Boston College Eagles football

{{See also|List of Boston College Eagles football seasons}}

File:Boston Eagles footb 1893.gif

In 1892, Boston College President Edward Ignatius Devitt, S.J., grudgingly agreed to the requests of two undergraduates, Joseph F. O'Connell of the class of 1893 and Joseph Drum of the class of 1894, to start a varsity football team.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bc.edu/libraries/about/exhibits-new/burnsvirtual/teams.html |title=University Libraries - Boston College |access-date=2018-09-23 |archive-date=2016-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220154358/http://www.bc.edu/libraries/about/exhibits-new/burnsvirtual/teams.html |url-status=dead }} Drum would become the first head coach, albeit an unpaid position and O'Connell was captain. On October 26, 1893, BC played its first official game against the St. John's Literary Institute of Cambridge followed by its first intercollegiate game against MIT. BC won the first game 4–0, but lost 6–0 to MIT.{{Cite web | url=http://bcm.bc.edu/issues/summer_2004/ll_football.html | title=First team - BCM - Summer 2004 }} Some of the original team's alumni had particularly significant careers: Joseph F. O'Connell was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts, and running back James Carlin became president of the College of the Holy Cross.

File:Banquet to eastern championship invitation.jpg

In 1920, the Boston College football team adopted the nickname 'Eagles.' The season was capped by a stirring 14–0 victory over Holy Cross before 40,000 fans at Braves Field. The win gave the team a perfect 8–0 season and the school's first undefeated season.{{Cite web |title=Eagles Football Timeline |url=http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/bc/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/footbl-timeline.pdf |website=graphics.fansonly.com}} Eagles coach Frank Cavanaugh, coach from 1919 through 1926, was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame coach Gil Dobie was Boston College head coach from 1936 through 1938.

File:Boston College National Championship 1940.jpg

File:1940 Cotton Bowl, Clemson vs. Boston College (Taps 1940).png and Boston College line up in the 1940 Cotton Bowl]]

The 1939 Boston College team, led by first-year head coach Frank Leahy, finished the regular season with a 9–1 record, and the Eagles were ranked in the final AP Poll for the first time in school history at No. 11. They were invited to the school's first bowl game, the 1940 Cotton Bowl, where they were defeated by Clemson 3–6.

The 1940 season can arguably be called the greatest year in the history of Boston College football. BC's undefeated (11–0) and untied team, captured the 1941 Sugar Bowl championship and earned the nickname "Team of Destiny".{{cite web|url=http://bceagles.cstv.com/genrel/071000aac.html|title=1940 Football 'Team of Destiny' - National Champions|access-date=2008-02-18|publisher=Boston College Athletics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515193628/http://bceagles.cstv.com/genrel/071000aac.html|archive-date=2011-05-15|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/ulib/Burns/1940team.html|title=1940 Team of Destiny|date=Fall 2001|access-date=2008-02-18|publisher=John J. Burns Library |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080611135404/http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/ulib/Burns/1940team.html |archive-date = 2008-06-11}} Five members of that storied team have been inducted into the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame: receiver Gene Goodreault (50); guard George Kerr (47); center Chet Gladchuk (45); fullback Mike Holovak (12); and halfback / quarterback Charlie O'Rourke (13). It included a 19–18 victory over No. 9 Georgetown before 41,700 fans at sold-out Fenway Park, that was called one of the greatest games ever by famed sportswriter Grantland Rice.{{cite web |url=http://www.hoyafootball.com/history/quirk.htm |title=Georgetown Football History and Tradition |first=Rory |last=Quirk |access-date=2011-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501132419/http://www.hoyafootball.com/history/quirk.htm |archive-date=2012-05-01 |url-status=dead }}

Going into the game, the Hoyas had 22 consecutive victories spanning three seasons. BC trailed until the third quarter, when a 43-yard touchdown pass from Charlie O'Rourke to Monk Maznicki put the Eagles ahead. With just seconds remaining, BC had the ball on their own nine, fourth down and 18 to go. Georgetown set up to return the Eagles' punt. Instead of punting, O'Rourke scrambled in his own end zone for 45 seconds then took a safety. BC used the free kick to boot the ball far downfield and dashed the Hoyas' three-season unbeaten record. Legendary Coach Frank Leahy, who would go on to cement his legendary status during an eleven-year stint as head coach at Notre Dame, took his undefeated Eagles on to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans where they beat No. 4 Tennessee 19–13. Trailing 7–13 in the fourth quarter, Tennessee's Bob Foxx missed a short field goal attempt with three minutes remaining, and Boston College took over on its own 20–yard line. Quarterback Charlie O'Rourke led the Eagles on an eighty-yard drive, capped with his 24-yard touchdown run to seal the victory.{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XyFWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CeQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6721,347740|title=The Spokesman-Review - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}} A banner on campus commemorating the team uses the phrase "national champions", but Boston College was not awarded a national championship by any of the national polls at the time of the 1940 season. Although BC's claim to a title is not recognized by the NCAA or college football historians in general, one website, the College Football Data Warehouse, claims that selectors named Cliff Morgan and Ray Bryne rated BC No. 1 in 1940.{{cite web|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/acc/boston_college/all_national_champs.php |title=cfbdatawarehouse|access-date=February 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724120304/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/acc/boston_college/all_national_champs.php |archive-date=July 24, 2008 }} This web site states that BC's historic 1940 run resulted in a split championship with the University of Minnesota, but it's not clear whether the selectors awarded BC a title at the time of the 1940 season, or if they did so retroactively.{{cite web |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/nchamps_year.php |title=Recognized National Championships by Year |publisher=Cfbdatawarehouse.com |access-date=2016-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015173918/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/nchamps_year.php |archive-date=2016-10-15 }} The NCAA lists only Minnesota (who finished No. 1 the final AP Poll) as the national champion in 1940, and does not credit Boston College with any national championships in football.{{Cite web |title=FBS Football Championship History {{!}} NCAA.com |url=https://www.ncaa.com/history/football/fbs |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=www.ncaa.com |language=en}}

In 1941, Denny Myers was hired as head coach after Leahy left to become head coach at rival Notre Dame.

