The Holy War Edition

A2

The heighTs

holy War ediTion

Holy War

THE

50 TH HOLY WAR Nov. 1, 2025

Chestnut Hill, Mass.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE PRE VIE W...........A3 THE LAST WIN.....A4 O P I N I O N S . . . . . . . .A6 T I P S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A7

The Heights

Holy War Edition

A3

GAME PREVIEW 3 years since their last matchup.

17 years since the Eagles’ last victory.

1 Holy War.

Here’s what you need to know

BY EMILY ROBERGE

Assoc. Sports Editor It’s been three years since Boston College football last played the Fighting Irish in a Holy War matchup. And it’s safe to say a lot has changed for both squads.

The Eagles feature a new, seasoned head coach, and No. 12 Notre Dame has a national championship appearance under its belt.

And yet, one could argue nothing has really changed at all.

BC still has not won more than seven games since 2009, and it is far from breaking that streak after dropping seven straight games.

After a 7–6 season, this year’s trajector y looks vastly different from what was expected.

What was once a season full of possibly overambitious expectations has been diminished to just one singular win against an FCS opponent eight weeks ago.

Nothing seems to be clicking.

But the Holy War is different.

While the spread may have been far more promising two months prior, this matchup is still a clash of two Catholic foes—a sure battle in itself.

In fact, the last time the Fighting Irish touched down in Chestnut Hill was in 2020, when the only sounds were from whistles and subsequent tackles amid the empty stands.

This time will look a lot different—for better or worse.

Having Notre Dame on the calendar is not ideal for an Eagles squad that has gone 0–5 in conference play.

Here are some things you need to know heading into the Holy War:

Series History This will be the 27th meeting between the Catholic programs, with Notre Dame holding a 17–9 advantage in the series.

The Eagles have not defeated Notre Dame in 17 years, going 1–9 in their last 10 matchups.

And it just may take a religious miracle for BC to come out on top this time around.

Boston College Offense: Sitting last in the conference, BC’s 2025 campaign has not established itself as the bowl-game contender it was expected to be.

In fact, it’s been the Eagles’ worst start to the season since 1989.

Alabama transfer quarterback Dylan Lonergan offered signs of life for BC’s offense in its early September matchup against Michigan State, where he threw for 390 yards and four touchdowns.

But it was not enough to come home from East Lansing, Mich., victorious.

Since then, Lonergan has more sacks on the season than his nine touchdowns.

The re dshir t sophomore ha s failed to reach 200 passing yards in his last three games, compared to an average of 330 yards in the first three.

And conference play hasn’t gotten

any easier for the Eagles. With ACC opponents outscoring BC 185–85, the odds aren’t looking too good for O’Brien’s squad.

Putting up only 64 points across four games, BC has barely been able to make a dent in the scoreboard.

Matters didn’t get any better when Grayson James started at the helm against the Huskies, where the Eagles still managed to underwhelm despite setting a season-high 191 rushing yards.

Nor did matters improve when James threw two picks against thenNo. 19 Louisville last weekend in BC’s seventh straight loss.

While it was surely an improvement for an Eagles offense that managed to only be down 21–14 in the third frame, it was not enough to propel BC past the Cardinals.

Nothing appears to be changing soon, and the situation only becomes more dire when taking on a powerhouse program like Notre Dame.

Defense: It doesn’t help when a team’s defense is abysmal, too. To BC fans’ dismay, that is what the 2025 season has shaped up to be.

BC has allowed the most points in the ACC. Allowing 34 touchdowns and 12 field goals, the Eagles have given up 275 points so far—25 more points than 16th-ranked Syracuse and almost triple first-ranked No. 9 Miami.

The defense’s ability to shut down the run game has been an especially pressing problem for BC. Giving up an average of 4.66 yards per rush, the Eagles have surrendered 1,106 yards to ACC opponents, an average of 221.1 yards per game.

That, paired with the defense’s inability to come up with big game-winning plays, is a tough pill to swallow.

After finishing the 2024 season with 17 interceptions, the Eagles are far from that mark this time around.

In fact, they have just two through eight games.

