NCAA Football FanHouse

Spiller Force Behind Clemson Revival

Jim Henry — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Clemson, Duke Football, Florida State, University of Miami, Virginia, ACC

Much of the credit for Clemson's turnaround this season goes to its offense. Let us count the ways.

During Clemson's current five-game winning streak -- the program's longest in three seasons -- the Tigers have scored at least 38 points in each game, a program first. During that span, Clemson has averaged 42 points per game, 425 total yards per game, 6.87 yards per play and 220 passing yards a game.

No wonder the Tigers, who had lost three of their first five games by a total of 10 points, are positioned to clinch their first trip to the ACC title game with a home victory Saturday against struggling Virginia.

Of course, Clemson's success on offense revolves around all-purpose back and Heisman Trophy hopeful C.J. Spiller. Spiller needs 103 all-purpose yards to break the ACC single-season record of 2,054, held by Virginia's Thomas Jones.

In last Saturday's victory over N.C. State, Spiller had a 16-yard touchdown run, caught a 34-yard scoring pass and threw a 17-yard touchdown to Xavier Dye, becoming the first Clemson player to do all three in one game.

"I'm just proud of C.J. -- another ho-hum day for him," coach Dabo Swinney said.

"I don't know how many other 'first evers' the guy can have."

Clemson has gained at least 200 yards passing and 200 yards rushing in each of the last two games. Clemson is 52-0-1 when it has at least 200 yards of each in the history of the school.

The Tigers also have gotten a big boost lately from freshman Kyle Parker. He's thrown 10 touchdowns and two interceptions in the Tigers' four wins over FBS opponents during their five-game winning streak while compiling a 164.9 passer rating.

Swinney's defense, meanwhile, allows 299.3 yards per game to rank second in the ACC and 20th nationally. Clemson's 20 interceptions (12 in the last five games) lead the FBS.

Clemson has not won an ACC Championship since 1991, when a defense led by future NFL players Levon Kirkland, Chester McGlockton and Brentson Buckner, led the nation in rushing defense.

The Tigers were 9-1-1 in the regular season that year and had a 6-0-1 record in the ACC, good enough for the league championship. Clemson defeated Maryland in the final home game on Nov. 16, 1991 and that was the last time Clemson clinched any type of title.

The Tigers have the opportunity to make history on Senior Day Saturday.

"I think that would be really special for those guys," Swinney said.

"I still remember my high school senior game. They work so hard and these guys put so much into it for those 12 Saturdays. It is just a special day and then that it is your last game and an opportunity to win the Division title on the same day. These guys were four years old the last time we won one. It is a great opportunity for them.

"That is why you play the game. All year long they have been working towards their goals and now the second goal is right there in reach. I think it would be really special."

Ann's Still Hot

It was nearly two months ago when Ann Bowden -- wife of FSU coach Bobby Bowden -- said she felt her husband was being betrayed by those who had called for the veteran coach to retire at season's end. She is obviously no less upset these days.

Bobby Bowden has indicated many times that he wants to continue to coach at FSU next season. His status will be determined by school officials at regular-season's end. Here's what Ann had to say in a USA Today story earlier this week concerning her 80-year-old husband's future.

"You know, we don't need the university as much as they need us -- as much as they need him and his connections and reputation and everything," Ann said in the story.

"If they want to pull that trick, we'll just shake the dirt off our feet and go to Europe or go on a long cruise or something. ... They'll have to fire him for him not to go another year. ... If they've got guts enough to do it, let them do it."

Spirit Award

Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich, who recently overcame a rare form of bone cancer and helped inspire more than $120,000 in donations for cancer-related causes, has been selected for the Disney Spirit Award given annually by Disney Sports to college football's most inspirational figure.

Herzlich will be presented with the award during The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards at Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday, Dec. 10.

"The Disney Spirit Award is an award that means more to me than any award based on statistics and on-the-field achievements," Herzlich said in a prepared statement.

"I have had to battle a deadly rare disease this past year and, along with beating the disease, I was fortunate to be able to help others along the way. To be recognized with this award is an honor and I hope that it shows people around the world that there is hope and that it will encourage them to continue to battle."

Buyout for Groh?

For embattled Virginia coach Al Groh, it's business as usual.

The Cavs are on the cusp of having consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 1981-82. Add in a four-game losing streak and factor in a decline in attendance, season-ticket sales, and fund-raising, and one would suspect Groh's future in Charlottesville, Va., appears bleak.

Groh, in his ninth season, knows there is not much he can do about the future, so he deals with the present. And he believes his team has prepared well for Saturday's game against Clemson.

"Pick out your target, block out all distractions and take dead aim," Groh said, explaining Virginia's mentality heading into the Clemson game.

"It takes everything a team and a player has got to get ready to compete successfully, much less think about those extraneous things."

According to media reports, it would coast Virginia more than $4 million to pay Groh for the two years that remain on the contract.

Must-Win for Blue Devils

Duke (5-5), which has dropped its past two games to North Carolina and No. 7 Georgia Tech, finds itself in a must-win situation Saturday at Miami if Blue Devils hold any hope of becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 1994.

It doesn't help that the banged-up Blue Devils haven't won against the Hurricanes since 1976 and have lost the past five games.

Enough of those negative vibes, says Duke coach David Cutcliffe.

"When I get on that plane, I want to believe we are going down there not with the hopes of winning, but planning to win," Cutcliffe said.

"I can tell you 5,000 reasons we won't win. If I tell you 5,000 reasons we won't win, then I have to tell you 5,000 things we are going to do about it. I talked about the challenges, what they are and what we are going to do about them.

"If you don't prepare well, you won't believe you have a chance to win or are going to win when you are playing. It all comes down to the preparation; the sincere, focused, intense preparation."

Spiller Force Behind Clemson Revival originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACC Notebook: Settling Divisional Races

Jim Henry — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Clemson, Duke Football, Georgia Tech, Maryland, University of Miami, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, ACC

Closure.

That's what we may get from the ACC this weekend in terms of divisional winners advancing to the title game in Tampa, Fla., next month.

Clemson could clinch the Atlantic Division Saturday if the Tigers beat North Carolina State and Boston College loses at Virginia. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, can clinch the Coastal Division by beating Duke in its last league game. Of course, keep an eraser handy, just in case.

Boston College still has a chance to win the Atlantic, but the Eagles need Clemson to lose to the Wolfpack and to Virginia on Nov. 21. If the Yellow Jacket lose, as many as three teams, including Miami and Virginia Tech, could finish with two losses each.

The No. 7 Yellow Jackets (9-1), however, have been the toast of the ACC since losing at Miami in the season's third week. They are on a seven-game winning streak and boast their highest ranking since 1999.

"Since we lost to Miami, I told our guys every Monday that this week's game is single elimination. It's like the playoffs," Tech coach Paul Johnson said.

"That is the way we've tried to go at it. I said after the Miami game I thought no one would win our division with two losses. If we lose on Saturday, then maybe somebody will, but if we win, nobody won't."

Duke, of course, has a chance because it has quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, the ACC's No. 2 passer with 2,428 yards and only five interceptions, and head coach David Cutcliffe.

Tech has its turf-grinding triple option. The Yellow Jackets lead the nation in time of possession, keeping the ball 34:56 minutes per game.

"When you're playing a team that possesses the ball as well as Georgia Tech does, the best way to prevent them from dominating the ball is to try and stay on the field yourself," Cutcliffe explained.

"Your offense is not just playing their defense, your offense is playing their offense. You don't want to put your defense right back on the field after they just put together a 12- or 14-play drive, so those things are critical."

Welcome Back Frank

It has been nearly 20 years since Frank Spaziani last stepped inside Scott Stadium, and this time he'll be viewing Virginia football from the opposite sideline.

Spaziani, the first-year head coach at Boston College, was an assistant with the Cavaliers for nine seasons (1982-1990) under head coach George Welsh. This is the Eagles' fifth season in the ACC, but it will be their first trip to Charlottesville, Va.

With Spaziani overseeing the defense, UVA was ranked No. 1 in the country for three weeks in 1990, the only time the Cavaliers ever have been ranked No. 1. However, it didn't end with all roses.