In 1942, Boston College won its first 8 games of the season, climbing to No. 1 in the AP Poll. All the Eagles needed to do to secure its first ever AP national championship was to beat rival Holy Cross (4–4–1) in the final game of the regular season. The result, however, was a stunning rout loss, 12–55. The Eagles team canceled their planned post-game celebration at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, which inadvertently saved the team from perishing along with 492 others in the Cocoanut Grove fire that occurred that night.{{cite web|date=November 22, 1992|last=Anderson |first=Dave |title=Sports of The Times; The Upset, the Party, the Fire|work=The New York Times| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/22/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-upset-the-party-the-fire.html|access-date=May 12, 2017}} Finishing No. 8 in the final AP rankings, the Eagles received an invitation to play in the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day. All-American fullback Mike Holovak scored three rushing touchdowns, but Boston College ultimately lost to No. 10 Alabama, 21–37.

Mike Holovak was named head coach of BC in 1951.{{cite web|url=http://www.bceagles.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012808aaa.html |title=Boston College Athletics - Legendary Football Player and Coach Mike Holovak Dies |publisher=Bceagles.com |date=2008-01-28 |access-date=2016-03-19}} During his tenure as head coach, the Eagles compiled a 49–29–3 record. Holovak won Coach of the Year honors in 1954 from New England football writers. Those efforts were good enough to earn him a new four-year contract on November 22, 1955, but even after four more winning seasons - he was fired on December 3, 1959, after a year in which Eagle fans had subjected him to constant verbal abuse.{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2008/01/28/mike_holovak_88_star_back_for_bc_became_second_winningest_coach_of_patriots/ |title=Mike Holovak, 88; star back for BC became second-winningest coach of Patriots - The Boston Globe |publisher=Boston.com |date=2008-01-28 |access-date=2016-03-19}} Holovak would move on to coach the Boston Patriots in the upstart American Football League (AFL) from 1961 to 1968.

Ernie Hefferle, an assistant coach for the NFL's Washington Redskins, was hired as head coach of the Eagles following Holovak's firing. Hefferle's Eagles compiled a record of 7–12–1 in two seasons.{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/ernest-hefferle-1.html |title=Ernest Hefferle Coaching Record &No. 124; College Football at |publisher=Sports-reference.com |access-date=2016-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013749/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/ernest-hefferle-1.html |archive-date=2016-03-05 }} However, mounting pressure to win from the alumni and administration led to Hefferle's resignation after the 1961 season.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19611221&id=rDZhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TXQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5217,4171831|title=Star-News - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}}

BC hired Jim Miller away from Detroit as its head coach in January 1962.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19620123&id=vnZPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FwUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5297,4226915|title=Ocala Star-Banner - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}} Under Miller, the Eagles compiled a record of 34–24 that included four winning seasons in those six years.{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jim-miller-1.html |title=Jim Miller Coaching Record &No. 124; College Football at |publisher=Sports-reference.com |access-date=2016-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319171601/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jim-miller-1.html |archive-date=2016-03-19 }} Miller resigned after the 1967 season.{{cite web|url=http://newspapers.bc.edu/cgi-bin/bostonsh?a=d&d=bcheights19671215.2.18 |title=The Heights 15 December 1967 – Boston College |publisher=Newspapers.bc.edu |date=1967-12-15 |access-date=2016-03-19}}

New Hampshire head coach Joe Yukica was hired to replace Miller at BC.{{cite web|url=http://newspapers.bc.edu/cgi-bin/bostonsh?a=d&d=bcheights19680112.2.55 |title=The Heights 12 January 1968 – Boston College |publisher=Newspapers.bc.edu |date=1968-01-12 |access-date=2016-03-19}} Yukica's Eagles compiled a 68–37 record, which included eight winning seasons.{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/joseph-yukica-1.html |title=Joseph Yukica Coaching Record &No. 124; College Football at |publisher=Sports-reference.com |access-date=2016-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318162818/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/joseph-yukica-1.html |archive-date=2016-03-18 }} Yukica left BC after the 1977 season to accept the head football coach position at Dartmouth.{{cite web|author= D. Keith Mano |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20092780,00.html |title=Hell No, He Won't Go! Dartmouth's Joe Yukica Fights for His Right to Coach Football |publisher=People.com |access-date=2016-03-19}} One of the highlights during Yukica 's tenure was an upset win over No. 7 Texas to open the 1976 season.{{cite news |author= |title=East enjoys big boost from Boston College win |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10989998/abilene-reporter-news/ |newspaper=Abilene Reporter-News |location=Abilene, Texas |agency=Associated Press |date=September 14, 1976 |page=15 |access-date=May 14, 2017 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}

The Eagles hired Ed Chlebek away from Eastern Michigan to lead its football program in January 1978.{{cite web|url=http://newspapers.bc.edu/cgi-bin/bostonsh?a=d&d=bcheights19780123.2.20 |title=The Heights 23 January 1978 – Boston College |publisher=Newspapers.bc.edu |date=1978-01-23 |access-date=2016-03-19}} Despite a dismal 0–11 record in Chlebek's first season, BC rebounded to compile a 5–6 record in 1979 and a 7–4 record in 1980,{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/ed-chlebek-1.html |title=Ed Chlebek Coaching Record &No. 124; College Football at |publisher=Sports-reference.com |access-date=2016-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405045821/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/ed-chlebek-1.html |archive-date=2016-04-05 }} leading to a job offer from Kent State to Chlebek, which he accepted.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1928&dat=19801220&id=BgYgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oWQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2919,4672842|title=The Lewiston Daily Sun - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}} Chlebek's final record at BC is 12–21.

