Herzlich has mind for game

The play of BC linebacker Mark Herzlich (94), who last week led the Eagles with eight tackles and an INT, has grown by leaps and bounds during his time at The Heights. (2007 file/Barry Chin/Globe Staff)

One linebacker is a captain. Another is a fifth-year senior who has a wide-open style of play, which makes him a factor on offense.

And then there is Mark Herzlich, who might be the best of them all, and by the time he ends his career at Boston College, he might be the best linebacker the Eagles have ever turned out.

"He is going to be something special," said defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani, who has fine-tuned his defense in preparation for tomorrow's home opener against Georgia Tech and its powerful running attack. "He just understands it, understands what you are trying to do, what you want him to do."

Herzlich has conceded his mind-set is part player, part coach as he goes about his business, which this season is playing the strongside role next to middle linebacker and cocaptain Mike McLaughlin, and opposite weakside linebacker and designated short-yardage specialist Brian Toal.

In last Saturday's 21-0 victory over Kent State, Herzlich led the team with eight tackles (two solo) and one interception in keying a defense that shut out an opponent in the season opener for the first time in 35 years.

Predictably, an interception Herzlich didn't get gnawed at him as he went through a postgame analysis of his performance.

"I had to make a decision and I made the decision to go for the pick and, obviously, I didn't get it," said Herzlich of a screen pass that turned into a 34-yard gain for Kent State. "All I was thinking was I have to make up for this somehow."

Herzlich did a few minutes later, intercepting a pass that ended any threat of Kent State scoring. "It was bittersweet because it was my own mistake that I was recovering from," said Herzlich with a laugh.

Herzlich has played the strong, middle, and weakside positions since he arrived at BC. He feels his role this season is the most challenging because the risk-reward ratio is higher.

"If I miss an assignment, generally something bad is going to happen," he said.

This week's preparation is different because Georgia Tech runs a triple-option offense.

"It is assignment football," said Herzlich. "If you are assigned to cover the pitch, you can't be looking at what the QB is doing, it goes against your natural instincts of how you always played the game, which is to simply follow the ball.

"Coach Spaz said this week is a seven-day season because we have to forget what we've learned about playing the game and just concentrate on our assignments. This is different because if you miss the assignment, there is no one backing you up because the other players are working on their own assignments. Everyone needs to be sharp."

Herzlich has always been sharp, dating to his days playing high school football in Wayne, Pa., where he was the team MVP three straight seasons.

Herzlich almost gave up football after his freshman season at Conestoga High.

"I didn't have as great a time as I thought I would," said Herzlich. "Something was not clicking and I honestly thought about not playing my sophomore year and just play lacrosse. I talked to my dad and high school coach about it and they said give it one more try."

The turning point came near the end of his freshman season, when Herzlich had, by his admission, a bad game.

"My dad came up to me and said that it was an embarrassment to watch because he knew I had more ability than that. He said, 'You're just not trying, and you're playing like you don't care, and if you do that, I'm not going to go to any more of your games.'

"It made me check myself and say to myself, 'Am I really going to do this or am I simply going through the motions.' The next game I came out and had two interceptions and 10 tackles. That's when I turned it around."

Herzlich has not looked back. He is starting his junior year, carrying a double major in finance and marketing.

And there is football, although Herzlich tries to separate the two. In class, he goes by his given first name, Sandon.

"I kind of like it," said Herzlich with a laugh. "Although my parents never call me that, my teachers do and it puts my role as a football player in a different category."

Whatever name Sandon Mark Herzlich Jr. uses doesn't matter on Saturdays.