Notre Dame Football: 4 Best games against Boston College
Notre Dame Football: 4 Best games against Boston College
2003: Boston College 27, Notre Dame 25
Brady Quinn is the best Notre Dame quarterback of the modern era, and is statistically the most accomplished ever. Still, in 2003, it was his freshman year and it showed up throughout the season. He threw more interceptions than touchdowns with a completion percentage of 47.3%.
That tells you something about the other quarterbacks on the 2003 team.
The Irish were hurting coming into their game at Boston College. They were sitting at 2-4 despite starting the season ranked 20th. The week before, USC had beaten them 45-14 in South Bend, and they needed something to go right.
Boston College, meanwhile, sat at 4-3 and was looking to make a push towards bowl eligibility.
Somewhat predictably, Boston College jumped out ahead of Notre Dame. The Eagles scored two first half touchdowns, a passing touchdown to David Kashetta to go along with a Horace Dodd rushing touchdown. The Irish managed two field goals off the leg of Nicholas Setta, making the score at halftime 14-6.
The difference was in finishing their scoring drives.
Boston College would come out in the third quarter and take control of the game. A field goal, to go along with a Quinton Porter rushing touchdown game Boston College an 18-point lead. That’s when Quinn started to make his mark at Notre Dame.
A two minute, ten-play drive led to a touchdown pass from Quinn to Omar Jenkins as the Irish cut into the deficit. Then, early in the fourth quarter, Quinn hit Maurice Stovall to bring it within a score. As the clock ticked towards the end of of the game, Notre Dame blocked a Boston College punt.
Carlos Campbell was there for the recovery and a touchdown. The scoop and score off a blocked punt gave Notre Dame the lead, 25-24.
Alas, the comeback was in vain. Boston College was able to march down the field and get in position to kick a game-winning field goal. Sandro Sciortino was true from 26 yards, and the Eagles beat the Irish, along with any realistic shot of Notre Dame going to a bowl game.