Virginia won its first seven games before losing to eventual national co-champion Georgia Tech 41-38. The Cavaliers won at North Carolina the next week, then lost their last three games.

Following the season, Welsh made the decision to replace Spaziani as defensive coordinator. Spaziani was given the option of coaching defensive backs under new coordinator Rick Lantz but declined. Spaziani appreciated his time spent with the Cavs.

"When you take the whole body of stuff, I have nothing but tremendous memories of Virginia and my experience there, and I can't tell you how valuable it's been to me," Spaziani told The Roanoke (Va.) Times.

Young Guns

Maryland quarterback Chris Turner remains questionable for Saturday's game against No. 20 Virginia Tech with a left knee injury. If Turner is unable to go, look for sophomore Jamarr Robinson to step in behind center.

Robinson attempted his first collegiate passes last Saturday at N.C. State, going 5-for-11 for 27 yards while rushing for a team-high 38 yards.

The Terps also have true freshman Danny O'Brien and C.J. Brown available, though they have yet to appear this season. If they sit out the last three games, they will retain four years of eligibility heading into next season.

Although guaranteed a losing season, Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen says he's playing to win and not worried about next year.

"If Chris can go, we're going to have to make that decision," Friedgen told The Washington Times.

"To me, I've been ready to play Danny for two weeks. I think if he's the best guy, let's find out whether he can do it. If Jamarr's doing well, that's great, too. If Chris doesn't play, at least we're going to be able to see where we're at at quarterback."

Around the Horn

Who has the better arm behind center? Kyle Parker, the outfielder, or Russell Wilson, the second baseman?

Parker and Wilson have faced each other on the baseball diamond before, but Saturday's game between Parker's Clemson Tigers and Wilson's N.C. State Wolfpack marks the first time the two quarterbacks are on the same football field.

Parker has set a Clemson record for wins by a starting freshman quarterback, while Wilson, the league's Rookie of the Year last season, is second in the ACC in passing efficiency and leads the ACC in touchdown passes with 24.

"Coming into the season people were trying to make number 11 (Parker) beat them," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said.

"I think he has answered a lot of those things. He can make every throw. He runs pretty well."

ACC Notebook: Settling Divisional Races originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACC Notebook: Hokies, Heels Look to Bounce Back

Jim Henry — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:26:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Duke Football, Florida State, Georgia Tech, NC State, Virginia Tech, ACC

Both Virginia Tech and North Carolina want to move forward Thursday night following difficult losses. One of the two will be disappointed.

The No. 14 Hokies (5-2 overall, 3-1 ACC) say they are no longer stewing over their 28-23 loss at Georgia Tech on Oct. 17, despite the lingering chatter about the Yellow Jackets' chop-blocking techniques and how Virginia Tech no longer controls its destiny in the ACC's Coastal Division.

UNC is coming off a tough loss, too. Playing its first Thursday night home game a week ago, the Tar Heels led Florida State 24-6 after halftime and then fell apart, losing 30-27. The Seminoles had 285 of their 395 passing yards in the second half to keep the Tar Heels (4-3, 0-3) winless in the ACC.

"I thought we were over Georgia Tech last week," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said.

"We played hard. They made some great plays. They've got some great players. We didn't quite play as well as we needed to and lost. ... I think our coaches and players put that loss behind us and moved on. We'll see (Thursday night)."

A national television audience and fans at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., should see a tussle over the running game.

UNC has the second-best rushing defense in the league (102.6 yards per game) and allowed only 48 yards to FSU. Virginia Tech, led by Ryan Williams and Josh Oglesby, is second in rushing offense (203.7 ypg).

The Hokies are also looking for consistency on defense after being scorched for 309 rushing yards by Georgia Tech. The defense has already allowed 12 rushes of 20 yards or longer, nearly matching last year's season total (14).

"They know I am not happy," Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster said. "That's unacceptable around here. For us to have the type of team we need to down the stretch, we've got to play great defense."

As far as the league's pecking order, Virginia Tech needs help if it's going to make a third consecutive appearance in the ACC championship game. The Hokies must win their four remaining conference games and have No. 11 Georgia Tech lose to either Wake Forest or Duke.

"There's a lot of football to be played," Beamer said.

"You've got your BCS standings. You've got your conference situation, and there's just a lot of football to be played. What we can control is how we prepare and how we play against North Carolina. So that's the key thing for us right now, to put all our efforts toward North Carolina."

UNC, meanwhile, now must scramble just to make the postseason. With games at the Hokies, Boston College and N.C. State, as well as home games against Duke and No. 18 Miami, it looks like a tall order.

HOME SWEET HOME?

Over its last six home games, Florida State is an embarrassing 1-5. The only victory came against Jacksonville State in September when the Seminoles scored twice in the closing minutes to survive.

FSU hopes to change its luck Saturday against struggling North Carolina State.

"We've been a mistake-prone football team," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said.

"We've been making just enough errors to get yourself beat. We play close and then we either win it or lose it in the last three minutes. The game we won was that way. I think everybody would rather play at home. It's just that it hasn't happened. And it needs to happen."

Yes it does, especially if the Seminoles want to remain in contention for the ACC championship.

Say what?

It might be a pipe dream, considering FSU's schizophrenic play, but the Seminoles need to win their remaining league games against N.C. State, Wake Forest, Clemson and Maryland to finish 4-1 in the Atlantic Division (and 4-3 overall in the ACC).

If that somehow happens and Boston College losses to either Virginia, North Carolina or Maryland in November, the Seminoles would land in the ACC title game in Tampa, Fla.

When asked if the Seminoles' dramatic comeback victory at UNC last Thursday could turn around the Seminoles' season, Bowden said, "Well, the answer to that is, yes it can. But the question is, will it?

"Did BYU (victory) turn things around? No. We had a great doggone ballgame and then the next week got beat -- and lost, what, three in a row? Is it going to have that effect? It could, but nothing's a guarantee. So we're just going to see what happens."

HOT STREAK

The Duke Blue Devils (4-3, 2-1) haven't played in a bowl since the 1995 Hall of Fame Bowl. And they haven't even come close to bowl eligibility since that trip to Tampa.

Well, the Blue Devils have won two straight ACC games for the first time since 1994 and will try to go for three in a row Saturday at Virginia.

Duke needs three wins in its remaining five games to earn bowl status since its win over North Carolina Central, which is transitioning to FCS status, doesn't count in the postseason picture.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe, a positive chap, is certainly enjoying the journey.

"It's week nine of college football and it keeps getting more intense, and I think probably more fun for everybody -- players, coaches, fans and media," he said.

"All of these games get bigger and bigger and bigger."

MIND BOGGLING

Boston College Frank Spaziani was surprised when running back Josh Haden and quarterback Justin Tuggle informed him earlier this week of their plans to leave the program and transfer.

Tuggle started the first two games of the season and helped lead the Eagles to easy victories. But he struggled in a 25-7 loss to Clemson, completing just 4 of 20 passes for 23 yards. Tuggle was intercepted three times and sacked three times. He slipped on the depth chart to No. 3 and then No. 3 with Dave Shinskie and Mike Marscovetra ahead of him.

Haden, whose older brother Joe is a starting cornerback for the top-ranked Florida Gators, started 13 career games and gained 479 yards. Haden, however, has been slowed by an ankle injury and saw his playing time diminish with the emergence of Montel Harris, who turned in a 264-yard, five-touchdown effort in a win over North Carolina earlier this month.

"The timing is tough," Spaziani said.

"As to what was on their minds, I don't know. Who can figure out what is in the minds of 19- or 20-year-olds sometimes.''

ACC Notebook: Hokies, Heels Look to Bounce Back originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Irish Walk High-Wire in Win, Again

John Walters — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:02:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Notre Dame

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Boston College head coach Frank Spaziani referred to his team as a "high-wire act".

What does that make the Fighting Irish?

Notre Dame went Wallenda again on Saturday, defeating its Catholic university nemesis 20-16 in a game whose outcome was not decided until Brian Smith's interception with 1:38 remaining. That makes six consecutive games decided by seven or fewer points by the Irish, a school record. Tight-rope walking is all the Irish know.

