BC recalls upset of USC as Irish come to town

CHESTNUT HILL — As the Boston College football team gears up for Saturday's showdown with Notre Dame, at least one veteran player is recalling a similar scenario the Eagles faced during the 2014 season.

"I think the team was definitely disappointed in the way we played against Wake (Forest)," said senior defensive end Harold Landry. "When we lost to Pitt in our first home opener my freshman year, we played USC the next week and we beat them."

The 37-31 upset of USC is the biggest win of the Steve Addazio era, played in September in front of a packed house at Alumni Stadium. The circumstances are similar.

"We gotta get our mind right," said Landry. "We gotta let the Wake Forest game go and we gotta start preparing for Notre Dame. We're mad that it happened we definitely have a chip on our shoulder."

"It's a huge week here," said quarterback Anthony Brown. "The older guys are really into it and it's really been contagious."

"It's a big game, a big rivalry game," said running back AJ Dillon. "Very historic between BC and Notre Dame. I'm excited to just be a part of it. I'm preparing for it but I know once I get out there it's going to be something completely different but that's why you play football - for experiences like this."

Brown, who received a vote of confidence from Addazio, will start again despite struggling against Wake Forest. After throwing three interceptions, Brown was benched in favor of Darius Wade last Saturday.

"Anthony had one throw that I need to help him with," said Addazio. "The other balls were volleyball-tipped in the air. The balls were where they were supposed to be. So the fact of the matter is that Anthony was on target most of the time and played a pretty good game. I let him take a breath in that game as a young guy. He's ready to roll right now."

"Yes, it's a team effort," said Brown. "Then again, the quarterback is the lead and they follow, so whatever you do impacts the team and that's the way your team goes."

The Fighting Irish are also looking to rebound from a loss. Georgia went to South Bend and beat Notre Dame Saturday night, dropping the Irish out of the Top 25.

"On defense, they're a hard-playing team," said Addazio. "I think even more so than I remember from two years ago. On offense, they have a quarterback (Brandon Wimbush) who can beat you with his feet. We've played two of them already like that. I think he's a hell of a player. We recruited him. I know him. He's really good.

"The challenges posed to us are taking care of the football on offense making the plays that were very available to be made. Make those!"

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