Notre Dame vs. Boston College: A Storied Football Rivalry

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Boston College Eagles, representing the only two Catholic universities competing in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), have a football rivalry steeped in history and tradition. Known as the "Holy War," this technical nonconference rivalry has produced numerous memorable moments and close contests over the years. While the rivalry is primarily known for football, it extends to other sports within the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Origins and Early Years

Although both universities have a rich football history dating back to the 19th century, the Notre Dame-Boston College series is relatively young. The first meeting between the two schools occurred on September 15, 1975, at Foxboro Stadium in Massachusetts. Notre Dame emerged victorious in that inaugural matchup, winning by a score of 17-3. This game also marked Dan Devine’s Notre Dame coaching debut. According to Joe Schroer of the Scholastic’s 1975 Notre Dame Football Review, the game was closer than the score indicated, with 14 of Notre Dame’s points coming late in the third and early in the fourth quarter. The Irish defense, led by senior Steve Niehaus, played a crucial role in the win.

The "Holy War" Moniker and Other Nicknames

The "Holy War" moniker, which has become synonymous with the Notre Dame-Boston College rivalry, dates back to their first contest in 1975 and has gained widespread popularity in sports media. Over the years, the rivalry has also acquired other nicknames, reflecting the intensity and passion surrounding the matchups.

Memorable Moments and Key Games

Since their first meeting in 1975, the Fighting Irish and Eagles have created numerous memorable moments.

1983 Liberty Bowl

In 1983, Notre Dame and Boston College met in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee. Despite Doug Flutie's impressive performance, throwing for 287 yards and three touchdowns, Boston College fell short, losing to Notre Dame 19-18. The game was a tight contest, foreshadowing the future intensity of the series.

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1992: Notre Dame's Dominant Victory

The 1992 season saw a highly ranked Boston College team enter the game with aspirations of reaching a major bowl game, but the Fighting Irish crushed those hopes with a dominant 54-7 victory. This remains the largest margin of victory in the series for Notre Dame. The game was punctuated by a successful fake punt called by Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz with his team already ahead 37-0.

1993: Boston College's Upset

In 1993, Boston College recorded their first-ever win over Notre Dame, defeating the No. 1 ranked Fighting Irish 41-39. David Gordon's 41-yard field goal as time expired sealed the victory for the Eagles, dropping the Irish to #4 in the rankings and ultimately foiling their hopes of finishing #1.

2002: Boston College Stuns Notre Dame

In 2002, Notre Dame, who jumped out to an 8-0 record to start the coaching tenure of Tyrone Willingham, and the Irish climbed all the way up to No. 4 in the national rankings. All of that came crashing down to earth after the Irish dropped an ugly 14-7 game to the 4-3 Eagles.

2003: Another Close Finish

Notre Dame and BC staged another dramatic battle in 2003. As usual, the game came down to the final seconds. With the Eagles holding a 24-6 lead, the Fighting Irish fought back. Notre Dame's Nate Schiccatano blocked a BC punt late in the game and Carlos Campbell ran it 25 yards for a touchdown with 3:34 left and a 25-24 Fighting Irish lead. Trailing 20-7 at halftime, Boston College mounted a comeback led by quarterback Paul Peterson, who threw for 383 yards on the day. With 54 seconds left, Peterson hit Tony Gonzalez for a touchdown and a 24-23 win. A missed extra-point by ND kicker D. J. Fitzpatrick in the first half would account for the difference in the game.

2007: Boston College's Upset Victory

Entering the game ranked as the #4 team in the country, the 6-0 Eagles, led by standout Matt Ryan, played virtually flawless football for four quarters. After mounting a 20-0 lead, BC relinquished a pair of touchdowns to make it 20-14. An ineffective Jimmy Clausen had been replaced by Evan Sharpley, which appeared to ignite the Notre Dame offense. BC countered with a touchdown from Ryan to WR Kevin Challenger to solidify the victory.

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2008: Boston College's Shutout

In 2008 the Fighting Irish made their first trip to Boston in 5 years where The Eagles recorded their first shutout in the series' history. The Eagles 17-0 win was BC's 6th straight against Notre Dame and tied the series record at 9 wins apiece. Fighting Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen, threw 4 interceptions, including two to safety Paul Anderson (one of which was returned 76 yards for the Eagles' first touchdown of the day). Chris Crane added a TD pass to wideout Ifeanyi Momah to secure a victory.

2015: Football at Fenway

After two seasons off, the rivalry resumed with the first football game played in historic Fenway Park in 47 years. The Fighting Irish entered the game ranked #4, but Boston College's #1 ranked defense kept the game close by securing 5 turnovers. Quarterback DeShone Kizer threw two touchdowns but also three interceptions, in the Irish victory.

2017: Notre Dame's Rushing Dominance

This game in Chestnut Hill began as a close, low-scoring battle. Five minutes into the third quarter, Notre Dame led 14-13. From that point on, however, Notre Dame's rushing attack led by quarterback Brandon Wimbush and running back Josh Adams blasted Boston College for another 35 points.

Recent Matchups

In recent years, Notre Dame has dominated the series, winning the last several matchups. Some recent results include:

2020: Notre Dame 45, Boston College 31
2019: Notre Dame 40, Boston College 7
2017: Notre Dame 49, Boston College 20
2015: Notre Dame 19, Boston College 16
2012: Notre Dame 21, Boston College 6

Series Statistics

As of the latest games, Notre Dame holds a 17-9 advantage in the series. Notre Dame’s longest win streak is 8 (2009-2022), and Boston College’s longest win streak is 6 (2001-2008). The largest margin of victory for Notre Dame was 54-7 in 1992, and the largest margin of victory for Boston College was 30-11 in 1994.

The Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl

The Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl, a trophy in the form of a large cut-crystal bowl, is awarded to the winner of the Boston College-Notre Dame football game. It is named in honor of Frank Leahy, a legendary coach who served as the head coach at both schools. Leahy led Boston College to a 20-2 record in 1939 and 1940 before taking the head coaching job at his alma mater, Notre Dame, where he won four national titles.

ACC Affiliation and Future Games

After the 2012 season, Notre Dame became a partial member of the ACC in all sports except football, where they remain independent. However, as part of the agreement, Notre Dame is contracted to play five games against ACC opponents each season. This arrangement has impacted the scheduling of games against Boston College, ensuring that the rivalry continues to be a part of Notre Dame's annual schedule.

Coaching Perspectives

In 1975, after Notre Dame's victory, Coach Dan Devine expressed his satisfaction with the win, acknowledging Boston College's preparation and the burdens placed on his young team. Coach Yonto echoed Devine's sentiments, noting the team's initial tightness and anxiety due to their youth, expressing optimism for improvement as the season progressed. Ross Browner and Steve Quehl voiced their excitement and team unity, highlighting the team's resilience and growth. Mark McLane emphasized the need to eliminate self-inflicted errors, emphasizing the confidence gained from overcoming pressure.

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