File:Doug Flutie, Generals football press conference.jpg was the winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1984]]

{{See also|Hail Flutie}}

Jack Bicknell was hired as BC's head coach after previously serving as head coach at Maine.{{Citation |last= |first= |title=Records |work=Boston College 2009 Football |volume= |page=152 |year= |orig-date= |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/bc/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/bc-fb-mg-09-7.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112091656/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/bc/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/bc-fb-mg-09-7.pdf |archive-date=November 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |series= |chapter= |chapter-url= |edition= |place= |publisher= |language= |doi= |isbn= |jfm= |mr= |zbl= |id= |last2= |first2= |author-link= }} The best player for the Eagles during Bicknell's tenure was quarterback Doug Flutie (of Natick, Massachusetts), who played for Boston College from 1981 to 1984. Flutie won the Heisman Trophy in his senior year. He left school as the NCAA's all-time passing yardage leader with 10,579 yards and was a unanimous All-American. Bicknell's final record at Boston College was 59–55–1, took the Eagles to four bowl games, and won the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy (awarded to the 'Eastern champion' in Division I FBS) twice: 1983 and 1984.{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jack-bicknell-1.html |title=Jack Bicknell Coaching Record &No. 124; College Football at |publisher=Sports-reference.com |access-date=2016-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318180923/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jack-bicknell-1.html |archive-date=2016-03-18 }} He was fired after the 1990 season.

File:Mike Ruth and BC Teammates 1984 Spring Game Alumni Stadium foto by Andy Hemmer Cincinnati.jpg

The Eagles completed the 1984 season with a 10–2 record, finishing at No. 5 in the AP Poll and No. 4 in the Coaches' Poll.{{cite web |url=http://cfreference.net/cfr/school.s?id=133&season=1984 |title=Boston College-1984 |publisher=College Football Reference |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615025556/http://cfreference.net/cfr/school.s?id=133&season=1984 |archive-date=15 June 2010}}{{Cite web | url=https://bceagles.com/sports/football/schedule/1984 | title=1984 Football Schedule }} They defeated the SWC champion Houston Cougars in the 1985 Cotton Bowl, 45–28.{{cite web| url = https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/1985-01-01-boston-college.html| title = Cotton Bowl - Houston vs Boston College Box Score, January 1, 1985 {{!}} College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}{{Cite web | url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1985-01-02-8501010107-story.html | title=Flutie Struggles as Bc Grounds Houston 45-28 for First Bowl Win | date=2 January 1985 }}{{Cite web | url=https://www.cottonbowl.com/sports/classics/roster/49th-classic-1985/221 | title=49th Classic, 1985 - 2021-22 - Cotton Bowl Classics History }} Fullback Steve Strachan (of Burlington, Massachusetts) was named the game's MVP. He had 23 carries for 91 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/01/02/sports/flutie-passes-for-3-scores-as-boston-college-wins.html | title=Flutie Passes for 3 Scores as Boston College Wins | newspaper=The New York Times | date=2 January 1985 | last1=White | first1=Gordon S. Jr. }} Running back Troy Stradford rushed for 196 yards, and sealed the game with an 18-yard touchdown run with 1:06 left in the fourth quarter as the Eagles clinched their first major bowl victory since the 1941 Sugar Bowl.{{cite book |last1=Oslin |first1=Reid |title=Tales from the Boston College Sideline: A Collection of the Greatest Eagles Stories Ever Told |date=2013 |page=175}}{{cite book |last1=Whittingham |first1=Richard |title=Rites of Autumn: The Story of College Football |date=2001 |page=252 |quote=The four major bowl games (Rose, Orange, Sugar, Cotton)}}

Boston College began the 1984 season with a 7–2 record, posting victories over No. 9 Alabama 38–31 and North Carolina 52–20. Heading into the November 23, 1984 matchup against defending national champion No. 12 Miami (led by star QB Bernie Kosar), quarterback Doug Flutie gained national attention when he led the Eagles to victory in a high-scoring, back-and-forth game in the Orange Bowl. The game was nationally televised on CBS the day after Thanksgiving, and had a huge audience. Miami staged a dramatic drive to take the lead, 45–41, in the closing minute of the game. Boston College then took possession at their own 22-yard line with 28 seconds to go. After two passes moved the ball another 30 yards, only six seconds remained on the clock. On the last play of the game, Flutie rolled out right away from the defense and threw a Hail Mary pass that was caught in the end zone by senior wide receiver Gerard Phelan, giving BC a miraculous 47–45 win.{{cite web|url=http://www.yankeemagazine.com/article/not-categorized/doug-flutie |title=Doug Flutie Hail Mary Pass &No. 124; The Miracle in Miami |publisher=Yankeemagazine.com |date=2015-11-18 |access-date=2016-03-19}} A persistent urban legend holds that this play essentially clinched the Heisman Trophy, the award given to the best player in college football that year, for Flutie; in fact, the Heisman voting was already complete by the day of the game. It has been called "the greatest moment in college football."[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2002-11-19-memorable-moments_x.htm "College football's best of the last 20 years."] USA Today. November 19, 2002. In November 2008, Doug Flutie was honored by Boston College with a statue of his famous "Hail Mary" pass.[https://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=40940 BC unveils life-sized tribute to Flutie] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208201757/http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=40940 |date=December 8, 2008 }}, November 13, 2008. The Eagles finished the regular season with a 45–10 victory over rival Holy Cross.

File:Tom Coughlin in 2013.jpg]]

Tom Coughlin, wide receivers coach for the NFL's New York Giants and former BC quarterbacks coach (1981–83), was hired as BC's head coach after Bicknell was fired.{{cite web|url=http://newspapers.bc.edu/cgi-bin/bostonsh?a=d&d=bcheights19910219.2.44 |title=The Heights 19 February 1991 – Boston College |publisher=Newspapers.bc.edu |date=1991-02-19 |access-date=2016-03-19}} Coughlin's Eagles compiled a record of 21–13–1.{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/tom-coughlin-1.html |title=Tom Coughlin Coaching Record &No. 124; College Football at |publisher=Sports-reference.com |access-date=2016-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305091333/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/tom-coughlin-1.html |archive-date=2016-03-05 }} The highlight of Coughlin's tenure was a 41–39 Eagles victory over No. 1 Notre Dame in 1993,{{cite web|agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-11-21-sp-59268-story.html |title=Boston College Kicks Notre Dame Off Top : College football: Gordon, who had failed on two game-winning chances earlier in his career, beats No. 1 Irish, 41-39, on game's last play. - latimes |publisher=Articles.latimes.com |date=1993-11-21 |access-date=2016-03-19}} the first time the Eagles had ever defeated the Fighting Irish and the first and only time in program history that{{Cite web|url=http://081f1d29e26926d6f8a1-0c54b4af7b377989c9561792d719c8a2.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/2014FBMediaGuide/index.html|title=2014 Boston College Football Media Guide|website=www.bceagles.com}} the Eagles had defeated a No. 1 team. Coughlin, who left BC for the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars,{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1696&dat=19940222&id=uAobAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LEgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4335,2784111|title=Daily News - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}} would go on to become head coach of the New York Giants, winning two Super Bowls: XLII, XLVI (both against the New England Patriots).