Notre Dame Offense: Entering the Holy War with a 5–2 record, the Fighting Irish have gained steam after narrowly dropping their first two games against then-No. 10 Miami and then-No. 16 Texas A&M. All the pendulums are swinging in favor of Notre Dame, which ranks 21st in the FBS for total offense and posts roughly 7.05 yards per play through Week 8.

Th a t , c o m b i n e d w i t h N o t r e

CALLIE OXFORD / HEIGHTS EDITOR

BC last played Notre Dame in 2022, losing 44–0 in South Bend.

Dame’s average of 462 yards per game, is a combination for disaster for a BC defense that couldn’t even contain UConn at home.

After graduating Riley Leonard, the Fighting Irish have turned to redshirt freshman CJ Carr.

While he wasn’t QB1 in Notre Dame’s national championship appearance, he is a part of the legacy that head coach Marcus Freeman is creating in South Bend.

And now, he is the point person for the Notre Dame offense with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions on the season.

While he may have been at the helm for the Fighting Irish’s last five wins, he hasn’t always been safeguarded by his offensive line, which has allowed 10 sacks.

That could be to the Eagles’ advantage.

Two other names that may come up on Nov. 1 are r unning back

Jeremiyah Love and wide receiver Jordan Faison, who serve as Carr’s go-tos.

Boasting 758 rushing yards and 436 receiving yards, respectively, both Love and Faison are likely to shake things up in the Holy War. Defense: The most dangerous part of Notre Dame football’s game may, in fact, be its defense.

While the box score may not completely show it, the Fighting Irish’s defense is heating up after Texas A&M put up 488 yards of offense.

One dif ference maker in the equation has been the Fighting Irish’s Adon Shuler.

With his 40 tackles on the season, Shuler has come up in big moments.

Most re cently against Southern California, Shuler delivered a career-high 11 tackles and forced a late fumble in the fourth quarter,

which led to a decisive victory over the Trojans.

Leonard Moore, Luke Talich, and Christian Gray combined have quadruple the interceptions on the season as the entirety of the BC roster.

Notching 17 sacks and 13 interceptions on the season, the Notre Dame defense is not likely to go down without a fight.

Outlook Saturday may look ugly for the Eagles. In fact, BC fans expect it.

Lacking a sense of stability, BC has been unable to find its footing the entirety of the season.

Until the Eagles find their identity in every aspect of their game, the Fighting Irish are likely to cruise right past them—possibly leaving them scoreless 44–0 just as they did three years ago.

A4

The heighTs

holy War ediTion

17 YEARS OF SILENCE: The Story of BC’s Last Holy War Win This is bigger than just one game.

This year’s game marks half a century of the Holy War. It is a rivalry, a tradition, and a legend. But it’s also a competition—one that Boston College has not won since 2008, when the Eagles shut out Notre Dame 17–0 at home in front of nearly 45,000 people.

Here’s the story of that game, told by the people that were there to witness it.

BY MARIA STEFANOUDAKIS Sports Editor

A thin mist blanketed Alumni Stadium, catching the light to create a slight sparkle on everything it touched. Seas of yellow T-shirts and maroon beanies created a BC-themed checkerboard in the overflowing crowd, with brightly colored rain ponchos sticking out like sore thumbs.

The 8 p.m. start came with a full day’s worth of anticipation. Finally, though, the time had arrived.

“That’s the game that we all have circled on our calendar going through fall camp,” BC cornerback Donnie Fletcher said. “It’s probably the best game of the year when it comes to atmosphere.”

Junior linebacker Mark Herzlich led the Eagles out of the tunnel. He carried his shimmery gold helmet instead of wearing it, showing off the jet-black paint drawn around his eyes.

The war began.

THE HEAT RISES Both teams were going at it even before kickoff.

The series was tied 9–9, and the

prospect of losing a tiebreaker raised the stakes even more.

Notre Dame linebacker Brian Smith paid BC players a visit during warmups—unshockingly, exchanging pleasantries was not on his agenda.

“I hope you don’t play as soft as you look,” Smith yelled. “Things change tonight.”

Notre Dame’s offense, led by quarterback Jimmy Clausen, got the ball first.

“They had this quarterback that just, nobody liked at the time—Jimmy Clausen,” BC kicker Steve Aponavicius said. “Kind of a pretty boy from Southern California and thought he was the greatest thing to ever come around.”

