Players' view quite realistic
Boston College has talked the past few weeks about "flying under the radar" a bit, the way coach Jeff Jagodzinski likes it for his No. 2-ranked team, which will be squarely in the national television spotlight tomorrow night on ESPN against Virginia Tech.
But with the focus in Boston this week on the Red Sox in the World Series, the Eagles largely have disappeared from the local screen.
"I'm sure some people will be switching back and forth," said BC linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar when asked what he thought viewership would be for BC as it goes up against the Sox in the Series on TV. "The Red Sox are winning; that's good."
Quarterback Matt Ryan and a few of the other Eagles joked that BC's ratings could increase during Series commercial breaks.
Ryan, a prime Heisman Trophy contender, is better known than most of his teammates. He is taking graduate courses at BC at night and conducting interviews with the national media during the day in addition to practicing.
"Let's see," said Ryan with a laugh. "I did Fox Sports Net New York, I did
Ryan was asked whether it was fun.
"It's been very busy, but I think the exposure is great for BC," said the fifth-year senior. "It is such a great institution and such a great place to go to school in a city which is a great place to be 18 to 22 or 23 years. For everything BC has given to me in the last five years, I'm happy to give back to BC. I'm happy to promote Boston College as best I can for what Boston College has given to me.
"To be a Boston fan at this time is a great thing. What the Red Sox have done, what the Patriots have done, what the Celtics look like they are going to do. We're enjoying the exposure we've gotten because it has been great for Boston College."
A good cause
A large group of Eagles football alumni will gather tomorrow night in the Shea Room at Conte Forum for a viewing party and fund-raiser in honor of Ron Perryman, a starting linebacker for the Eagles from 1987-88 and a 1990 grad who has been stricken with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease). The alumni have set up the nonprofit RP Foundation to assist Perryman and his family with medical and other expenses. They'll be taking donations and auctioning items while they watch the Eagles on one big-screen TV and the World Series on another. They're also accepting donations: RP Foundation, 84 Vine Street, Woonsocket, RI, 02895.
