ORLANDO, Fla. - Even as Boston College safety Jamie Silva discussed being named most valuable player after last night's 24-21 win over Michigan State in the Champs Sports Bowl, the fifth-year senior kept stressing the team-first attitude so prevalent among the Eagles.
"That's just the way things turned out," Silva said. "As long as we win, that's the main focus."
The East Providence High product had to be prodded to admit the performance could be enjoyed on a personal level as the perfect way to cap an accomplished college career.
"This is how you want to go out," Silva said. "This is what you dream of, to go out as MVP."
It's not often a player earns an MVP award on the strength of two first-half plays, much less on defense. But coach Jeff Jagodzinski said both clutch plays stood out because they happened inside BC's 20-yard line, ending scoring threats for the Spartans.
"They were both in the red zone, and they both kept Michigan State from putting points up," Jagodzinski said.
Already ahead, 7-0, Michigan State drove to BC's 18-yard line with its second possession of the game, but Silva's interception in the end zone ended the drive.
"Silva's an excellent football player - he does a good job of breaking on things," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. "I thought we were in control of the ballgame. We ran the ball down the field, and then the guy comes up with a pick."
Silva notched his second interception of the game late in the second quarter, just one play after teammate Matt Ryan had thrown an interception in BC territory. The reversal of momentum allowed the Eagles to run out the clock and go into halftime up, 14-10.
Silva said preparations for the game gave him and the rest of the defensive unit enough confidence to anticipate Michigan State's plays.
"We always want to go out there on defense and make plays, create turnovers," Silva said. "I feel like we've got the best quarterback in the country, and we just want to give him a chance."
Silva, a first-team All-American, now looks ahead to the East-West Shrine Game Jan. 19 in Houston.
He finished his BC career with 310 tackles and 14 interceptions. Silva led the Eagles this season with 125 tackles and eight interceptions.