BC hired Dan Henning, formerly offensive coordinator for the NFL's Detroit Lions, as its head coach in March 1994.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-03-03-9403030287-story.html|title=BOSTON COLLEGE HIRES HENNING|website=Chicago Tribune|date=3 March 1994 }} Henning's tenure is remembered for a scandal that occurred during the 1996 season. On October 26, 1996, the Eagles were routed 45–17 by Syracuse. Following the game, Henning heard that some players might have bet against their own team. He informed the appropriate university officials. As a result, 13 players were suspended for the rest of the season and six were banned permanently.{{cite web|author=Jeff Merron|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=merron/060207|title=Biggest Sports Gambling Scandals|work=ESPN.com|date=June 2, 2007|access-date=January 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330035814/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=merron%2F060207|archive-date=March 30, 2009|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/1997/Jul-25-Fri-1997/sports/5778474.html |title=Boston College continues to sort out mess from gambling scandal |date=July 25, 1997}} As a result of the scandal and a mediocre 16–19–1 record as coach, Henning resigned at the end of the 1996 season.{{Cite news |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/1996-11-26/sports/18021741_1_boston-college-bc-athletic-director-gambling-scandal |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709070227/http://articles.nydailynews.com/1996-11-26/sports/18021741_1_boston-college-bc-athletic-director-gambling-scandal |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |title=BC's Henning Resigns |date=November 26, 1996 |first=Dick |last=Weiss |location=New York |work=Daily News}}

File:MatthewHasselbeck.jpg QB Matt Hasselbeck (who grew up in Westwood, Massachusetts) played for BC from 1994 to 1997]]

In December 1996, BC hired Virginia offensive coordinator Tom O'Brien.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/14/sports/bc-hires-coach.html|title=B.C. Hires Coach| newspaper=The New York Times |date=14 December 1996}} With good recruiting skills and a strong coaching staff around him, notably offensive coordinator Dana Bible and defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani, O'Brien turned the program into a consistent top-25 team. The team was also helped by increased exposure on the national stage due to the move to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and, later, improved facilities in the form of the Yawkey Center.{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2003/10/13/bc_accepts_an_invitation_to_join_the_acc/|title=Boston.com / Sports / College / Football / BC accepts an invitation to join the ACC|website=www.boston.com}} BC won eight straight postseason bowl games, the first six under O'Brien, between 2000 and 2008.{{cite web|url=http://bceagles.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/obrien_tom01.html|title=Tom O'Brien Bio|publisher=Boston College|access-date=January 4, 2011|archive-date=June 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607072411/http://bceagles.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/obrien_tom01.html|url-status=dead}}

The 2001 season was a satisfying one for O'Brien as the Eagles finished 8–4 and ranked in the top 25 in both major polls, capped by a 20–16 win over SEC powerhouse Georgia in the Music City Bowl. A 21–17 victory over Notre Dame gave the Eagles two wins in three years against their archrivals. Boston College gave eventual national champion (No. 1) Miami by far its biggest scare of the entire season at Alumni Stadium as the Hurricanes were able to pull out a victory only in the final seconds 18–7. Running back William Green rushed for 1,559 yards and was the second-leading rusher in the country and a consensus first-team All-America pick. Green (16th, Cleveland Browns) and offensive tackle Marc Colombo (29th, Chicago Bears) were selected in the first round of the NFL draft, the first time two BC players were picked in the first round.

2004 would be Boston College's final campaign in the Big East, and it finished the season in a four-way tie atop the league after losing the home finale to Syracuse (thus costing the Eagles a coveted berth in a BCS bowl) — a year in which they closed the season ranked No. 21 in both major polls.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story?id=2691522&src=desktop | title=NC State hires O'Brien away from conference rival Boston College | date=9 December 2006 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail-pf.php?n%3D99205 |title=N.C. State hires Boston College's Tom O'Brien | AccessNorthGa |access-date=2014-08-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827100250/http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail-pf.php?n=99205 |archive-date=2014-08-27 }}

File:Glennon under center ACC championship.jpg in the 2008 ACC Championship Game]]

O'Brien was replaced by then Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski.{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/acc/2006-12-19-bc-jagodzinski_x.htm|title=Boston College hires Packers coordinator Jagodzinski - USATODAY.com|website=usatoday30.usatoday.com}} He inherited a talent laden BC team, which he led to an 11–3 record, a No. 10 finish in the polls and an ACC Atlantic Division Championship. At one point in the season, the Eagles were ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll and BCS standings.{{Cite web |title=OU Ranked No. 4-6 in Polls, BCS |url=http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=208392709}} Along with Steve Logan, Jagodzinski brought a high flying offensive attack which was very different from Tom O'Brien's short passing game style. He has been nicknamed "Jags" by BC fans and the media. After his first season at BC, Tom O'Brien protegees Matt Ryan and Gosder Cherilus were selected in the first round of the NFL draft. In both 2007 and 2008, the Eagles lost the ACC Championship Game to Virginia Tech.

