Future schedules will feature familiar foes

By Michael Vega, Globe Staff  |  August 11, 2006

Although the Eagles have not faced their former Big East brethren since defecting to the Atlantic Coast Conference, Boston College is close to finalizing a long-term deal to play Syracuse, according to athletic director Gene DeFilippo.

``It'll be a six- to eight-year deal that won't begin until 2010, -11, or -12," said DeFilippo, who indicated he has had talks with Louisiana State, Auburn, Georgia, and Texas about future nonconference dates.

The Orange dealt BC a humiliating 43-17 defeat in the last meeting two years ago at Alumni Stadium. It will mark the renewal of ties between former Eastern Independent and Big East rivals who had played continuously for three decades, from 1971 to 2004.

Even before Connecticut's arrival on the scene, Syracuse, which owns a 28-17 all-time record vs. BC, had been long considered one of the Eagles' fiercest Big East football rivals, largely because of the geographic proximity of the schools. In making the matchup, DeFilippo was hoping to renew a natural rivalry.

``A lot of teams in the [ACC] seem to have one," DeFilippo said. ``Virginia had Virginia Tech before [the Hokies] came into the league and Florida State plays Florida, Georgia Tech plays Georgia, so I think this would be a pretty good thing for us to do."

DeFilippo said yesterday he is committed to playing at least one New England Division 1-AA opponent each season. This year, BC hosts Maine Sept. 30 and is looking to play Rhode Island next season. ``UMass and Northeastern will be back in the rotation," DeFilippo said, part of an effort to create interest in New England football and expand the reach of BC football's radio network in the region, which is currently comprised of 21 stations . . . Asked about the possibility of renewing ties with another old rival, Holy Cross, DeFilippo said it was not likely. ``The problem is, the 1-AA teams you play have to offer at least 60 scholarships in order for it to count towards your win total," DeFilippo explained. ``That's why we can't do anything with Holy Cross or Harvard right now, because they only do need-based scholarships." . . . DeFilippo said he was feeling fortunate he arrived home safely from London late Wednesday night, awaking yesterday morning to the sobering news British authorities had foiled a massive terrorist plot aimed at attacks on three US air carriers: American, United, and Continental. DeFilippo returned to Boston on American Airlines. ``When you wake up and you see you're that close to it, you think, `Holy goodness.' You thank God for small favors."