As the sun disappeared behind the library mosaic of Touchdown Jesus, his arms, we now believe, held aloft in frustration as if to ask, "Not again?", Boston College was just 27 yards away from a game-winning touchdown. Notre Dame was practicing its insidious form of deja voodoo yet again.

Who knew that NBC could air repeats of football games? Yet again the Irish found themselves trailing in the fourth quarter of a game, as they had against Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Washington and USC. Yet again the game hung in the balance with less than two minutes remaining. And yet again the Irish leaned heavily on their talented trio of playmakers: quarterback Jimmy Clausen, wide receiver Golden Tate and safety Kyle McCarthy. If not for those three, the most popular Irish name on the Notre Dame campus right now might be Brian Kelly.

Ever since the Irish lost in the final seconds at Ann Arbor -- clearly their 35-0 rout of Nevada in the season-opener was an illusion -- people have been asking just how good the Irish are. The answer: no better, nor worse than their opponent that week.

One Saturday the Irish are only as good as the unranked one-win team (Purdue) that forces them to convert a fourth-down touchdown from four yards out. On another Saturday they're nearly as good as the sixth-ranked one-loss team (USC) against whom they are unable to convert a fourth-down TD play from four yards out. Boston College entered Notre Dame Stadium 0-2 in road games this year, having lost by an average of 26 points in the two losses at Clemson and Virginia Tech. It also had not scored a point in the first three quarters of either of those two games. Yet, B.C. led when the fourth quarter began and not an exacerbated soul among the 80,795 was the least bit surprised.

"The story of our season, the game coming down to the last five minutes," said Tate, whose nifty 36-yard touchdown catch with 8:12 remaining provided the game-winning margin. "We're keeping people at home and making sure they continue to watch the game."

The Irish are downright formulaic in that respect -- Charlie Weis may script the first 20 plays, but Dick Wolf must script the last 20. Clausen has now thrown exactly one fourth-quarter touchdown pass in each of the last six games and not one interception after halftime (he has also now missed on a third-and-long pass to his right when the Irish had the lead -- and a first down would have iced it three different times). Tate's grab was the third such fourth-quarter touchdown reception during this streak. McCarthy's interception on Boston College's penultimate drive was his second of the second half, fifth of the season, and third huge play (including his hit on U-Dub's DeAndre Goodwin and his pick of Kirk Cousins of Michigan State) in the waning seconds of an Irish win this year.

"Coach Weis says he's getting old and tired of it," said Clausen. "I'm getting old and tired of it, too."

The game itself was as enigmatic as Notre Dame. It was, to quote Spaziani's malapropism, "a microorganism" of the 2009 Fighting Irish. Boston College sophomore tailback Montel Harris entered having gained a school-record 264 yards one week earlier and having never fumbled in 362 career carries. The Irish defense held Harris to 38 yards rushing and forced him to cough up the pigskin three times in just 22 carries.

"(The defense) was excellent in the run game," said Weis, and he is correct. The defense also allowed B.C. freshman quarterback Dave Shinskie, who only two weeks ago at Virginia Tech was 1-of-12 passing for four yards, to go Matt Barkley on them, gaining 279 yards through the air. Barkley, the USC frosh, averaged 20 yards per completion a week ago. Shinskie completed 10 passes of 20 or more yards.

Still, the final pass Shinskie completed was to Notre Dame's middle linebacker, Smith. And so the Irish, college football drama queens, at last ended the six-game win streak and decade-long humiliation fest foisted upon them by B.C., or "Backup College". Ever since this streak began in 2000, Domers have attempted to sate themselves against their Catholic rivals by pointing to the supposed academic discrepancy between the two schools. Sample jibe: "What do Boston College and Notre Dame students have in common? They all got accepted to Boston College."

B.C., however, will always have 1993 and 2002, years in which they ruined a perfect season by the Irish in November. And for that reason this rivalry between two schools of the same faith is as chippy as any in which Notre Dame finds itself. On the game's final play, when Clausen took a knee, Eagle defensive tackle Austin Giles apparently took a cheap shot at Irish center Eric Olsen. As the clock struck 0:00, Olsen had to be restrained from Giles but he was barking, "You're the worst (bleepin') player in college football! You're a (bleepin') piece of (bleep)."

It was probably just a coincidence that Olsen, a captain, was whisked away without talking to the media for the first time all season.

Clausen attempted to salute Boston College wideout Rich Gunnell, who was brilliant with 10 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown, after the game when he was in the midst of an on-camera interview. Gunnell went all Jim Harbaugh on Clausen, who sure seems to get little in return for his postgame attempts at bridge-building.

"I guess he was just a little frustrated," Clausen reasoned.

Frustrated, that's the way fans who keep waiting for the Irish to deliver a good pummeling to their opponents seem to be. That should come next week in San Antonio, when the Irish face the most abysmal team on their schedule, Washington State. They should win by at least eight.

Weis, at least publicly, seems blithely unconcerned with his team's margin of victory. When one out-of-town writer observed to the fifth-year head coach that "quite honestly, (your defense) looked pretty lost out there half the time", Weis replied, "Well, let's see, we gave up 16 points, right?"

"Yeah."

"Well, usually give up 16 points on defense, you're usually going to win."

True. There's already been so much suspense this season, let me spare you some if I can. The Irish will win, as easily as they are able to, their next two games against Washington State and Navy. That'll make them 7-2 and armed with a healthy Michael Floyd when they visit No. 20 (and soon to be ranked higher) Pittsburgh on November 14. Until then, you can relax. You've got 20 days until the next high-wire feat.

Irish Walk High-Wire in Win, Again originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACC Notebook: Hokies Can't Let Up

Jim Henry — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:05:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Duke Football, Florida State, Georgia Tech, NC State, Virginia Tech, ACC

Virginia Tech travels to Georgia Tech on Saturday in what may be the biggest hurdle left on the Hokies' regular season schedule. The fourth-ranked Hokies are in prime position to be in the national title race with some help. They will also virtually wrap up the ACC Coastal Division with a win in Atlanta.

Of course, this isn't expected to be a walk in the park for Tech either.

The Yellow Jackets, who have won three straight, present a unique challenge to the Virginia Tech defense behind their triple-option. Over the last three games, Georgia Tech has averaged 472.3 yards of total offense. The Hokies, always strong on defense and special teams, appear to be finally clicking on all cylinders now that quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running back Ryan Williams are propelling the offense.

The game will feature the top three rushers in the ACC -- Williams and the Yellow Jackets' running back Jonathan Dwyer and quarterback Josh Nesbitt, who has rushed more than 20 times in each of Tech's last three games.

"Historically, you know that they're going to be strong defensively and in special teams," Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said.

"But, offensively they've played well, scoring a lot of points and racking up a bunch of yards. They have a very athletic quarterback, their tailback is a great player, they have a veteran offensive line and an experienced tight end and they're very well coached. They are just a good team and usually good teams get better as the season goes on."

Virginia Tech has won five straight games after a season-opening loss to Alabama in the Georgia Dome. The Hokies whipped visiting Boston College, 48-14, last Saturday in a rematch of the last two ACC championship games. Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer is extremely wary of the Yellow Jackets' triple option.

"They are more advanced this year," Beamer said.

"This is the second year they have been in it. They don't turn the ball over very much, and they keep it in the quarterback's hands a lot. But I just think, overall, they are more advanced. It can work both ways, I think the fact that it is different from what you see on a normal basis, makes it very difficult to prepare for in four or five days."

BACK ON THE BUMP

Dave Shinskie will start at quarterback for Boston College in Saturday's home date against North Carolina State at Alumni Stadium. But how long will he play?

Shinskie is still trying to get past last Saturday Virginia Tech loss in which he completed 1 of 12 passes for 2 yards and threw two interceptions. Shinskie told The Boston Globe that he is moving on -- or making the attempt.

"I've been through bad losses," said Shinskie, who played professional baseball before switching careers this past summer.

"It's almost going out in the first inning of a baseball game and giving up nine runs. Your ERA is going to be high. You have to come back throw nine strong innings and hold them scoreless the next time. You've got to put it behind you. You have to do it or you're not going to make it."

STAYING OR GOING?