Following the 2008 season, Jagodzinski interviewed for the vacant New York Jets head coaching job, despite being warned not to do so by athletic director Gene DeFilippo.{{Cite web |last=Conroy |first=Steve |date=January 7, 2009 |title=BC fires Jagodzinski |url=http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/college/football/view/2009_01_07_Jagodzinski_s_BC_days_could_be_over/srvc=home&position=4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203011040/http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/college/football/view/2009_01_07_Jagodzinski_s_BC_days_could_be_over/srvc%3Dhome%26position%3D4 |archive-date=February 3, 2009 |access-date=January 7, 2009 |publisher=Boston Herald}}{{Cite web |title=Boston College Terminates Employment of Football Coach Jeff Jagodzinski |url=http://bceagles.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010709aaa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116021729/http://bceagles.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010709aaa.html |archive-date=January 16, 2009 |access-date=January 8, 2009}} He interviewed for the position, and was fired the next day. He only completed two years of his five-year contract with Boston College. The Jets ultimately hired Rex Ryan.

Defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani was hired as BC's head coach in January 2009.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3829897|title=Spaziani named new Boston College coach|date=13 January 2009|website=ESPN.com}} Prior to the 2009 season, linebacker and reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year Mark Herzlich was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/giants-re-sign-lb-herzlich-article-1.1714614|title=Giants re-sign linebacker Herzlich|website=New York Daily News|date=7 March 2014 }} Herzlich was forced to miss the entirety of the 2009 season. Herzlich became an inspirational figure as he battled his way back, earning the Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award, an award presented annually to college football's most inspirational player or team. Boston College created a chapter of Uplifting Athletes to benefit Ewing sarcoma research. The chapter participates in an annual "Lift for Life" (where players compete in various physical challenges) to raise money. On October 3, 2009, Herzlich publicly announced on College Gameday that he was cancer-free. Herzlich completed the comeback when he took the field once again on September 4, 2010, against Weber State.

In 2011, the Eagles finished 4–8 and failed to qualify for a bowl for the first time in 12 years. Following the 2011 season, junior LB Luke Kuechly won the Butkus Award,A.J Black (December 4, 2011) [http://www.bcinterruption.com/2011/12/4/2610659/boston-college-linebacker-luke-kuechly-wins-butkus-award "Boston College Linebacker Luke Kuechly Wins Butkus Award"] BC Interruption. the Lombardi Award, the Lott Trophy, and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy; the first Eagle to win these awards. Spaziani was fired on November 25, 2012, following a season in which Boston College went 2–10, the worst record since 1978.{{cite web|last=Patterson|first=Chip|title=Boston College fires Frank Spaziani|url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/eye-on-college-football/21133975/|work=Eye on College Football|publisher=CBSSports.com|access-date=November 26, 2012}}

Spaziani was replaced by Temple head coach Steve Addazio.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boston/college-football/story/_/id/8710282/boston-college-hires-temple-steve-addazio-next-coach|title=Boston College tabs Temple's Addazio as coach| date=4 December 2012 }}

File:Boston College vs. USC (9741916619).jpg ball-carrier during a September 2013 game at the Los Angeles Coliseum]]

Following a dismal 2–10 season under Spaziani, Addazio made an immediate impact in his first year as head coach. The team improved to 7–6 and secured a bowl appearance in the Independence Bowl; the program's first since 2010.

The feature component of Addazio's run-heavy offense, senior running back Andre Williams emerged as a standout player and rushed for 2,177 yards on the year. The mark earned him a top-10 spot on the all-time NCAA record list for most rushing yards in a season, and the Doak Walker Award as the best running back in the country. Williams finished 4th place in the Heisman Trophy voting and was also a Walter Camp Award finalist.{{Cite web|last=Blaudschun|first=Mark|title=Boston College's Andre Williams: From own book to record book|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/acc/2013/12/10/boston-college-eagles-football-running-back-andre-williams-heisman-finalist/3930699/|access-date=2021-02-24|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}

Boston College fired Addazio on December 1, 2019, after a 6–6 season and a 44–44 record over 7 seasons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28204922/boston-college-dismisses-steve-addazio-7-seasons|title=Boston College fires Addazio after seven seasons|date=2019-12-01|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-14}} The lone highlight of the 2019 season was running-back A. J. Dillon achieving a school record for career rushing yards at 4,382 in just three seasons.{{Cite web |date=December 10, 2019 |title=BC's Dillon to skip senior season, enters NFL draft|agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28267181/bc-aj-dillon-skip-senior-season-declares-nfl-draft |access-date=September 1, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Black |first=A. J. |date=October 26, 2019 |title=AJ Dillon Breaks All Time Rushing Record Ties TD Record |url=https://www.si.com/college/bostoncollege/football/aj-dillon-all-time-record-boston-college |access-date=October 26, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated Boston College Eagles News, Analysis and More |language=en}}

File:Boston College vs. Army (53245892146).jpg prepares to receive a snap during a 2023 game at Michie Stadium]]

On December 13, 2019, Jeff Hafley was hired to be the head coach at Boston College.{{Cite web |last=Rittenberg |first=Adam |date=December 14, 2019 |title=BC names Ohio State assistant Hafley new coach |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28295914/boston-college-names-ohio-state-assistant-jeff-hafley-new-coach |access-date=December 14, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}} During his four years with the team, Hafley led the Eagles to a 22–26 overall record and three bowl game appearances.{{Cite news |last=Thamel |first=Pete |date=2024-01-31 |title=Boston College's Hafley hired as Packers DC |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39429573/sources-packers-hire-boston-college-jeff-hafley-dc |access-date=2024-02-01 |work=ESPN.com |language=en}}

On February 9, 2024, BC hired Andover, Massachusetts native Bill O'Brien, who formerly served as offensive coordinator at Alabama as well as the NFL's New England Patriots.{{Cite web |title=Boston College Names Bill O'Brien Head Football Coach |url=https://bceagles.com/news/2024/2/9/boston-college-names-bill-o-brien-head-football-coach.aspx |date=February 9, 2024 |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=BCEeagles.com |language=en}}

• Independent (1892–1972)
• Division I Independent (1973–1977)
• Division I-A Independent (1978–1990)
• Big East Conference (1991–2004)
• Atlantic Coast Conference (2005–present)

