Boston College Football Countdown: 76 Days to Go
By Joe Micik
We’ve got the spirit of 76 here on the Boston College Eagles football countdown, as there are only 76 days remaining until the start of the 2013 season.
Who Wears 76 Now
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY SportsBobby Vardaro, LG, junior
This North Reading native has spent the last several years protecting Chase Rettig. He appeared in 884 of the team’s snaps in 2012, including special teams.
Vardaro has become the starting left guard for the Boston College Eagles, and finished the 2012 that way, making it 20 games started in a row entering this year. It seems very unlikely at this point that the upperclassman will be eclipsed, but you never know what might happen in summer training camp.
Notables Who Have Worn 76
• Chris Snee, OG, 2001-03. Longtime starting lineman for New York Giants; Tom Coughlin’s son-in-law.
• Darnell Alford, OL, 1996-99. In the NFL for four seasons.
• John Frechette, T, 1962-64. 1965 AFL draft pick of Boston Patriots.
• Gary Kowalski, OT, 1980-82. Played for Rams and Chargers.
• Frank Morze, T, 1951-54. Spent eight seasons in the NFL.
A Pretty Good Year
The 1976 Eagles were decent, all things considered. Boston College was 8-3 that season but managed not to make a bowl. Then again, back in those days, there weren’t 827 postseason bowls, including those sponsored by auto care companies, fast food restaurants, and/or cheap internet domain registrars who attempt to use Danica Patrick to seduce new customers. You had to actually be great to get something out of it back then, which is both admirable and boring.
For Pete, Too
Boston College fans have gotten to know quite a lot about Pete Cronan in the last several decades as he’s been the radio color commentator for the football games for about 25 years. Before that, he played for the Eagles and had a distinguished career at linebacker. In ’76, he was named ECAC Player of the Year and became the first Boston College Eagle to win said award.
Yet Another Broken Record
Up until 2012, Andre Callender held the Boston College record for most receptions in a season with 76 (2007 season). Alex Amidon just clipped him with 78 last year.
Crowded Atop The Leaderboard
In ’76, Kelly Elias tied an Eagles record with three interceptions against West Virginia. He currently shares that program mark with fourteen other players.
Messing With Texas
BC only played one game against a ranked team in 1976: a 14-13 win over the #7 Texas Longhorns. The Eagles would end up being ranked for three weeks that season.
About That…
Boston College getting ranked early in the 1976 season was the first time they had been ranked in a game in 21 years. After dropping out of the poll, they would not enter the Top 25 again until Doug Flutie graced the Heights in 1982.
Hangtime, Or A Good Bounce
Remember Johnny Ayers, the Boston College punter back in the day? His personal best for punt yardage was 76 yards against West Virginia in 2004, which is still one of the longest punts in Eagles history.
Drafted in ’76
• Don Macek (San Diego Chargers; 2nd round)
• Mike Kruczek (Pittsburgh Steelers; 2nd round)
• Fred Steinfort (Oakland Raiders; 5th round)
• Keith Barnette (Minnesota Vikings; 5th round)