Bobby Bowden is sticking to his guns. Sort of.

Florida State's legendary coach went on a nationally televised show on Tuesday night and said he was "strongly leaning" toward returning for the 2010 football season. When pressed by the media about the comment following the Seminoles' practice on Wednesday, Bowden said, "If that's what I said, that's what I meant."

Bowden, called to step down at season's end by the university's board of trustees chairman, is under a one year-contract that will be reviewed by the FSU administration at the end of the season.

Last week, Bowden, under fire for the Seminoles' 2-4 start, went on various radio and television shows and said that he would make a decision after the season. He has since softened that stance.

In his Sunday news conference, Bowden said, "I think it's my decision. I think it is" when asked who had the ultimate decision -- Bowden or the FSU administration? -- concerning his future.

FSU has a contract with offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher that names him the head coach by Jan. 2011 or pays him $5 million.

STREAKING

Duke's 49-28 thrashing of host North Carolina State on Saturday was a big win. How big?

The last time Duke won in Carter-Finley was 1984. None of the current Blue Devils were born yet and Duke head coach David Cutcliffe was a 35-year old tight ends coach at Tennessee.

The victory ended an eight-game ACC losing streak, an 11-game slide against the Wolfpack and a 20-game road losing streak in the ACC.

"Everyone wants to talk about streaks," said Cutcliffe, whose Blue Devils are off Saturday. "I don't talk about streaks very often. We just try to take it one game at a time because so many of those streaks are negative in our regard."

STRICTLY BUSINESS

N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien, the former head coach at Boston College, returns to Beantown Saturday. Don't expect O'Brien to get all warm and fuzzy about seeing close friends. When asked if he had anything he wanted to do while in Boston, O'Brien answered:

"Win a football game. I'm telling my players it's a business trip. I'm not going up there for a social."

ACC Notebook: Hokies Can't Let Up originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boston College QB Dave Shinskie Had Below Zero Passer Rating

Michael David Smith — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:38:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Virginia Tech

Boston College quarterback Dave Shinskie accomplished something extraordinary on Saturday against Virginia Tech: In the Eagles' 48-14 loss to the Hokies, Shinskie had more interceptions than complete passes, and he finished the game with an almost unheard of negative passer rating.

Shinskie's final numbers were 1-of-12 for 4 yards, with 0 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. According to The Wiz of Odds and CFBstats.com, that equates to a pass-efficiency rating of minus-22.20, the worst rating in at least the last five seasons of college football for a player with 10 or more passes in a game.

In the NFL, passer ratings don't go below zero, but college football uses a different formula for computing passer rating, and negative ratings are possible, even if they hardly ever happen. Prior to Shinskie's awful day on Saturday, the lowest passer rating of the 2009 college football season was a 10.43 posted by Texas El Paso quarterback Trevor Vittatoe, who went 7-of-21 for 38 yards, 0 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in a 64-7 loss to Texas on Sept. 26.

Shinskie is one of college football's most interesting stories, a 25-year-old freshman who returned to football this year after leaving a minor league baseball career behind. I'm betting he missed baseball on Saturday.

Boston College QB Dave Shinskie Had Below Zero Passer Rating originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACC Notebook: Eagles Flying High

Jim Henry — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Clemson, Duke Football, Florida State, Maryland, NC State, UNC, Virginia, Wake Forest, ACC

A solid rivalry has developed between Boston College and Virginia Tech.

While the Eagles have won the last three regular-season games against the Hokies, Virginia Tech has beaten Boston College when its counted most in the past two ACC Championship games. Plenty is at stake again when the two tangle Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.

"These guys are a premier program in the country and they haven't skipped a beat since the last time we saw them," BC coach Frank Spaziani said.

"They are always improving. This is a very good football team. They are well coached in offense, defense and special teams. Especially in their venue down there, it is very difficult to play in there. The experience of going down there has to help but this is a similar situation (to Clemson), so we are going to have to buckle up our chin straps."

Both of these teams have a chance to meet for a third consecutive year in the ACC Championship. If the Hokies beat the Eagles and then beat Georgia Tech on the road next week they will have locked up the Coastal Division by mid-October. The Atlantic Division is a tad more unsettled, but Boston College is coming off consecutive wins over division foes Wake Forest and, last week, Florida State.

The last time that BC played at Lane Stadium two years ago, Matt Ryan threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Andre Callender with 11 seconds left and the No. 2 Eagles won 14-10 against the No. 8 Hokies on a Thursday night to keep BC's national title hopes alive. This year, No. 5 Virginia Tech finds itself in the national title hunt.

Boston College's hopes once again hinge on its quarterback -- 25-year freshman Dave Shinskie.

Tabbed the starter two weeks ago against Wake Forest, the former professional baseball player was 31-for-51 against the Demon Deacons. Last week against the Seminoles, he threw for 439 yards, five touchdowns and an interception.

"He has athletic skills," Spaziani explained.

"He throws the ball well and has good mechanics and a good touch. His arm is strong enough. He can do some of those things that can help you win. He is progressing just like a freshman would. He is making some progress but by no means is he a polished, accomplished field general. There is not enough experience there. Once again, he is getting better, he is learning and we see improvement. We still need to see a lot more."

Hokies coach Frank Beamer is impressed.

"I know he is playing well for them, and I think his age and maturity helps that situation," Beamer said. "He is really throwing the ball accurately, and I think he really gives them something. With those running backs, his ability to throw the football really helps them."

On the Auction Block

Bobby Bowden's challenges haven't only been on the football field.

The historic Coalson Plantation, a 40-acre estate near Thomasville, Ga., -- 35 minutes north of Tallahassee, Fla. -- whose owners include Bowden and son Tommy Bowden, was sold at auction Thursday. The property, nine miles north of the Georgia state line, dates back to 1825, when the main house was built.

It has 11 guest suites and other buildings add another 22 guest rooms, including the Bowden Presidential Suite, name for the Bowden family. The Bowdens were among the partners in a group that purchased the complex in late 2004.

One of the plantation's most noted attributes is the Showboat Theater, a replica of the stage set from the Broadway musical of the same name. Built in 1934, it hosted the first private screening of "Gone With The Wind" in 1939.

A Tarpon Springs, Fla., couple was the top bidder with a winning bid of $2.5 million.

Streak Snapped

Too bad.

North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson's NCAA record of consecutive passes without an interception ended at 379 attempts in Saturday's 30-24 loss to Wake Forest. The sophomore was picked off twice, the first on a poorly thrown deep ball and the second in the end zone with 2:02 left and the Wolfpack driving for the go-ahead touchdown.

"I think he took a shot on the first one," Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien said.

"He's done that in the past, and it didn't pay off. He didn't see the backside safety or corner or whatever it was coming across. The second one, I think he overcompensated. He's just got to calibrate his arm, get it right for the rest of the year. They're two throws he had chances of getting into the end zone, one too far to the left and one too far to the right."

Wilson streak was at 364 passes entering the game and he had thrown 15 more before the streak was snapped.

"I didn't even think about it, to be honest with you," Wilson said. "I am going to keep throwing the ball and giving my guys chances."

Tar Heel Blues

The most disappointing team in the ACC this year? FSU? How about North Carolina?

The Tar Heels have lost their only two conference games by an average of 15 points and one was against struggling Virginia. UNC has serious, serious problems on offense. The unit ranks 113th nationally with just 280.8 yards per game. Quarterback T.J. Yates has thrown more interceptions (7) than touchdowns (6).

"One of the questions as coaches that we have to ask ourselves is, 'Are we trying to do too much with a young, inexperienced offensive football team?'" UNC coach Butch Davis said. "Some of the things that we did last year, there's some guys that aren't ready to do some of those things all of the time [this year]."

Turtle Power

Much has been made of the Maryland Terrapins' struggles this season. They dropped three of four games to open the season, including an embarrassing effort against Middle Tennessee of the Sun Belt conference.

Don't look now, but Maryland (2-3 overall, 1-0 ACC) has the chance to remain in sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division with a win at Wake Forest Saturday. The Terps ended their losing woes with a 24-21 win over Clemson last weekend to open ACC play.

"I think we are right on track," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said.

