There will be some new hardware in store

In an attempt to formalize the good will that has developed between Boston College and Clemson football fans, BC's Gridiron Club unveiled the O'Rourke-McFadden Trophy, to be awarded annually to the winner of the BC-Clemson game.

BC and Clemson play tomorrow afternoon at Alumni Stadium.

This good will was an unexpected outgrowth from BC's switch to the Atlantic Coast Conference four years ago.

"The relationship with Clemson is the best we've ever experienced in 30 years of college football," said Paul Criscione, president of BC's Gridrion Club.

He noted that five of BC's most exciting games over the last quarter-century have come against Clemson. "They are friendly, they're welcoming, they're kind, and they're hospitable.

"It's an outgrowth of the friendship and the hospitality and great times and welcoming nature Clemson brought to us," Criscione added. "We feel closer to these guys in four years in the ACC than we were to Rutgers, Connecticut, or West Virginia in the Big East. The Big East was a rock fight. Every game was a rock fight. Every team found something they didn't like about somebody else."

The brainchild of Gridiron Club vice president Jeff Muir, the trophy honors the rich tradition of both schools as well as the legacy of a great player from each who played during the leather-helmet era: BC's Charlie O'Rourke and Clemson's James McFadden. They played against each other in the 1940 Cotton Bowl, which was the first bowl game for either team. Clemson won that inaugural meeting, 6-3. Since then, BC has the series edge, 8-7-2, winning the last four, including the last three as ACC opponents.

A replica of the genuine leather helmets from the 1940s will be awarded to the MVP of the winning team.

"This is going to be an important game," Criscione said. "Beyond the two programs, the two fan bases get a kick out of each other . . . This is what college football should be about. It should be about great competition on the field, but it should be about camaraderie, respect, good sportsmanship, and all those things off the field."

Bennett suspended

Kicker Steve Aponavicius's role increased when coach Jeff Jagodzinski announced yesterday that Billy Bennett had been suspended.

"Billy Bennett has been suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules," said Jagodzinski before practice. "And that's all that I will say about it."

Bennett and Aponavicius had shared the kicking duties this season, with Bennett handling most of the kickoffs and Aponavicius the field goals and extra points.

Although Jagodzinski had designated Bennett as his long-range kicker, the 6-foot-1-inch, 204-pound sophomore had yet to attempt a field goal this season, while Aponavicius is 7 for 10 with a long of 36 yards.

Bennett has handled all but one kickoff this season, with three touchbacks.

"I think I can get the ball down there consistently," said Aponavicius. "I've done it before and I can do it again."

Missing out

Defensive tackle Jerry Willette, who injured his left knee in last Saturday's 45-24 loss to North Carolina, had arthroscopic surgery Monday and will miss tomorrow's game, as will redshirt freshman offensive guard John Elliott, who has a disk problem in his back that could require surgery, an operation he underwent last season. "Same disk," said Jagodzinski . . . Injured Clemson running back C.J. Spiller is expected to play. Spiller pulled his hamstring against Wake Forest Oct. 9 and has not played since. The Tigers lost to Wake Forest and Georgia Tech in his absence. Also, freshman backup quarterback Willy Korn was listed as probable.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.