Down 3–0 with a little under seven minutes left in the first half, Clausen and the Irish were facing 3rd-and-7 at midfield. Clausen took a shot down to BC’s 25, but overthrew his receiver and ended up shipping the ball right into the hands of BC senior Paul Anderson.

Anderson tucked the ball against his chest, then did what any safety is trained to do in that situation: run his butt off.

Anderson’s journey to the opposite endzone was pure chaos, as white jerseys flew at him from all different directions.

He narrowly dodged them, sprinting through tiny gaps as DeJuan Tribble and Roderick Rollins blocked the Irish, paving his path.

Notre Dame’s Golden Tate came out of nowhere, darting across the field and tracking Anderson down.

He made one last-ditch effort, diving at Anderson’s feet right outside the end zone.

Anderson kicked Tate off like a bug and completed a 76-yard pick-six right in front of BC’s student section.

He tossed the ball behind him and pointed both fingers into the crowd.

Those students didn’t know it yet, but BC’s defense was just getting started

LEFT

REMINISCING It’s always devastating when a team loses its best player.

B C said its fare wells to Matt Ryan—arguably the best quarterback to ever call Alumni Stadium home—in the spring of 2008 when the Atlanta Falcons drafted him with the third pick in the NFL Draft.

It was not quite LeBron-to-theHeat-level heartbreak, but there was a definitive feeling of disappointment.

Even knowing that a departure is coming doesn’t take away the sting when it really happens.

The Eagles’ end to the 2007–2008 season certainly didn’t help.

They had climbed to an all-time high No. 2 ranking but ultimately fell to Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship game.

And with Ryan gone, the window did not just seem closed—it seemed slammed shut. Then deadbolted, for good measure.

BC had missed its opportunity, and there was no way of knowing when

another one would make its way to Chestnut Hill.

Redshirt senior Chris Crane took over for Ryan the following August.

Despite doubts, he led the Eagles to a 5–1 start, including a narrow home win over No. 17 Virginia Tech.

After that exhilarating win, though, things took a turn for the worse.

First, what had been a consistently stout defensive unit gave up 45 points to unranked North Carolina in a blowout loss.

Then, BC handed Dabo Swinney his first win as Clemson’s head coach, falling to the Tigers 27–21 on home turf.

One year prior, Ryan had led the Eagles to a comeback win at Clemson.

Crane’s attempt to do so didn’t go as well, and comparisons crept back in.

The truth that many had been avoiding—that B C ’s offense just wasn’t that good—had become exceedingly apparent. And just like that, the doubt that was lingering at the beginning of the season had snuck back in as the Eagles prepared to take on their biggest rival.

GRITTY IN GOLD A rough patch of games couldn’t silence the undeniable buzz in Chestnut Hill as the Nov. 8 Notre Dame matchup approached, including within the locker room.

“You try to live by those ‘coachisms’ that you always hear, that ‘every opponent is the same,’ and ‘make sure you prepare for every game in the same way,’” Aponavicius said. “But there’s no denying that when someone like Notre Dame is coming to campus, that there’s a different feel.”

When kickoff finally arrived, however, that excited energy didn’t transfer to BC’s offense. Instead, it came out flat.

Aponavicius missed a 34-yard field goal to start the game. He hit a 27-yarder before the first quarter ended to put BC on the board, but the Eagles didn’t score an offensive touchdown until the second half. Luckily for head coach Jeff Jagodzinski, his defense had come to play.

Anderson’s pick-six in the second quarter put the Eagles up 10–0, and it only got worse from there for the Irish.

Notre Dame finally seemed to be putting together a complete drive as the half neared its end.

Clausen racked up five completions, including one to Tate for 16 yards that got the Irish to BC’s 25-yard line. A score to end the half would have swung the momentum, reviving the otherwise lifeless Irish.

Rollins had none of that.

Clausen aired out a pass for a long first down, but Rollins dove through the air, snatching the pass out of its arc and sending the Eagles into the half up 10–0.

BC intercepted two more of Clausen’s passes before the night was over—including a second interception from Anderson in the fourth quarter.

