We continue our profile of Boston College sports greats to arrive at our BC athletics make-believe Mt. Rushmore...
Name: Matt Ryan
Born: May 1985 in Exton, PA
Sport: Football
BC Era: 2004-2007
Why He's In
Maybe Not?
X-Factor
YouTubage
So ... yes or no to Ryan?
Also, keep the votes coming on the side bar poll and use the space below to explain those Write-In votes (11% of votes are write-ins!).
Name: Matt RyanBorn: May 1985 in Exton, PA
Sport: Football
BC Era: 2004-2007
Why He's In
- October 25, 2007 - Boston College 14, Virginia Tech 10 ... engineered one of the greatest comebacks in B.C. history (Eagles trailed 10-0 with 2:11 remaining)
- November 17, 2007 - Boston College 20, Clemson 17
- Didn't end up getting an invite to NYC for the Heisman Trophy presentation, yet trophy case still respectable: 2007 ACC Player of the Year, 2007 Manning Award, 2007 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
- Led Boston College to its highest mid-season ranking in the AP Poll - #2 - in 2007
- Matched program's highest single-season win total (11 wins matchinh the 11-0 1940 team)
- Eclipsed the school's single season passing yards record by over 1,000 in 2007 (4,507 yards)
- Also left school as Eagles leader in single season passing touchdowns (31 in 2007), career completions (807), single season completions (388 in 2007), single game completions (40 vs. Wake Forest 2006), and single season total yards (4,509)
- Finished career with 9,310 passing yards and 56 touchdowns
- Led the Eagles to 3 straight bowl victories (2005 Humanitarian Bowl on the blue turf, 2006 Meineke Car Care Bowl, 2007 Champs Sports Bowl)
- Career record as a starter - 25-8 (.758)
Maybe Not?
- One of the few guys on the Mt. Rushmore short list to actually get a 'NO' vote from a commenter: "I love the guy and he was really good here, but there's gotta be 4 better in the history of the entire school. If he makes it, its only because of the additional off-field achievements related to hype, PR, draft success, etc." Ouch.
- The Eagles got just as far this year as they did during Matt Ryan's senior year (ACC Atlantic Division champs and ACC Championship Game runner-up)
- November 27, 2004 - Syracuse 43, Boston College 17 ... was thrown to the fire in his first start, quarterbacked the team to one of the most devastating losses in program history, but really, was it his fault?
- Plus the 2007 ACC Championship game, that's 0 for 2 in games that could have wrapped up a BCS bowl berth
- Someone had the brilliant idea to start Quinton Porter over Ryan to start the 2005 season!
- Is there room for two Eagle QBs on one mountain?
X-Factor
- Had a moderately successful Heisman Trophy campaign in 2007 (and a blog and an Athletics Department website were born)
- Takes a hit like no other
YouTubage
So ... yes or no to Ryan?
Also, keep the votes coming on the side bar poll and use the space below to explain those Write-In votes (11% of votes are write-ins!).