Maryland Football: Looking at the history with Boston College

The Maryland football team has a long, storied history in the ACC.

As the Terrapins are set to face Boston College in the Quick Lane Bowl, it’s certainly worth looking back at the all-time series between the two schools.

Maryland and Boston College did battle for nearly 30 years, spanning from 1985 to the most recent meeting in 2013. In the first two games in the series, the Eagles were an independent program.

The Terps trail the Eagles 8-3 during the 11 all-time meetings.

Maryland did win the first meeting on Sept. 14, 1985 when they beat Boston College 31-13. Bobby Ross led the Terps to a 9-3 record that season, which ended with a 35-18 victory over Syracuse in the Cherry Bowl.

Most impressive Maryland win

On Nov. 10, 2007, Maryland edged out a Boston College team that was ranked No. 8 in the country in primetime on national television. The Eagles were then-led by current Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who ended up passing for 421 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-35 loss to the Terps.

Maryland quarterback Chris Turner turned in an even better performance despite throwing for less yards. Turner completed 77.8 percent of his passes and threw for three touchdowns. Two of his touchdowns were to tight end Jason Goode, who caught six passes for 56 yards. Running back Da’Rel Scott also had a 57-yard touchdown reception.

The Terps held a 42-21 lead early in the fourth quarter courtesy of a 37-yard touchdown run from wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey. However, Ryan did throw a pair of touchdown passes to Ryan Purvis in the final 7:31 to make it a game.

This was one of the biggest highlights of the season since Maryland finished with a 6-7 record. They faced Oregon State in the Emerald Bowl, but lost the game 21-14.

Biggest margin of victory

Most of the games in this series were very close with Boston College coming out on top on most occasions. However, the Terps topped the Eagles 31-13 in the first meeting on Sept. 14, 1985.

Maryland came into the game with an 0-1 record after a loss to Penn State the first week. The Terps were able to jump out to a 10-0 lead courtesy of a two-yard touchdown run by tailback Tommy Neal and a Ramon Paredes 32-yard field goal. The Eagles did cut the Terps’ lead to 10-7 at halftime, but Maryland really shined in the second half.

The Terps received rushing touchdowns from Rick Badanjek and Alvin Blount. Maryland also recovered a pair of Boston College fumbles, which thwarted any chance the Eagles had of coming back.

Most recent contest

Maryland hasn’t faced Boston College since the Terps were a member of the ACC.

The 2013 season was Maryland’s last in the ACC and they were in a dogfight in their final meeting against Boston College. The Terps already had five wins coming in, so bowl eligibility was within reach with two games left. Maryland raced out to a 10-3 lead after an Albert Reid one-yard touchdown run and a 43-yard field goal from Brad Craddock.

The Terps got second half touchdowns from a 33-yard pass to Amba Etta-Tawo from quarterback C.J. Brown. Brown also added a three-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter to give Maryland a 24-13 lead. Unfortunately, the Eagles answered with a 72-yard touchdown run from Andre Williams 19 seconds after Brown’s touchdown made it a two-possession game.

Next: Terps showing improvement from three

Quarterback Chase Rettig hit wideout Alex Amidon for a 74-yard touchdown, which sealed the 29-26 victory for Boston College