Still, the Eagles’ offense never heated up. In fact, the scoreless Irish registered nearly three times as many

HEIGHTS ARCHIVES

passing yards as Crane and BC did.

The shutout was not glamorous. The Eagles certainly didn’t look like they had in 2007, when Ryan threw for almost 200 yards and two touch downs to beat Notre Dame and remain undefeated.

“Leaving the game, everyone was pretty fired up because there was some recognition that this was not quite the 2007 team of BC, but this team was still creating some memorable wins,” then-Associate Sports Editor for The Heights David Amstutz said.

So no, the 2008 win wasn’t pretty.

But is war ever pretty?

“Those are some of the memories that stick with me—just being with the guys in that locker room afterwards celebrating, just seeing the reward for all that hard work, and also knowing what awaits you outside those doors,” Aponavicius said.

LIKE LOOKING

IN THE MIRROR

It’s hard not to compare two things with as many similarities as BC and Notre Dame.

They are the only two Catholic schools that compete in the FBS, the highest tier of college football,

A5

The heighTs

holy War ediTion leading to frequent overlap in athletic recruiting.

Fletcher, a true freshman back in 2008, picked off Clausen in the fourth quarter. It was the game-sealing interception—the cherry on top of an all-around defensive masterclass from the Eagles.

At one point, though, there was a chance that Fletcher would be wearing a white jersey instead of a maroon one that night. Fletcher said Notre Dame heavily recruited him before committing to BC. “It’s the same type of guy that they kind of recruit,” Fletcher said.

“Everyone had a story about Notre Dame—whether they wanted to go to Notre Dame, or they were recruited

by Notre Dame.”

At least for Fletcher, that dynamic made the rivalry a little more meaningful.

The Holy War rivalry was obviously very real for those on the field that night. It was real for fans, too—perhaps more so back in 2008 than it is today.

SUPERFANS Amstutz traveled all the way to South Bend, Ind., in 2007 to watch the teams face off, then did so again

in 2009.

He flew there, but many BC students were invested enough to pack up and make the drive.

“A bunch of students would just pack RVs and drive out to South Bend,” Amstutz said. “That was definitely, I would say, a highlight in the football season.”

Perhaps it was easier for fans to be invested in the rivalry then.

In the spring of 2008, BC men’s hockey beat Notre Dame 4–1 in the national championship with Nathan Gerbe. The Eagles had also won the last five football matchups.

The idea of the Holy War representing a one-sided rivalry on Notre Dame’s end might sound ridiculous to today’s BC fans—most of whom don’t even remember the last time the Eagles beat the Irish in football.

A consistent stream of victories didn’t mean the Eagles always outmatched Notre Dame.

It did mean, however, that BC kept finding ways to win.

“For BC, Notre Dame was a rival,” Amstutz said. “For Notre Dame, I

think BC was kind of like an annoying little sibling. The problem for Notre Dame, at the time, was that BC just kept winning.”

Today, B C struggles to keep students in the stadium for the whole game.

The student section consistently empties by the third quarter, with the few faithful stragglers finding their way to the front rows.

Back in 2008, it was hard to get students to come in on time. But once they were in, they didn’t leave.

“BC was notorious then—for the crowd would show up late,” Amstutz said. “People usually stayed, which could have been a byproduct—the games at that time were pretty good, and they had some close wins during that time period.”

Amstutz could be right—it might have been all about how close the games were, or that the Eagles were playing games with ACC-championship implications late into the year.

Regardless, one thing is clear: The rivalry that those players and fans experienced is much different from the rivalry of today.

“It was a time when the quote-unquote rivalry actually felt like a little bit more of a rivalry,” Amstutz said.

MORE THAN A GAME There’s been a handful of competitive games since 2008, but the last four meetings have been blowouts, with the Irish outscoring BC 178–58.

This 17-year stretch might feel like eternity—like Notre Dame has always been, and will always be, the superior team.

But the Holy War existed long before 2008. And it will (probably) go on long after.

The Holy War game on Nov. 1, 2025, is just one in a long history.

Regardless of the outcome, it is part of something bigger: a tradition that has endured one-sidedness and unexciting play.

It’s lasted half a century, starting in 1975, when the teams first met in a nationally televised game played in Foxborough, Mass.—back when being on national TV was a big deal.