"I thought last week we got better. I think getting a win (against Wake Forest) will give us momentum and hopefully get us going."

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Middle Tennessee State quarterback Dwight Dasher (9) avoids the tackle of Troy's Bear Woods (48) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes watches from the sidelines during the final minutes of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in Fort Worth, Texas. The transformation of Jerry Hughes from prep running back to All-American defensive end was never more evident than the picture of a skinny kid somebody taped to his locker. Now nearly 50 pounds heavier and a senior for No. 11 TCU, Hughes now looks more like a potential first-round NFL draft pick. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes runs off the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in Fort Worth, Texas.The transformation of Jerry Hughes from prep running back to All-American defensive end was never more evident than the picture of a skinny kid somebody taped to his locker. Now nearly 50 pounds heavier and a senior for No. 11 TCU, Hughes now looks more like a potential first-round NFL draft pick. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 06: Matt Moore, a former college football player at Texas Christian attends The 24th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) at The Waldorf=Astoria on October 6, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for The Miami Project) *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 6: Matt Moore, a former college football player at Texas Christian University, attends The 24th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) at The Waldorf-Astoria on October 6, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Brian Bedder/Getty Images for The Miami Project) *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore

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Troy receiver Chip Reeves (8) celebrates with teammate Sergio Perez, rear, after scoring on a 52-yard pass reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Troy linebacker Boris Lee (2) breaks up a pass intended for Middle Tennessee State receiver Malcolm Beyah (4) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. At left is Troy defender Tebiarus Gill. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Troy running back Shawn Southward (20) reacts after scoring in the first quarter during an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee State in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. Middle Tennessee States's Emmanuel Perez (91) and Jeremy Kellem (20) walk away. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Troy receiver Chip Reeves (8) is pursued by Middle Tennessee State's Marcus Udell (3) on a 52-yard touchdown reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

ACC Notebook: Eagles Flying High originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bowden, Seminoles Feeling the Heat

Jim Henry — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:45:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Florida, Florida State, University of Miami

With the exception of injured Tim Tebow, the top-ranked Florida Gators are right where they want to be one month into the college football season. The same could be said further South, where the Miami Hurricanes survived a brutal four-game stretch to merit top-10 consideration.

The mood in Florida's Panhandle, however, is far different. Slumping Florida State and its iconic coach, Bobby Bowden, are off to their worst start in more than a quarter of a century, creating an uncomfortable predicament that has left Bowden defending his program and fending off critics who are demanding immediate change in Tallahassee, Fla.

"I've been through it (before)," Bowden said Sunday during his teleconference with the media. "I don't do a lot of reading when we are doing bad. A lot of times people tell me but I don't do a lot of reading when we are doing bad. I will determine my situation, with Florida State University, when my move has to come."

Bowden further explained that any guesswork regarding his timetable to pasture is unnecessary, saying, "I already know in the back of my mind when I want to leave here. I won't let some guy's speculation tell me when to move or what decision to make. If it has something to do with that, it will be based with me and our president of our university."

Boston College recovered after blowing an 18-point advantage on Saturday to beat visiting FSU 28-21, sending Bowden and the Seminoles to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the ACC for the first time since joining the league in 1992. Even more gnawing to fans, FSU is 4-6 in its last 10 games against Division I-A competition.

It doesn't get any easier for the Seminoles, who are at home Saturday against 22nd-ranked Georgia Tech (4-1), a 42-31 winner over Mississippi State on Saturday. FSU has already dropped home games to Miami and to USF two weeks ago.

"We get beat here, we get beat there. ... It's just a matter ... you can't give up. You simply can't give up. I refuse to."
--Bobby Bowden Bowden, normally folksy charming and dadgum positive, was more feisty Sunday with media that quizzed him on the Seminoles' slumbering start.

"Fifty percent of the teams in the country last week got beat -- 50 percent of them," Bowden said.

"They are all asking the same questions. This is part of football; you win some, you lose some. You had a tied ballgame in the fourth quarter and we had a chance to win it. We miss a field goal that would have put us ahead, we had an intercepted pass in our chest that we dropped, so we don't score and they take it and do score. It's not the first time I've been through this."

In an oft-repeated theme the past few years, Bowden further explained he believed the Seminoles have the coaches and players to ensure the program's success.

FSU fell a completion away in the end zone on the game's final play to beat the Hurricanes in their season opener, they failed to score any points on three possessions inside South Florida's 10-yard line and also stumbled on four tries at the 1-yard line against the Eagles Saturday.

"I think there's enough quality on this football team and enough brains on this staff to eventually get this thing together," said Bowden, whose 384 wins are three fewer than Penn State's Joe Paterno, the career leader in victories among major college coaches. "We get beat here, we get beat there, we lose that, we lose this here. It's just a matter ... you can't give up. You simply can't give up.

"I refuse to."

Two Florida newspapers, including the hometown Tallahassee Democrat, called for Bowden, who turns 80 in November, to call it a career at season's end. Bowden has an option year to return in 2010, and offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, designated the head-coach-in-waiting, will be paid a bonus of $5 million if he doesn't take over in 2011.

Bowden also believes his players are prepared to handle any criticism directed at the program.

"If they are going to listen to talk shows, they are going to listen to the radio and TV and read the papers I can't guess you can keep it away from them," Bowden said of the surging negativity. "But I think they are smart enough to know that we are the ones that will determine what we do and what kind of progress we are going to make and not watch what speculation is.

"I imagine most of them have been through this very same thing in high school. Had the same criticism in high school, they get into college, it will go throughout their career. It doesn't change for us like it doesn't change for any of the other people that went through the same thing we did (Saturday). I saw some teams (Saturday) get beat that I didn't think they could possibly lose but they did. We are all going through the same thing, it's part of it.

"I think Oklahoma has even lost two games; I don't guess they are going to drop their program. But we all go through this. We expected better. We expected to win that game (Saturday)."

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, are all grins after knocking off visiting Oklahoma.

UM vaulted six spots to No. 11 in the polls, while the Sooners, who are hoping to get back Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford (shoulder) for Saturday's Big-12 opener against Baylor, had the biggest drop among teams still ranked. While they tumbled from No. 8 to No. 19, they are also the first team to be ranked with a 2-2 record since 2003.

"The game was big for us," UM head coach Randy Shannon said Sunday.

"We found out that we still have some things that we have to get done, but as far as record-wise after the first four games, we achieved a lot of goals people didn't expect us to. We came so far."

While the Hurricanes should be able to catch their breath against visiting Florida A&M, the Gators face their most difficult test of the season when they travel to No. 4 LSU. It remains unclear when Tebow, who suffered a concussion at Kentucky on Sept. 26, will return to practice.

Bowden, Seminoles Feeling the Heat originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACC Would Like a Do-Over for the Opening Weekend

Chas Rich — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:35:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Clemson, Duke Football, Georgia Tech, Maryland, NC State, UNC, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, ACC

This was not the way the ACC was hoping to start the 2009 college football season. The conference is still trying to establish that it is on par with the SEC, Big 12 or the Big 10. Instead, it has barely kept itself in front of the Big East. The early returns suggest more of the same this year.

Through the 10 games to start the season, ACC teams went a combined 4-6. That's bad enough, considering that the ACC was a collective 0-4 against teams from the other BCS conferences. With Virginia Tech losing to Alabama in a semi-neutral site, Wake Forest suffering a home loss to Baylor, Cal destroying Maryland, and of course the opening night nationally-broadcast loss by NC State as the harbinger for this lost weekend. When the best win of the weekend is Clemson trouncing a middle-of-the-pack Sun Belt foe in Middle Tennessee State, that is not a good sign.

Arguably, what's worse was going only 3-2 against FCS opponents. Sure North Carolina, Boston College and Georgia Tech handled the exhibition games that actually count with ease, but Duke and Virginia failed miserably. One member of the conference losing to a FCS opponent happens. Two in the same weekend? That is an eye-opener.

The argument against those losses being as bad as they look is that Duke and Virginia are expected to be two of the worst teams in the ACC. Plus, Richmond (which beat Duke) is the defending National Champion in 1-AA football. Yeah, I'm not buying it either.

