can tell when you go to a football game and they're running the ball at will, that's not a very good feeling. "You kind of get a sense this could be a very long day." There have been many of those days at Boston College in 2012, which brings us to … FRANK SPAZIANI'S FINAL STAND? Fourth-year head coach Frank Spaziani was a significant reason for the glory years that the BC football program expe- rienced since the turn of the century. An Eagles staff member since 1997, Spaziani saw Boston College win eight straight bowl games from 2000-07 and defeat Notre Dame six straight times in an eight-year period from 2001-08. The defensive coordinator since 1999, Spaziani was promoted to head coach in 2009 at age 62 when former athletics di- rector Gene DeFilippo fired Jeff Jagodzin- ski, who had interviewed for the New York Jets head coaching position after being warned by DeFilippo not to do it. If the third year is indeed the measuring stick of when a head coach's personality begins to infiltrate the team, then the writ- ing may have been on the wall for Spa- ziani prior to this season after the program dropped from 8-5 his first year to 7-6 the second and 4-8 in his third season, 2011. A 2-7 start this year — with one of the victories coming against Football Cham- pionship Subdivision member Maine — likely has the Boston College administra- tion and fan base seeking a change for the now 65-year-old Spaziani, who has had a laudable run during his career. lied just two field goals over the final three quarters. "Probably most impressed with how they're coached," Irish head coach Brian Kelly said when giving his review of Bos- ton College. "Extremely well coached, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They play hard, they play physical." Is there a "last hurrah" remaining for Spaziani? He might have to completely sell out against the run versus the Irish while chal- lenging sophomore quarterback Everett Golson and his still fledgling receiving corps to beat the Eagles defense. Never underestimate the fight in a griz- zled veteran of the game. STRONG OUT OF THE GATES Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly has imparted the need to establish a tone at the outset of each half. During their 9-0 start, the Irish did not surrender a touchdown in the first quarter while outscoring their foes 47-9. Boston College, on the other hand, has had its least success in the first quarter while get- ting outscored 82-38 during its 2-7 start, including 14-0 in last week's 28-14 loss to Wake Forest. The Eagles opened the sea- son with a quick 14-0 lead against Miami in the first 7:06, but it's been a precipitous downward trend since then. The third quarter also has been pivotal Spaziani is on the hot seat after producing a 22-26 record the past four years at Boston College, including 2-7 so far in 2012. His defensive game plans consistently flummoxed Notre Dame during its six- game losing streak to the Eagles, most notably in the 17-0 defeat in 2008 despite featuring Jimmy Clausen at quarterback, with Golden Tate and Michael Floyd at wide receiver. Last year, the Irish managed to score only one touchdown in their hard fought 16-14 victory versus the Eagles and tal- ✦ PAGE 10 in Notre Dame's success with a 47-17 ad- vantage. Meanwhile, Boston College was outscored 64-43 in the third quarter. If the Eagles can get a decent start PHOTO COURTESY BOSTON COLLEGE against Notre Dame and hang around through the first half, there is no telling what can happen. On the road, Notre Dame will need to assert its superiority early to potentially demoralize a Boston College team that doesn't have much else but pride on the line. ✦