BC hasn’t won in a while. And this year’s matchup doesn’t exactly promise intense competition.

For now—unless you’re on that field on Nov. 1—all you can really do is sit back and watch.

“It is really easy as a player to get kind of swept up in preparing for the game and being focused on the game,” Aponavicius said. “This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime environment. Make sure to enjoy it a little.” n

DAVID GIVLER / HEIGHTS ARCHIVES

OPINIONS The heighTs

A6

holy WAr ediTion

FitzGerald: BC Doesn’t Need a New C o a c h . I t N e e d s a N e w C u l t u re.

BY SEBBY FITZGERALD Asst. Sports Editor

appearances—a 2–10 record in 2012 had him say goodbye. Steve Addazio took over, won BC’s first bowl game

Tension is at its highest—not a lot of Boston College football fans would have guessed head coach Bill O’Brien would be ridiculed this heavily halfway through his second season.

Sitting at the bottom of the ACC with a 1–7 record, O’Brien’s defense has surrendered the secondmost points among all Power Four schools and has yet to beat an FBS opponent.

The former right-hand man to Bill Belichick and Nick Saban has had nothing but high expectations \\\PAUL CRIADO / HEIGHTS STAFF for the 2025 season, and he has fallen short of them. in nine years, and added on four Some of the BC faithful have other bowl appearances—another quickly called for O’Brien’s firing, 6–6 finish would’ve driven BC fans but an extended head coaching crazy, though, so to the gutter he carousel will only contribute to went. Jeff Hafley didn’t exactly the never-ending cycle of lingering tackle the “mid” allegations either, mediocrity in Chestnut Hill. never jumping the seven-win hurdle The hardest part about and leaving the Eagles in the dust for rebuilding, though—especially given Green Bay. this is a Power Four school—isn’t the It’s a simple equation at all losing. levels of football: Consistent It’s convincing yourself, coaching equals consistent winning. year after year, that this time, the So why is it so easy for the Eagles’ foundation will hold.

Catholic counterpart?

Growing up a Cleveland sports Brian Kelly’s 12-year stint with fan, I’m no stranger to an everNotre Dame featured five bowl wins, changing roster and front office. four top-5 finishes, and a national The Browns’ 41 different starting championship appearance in 2012. quarterbacks and 10 head coaches In his last five years, he never in the past quarter-century can do a had more than three losses and number on a fan’s mental health. reestablished the Fighting Irish as Since Frank Spaziani took over a perennial contender after a rough the Eagles in 2009—one year after 4–8 record in 2016. back-to-back seasons of top-20 It seemed Notre Dame would placements in the AP Poll, including be in for a couple of rebuilding years a No. 10 finish in 2007—BC has after moving on from its legendary rolled over four head coaches and coach, but instead, current head cracked the Top 25 just twice. In coach Marcus Freeman walked fact, Spaziani’s 2009 season was the through the doors and immediately last time BC surpassed the eight-win thrived. mark.

Freeman had no head coaching Spaziani kicked off his coaching experience before his first game as campaign with two straight bowl the interim in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl.

Now, he has seemingly replicated Kelly’s very impressive resume, already racking up four bowl wins

and claiming runner-up in last year’s national championship against Ohio State.

Was there ever a doubt about Notre Dame football, though? It’s unfortunate to say from the other side of the rivalry, but the Fighting Irish’s program is one of the most famous and expensive programs in the nation. It will always be in contention for high-end bowl games year in and year out.

O’Brien’s hiring was initially praised as BC’s “saving grace,” especially after its Week 1 win over No. 10 Florida State. And even after yet another 7–6 finish with a bowl loss in year one, there were flashes of promise, especially with the subpar roster he fielded in his first season.

The former Alabama offensive coordinator also pulled in two former four-star recruits from his time with the Crimson Tide through the transfer portal: quarterback Dylan Lonergan and tight end Ty Lockwood. Fast forward to the present day, and one was just demoted to the bench while the other has one reception for 14 yards.

It’s hard to entirely blame O’Brien for the absolute trainwreck that has been the 2025 season, but

he’s already taken some of the blame himself.