It's the second time in the last four years that Richmond has taken out Duke. That suggests the fluke label does not easily apply. Reality seems to be slapping coach David Cutcliffe quickly.

Virginia just suggests that this will be a very long and miserable season for the Fightin' Grohs. An ill-fitting transition to a spread offense -- because that always goes so well with a head coach that is very conservative -- is just another problem. The only thing that may help Groh is that the Virginia athletic department just sent the basketball coach packing and made an expensive hire to replace him.

With performances like that, the excitement for that ACC battle between Miami and Florida State on Monday night should be at a fever pitch. Or you just might to prefer to scoop out your eyeballs with a spoon.

On the plus side for the ACC: After this opening weekend, expectations should be low enough that they should easily exceed them the rest of the way.

ACC Would Like a Do-Over for the Opening Weekend originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At 25, David Shinskie Leaves Baseball Career to Be QB at Boston College

Jim Henry — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, ACC

An alarm clock.

That was one of the first purchases 25-year-old David Shinskie made as a college freshman. The days of sleeping until noon following late night minor-league baseball games have been replaced by 6AM weight-training workouts and two summer classes at Boston College.

"The college scene gets kind of hectic at times but it's starting to become routine," Shinskie told FanHouse.

"It was a little awkward at first but also fun at the same time to listen to what these guys have to say. I feel comfortable. It's going well. My mom always has said things happen for a reason. I was released and now I am here at Boston College trying to make this team better."

It seems to be perfect timing for the Eagles and pitcher-turned-quarterback Shinskie.

Shinskie, a former star at Mount Carmel High School in Pennsylvania who spent the past seven years playing minor league baseball, is expected to compete for the starting quarterback job at BC.

Dominique Davis, the lone quarterback on the roster who had any starting experience, left school in June after he was suspended for academic reasons. That move left first-year coach Frank Spaziani without a quarterback who had ever thrown a pass at the Division-I level.

Will Shinskie's 90-mph fastball from the mound translate into football success behind center?

"I expect to go into camp, learn the offense and compete for the starting position," said Shinskie, who has four years of eligibility.

Shinskie, who hasn't played football since the East-West Shrine game in June, 2003, had originally signed a letter of intent to play football and baseball at Delaware but was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the fourth round that year (just a few slots below Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon).

Shinksie, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound right-handed pitcher, went 24-30 with a 4.61 earned-run average in 162 games over nearly seven minor-league seasons. He was unable to rise above Double-A during his career before being released in May, 12 games in his first season in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Shinskie had hoped to be picked up by another baseball team, but that telephone call never materialized.

His telephone did buzz, however.

"Football had always been in the back of my mind in that it was something I would like to do," Shinskie said.

"I'd throw the football around in the off-season, but I was focused on baseball. I thought I get a [baseball] call pretty quickly after I was released but that wasn't the case. When I got home I talked to my high school football coach and he said people were on the horn asking about my interest in playing college football. The thought of playing college football wasn't realistic a couple of years ago -- until now."

Mike Brennan, Shinskie's former high school coach, made a telephone call on Shinskie's behalf to Boston College. Shinskie traveled to Boston and met the Eagles coaching staff. No promises were made, but Shinskie liked what he saw and what he heard. While Rutgers and Pitt also expressed interest in Shinskie, he felt his most realistic shot at actual playing time was at BC.

"This seemed to be the perfect fit," Shinskie said.

Shinskie will compete with Codi Boek, a former junior college transfer who played fullback and on special teams last year, and Justin Tuggle, the son of former NFL star Jessie Tuggle who redshirted last year but didn't separate himself from the pack last spring. Also in the mix are redshirt freshman Alexander Atiyeh and true freshman Mike Marscovetra.

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Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis, left, watches his son Charlie Jr., center, throw out a ceremonial pitch as Army coach Rich Ellerson (10) winds up before the New York Yankees faced the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium on Monday, July 20, 2009 in New York. Army will play Notre Dame on Nov. 20, 2010, at Yankee Stadium. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

New York Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost, right, chats with Yankees president Randy Levine, center, as Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner talks to reporters following a news conference Monday, July 20, 2009, in New York, announcing the Army-Notre Dame football game will be played at Yankee Stadium in 2010. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

NEW YORK - JULY 20: Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weiss looks on during a press conference announcing that Yankee Stadium will play host to the 2010 Notre Dame v Army college football game on July 19, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The game is to be played on November 20, 2010. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Charlie Weiss

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NEW YORK - JULY 20: Army head coach Rich Ellerson looks on during a press conference announcing that Yankee Stadium will play host to the 2010 Notre Dame v Army college football game on July 19, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The game is to be played on November 20, 2010. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rich Ellerson

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NEW YORK - JULY 20: New York Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner speaks during a press conference announcing that Yankee Stadium will play host to the 2010 Notre Dame v Army college football game on July 19, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The game is to be played on November 20, 2010. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Hal Steinbrenner

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NEW YORK - JULY 20: New York Yankees President Randy Levine speaks during a press conference announcing that Yankee Stadium will play host to the 2010 Notre Dame v Army college football game on July 19, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The game is to be played on November 20, 2010. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Randy Levine

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NEW YORK - JULY 20: Army head coach Rich Ellerson and Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weiss speak during a press conference announcing that Yankee Stadium will play host to the 2010 Notre Dame v Army college football game on July 19, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The game is to be played on November 20, 2010. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rich Ellerson;Charlie Weiss

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NEW YORK - JULY 20: New York Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner looks on during a press conference announcing that Yankee Stadium will play host to the 2010 Notre Dame v Army college football game on July 19, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The game is to be played on November 20, 2010. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Hal Steinbrenner

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Other quarterbacks who had positive results in college football after ditching their professional baseball careers following high school include Florida State's Chris Weinke, who led the Seminoles to a national title and at age 28 became the oldest player in history to win the Heisman Trophy. Weinke spent six years in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, rising to Triple-A, before signing with FSU in 1997 at age 25.

Weinke, a baseball infielder, said his most difficult transition from baseball to football involved his throwing mechanics.

"I look back now and watch that film and I was really rusty," Weinke told FanHouse.

"My mechanics were so bad. But while I was going through it and practicing, I didn't think I was that bad. So what happens is there's a false sense of confidence. I'd complete a pass I thought I was doing everything right. But when I watched the film, I looked like a fish out of water.

"Mentally, I was fine. But to be able to get out there on the field and practice day in and day out and be physically and mechanically sound was the toughest part."

Shinskie admits his transition will take time, but he does feel good about his opportunity. He has been weight lifting and conditioning as well as participating in 7-on-7 throwing sessions with his teammates. Shinskie is enrolled in two summer courses (psychology and philosophy) and recently passed first quiz since high school.

"My arm feels strong and my timing has been good with the receivers," said Shinskie, who started 47 career games at Mount Carmel and led the Tornadoes to a 15-0 record and a state title in 2002, completing 160-of-250 passes for 2,524 yards and 26 touchdowns with 13 interceptions.

"It's going to be the other stuff that will be more difficult in terms of making the correct reads, learning the system and protections, jumping back into full pads and (live) contact. The college scene has been definitely different, but I definitely like it.It's fun. Like anything, it's going to take time."

Times have certainly changed for Shinskie. His alarm clock is a daily reminder.

"In baseball you are used to sleeping in," Shinskie chuckled.

"Now I am in the hot tub at 5AM before weight training and in the cold tub when we're done."

At 25, David Shinskie Leaves Baseball Career to Be QB at Boston College originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boston College's Mark Herzlich Has Cancer, Will Fight 'Toughest Opponent'

Michael David Smith — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College

Mark Herzlich, the Boston College junior linebacker who was the ACC defensive player of the year in 2008, revealed Thursday that he has cancer.

Herzlich, who could have been a first-round NFL draft pick but chose instead to stay in school for his senior season in 2009, said that he found out this week he has Ewing's Sarcoma, a malignant tumor found in bone or soft tissue.

Herzlich released the following statement through Boston College:

"This past week, I got some news nobody wants to hear. After undergoing some tests to determine the cause of some pain I had been experiencing in my leg, I learned that I have Ewing's Sarcoma.

