Boston College Eagles

Boston College Eagles

 

In 1892 the Boston College President Edward Devitt discouragingly agreed to start a varsity football team at the university. Boston College’s first official varsity football game was played on October 26, 1893 when they defeated St. Johns literary institute of Cambridge 4-0. They also went on to win their second game against MIT 6-0. There is no other way to start off your first ever football season then winning the first game.

Boston did not have a particularly great football team until 1940. Many refer to this year in Boston as the greatest year in the history of college football. The Eagles went 11-0 undefeated and went on to capture the 1941 Sugar Bowl championship. This team of 1940 was given the nickname “Team of Destiny.” Five members of this team were elected into the National College Football Hall of Fame.

One of the greatest games ever played by the Eagles was against Georgetown in 1940. In front of 41,700 fans at a sold out Fenway Park the Eagles defeated Georgetown 19-18. Heading into the game Georgetown had won 22 straight games going undefeated for 3 seasons. Gutsy play calling won them the game. They chose to purposely take a safety to be able to get the ball back driving the field and setting up the game winning field goal. What a game!

The 1980’s are referred to at Boston as the “Flutie Era.” Yes ladies and gentlemen I mean former Heisman trophy winner Doug Flutie. Flutie won the Heisman trophy in his senior year at Boston College. He gained much attention in 1984 when the eagle won a high scoring game against the defending National Champions, the Miami Hurricanes. The game was nationally televised on CBS the day after Thanksgiving. Miami led 45-41 with 28 seconds left in the game. Boston started with the ball on their own 22 yard line. They did what most think nearly impossible. Two pass plays moved the ball 30 yards and with only 6 seconds left, Flutie threw a hail marry pass to the end zone which was caught by Boston and gave them the 47-45 victory as time expired. Many people believe this was the play that clinched the Heisman trophy for Flutie, but in fact they already knew who the winner was before they even played the game.

Many people do not know of Boston College’s strong football history. The team of today does lack the fire of the past. But if they had it, the Eagles I most certainly can say, would be a top contender for the title of National Champions.