“I’ve got to do a better job with the offensive game plan,” O’Brien said after BC’s 48–7 loss to Pittsburgh. “I’ve got to—like I said—I’ve got to coach better. I’ve got to gameplan better. I’ve got to get the players and the coaches to coach and play better. That’s on me.”

There’s no reason to jump the gun on a seasoned coach like O’Brien, though. So let’s get this out of the way: O’Brien should not be fired at the end of the season.

O’Brien is the classic example of a scapegoat—all the ridicule is directed at him when the full structure of the football staff needs to be reevaluated.

Consider defensive coordinator Tim Lewis and quarterbacks coach Jonathan DiBiasio. I can say comfortably that these guys need their units to perform much stronger to keep their jobs next year. Yes, the run game is iffy and the play-calling has been questionable, but your defense and quarterback are what win games.

Let me bring it back to my Ohio roots as an example.

In 2022, C.J. Stroud led the Big Ten in passing yards and touchdowns, cementing himself as a Heisman candidate. That same season, Ohio State couldn’t get over the national championship hump after surrendering 42 and 45 points in its final two games. Its defense finished in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten for yards and points allowed— something not normal for them.

The very next year, the defense was a different story, allowing 11.2 points per game and the third-fewest total yards per game in the Big Ten. But with Kyle McCord as gunslinger, the offensive drop off was steep, even with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka at the wideouts. Ohio State’s season ended disappointingly—by

its standards—missing the playoffs and putting up three points in the Cotton Bowl.

The Buckeyes finally put it all together in 2024, allowing the fewest total yards in the Big Ten, and quarterback Will Howard led the conference in passing yards and touchdown passes—the y ultimately won the national championship with their sturdy defense and calm-and-collected quarterback. Head coach Ryan Day, though faced with ridicule from a harsh fanbase, stayed put through it all and has finally seemed to find the guys that complement him best.

My point is Lewis needs his defense to step up big time.

A stronger defense provides more cushion and confidence for whoever the signal caller is on Nov. 1, whether it be Lonergan or Grayson James.

And although DiBiasio shouldn’t be condemned for the quarterbacks’ poor play, there’s no reason for BC to be cycling through three guys in the heart of the season. Settle on one and let him go to work.

BC rebrands and rebuilds, coach after coach. Notre Dame doesn’t rebuild with a new coach—it reloads.

Instead of criticizing O’Brien, give him the time to structure his staff correctly.

The Holy War will be the biggest game of O’Brien and his staff ’s BC career—one that, as of now, is not panning out to be terribly long.

This game is more than a lopsided rivalry.

It’ll be the foremost example of how the only two Catholic programs in the nation have built completely different houses despite sharing the same blueprint. One grows stronger with change, while the other struggles and tanks.

A win changes everything.

A sliver of daylight appears not only for O’Brien and co. but also for all of those on the Heights who hope and pray the story changes. n

Stefanoudakis: This Is Not a Rivalry

BY MARIA STEFANOUDAKIS Sports Editor

If you were to split a rivalry open and take a look inside, the heart of it would be competition.

The legs might be frequent meetings, and the arms might be mutual hatred, but the heart is what pumps blood into those places.

Without competition, they can’t move. They mean virtually nothing.

Boston College and Notre Dame are rivals by many standards.

They meet frequently, and there’s a definite animosity between their fanbases.

But by the most important standard—competitiveness—the schools aren’t rivals. They really aren’t anything close, and that is especially true in football.

Notre Dame’s ranked football team will visit Chestnut Hill on Nov. 1 for the first time since 2020, when the Irish marched in and beat the Eagles 45–31.

But the Holy War—an event that used to ignite tangible excitement

and legitimate hatred—doesn’t do so anymore.

The Irish lead in all-time wins 17– 9, a tally that’s not so lopsided that a competitive rivalry is unimaginable.

But the Eagles have not beaten the Irish since 2008.

And although there have been a few competitive games since, such a long stretch without a BC win has dragged what was once an exciting rivalry through the mud.

The shutout in 2008 was the last win of B C ’s six-game, eight-year streak.

While it might not have been a sentiment shared by all fans, some media members seemed to think that the rivalry was getting boring—that perhaps it was time to move on.