"Obviously, I was shocked. I had been extremely focused on preparing for my senior season at Boston College and for life beyond that. Now, I must channel all that energy into facing my toughest opponent yet, and that is exactly what I will do.

"I have returned to Pennsylvania to be near my family and to undergo a series of tests that will help my doctors determine the best course of treatment. I will keep you informed about my progress, but for now, I would like to ask for privacy as my family and I make some tough decisions.

"At this point, I do not know what this means for my football future, but I am determined to rid my body of this disease so that I can put that uniform back on. Thank you in advance for your prayers and concern. Together, we will fight this and win."

It is not known at this time what Herzlich's long-term prognosis is.

Boston College's Mark Herzlich Has Cancer, Will Fight 'Toughest Opponent' originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 14 May 2009 16:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACC Ready to Abandon Championship Game in Florida

Chas Rich — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:42:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Florida State, University of Miami, NC State, UNC, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, ACC

The ACC championship game has seen diminishing attendance from the 70,000 plus in the first game in 2005 down to a dismal sub-28,000 in 2008. The problem, it seems, has not been the fact that the ACC has been a collective morass of mediocrity that makes it less attractive for fans to want to make last-minute travel plans to the game. It has nothing to do with teams with smaller alumni bases like Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Boston College making appearances.

How about the fact that they have been held in Florida and only once has Florida State or Miami appear? Good luck getting the ACC to admit that was the expectation when they set it up for the first four games to be in Florida.
It seems the problem is that no one wants to go to Florida. Charlotte, North Carolina is the place to be.

"Charlotte is more in the middle of our footprint," North Carolina State athletic director Lee Fowler said Monday following meetings involving ACC athletic directors, football coaches, basketball coaches and faculty representatives, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Amelia Island. "We've tried Jacksonville, and we're trying in Tampa. I'd like to see how the game performs in North Carolina."

Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver, whose football team has played in three of the four ACC title games, was even more direct.

"We've got to get to Charlotte," he said. "That doesn't mean Jacksonville and Tampa haven't done good jobs. It's simply too hard for people to get to Florida for a weekend game, then plan on going to a bowl game - especially now, in this economic downturn."

The ACC championship game is not scheduled to make an appearance in Charlotte until 2010. The championship does not have a permanent location. The ACC has instead taken to soliciting bids from potential host cities to try and get the most money.

Charlotte, North Carolina is the most central location for most programs in the ACC. It is also not far from the league's offices in Greensboro. But the ACC has been sensitive to accusations that it favors holding events in North Carolina and providing an advantage for the programs in the state.

It seems unlikely that the ACC will be able to pull out of Tampa for this year. Tampa and Raymond James Stadium would likely, not be eager to lose any events that could produce some extra revenue.

It also seems unlikely that the ACC will be willing to pay any escape penalties to move it this year. So get ready for lots of empty seats for at least one more year. Just do not expect a return to Florida until FSU or Miami shows some sustained success.

ACC Ready to Abandon Championship Game in Florida originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 12 May 2009 15:42:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texas Tech Follows Boston College's Lead in Negotiations With Mike Leach

Michael David Smith — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:15:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Texas Tech, Coaching

Last month Boston College drew a line in the sand with coach Jeff Jagodzinski, firing him because he interviewed for the vacant head coaching job with the New York Jets. Many people in and around college football thought the BC administration had gone too far, but the folks at Texas Tech liked what they saw.

Texas Tech is currently in contract negotiations with coach Mike Leach, and those talks aren't going anywhere because Tech officials and Leach have very different views on what should happen if Leach looks to leave the Red Raiders.

The Associated Press got its hands on documents related to the Leach-Tech negotiations, and the key sticking points are about the steps the school could take if Leach leaves -- or even tries to leave. The major issue is that the school wants a contract provision that would cause Leach to be fired and pay a $1.5-million penalty if he interviews for another job without permission.

Leach and his agent don't like that, and it's hard to blame them. Not many people want to be told they can't seek greener pastures.

On the other hand, not many people get paid the kind of money Leach gets. And in sports, it's quite common for athletes to sign contracts that restrict their ability to seek other employment. Why shouldn't the same standards apply to coaches?

Leach, his agents and the school administration have been getting increasingly testy with each other in all these negotiations, but Leach says he's just going to keep coaching and let the contract work itself out, adding, "It's pretty much out of my hands. I'm just focused on coaching football."

Texas Tech Follows Boston College's Lead in Negotiations With Mike Leach originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boston College Expects Loyalty From Coaches, Not So Much the Other Way

Chas Rich — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:48:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, ACC, Coaching

Boston College Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo made a big show of firing Jeff Jagodzinski for not being loyal to BC by interviewing for the New York Jets job. The overriding message DeFilippo was sending was that he wanted someone who wanted to be at BC. That loyalty was an important characteristic at Boston College. Something that sets the school apart from other programs.

Apparently that characteristic only applies to those hired by BC. It does not mean the program will show the same loyalty demanded. Following the elevation of Frank Spaziani from defensive coordinator to the head coaching seat, three BC coaches have departed. Two of the three left feeling misled and frustrated with their treatment in the process.
Offensive coordinator Steve Logan, tight ends coach Dan Yanowsky and assistant head coach/offensive line coach Jack Bicknell, Jr. have left. After any coaching change, some turnover is expected. It is perfectly normal. Two of the departures had additional subplots.

Logan and Bicknell both interviewed for the head coaching job. Apparently both were frustrated by events and expectations as Eagle in Atlanta notes.

Another unfortunate aspect of all this is that Bick, Logan and Spaz were all under that impression that they were next in line.

Hmm. Were those anything like the conversations that coach Jagodzinski had with DeFilippo that the coach would not interview with anyone else for a job?

Bicknell had been a player at BC in the 80s. He had recently been hired by Texas Tech to coach the offensive line when his alma mater came calling a couple years earlier with the possibility being dangled of more.

DeFilippo sweetened the pot by offering an "assistant head coach title'' with the job and a boost in pay as well as an understanding that somewhere down the road was a strong potential to be the head coach at the Heights.

What makes Bicknell's situation interesting is how his frustration built. After the decision on the next coach was made, Bicknell went to BC officials to get assurances that he would remain on the BC staff under the new coach. Bicknell did not get those assurances.

So much for loyalty to an alum and employee. Apparently BC preferred to give the new coach a little more flexibility in deciding on his coaches.

Imagine that, looking out for the best interests of the program rather than the individuals employed. No reason for distrust and keeping an open mind about other jobs when employed at Boston College.

Boston College Expects Loyalty From Coaches, Not So Much the Other Way originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boston College Promotes Frank Spaziani From Defensive Coordinator to Head Coach

Michael David Smith — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, ACC, Coaching

A week after firing Jeff Jagodzinski for interviewing with the New York Jets, Boston College has found its next head coach: Longtime Eagles assistant Frank Spaziani, who served as Jagodzinski's defensive coordinator the last two years.

Spaziani, who has been at Boston College since 1997, is apparently being rewarded for his loyalty to the school -- loyalty that Boston College Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo thought Jagodzinski lacked.

But while BC knows Spaziani is loyal, no one knows whether he can run a big-time college football program. Spaziani has exactly one game of experience as a college head coach, when he was the interim head coach for BC's Meineke Car Care Bowl win over Navy in 2006. Other than that, his only head coaching experience is a couple of years at the high school level in the 1970s.

The bottom line is that DeFilippo has put his own reputation on the line by firing Jagodzinski and hiring Spaziani. If Spaziani turns out to be a coach who can lead BC to an ACC title, DeFilippo will be praised for this decision. But if BC goes in the tank in 2009, everyone will be asking why DeFilippo replaced a proven winner with a relative unknown, just because the winner had ambition.

Boston College Promotes Frank Spaziani From Defensive Coordinator to Head Coach originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boston College Linebacker Mark Herzlich Returns To School, Picks A New Coach?

Ian Cohen — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:34:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, ACC, Rumors, Prospects

Fact: Mark Herzlich is the best player Boston College currently has on its roster. Provided that nothing shady happens in the next year or so, you can pretty much rest assured he'll be off the board by the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. Really, he could have done the same this April, but much to the Eagles' non-chagrin, Herzlich will anchor the defense in an attempt to garner a third straight bid the ACC Championship Game/disappointing bowl bid once they lose.