Perhaps the best football team in Boston College history, the undefeated 1940 Eagles (11–0) won the 1941 Sugar Bowl over previously unbeaten No. 4 Tennessee. The school claims this year as a national championship.{{cite web|url=https://bceagles.com/news/2015/11/10/FB_1110153607.aspx | title=The 1940 Team of Destiny | publisher= Boston College Athletics Department | author=Reid Oslin | date=November 10, 2015 | access-date=November 14, 2018}} However, the team was not chosen by any NCAA-designated "major selectors" of national championships and does not appear in the NCAA records book.{{cite book |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2022/FBS.pdf |title=2022 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records |section=Final National Poll Leaders |pages=114–119 |publisher=The National Collegiate Athletic Association |date=July 2022 |location=Indianapolis |access-date=January 4, 2023 }}

For much of its history, Boston College played as an independent, as did the majority of what are now labeled as Division I FBS football-playing schools located in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. During this time, Eastern Championships were named by independent third-party selectors and awarded of various trophies. The process of picking an Eastern Champion eventually came to be symbolized by the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy awarded by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority beginning in 1936. As a result, the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy, voted on by a panel of sports writers in New York, became the de facto conference championship for those schools.{{cite web | url=https://thebirddogblog.com/2016/04/11/remember-what-it-took-to-get-here/ | title=Remember What It Took to Get Here | date=11 April 2016 }}

In 1991, the majority of football independents in the East (including Boston College) aligned themselves together in the Big East Football Conference. The Big East first crowned an official champion in 1993. The Eagles left the Big East and joined the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2005.

† Co-champions

Divisional play began in the Atlantic Coast Conference at the start of the 2005 football season following BC's inclusion in the conference. BC earned a share of the ACC Atlantic Division title in 2005 and in 2008. Florida State represented the division in the inaugural ACC Championship Game by virtue of the head-to-head tiebreaker in 2005, while BC represented the Atlantic in 2008.

† Co-champions

{{main|List of Boston College Eagles bowl games}}

Boston College has been to 27 bowl games, holding a 14–12 record (the 2018 First Responder Bowl started but was delayed in the first quarter and ultimately canceled). Additionally, they accepted an invitation to the 2021 Military Bowl, however it was cancelled the day before it was set to be played due to COVID-19 cases in the Boston College program. The Eagles posted an 8-game bowl winning streak from 2000 to 2007 and went to 12 consecutive bowl games from 1999 to 2010. BC's 8-game bowl win streak was the nation's longest active streak before it was snapped in 2008.{{Cite news |url=http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283660238 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206113009/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283660238 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 6, 2009 |title=Hahnfeldt's late FG edges BC to deliver Vandy first bowl win in 53 years |date=December 31, 2008 |work=ESPN.com}} The 12-year streak was tied with Oklahoma for the 6th longest active streak in country.{{Cite news |url=http://www.thebcobserver.com/2011/11/15/boston-college-footballs-bowl-streak-snapped/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919153632/http://www.thebcobserver.com/2011/11/15/boston-college-footballs-bowl-streak-snapped/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 19, 2012 |title=Boston College Football's Bowl Streak Snapped |date=November 15, 2011 |first=Steven |last=Cardiello |publisher=BC Observer }} The Eagles recently broke their 5 bowl-game losing streak in 2016 with a 36–30 victory over former ACC foe Maryland.

List of Boston College head coaches.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/boston-college/|title=Boston College Eagles Coaches|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}

File:Alumni Stadium Boston College.jpg]]

{{main|Alumni Stadium}}

Since 1957, Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts has been the home of the Eagles. Located on BC's lower campus, the stadium has a capacity of 44,500. Prior to 1957, the Eagles played home games at Boston's Fenway Park and Braves Field.{{cite web | url=https://footballstadiumdigest.com/2017/11/the-history-of-football-at-fenway-park/ | title=The History of Football at Fenway Park | date=10 November 2017 }}

In 2005, the Yawkey Athletics Center was constructed at the north end-zone side of the stadium. The Yawkey Center houses the football offices and weight room. A replica of Doug Flutie's 1984 Heisman Trophy is on display in the BC football museum on the first floor of the center.

{{main|O'Rourke–McFadden Trophy}}

File:A.J. Dillon.jpg on a running play in a 2019 matchup with Clemson]]

The Eagles and Clemson Tigers first played each other in the Cotton Bowl at the end of the 1939 season, a game won by the Tigers. The schools played 11 more times until 1960. When BC joined the ACC in 2005, the games between the Eagles and the Tigers were especially memorable. Both the 2005 and 2006 games went to overtime and the 2007 game featured late-game heroics from Matt Ryan in a division-clinching victory.

Starting in 2008, the Boston College Gridiron Club created the O'Rourke-McFadden Trophy to honor the friendly rivalry between the Eagles and the Tigers.{{Cite news |url=http://www.bceagles.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102908aac.html |title=BC Football and Clemson Begin New Tradition |date=October 29, 2008 |publisher=BCEagles.com |access-date=December 10, 2011 |archive-date=January 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119033800/http://www.bceagles.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102908aac.html |url-status=dead }} The trophy is named after BC's Charlie O'Rourke and Clemson's Banks McFadden, star players of their respective teams when the Eagles and Tigers first played in the 1940 Cotton Bowl. The MVP of the game receives a replica leather helmet. Montel Harris was named the MVP of the 2010 meeting.

Clemson leads the all-time series 20–9–2 as of the 2021 season.{{Cite web|url=https://bceagles.com/documents/2018/7/17/TheFINAL2018BCRecordBook.pdf|title=2018 BC Football Record Book}} p. 191. Accessed 11/10/2018.

{{main|Boston College–Holy Cross football rivalry}}

File:Holy Cross vs Boston College (Fenway Park 1916).jpg

Boston College and Holy Cross have a dormant rivalry dating back to 1896, and have met 83 times on the field. The game was an annual home-and-home series until 1986. The Eagles dominated the last two decades of the annual series, winning 17 out of 19 meetings from 1967 to 1986. The rivalry was recently renewed in 2018 as the Eagles handily won a 62–14 victory at Chestnut Hill; a 2020 matchup was scheduled to take place but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

File:Frank Leahy 1949.png coached at both BC and Notre Dame]]

{{main|Holy War (Boston College–Notre Dame)}}

{{see also|Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl|Ireland Trophy|Notre Dame Fighting Irish football rivalries#Boston College}}

In recent years, Notre Dame has become one of BC's football rivals. Today, ND is the only other Catholic university playing NCAA Division I FBS football. The matchup was dubbed the "Holy War" in 1975, and has acquired a number of other nicknames over the years. The two teams battle for the Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl and the Ireland Trophy.