“Who needs Notre Dame?” Steve Buckley wrote in the Boston Herald on Nov. 9, 2008. “Notre Dame football is a lot like your 401k: It ain’t what it used to be.”

Buckley ended his column with the following: “B e side s , thi s w a s B C ’s si xth straight victory over Notre Dame.

What rivalry?”

If eight years without a Notre Dame win was enough to get BC fans to doubt the rivalry’s existence, imagine what 17 years might do to fans of the Irish.

With BC heading into this year’s game w inless in ACC play —and against FBS opponents in general— there is really no question about who will come out victorious.

Here’s a hint: It won’t be BC. Sure, miracles do happen—but you can’t count on them. And if you do, you’re going to be pretty disappointed when your team loses seven out of every eight games (BC is now 1–7 following last weekend’s loss to Louisville).

True competition produces uncertain tension, and fans spend the entire game anticipating the relief that will come when that tension is resolved.

When competition dies, so does uncertainty. When uncertainty dies, so does interest. And without interest, it’s not a rivalry. It’s not a war.

It’s just a game. n

\\\ANATOL/ GUZ / HEIGHTS STAFF

Editorial

The Independent Student Newspaper of Boston College Will Marti,o, Editor-in-Chief Ja-k Be-kma,, Managing Editor Be, Haddad, General Manager Aida, Gravi,a, Dept. Managing Editor

Kathy Lu, Podcast Editor Nikita Osad-hiy, Asst. News Editor Charlie Phillips, Online Manager Sebby Fitzgerald, Asst. Sports Editor Callie Oxford, Creative Director Na,ati Geta-he., Social Media Director Elizabeth Maher, Asst. Magazine Editor A,geli,a Li, Digital Director Paige Folli, Newsletter Editor Riley Del Sesto, Asst. Newton Editor A,,ika E,gelbre-ht, News Editor Milo Priddle, Asst. Arts Editor Maria Stefa,oudakis, Sports Editor Cari,a Murphy, Assoc. News Editor Emily Roberge, Assoc. Sports Editor Ellie El-Fisha.y, Asst. Photo Editor Vero,i-a Pier-e, Magazine Editor Za-h LaTour, Copy Editor Ge,evieve Morriso,, Newton Editor Kate Kissel, Assoc. Magazine Editor La,ey M-Ade,, Assoc. Newton Editor A,,a Laui,ger, Copy Editor Maddie Mulliga,, Arts Editor Maria Beatriz Salda,ha, Assoc. Arts Editor Ni-ole Murphy, Copy Editor Ava Sjurse,, Opinions Editor Addie Ki,,aly, Assoc. Opinions Editor Qui,, Walsh, Copy Editor Lu-y Freema,, Projects Editor Kaylee Du,leavy, Assoc. Video Editor Mei Dasgupta, Editorial Assistant Sarah Flemi,g, Photo Editor Co,,or O’ Brie,, Assoc. Graphics Editor Ali Zahm, Video Editor Reetu Ag,ihotri, Asst. News Editor Ashi Ji,dal, Graphics Editor

Business and Operations Sarah Vergura, Advertising Director Charles Ma-ke,, Fundraising Director Asha Woer,er, Operations Assistant O.e, Bie,e,, Outreach Coordinator Co,,or Kilgallo,, Alumni Director

The Heights

Holy War Edition

A7

GAME DAY GUIDE

BY VERONICA PIERCE Magazine Editor The infamous Holy War matchup between the Eagles and the Fighting Irish is fast approaching.

Just as Bill O’Brien’s football team has been practicing for weeks, it’s time to start preparing for what some might say is one of Boston College’s longest and most infamous rivalries.

It doesn’t just take throwing a ball or scoring a touchdown to win the Holy War game against Notre Dame. It also takes effort from BC students—outfits, tailgating, chants, and all. Touchdown Jesus won’t save them anymore.

Here is everything you need to get ready for the biggest game of the season.

Clash of the Catholics

GRAPHICS BY CONNOR O’BRIEN / HEIGHTS EDITOR

PAUL CRIADO / HEIGHTS STAFF

In order to stick it to the Notre Dame fans, you need to hit ’em with the history. How many times has BC won the Holy War? Where and when did the rivalry start?

