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by
Joel Welser
#20
Boston College Eagles
Atlantic Coast Conference
2006 Record: (10-3, 5-3)
Coach: Jeff Jagodzinski (1st year
at Boston College, 0-0 overall)
Starters Returning: 18 (7 offense, 9 defense,
2 specialists)
Offensive Starters Lost: WR Tony Gonzalez, FB
Mark Palmer, OL Josh Beekman, OL James Marten
Offensive Starters Returning: QB Matt Ryan,
RB L.V. Whitworth, WR Kevin Challenger, TE Ryan Thompson, OL Gosder Cherilus, OL
Ryan Poles, OL Kevin Sheridan
Defensive Starters Lost: CB Larry Anam, S
Ryan Glasper
Defensive Starters Returning: DT B.J. Raji,
DT Ron Brace, DE Nick Larkin, DE Brady Smith, LB Jolonn Dunbar, LB Tyronne
Pruitt, LB Brian Toal, CB DeJuan Tribble, S Jamie Silva
Starting Specialists Lost: none
Starting Specialists Returning: K Steve
Aponavicius, P Johnny Ayers
New Head Coach Jeff Jagodzinski is expected to get a
little more out of the offense and, with an offense that was pretty good before
and returns most of the major pieces, Boston College should be clicking from day
one. In 2006, the ground game could have been more consistent and the new staff
will have to do a better job sticking with the running backs.
Offense:
Sticking with the running backs should not be a
problem with L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender on the field. The duo only found
the endzone seven times, but combined to rush for over 1,400 yards. Whitworth
and Callender will be running behind a tough, experienced offensive line. Josh
Beekman, who earned first-team All-America honors, and James Marten, a
second-team All-ACC tackle, are gone, but there are plenty of options including
seniors Tom Anevski and Ty Hall to help replace their production.
The offense runs through team leader and quarterback
Matt Ryan. Battling through much of the season with a broken foot, Ryan still
threw for 245 yards per game and 15 touchdowns on the season. The senior has the
ability to take over a game and will have to do so if Boston College wants to
think about an ACC championship. However, not having Tony Gonzalez to pass to
will make things more difficult for Ryan. Gonzalez, a big play receiver, caught
43 passes for 491 yards and five touchdowns during his senior campaign. Kevin
Challenger put up similar numbers in 2006 and will be joined by Brandon
Robinson, Rich Gunnell and Clarence Megwa as the main receiving threats.
Defense:
The defensive line returns entirely intact led by
tackle B.J. Raji and end Nick Larkin. The good news continues with the rest of
the front seven, as Boston College returns all three starting linebackers as
well. Jolonn Dunbar led the team in tackles and will make the big hit and the
spectacular play. Against Maryland Dunbar returned two fumbles for touchdowns
and the senior will make sure he is around the ball on every play. The speedy
Tyronne Pruitt and the often injured Brian Toal will join Dunbar in the starting
linebacker corps. However, Toal may miss some action in the fall while
recovering from a shoulder injury. Junior Robert Francois spelled Toal during
times of injuries in 2006 and could do so again in 2007.
The lone losses on defense are strong safety Ryan
Glasper and cornerback Larry Anam. Paul Anderson has starting experience at the
strong safety position and is expected to easily take over the job from Glasper.
The returning defensive backs, DeJuan Tribble and Jamie Silva, are quality
players who will make the secondary one of the best in the ACC. Tribble earned
All-ACC second-team honors as a corner and is looking to turn the All-ACC honors
into All-America honors for his senior season.
The Bottom Line:
Despite the great story of kicker Steve Aponavicius,
who played his first ever organized football game on national television and
drilled two field goals and added a bowl winning kick for good measure, the
kicking position is up for grabs. Aponavicius hit 24-of-25 extra points and
7-of-11 field goals, so the junior is a serviceable option, but Boston College
has probably found its guy in freshman Billy Bennett. More important than the
kicker is the fact that BC has a lot of talent and experience and will be in the
mix to win the Atlantic Division.
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