Why the 2014 Boston College Eagles Are Bowling Again
By Joe Micik
Nov 1, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback
Tyler Murphy(2) runs for a touchdown as Virginia Tech Hokies linebacker
Andrew Motuapuaka(54) and cornerback
Donovan Riley(2) defend in the fourth quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The 2014 Boston College Eagles are many things, and evidently, defiant is one of them. Defiant of their deniers who said they would not make a bowl.
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Outside of the Boston College realm, there were many who believed the Eagles would not get back to this point. These were the same people who did not expect the Eagles to make a bowl last year, either, not realizing that a competent coaching staff and a bit of Boston College pride within the locker room could affect a certain level of change overnight.
We are not yet where we want to be, but where the 2014 Boston College Eagles are is a good start. Here are just a few key reasons why this team is back into a bowl game this season:
2014 Boston College Eagles Bowling: Tyler Murphy
Speaking only for myself, when it was announced that Tyler Murphy would transfer in for the 2014 season, my view of the year to come changed instantly.
In that moment, Boston College went from a year two rebuild like the Steve Donahue basketball Eagles to a still-viable football team. Nobody was going to mistake them for a championship-caliber team, but now, they can start an experienced former starter as opposed to a true freshman taking his lumps.
Murphy is a far better fit for the type of offense that Steve Addazio runs on the Heights than his predecessor, despite being a competitive player who played hart despite not being a dual-threat quarterback. He can do things Chase Rettig could not do, including, most notably, run. Murphy is Boston College’s leading rusher and the leading rusher amongst all FBS quarterbacks this season by a mile. This weekend against Louisville, he is nearly certain to go over 1,000 yards for the season.
Darius Wade will likely be a fine player, but it is hard to say if Boston College would be where they are right now with him instead of Murphy.