The Eagles and the Fighting Irish have met once in the postseason; Notre Dame defeated Boston College in the 1983 Liberty Bowl by a score of 19–18. Boston College will host in 2025, 2030, and 2033, and Notre Dame will host in 2028 and 2035.

Notre Dame leads the all-time series 18–9 as of the 2022 season.

{{main|Boston College–UMass football rivalry}}

BC and UMass are in-state rivals. The first game played between the two schools took place in 1899 and was played at a neutral location. Boston College won 18–0.{{cite web|url=http://www.mcubed.net/ncaaf/series/umass/bc.shtml|title=mcubed.net : NCAAF Football : Series records : Massachusetts vs. Boston College|website=www.mcubed.net}} At the time, UMass was known as Massachusetts Agricultural College. The relative proximity between the schools encouraged them to schedule additional matches in the subsequent years.

BC and UMass met again in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1901, 1902, and 1912, with UMass winning all three contests before the series was halted. The two universities did not meet again on the football field until 1966, when they began a seventeen-year series in which the teams would play each other in the last week of UMass' football season. UMass was in a lower division than BC during the entirety of the rivalry. As such, Boston College dominated the stretch, winning 15 of the 17 games, routinely blowing out the overmatched Minutemen.

After 22 years, the rivalry was renewed as UMass traveled to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts to play Boston College once again. UMass was yet again outmatched, losing 29–7. The universities agreed to play two more times over the next seven years, and Boston College won both games easily.

In April 2011, UMass announced plans to join the Mid-American Conference and move up to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, the highest level of college football in the country. Boston College had been a member of this division for decades, and there was much speculation that the two schools may cultivate a renewal of the rivalry. This was confirmed when it was reported in September, 2011, that they had agreed to play a three-game biannual series beginning in 2014.{{Cite news |last=Vautour |first=Matt |url=http://www.gazettenet.com/2011/09/26/jesse-julmiste-sets-umass-record-for-kickoff-returns |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111220171435/http://www.gazettenet.com/2011/09/26/jesse-julmiste-sets-umass-record-for-kickoff-returns |title=UMass, Boston College agree on three-game football series |date=September 26, 2011 |work=Daily Hampshire Gazette |archive-date=December 20, 2011 |access-date=February 12, 2024 |url-status=dead}} Two of the games will be played at BC's Alumni Stadium and the other will be held at Gillette Stadium.

Boston College is on a 11-game winning streak vs UMass, dating back to 1979, after beating the Minutemen 45–28 in the 2021 season, and they lead the all-time series 22–5.

Boston College and Villanova have a dormant rivalry. The two Catholic universities met 46 times, and played a home-and-home series from 1945 to 1980 (save 1954), until Villanova disbanded their 1-A program. They last met in 2013 with Villanova as an FCS opponent for the Eagles, with Boston College taking the 24–14 victory at Chestnut Hill.

{{main|Boston College–Virginia Tech football rivalry}}

BC and Virginia Tech first played in 1993 and have played every year since, except for 2004. Now both in the ACC, the two schools play each other every year despite not being in the same division.

The schools played each other twice in the same season in both 2007 and 2008; in both years, the Eagles won the regular season meeting while the Hokies won the rematch in the ACC Championship Game.

Virginia Tech is famed for its seeming invincibility in Thursday night games at Lane Stadium. Since 1994, the Hokies are 11–3 at home on Thursday nights. The Eagles delivered 2 of those 3 losses and until 2009 were the only team to beat Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium on a Thursday night.{{ Cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/d1scourse/2008/Oct/29/virginia-techs-thursday-night-magic |title=Virginia Tech's Thursday Night Magic |date=October 29, 2008 |first=Patrick |last=Stevens |newspaper=The Washington Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202114721/http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/d1scourse/2008/Oct/29/virginia-techs-thursday-night-magic/ |archive-date=2008-12-02 }} The 2007 Thursday night meeting between the Eagles and Hokies was undoubtedly the most exciting game of the rivalry. Matt Ryan led the No. 2 Eagles to an improbable comeback, scoring 2 TDs in the final 2:11 of the game to give BC a 14–10 victory over the No. 8 Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech leads the all-time series 19–11 as of the 2021 season.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Heisman Trophy

:Doug Flutie – 1984

• Maxwell Award

:Doug Flutie – 1984

• Walter Camp Award

:Doug Flutie – 1984

• Davey O'Brien Award

:Doug Flutie – 1984

• Outland Trophy

:Mike Ruth – 1985

• Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

:Matt Ryan – 2007

• Manning Award

:Matt Ryan – 2007

{{col-2}}

• Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award

:Mark Herzlich – 2009

• Butkus Award

:Luke Kuechly – 2011

• Lombardi Award

:Luke Kuechly – 2011

• Lott Trophy

:Luke Kuechly – 2011

• Bronko Nagurski Trophy

:Luke Kuechly – 2011

• Doak Walker Award

:Andre Williams – 2013

{{col-end}}

File:Gene Goodreault (1937).png (1938–40)]]

{{See also|College Football All-America Team}}

Boston College has had 13 consensus All-Americans.

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Luke Urban – 1920
• Gene Goodreault – 1940
• Mike Holovak – 1942
• Doug Flutie – 1984
• Tony Thurman – 1984
• Mike Ruth – 1985
• Pete Mitchell – 1994
• Mike Cloud – 1998
• William Green – 2001
• Jamie Silva – 2007
• Luke Kuechly – 2010, 2011
• Andre Williams – 2013
• Donovan Ezeiruaku – 2024

{{div col end}}

Doug Flutie (1984), Luke Kuechly (2010), and Andre Williams (2013) were all unanimous selections.