And that's all well and good, but is Herzlich moonlighting as AD? He made a pretty adamant statement about who BC needs to tab as the next head coach, despite a coaching search that appears to getting pretty national with it as of late - and it's not so much of a shock that he's a Frank Spaziani guy, what with him being Herzlich's coach and the easiest, if not most appropriate hire.

Tough to say what BC does in this situation; it's conceivable that they could please a guy like Herzlich, because how long do they plan on keeping Spaz as coach anyway if he does get promoted? Is he just a stop gap despite being the candidate most likely to stick around? Because truth be told, Spaz has about two decades on the sort of guys that BC is hot for- Skip Holtz and assorted pickings from the Al Groh coaching tree (Al Golden, Mike London).

Boston College Linebacker Mark Herzlich Returns To School, Picks A New Coach? originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boston College: Hire Charlie Strong or Die

Brian Cook — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Florida

So you're a moderately successful ACC program in a state where the college football prospects all wear skates and drop their Rs. You've just fired a guy for having the temerity to interview with an NFL team. You're about to hire your third head coach in four years and the last two left because your athletic department just can't get along with folks. Recruiting already sucks and is only going to get worse.

Meanwhile, Charlie Strong finally came out and said what everyone's whispered about for years: he can't get a job in the South because his wife is white. He's been a college coordinator for a decade. He's a college lifer. And he's probably not going anywhere anytime soon. You want a guy who will stick at BC. You want some positive press after this debacle. You want a guy who's proven over the past ten years that he's one of the best defensive minds in college football. You want Charlie Strong.

Or do you want to promote some guy named "Spaz"?

There's no comparison between the two: Strong's fifteen years younger -- BC DC Frank Spaziani is already 63! -- and has just as much coordinator experience. Both men became DCs in 1999 and have remained at that post since. Strong's defenses have, on average, been better. He's supposed to be a better recruiter. And, critically, he's not two years from social security. The only way you could possibly justify a Spaziani hire when Strong is sitting out there, superior in all ways, is by claiming "familiarity with the program."

That may or may not be racist -- I won't throw that bomb -- but if it transpires as rumored, it would definitely be stupid.

Boston College: Hire Charlie Strong or Die originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeff Jagodzinksi Is Reportedly Getting Fired at Boston College Press Conference Today

Will Brinson — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, ACC, Coaching, NCAA FB Gossip, Rumors, General CFB Insanity

Jeff Jagodzinksi, the current head coach of Boston College's football team, is, according to the Boston Globe, about to get fired at a press conference today because he chose to interview with the New York Jets, despite the team's insistence that he would lose his job for such an action. Even if they do not actually can Jago, there's still going to be a press conference to "discuss [the] football team and its coach." Update: They did indeed fire Jagodzinski.

Jeff Jagodzinski will be fired as the Boston College football coach this morning in a meeting with athletic director Gene DeFillippo, according to sources close to the program.

After meeting with the New York Jets yesterday in New Jersey regarding their opening for a head coach, Jagodzinski called DeFilippo last night, setting up a face-to-face meeting this morning. They will finalize the details of his termination in the meeting. Jagodzinski has three years remaining on the contract.

This isn't that huge of a surprise, I suppose; you can only have so many publicly scrutinized people playing a game of chicken before someone gets in a wreck.

At the same time though, it was a pretty bold move on Jagodzinksi's part to pull on the interview if he wasn't completely confident he would get the job. That being said, Gene DiFilippo only comes off looking worse if the outcome is termination, so he should probably be able to land on his feet elsewhere soon enough if the Jets gig doesn't come through.

Jeff Jagodzinksi Is ~~Reportedly Getting~~ Fired at Boston College Press Conference Today originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeff Jagodzinski Interviews With the Jets; The Ball Shifts Back Into Boston College's Court

Chris Burke — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:25:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Coaching, Rumors

You were warned, Jeff Jagodzinski.

Athletic director Gene DeFilippo told you that if you interviewed for the New York Jets' vacant head coaching job, you would lose your current head coaching job at Boston College. You went ahead and interviewed with the Jets anyway.

So now this is going to happen:

Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski did indeed interview with the New York Jets and he will therefore not be retained by the school, two people close to the situation told ESPN's Joe Schad on Tuesday.
...
DeFilippo, sources say, thought that Jagodzinski was "disloyal" by not speaking with him before scheduling the Jets interview. One source said on Tuesday that Jagodzinski's decision to follow through on the interview made his fate "a done deal."

What we're witnessing here is the college football equivalent of a parent telling a child, "Don't you dare do that," the child disobeying and then the parent grounding said child. Except in the adult world, instead of being grounded, you get fired.

Just what in the name of Doug Flutie happened here?

Two years ago, Boston College hired Jagodzinski because his fiery, in-your-face personality was basically the exact opposite of previous coach Tom O'Brien. The relatively-young gun rewarded that decision on the field, chalking up an 11-3 record in his first season (Matt Ryan, holla!) -- complete with an ACC Atlantic division title and Champs Sports Bowl win. In year two, Jagodzinski won the Atlantic again.

Then, almost abruptly, things fell apart. The Jets fired Eric Mangini, expressed interest in Jagodzinski, who has NFL assistant coaching experience, and all hell broke loose.

For DeFilippo's part, the fact that Jags -- is it OK if I call him Jags? -- didn't ask for permission to interview with the Jets was a bigger problem than him actually talking to the Jets.

"The surprise factor definitely played a big role in this situation," the source said.

Fine, I get that and it's hard to argue that DeFilippo should not be upset if Jagodzinski indeed made this all happen behind Boston College's collective back. If that's how things went down, Jagodzinski owes the school an apologetic explanation.

That said, was the cancel-the-interview-or-else ultimatum the only course of action left? I'm all for holding loyalty up as a pillar of your program -- heck, the ACC has Frank Beamer and Bobby Bowden as models for sticking it out with one school. But if a guy has two solid years with a school and wants to take a shot at the NFL, can you really deny him that opportunity?

Taking it a step further, would you really want to deny him that opportunity? If Boston College can choose between being a school that forbids its coaches to interview for higher-level positions, and being a school that is a stepping stone to the NFL ... well, that decision makes itself.

The simple judgment here is that both parties are in the wrong. Jagodzinski for slinking around (if that's what happened) and DeFilippo/Boston College for reacting in such a strong, completely negative way.

At this point, it's hard to imagine these burned bridges being rebuilt, which means the Jets aren't the only football team in need of a new head coach.

Jeff Jagodzinski Interviews With the Jets; The Ball Shifts Back Into Boston College's Court originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gene DiFilippo: Worst AD This Year, or Worst in the History of Ever?

Brian Cook — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:34:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College

The hottest new trend of 2008 and 2009 appears to be a diseased athletic department. See: West Virginia, Rich Rodriguez, and Bill Stewart or Auburn, Tommy Tuberville, and Gene Chizik. You can add Boston College to the list, too, as they've declared they'll fire Jeff Jagodzinski if he dares to interview with the Jets.

In a word: bats. Jagodzinski has been good, not great in his two years as BC's head coach. He's highly unlikely to get an NFL head coaching gig off the back of a Music City Bowl loss. But he's been successful enough for Boston College to hope there's some later date at which he'll have the resume for an NFL head job. So you're basically firing a guy good enough to get interviewed by the NFL but not good enough to get hired, which is the exact profile of coach you should be looking for at a school like Boston College.

Add in the strange departure of Tom O'Brien, who made an at-best lateral move to NC State for no apparent reason, and you've got the makings of a power-mad or incompetent athletic director with no idea how to maintain stability at his program. One incident is strange. Two is a trend.

How are you going to hire a promising replacement when you've just fired a coach for daring to interview somewhere else? How are you going to recruit when you're on your third coach in four years and the previous two left suddenly? You won't, and you can't.

Congratulations, Gene DiFilippo: you've managed out-dumb the rest of the country in a year in which a special teams coach from Mayberry and a 5-19 Iowa State coach were hired.

Gene DiFilippo: Worst AD This Year, or Worst in the History of Ever? originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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