How the mighty have fallen. Since starting last season 8-0, Notre Dame has lost eight of its last 12 games. This short-lived "Return to Glory" includes two losses against Boston College, that other school that wears the golden helmets. ND may have more tradition, a bigger stadium, and Touchdown Jesus on its side, but the rivalry between the two Catholic schools is slowly becoming an even series. The Fighting Irish won nine of the first 12. The Eagles picked their moments to shine; two of those three victories were against a No. 1 Fighting Irish team.
When I first came to BC, I knew the two schools had a rivalry, but I didn't know what to expect when the teams played each other. Back in 2001, neither team entered the match-up ranked. The game was still an intense Saturday night showdown. The score went back and forth throughout the game until BC took a 21-17 lead.
It wouldn't be a BC-ND contest if there weren't some last-minute drama, and a BC turnover gave ND one last shot to win the game as the game clock wound down. The Eagles' defense held the Fighting Irish for one last drive, solidifying the victory. The exciting game may not had important postseason implications, but it at least rocked Alumni for the night.
One year later, there was a huge opportunity for a classic match-up. ND, ranked fourth in the BCS poll, had national champion aspirations. While "Return to Glory" shirts were being printed in bulk, BC snuck into town as ND's non-rival. I was fortunate to be able to take a road trip out to South Bend last year.
After getting a small taste of the rivalry in my freshman year, I wanted more. As ND kept winning week after week, I knew the situation could not be better for the Eagles. BC always thrived in its underdog role, and nothing would be better than taking down a powerhouse on the road. The challenge would be tough, but I had a feeling the football squad was up to the task.
Once I arrived at South Bend, I was told that BC didn't really matter in ND fans' eyes. Florida State, Michigan, and USC were the school's big rivals; BC was just a blip on the radar on the way back to number one. I kept quiet, hoping the Eagles would prove those theories wrong. Victory was ours, as BC pulled a huge upset in front of 80,000-plus fans. The game was sloppy, and there wasn't much action, but it still was the highlight of my three-year BC sports memory. Josh Ott and Derrick Knight came up big when it mattered, and the rest of the team stayed strong the entire 60 minutes. The Ireland Trophy/Leahy Bowl award stayed in Chestnut Hill for another year.
This year's game was very similar to the 2001 contest. Neither team had played consistent football throughout the year. Neither received votes in the coaches' poll. The game received little press; the game did not even earn a spot on ESPN.com's front college football page. It took me a couple minutes to find any coverage of it on the sports networks' website.
I even worried that this year's game could not live up my high expectations. It turns out I had nothing to worry about. BC dominated the first half and built a nice 24-6 lead. ND came back with the help of shoddy BC special teams and some timely completions by Brady Quinn.
When the Fighting Irish took a 25-24 lead with three minutes left, it looked like ND was getting BC back for last year's upset. The Eagles wouldn't allow this to happen, drove down the field, and won the game on a chip-shot field goal. For the third time, the Eagles earned bragging rights over their Catholic cousins. The ghosts of ND history are rolling over in their graves; BC was never intended to "own" the Fighting Irish. That is what this series is starting to look like.
Hopefully all the students on campus took notice of Saturday's victory. Due to an incomplete contract extension, ND will not return to Chestnut Hill until 2008. The next two match-ups will occur in South Bend in 2004 and 2007.
Next year, the records will again be thrown out, and BC vs. ND will again be an exciting showdown. I will be back to South Bend, hoping to complete a clean sweep in my four years at the Heights. Winning four in a row would be quite an accomplishment for BC football.
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