Kiwanuka has no regrets about decision to stay

(Correction: Because of a reporting error, a story about Boston College defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka in Monday's Sports section incorrectly reported that he won the Lombardi Trophy given to college football's best lineman. A.J. Hawk of Ohio State won the award.)

Had Mathias Kiwanuka made a different choice, he might be in the stretch run of the NFL season, a 22-year-old millionaire playing football for a living.

But Kiwanuka delayed his entry into a world of mercenaries to spend a final year with his college friends and teammates. And while Kiwanuka's final season at Boston College did not appear as rewarding as expected, he expressed satisfaction with the experience and is optimistically approaching the Eagles' final game of the season.

Kiwanuka has performed in 10 games this season (48 career games), missing one game with an injury and much of the second half of another game after being ejected. Though Kiwanuka was named to the All-America team and won the Lombardi Award as the NCAA's top lineman, he considers Wednesday's visit to Boise State for the MPC Computers Bowl a final chance to prove something before preparing for the NFL Draft.

''I have absolutely no regrets," Kiwanuka said last week. ''This season has been everything I wanted. There have been some amazing times, a lot of positives both on and off the field. If I had the choice, I would do it again, I would come back for a fifth year."

Kiwanuka sustained a right medial collateral ligament sprain when he was chop-blocked from behind by Brad Butler in the first half of BC's 28-17 win over Virginia Oct. 8. The Eagles' Al Washington was ejected for confronting Butler, and Kiwanuka was ejected after another clash with Butler in the third quarter. Kiwanuka missed the Eagles' 35-30 win over Wake Forest and was below full speed in other games because of ankle and knee injuries.

''There were ups and downs and I learned a lot about myself as far as injuries go and how I recover from injuries," Kiwanuka said. ''I learned how to prepare for games without being able to practice sometimes. Those were valuable lessons you can't take away. I faced adversity and came back from it. Everyone would like everything to be perfect, to have a perfect season, but now I understand more about my body and my psyche."

Though the Virginia-BC game contributed to Kiwanuka's difficulties, he considers it among the rewarding experiences of the season.

''The last-second drive against Clemson, the great plays against Virginia, a lot of things surprised me," Kiwanuka said of his best memories of the season. ''There were disappointments and you can go back and wish this and wish that, but we kept getting better as the season went on."

Kiwanuka was feeling sentimental as the Eagles practiced in the inflatable bubble at the stadium.

''This is our last game in maroon jerseys, or whatever color we are going to wear," Kiwanuka said. ''I am just focusing on the game and taking everything in at the same time. Personally, I just want to go out on a good note. No. 1 is to win our last game. This is our last opportunity to represent BC as a group. The reason we came back for this season and the reason the younger guys came here is to be involved in another big game. This is important for the program. This is a big game.

''As a kid, you want to play in these games, see yourself on ESPN. I always wanted to get to this level and have these accomplishments. It takes a lot more work than I imagined when I was growing up. But everything takes a lot more work than I expected it to when I was a kid."

The Eagles planned to be involved in a more glamorous and/or prestigious bowl game. But Kiwanuka was not complaining about BC's visit to Boise.

''Obviously, it didn't go the way we hoped, but once it was handed down, we were OK with it," Kiwanuka said. ''A lot has been made about the cold weather. We practice in it and we play in it, so from that standpoint, we have a definite advantage over ACC teams."

After this game, though, Kiwanuka's focus will shift toward the pros.

''There are going to be a lot of changes and some big things happening," Kiwanuka said. ''The next couple of months are going to be exciting. But I am staying short-focused.

''From a selfish point of view, I am going to take in everything and enjoy playing in this game."