Because everyone else is getting all decade nostalgic on us. A look at back at the decade that was Boston College athletics from children of the decade (BC's Class of 2004).
Food Chain: Eagles' Biggest Wins of the Decade
We consider these 8 Eagle victories and each rank our top 5 biggest Ws of the decade.
December 28, 2001: Boston College 20, #16 Georgia 16 (Music City Bowl)
In his final collegiate game, William Green ran for 149 yards on 35 carries as the Eagles upset the No. 16 ranked Georgia Bulldogs in the 2001 Music City Bowl. The victory snapped a 21 game losing streak against ranked teams for the Eagles. Despite throwing for a mere 109 yards on 9-of-25 passing, Eagles QB Brian St. Pierre helped lead the Eagles on the game-winning drive, finding Dedrick Dewalt for a 22 yard game to the Bulldogs 10. Green scampered 7 yards into the endzone, giving the Eagles the 20-16 victory.
November 2, 2002: Boston College 14, #4 Notre Dame 7
Notre Dame turned the ball over five times including two interceptions from backup QB Pat Dillingham as the Eagles escaped South Bend with a 14-7 victory over the No. 4 ranked Irish. Notre Dame dominated the game statistically, outgaining BC 357-184 and holding a 22-9 edge in first downs. The loss knocked the Irish out of the ranks of the undefeated and ended any hope of a National Championship. It was the Eagles' first win over a Top 25 team in over 9 years.
September 24, 2005: Boston College 16, Clemson 13 (OT)
For every curious loss, there are games where you are left baffled as to how the Eagles managed to pull out the victory. BC didn't score for the final 41 minutes of this game after taking a 10-0 lead in the fourth quarter. A 1-yard touchdown run by backup QB Matt Ryan in overtime gave the Eagles the 16-13 victory over the Clemson Tigers, their first win as a member of the ACC. Andre Callendar rushed for 116 yards on 22 carries in the victory.
September 9, 2006: Boston College 34, #18 Clemson 33 (2OT)
The Eagles came back from 10-0, 17-7 and 24-17 deficits to force overtime against Clemson in the 2006 ACC opener. Return man Jeff Smith had a huge day, returning a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. He added returns of 45, 39 and 29 yards on the day, and his 213 return yards were one shy of a BC school record. JoLonn Dunbar blocked a Clemson PAT in the second overtime to give the Eagles a 34-33 victory. It was the first victory for BC coach Tom O'Brien over a ranked opponent in his 10 seasons in Chestnut Hill.
October 12, 2006: Boston College 22, #22 Virginia Tech 3
Steve Aponavicius came out of the stands to connect on two field goals (36 and 20 yards) and two PATs to send the Eagles past #22 Virginia Tech 22-3. Matt Ryan threw for 174 yards on 16-of-29 passes including two touchdowns to WR Kevin Challenger. The Eagles' defense had a huge day, holding the Virginia Tech offense to 3 points. It was the first time since the 1998 Gator Bowl that Virginia Tech had failed to score a touchdown.
October 25, 2007: #2 Boston College 14, #8 Virginia Tech 10
After being shutout nearly the entire game, Matt Ryan engineered two touchdown drives in the final 4 minutes, 16 seconds, to lead #2 BC to a 14-10 victory over the 8th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies. Ryan found Andre Callendar in the end zone with 0:11 left to secure the win. The win pushed BC's record to 8-0 and gave the Hokies the second loss on the year, essentially eliminating them from National Championship contention. This was BC's third win over Virginia Tech on Thursday night. Up until then, no other team had managed to knock off the Hokies on Thursday night (14-3).
November 17, 2007: #18 Boston College 20, #15 Clemson 17
Matt Ryan engineered yet another fourth quarter comeback as the Eagles defeated Clemson 20-17. The win gave the 9-2 Eagles their first ACC Atlantic Division Championship and a spot in the title game opposite Virginia Tech. Ryan hooked up with Rich Gunnell on a 43-yard touchdown pass with 1:46 to play to give the Eagles a 20-17 lead. On the ensuing drive, Clemson QB Cullen Harper nearly found wide receiver Aaron Kelly in the end zone for the victory. After a timely sack by Roderick Rollins - pushing the Tigers back 7 yards - Clemson kicker Clay Bucholtz's 54 yard attempt to tie fell well short, and the Eagles celebrated an Atlantic Division title in Death Valley.
November 15, 2008: Boston College 27, #19 Florida State 17
It was homecoming for Montel Harris as he rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown as the Eagles defeated Florida State 27-17. The win kept the Eagles' hopes of winning a second straight Atlantic Division title alive. BC's defense held the Seminoles to 79 yards rushing and frustrated Seminole QB Christian Ponder all day (3 interceptions). Ponder threw a costly interception to Marty Bowman who returned in 87 yards for the touchdown. The win pushed the Eagles record to 7-3 and jump started a string of three consecutive ACC Atlantic victories to give the Eagles their second straight division title.
Brian’s Food Chain:
5. December 28, 2001: Boston College 20, #16 Georgia 16 (Music City Bowl) - Not many college football experts gave us a chance in this game but the Eagles came away with the big victory over a ranked Georgia team. This game really kick-started BC's bowl winning streak this decade.
4. September 9, 2006: Boston College 34, #18 Clemson 33 (2OT) - First ACC of 2006 win in one of the most dramatic games of the decade
3. November 2, 2002: Boston College 14, #4 Notre Dame 7 - The sweetest of Eagles’ victories over the Irish this decade
2. November 17, 2007: #18 Boston College 20, #15 Clemson 17 - late Matt Ryan heroics clinched the Eagles first ACC Atlantic Division title
1. October 25, 2007: #2 Boston College 14, #8 Virginia Tech 10 - Matt Ryan’s final two touchdown drives make this arguably the best college football game I have ever attended
Jeff's Food Chain:
5. October 12, 2006: Boston College 22, #22 Virginia Tech 3 - Steve Aponanvicius comes out of the stands
4. November 15, 2008: Boston College 27, #19 Florida State 17 - First ever win in an ABC primetime game and was the key win to get us back to the ACC Championship Game
T1. October 25, 2007: #2 Boston College 14, #8 Virginia Tech 10 - Worst game ever attended to best in a matter of minutes
T1. November 17, 2007: #18 Boston College 20, #15 Clemson 17 - Going to the 'Ship
T1. November 2, 2002: Boston College 14, #4 Notre Dame 7 - BC beat the Irish with their green jerseys