Here are a couple facts about the Holy War to prove that BC students aren’t only the holiest between the two rivals—they’re also the smartest.

Dating back to 1975, the Holy War is officially called The Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl. How’s that for a coincidence?

The name “The Holy War” comes from the fact that BC and Notre Dame are the only two Catholic universities in the United States that still compete in the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision.

The two schools have faced off a total of 26 times, with BC winning nine times and Notre Dame winning 17.

Don’t let this stat discourage you, though. Each university seems to start a winning streak every few years. Notre Dame dominated most of the Holy War games from the early 1980s through the late 1990s, while BC took the flame in the early 2000s.

Since 2008, Notre Dame has been undefeated, but it may be time for the Eagles to break this streak and take home the gold.

Also, last I checked, BC wasn’t the school that had a Holy War win vacated in 2012 because of academic misconduct on the record of eight players. Again, integrity—and brains!

Vestments for Victory If they aren’t going to hear us cheer for BC, at least they’re going to see us. Wear something that pops so we can fill Alumni Stadium with colors and costumes.

Don your BC Superfan shirt for a splash of color and to show Notre Dame fans that we show up for our team. Get creative by turning it into a T-shirt dress, cutting off the sleeves to show some muscles, or layering a long-sleeved shirt underneath to protect against the cold.

You can also never go wrong with Red Bandanna gear. One of BC’s most cherished traditions, the merch sold at the BC Bookstore, makes for a spirited, vibrant outfit.

Want to remind the Notre Dame fans just how long the rivalry has been going on—and that we haven’t given up yet? Throw on some vintage BC gear. You can find some great options on Etsy or Homefield sold by BC alums hoping to pass on their spirit.

Let’s face it—the weather might be brisk. As someone from Tennessee—where temperatures are just starting to dip below 75 degrees—I was unprepared to stand in the student section during October and November games. Make sure you grab your sweatshirts, coats, hats, and scarves sporting the BC logo to stay warm and energized throughout the game.

If you’re really feeling the “war” in “Holy War” and want to keep the Halloween spirit high, head to Spirit Halloween or Amazon and purchase a knight costume or armor to bring the battle to the football field. The Fighting Irish might have the fists, but we’ve got the swords.

Holy Bites and Tailgate Treats Nothing screams BC football game like a good tailgate. Elevate the already amazing tailgating experience by putting a Holy War spin

on the goodies that await you in the Mod Lot. You’re going to need protein before the game, so fire up some “heavenly wings” and toss them in honey garlic, buffalo, or good old-fashioned barbecue sauce. For an extra kick, make them sinfully spicy to keep your blood boiling— and yourself warm—while cheering on the Eagles.

If you’re in the dipping mood, pull out some “Competition Queso” and surround the bowl with an army of crackers, tortilla chips, vegetables, and pretzels. Make it extra fun by creating a mini catapult with popsicle sticks and rubber bands to launch your soldiers into the cheesy castle.

For red meat lovers, whip up some “Seven Deadly Sliders” mini burgers—tiny, yet irresistible. Let your tailgating guests draw the Notre Dame logo with ketchup or mustard before taking a big bite and crushing the foe.

And don’t forget dessert! “Blessed brownies,” just as rich as the history of this iconic rivalry, will win over anyone craving a little extra sugar.

BC is backed by God, so you can add a little sign next to them that reads “Saints approve this snack.”

Voices of the Faithful For this game, we’ll cheer so loud that even the players can’t hear themselves. That said, while the standard BC chants are beloved by the student population, the Holy War deserves some jabs to send Notre Dame to the heavens.

When the Notre Dame players think their section is cheering “Notre Dame! Notre Dame!”, they’re going to be met with the harsh realization that it’s actually the BC student section yelling above everyone, chanting “Notre Lame! Notre Lame!”

When a player gets a penalty, instead of chanting the usual “You can’t do that!”, try some chants with a religious twist such as “Where’s your halo?” or “Not so holy!” That’ll show them why we’re truly called men and women for others. If you want to add a little buzz to your chant, crack open a beer with your friends and cheers to BC’s Holy War victory.

Photos by Chris Ticas, Paul Criado, and Callie Oxford