{{See also|List of NCAA football retired numbers}}

{{multiple image

|align =

|direction =

|perrow =

|total_width = 450

|image1 = Doug_Flutie_US_Open_2009_(cropped).jpg

|image2 = Saints vs Panthers 12.6.15 189.jpg

|image3 = Washington Football Team at Atlanta Falcons (3 October 2021) DSC 4628 (51555290664) (cropped).jpg

|footer = Doug Flutie, one of the two players who have his number retired (left); Luke Kuechly (center) and Matt Ryan have their jerseys honored

}}

The Eagles have retired eleven jerseys in addition to Flutie's and Ruth's retired numbers:{{Cite web|title=BC to Retire Jersey of Pete Mitchell|url=https://bceagles.com/news/2019/8/14/football-bc-to-retire-jersey-of-pete-mitchell|access-date=2021-03-14|website=Boston College Athletics|language=en}}

Seven former BC players and three former coaches have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Five players from the 1940 "Team of Destiny", as well as the coach, are among the inductees. (Year Inducted)

{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|

• Gil Dobie – Coach (1951)
• Frank Cavanaugh – Coach (1954)
• Frank Leahy – Coach (1970)
• Charlie O'Rourke – QB (1972)
• Chet Gladchuk – C (1975)
• Gene Goodreault – E (1982)
• George Kerr – G (1984)
• Mike Holovak – FB (1985)
• Doug Flutie – QB (2007)
• Mike Ruth – DT (2017)

}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Big East Offensive Player of the Year

:Glenn Foley – 1993

• Big East Defensive Player of the Year

:Mathias Kiwanuka – 2004

• Big East Rookie of the Year

:Brian Toal – 2004

• ACC Player of the Year

:Matt Ryan – 2007

• ACC Offensive Player of the Year

:Matt Ryan – 2007

{{col-2}}

• ACC Defensive Player of the Year

:Mark Herzlich – 2008

:Luke Kuechly – 2011

• ACC Rookie of the Year

:A. J. Dillon – 2017

• ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year

:A. J. Dillon – 2017

• ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year

:Luke Kuechly – 2009

• ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy

:Josh Beekman – 2006

• Brian Piccolo Award

:Mark Herzlich – 2010

{{col-end}}

{{More citations needed|section|date=August 2024}}

Since 2000, the Eagles have had 36 players selected in the NFL draft. Of those picks, 9 were first round selections. BC had consecutive top 10 picks in 2008 and 2009; Matt Ryan was selected 3rd overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2008 and B. J. Raji was selected 9th overall by the Green Bay Packers in 2009. Luke Kuechly has been the most recent Eagle stand-out in the NFL, selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 9th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Zay Flowers was the most recent player to be selected in the 1st round, after being chosen by the Baltimore Ravens with the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

The Eagles have a reputation of producing high-quality NFL offensive linemen, earning the school the nickname "O-Line U".{{cite web |url=http://nfldraft.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=531435 |title=Boston College rules the trenches |date=April 10, 2006 |first=Steve |last=Megargee |publisher=Rivals.com}} Notable alums of O-Line U include:

• Tom Nalen (1989–1993): 3× All-Pro teams, 5× Pro Bowl selection, 2× Super Bowl champion
• Ron Stone (1989–1992): 2× All-Pro teams, 3× Pro Bowl selection, 2× Super Bowl champion
• Damien Woody (1995–1998): 1× Pro Bowl selection, 2× Super Bowl champion
• Dan Koppen (1999–2002): 1× All-Pro team, 1× Pro Bowl selection, 2× Super Bowl champion
• Chris Snee (2000–2003): 3× All-Pro teams, 4× Pro Bowl selection, 2× Super Bowl champion
• Chris Lindstrom (2015–2018): 2x All-Pro teams, 2x Pro Bowl selection

{{see also|Category:Boston College Eagles football players}}

{{Columns-list|colwidth=22em|

• Josh Beekman
• Will Blackmon
• John Bosa
• Paul Boudreau
• Stephen Boyd
• Ron Brace
• Brian Brennan
• Ricky Brown
• Tim Bulman
• Anthony Castonzo
• Gosder Cherilus
• Mark Chmura
• Mike Cloud
• Marc Colombo
• Bill Cronin (fullback)
• Bill Cronin (tight end)
• Jack Cronin
• Peter Cronin (linebacker)
• Anthony DiCosmo
• A. J. Dillon
• Art Donovan
• Jo-Lonn Dunbar
• Kasim Edebali
• Zay Flowers
• Darren Flutie
• Doug Flutie
• Ian Silberman
• Glenn Foley
• Nate Freese
• Robert Francois
• Antonio Garay
• William Green
• Gary Gulman
• Matt Hasselbeck
• Tim Hasselbeck
• Mark Herzlich
• Chris Hovan
• Harold Landry
• Chris Lindstrom
• Al Louis-Jean
• Pete Kendall
• Luke Kuechly
• Mathias Kiwanuka
• Dan Koppen
• Mike Mamula
• Mike Mayock
• Matt Milano
• Pete Mitchell
• Tom Nalen
• Joe Nash
• Okechukwu Okoroha
• Gerard Phelan
• Kevin Pierre-Louis
• Quinton Porter
• B. J. Raji
• Alex Riley
• Bill Romanowski
• Mike Ruth
• Matt Ryan
• Sean Ryan
• Tim Sherwin
• Jamie Silva
• Justin Simmons
• Fred Smerlas
• Chris Snee
• Brian St. Pierre
• Karl Swanke
• Matt Tennant
• Jeremy Trueblood
• Tom Waddle
• Lenny Walls
• Andre Williams
• Damien Woody
• Paul Zukauskas

}}

Announced schedules as of January 27, 2025.{{cite web| title=Boston College Eagles Football Future Schedules|publisher=FBSchedules.com| url=https://fbschedules.com/ncaa/boston-college/|access-date=January 27, 2025}}

• Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Boston College Eagles football}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Boston College Eagles football navbox}}

{{Boston College}}

{{Atlantic Coast Conference football navbox}}

Category:American football teams established in 1892

Category:1892 establishments in Massachusetts