Kiwi 'unlikely' against Wake

When asked about this weekend's match-up with Wake Forest, head coach Tom O'Brien was fairly straightforward.

"Well, we've got our nemesis coming to town," O'Brien said of the Demon Deacons, who have beaten No. 14 Boston College the past two years.

But it appears the injury bug may be just as menacing for BC.

On Wednesday, O'Brien announced that preseason All-American defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka is "very doubtful" for Saturday's game due to injury.

Kiwanuka said he has a sprained or slightly torn medial collateral ligament in his right leg that may have been inflamed by a hit after the whistle by Virginia's Brad Butler. The hit was seen by some as a cheap shot and led to ejections of Kiwanuka and defensive lineman Al Washington for retaliating.

"I was engaged in blocking him because he is the type of player who makes plays all over the field," Butler said in a statement. "I regret this event occurred and have put the incident behind me."

Earlier this week, Butler was suspended for one game by UVA. O'Brien asked the ACC to review the play, but the league has yet to take any action.

Kiwanuka had an MRI on Tuesday and was cleared to begin rehab. He is hopeful that he will be able to play in the Eagles' game, against Virginia Tech on Oct. 27.

The loss puts a major hole in a defense that has been the Eagles' biggest strength this season. Ranked No. 10 nationally in total yards allowed and No. 4 in rushing yards allowed, BC has allowed just over 11 points per game - fourth best in the nation. O'Brien said that junior Jake Ottolini will replace Kiwanuka at defensive end.

The Eagles also head into Saturday with a shaky kicking game after starter Ryan Ohliger missed three field goals against UVA. O'Brien made the decision yesterday to have junior walk-on Will Troost take over the field goal duties, while Ohliger will remain on kickoffs.

With all of these problems, one can't help but wonder if this weekend could be a trap game for BC.

After an emotionally draining 28-17 win against UVA last weekend, the Eagles will have to face a team that has upset them in each of the past two seasons.

And BC couldn't be blamed for looking ahead two weeks, when the Eagles will travel down to Blacksburg, Va. for a contest with undefeated No. 3 Virginia Tech on ESPN in what could be a match-up between top 10 teams - if BC takes care of business Saturday.