Coming into the season, Boston College coach Dan Henning knew his team wasn't going to be that good.
Sure, he welcomed back 15 starters, but that was from a team that went 4-8. And most importantly, the man who was supposed to be the 16th starter - quarterback Mark Hartsell - bolted early for the NFL. The Eagles were left without an experienced signal-caller.
Hello, quarterback controversy.
Henning had two to choose from - Scott Mutryn and Matt Hasselbeck. For Boston College's opener against Hawaii, Henning picked Mutryn to start. Through three quarters against the Rainbows, Mutryn was running the Eagles into the ground. Henning turned to Hasselbeck in the fourth quarter, and the junior responded by leading Boston College to a come-from-behind victory.
Last week against Virginia Tech, Boston College was bombed, 45-7, but Hasselbeck was 25-of-42 for 221 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Then yesterday, he almost led the Eagles to a stunning upset of No. 8 Michigan.
Goodbye, quarterback controversy.
At least, for now.
While his numbers against the Wolverines weren't spectacular (17-of-29 for a touchdown and two interceptions), he and wide receiver Steve Everson kept the Eagles in the game.
"I think our guys played hard," Henning said. "(There were) adverse conditions, tough weather, and an outstanding football team on the other side. I'm proud of our players."
Hasselbeck and Everson hooked up on Boston College's first scoring play, a three-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter. The junior wide receiver caught six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. More impressively, he finished the game. In the fourth quarter, Everson took some vicious hits from Michigan defensive backs and held onto the ball - and his head.
"I'm very pleased with the performances of some of our wide receivers," Hasselbeck said. "The ball was so bad (from the rain) that it was like a shot put out there. Then a guy like Steve Everson would make an amazing catch. They helped me out a lot."
Unfortunately for Hasselbeck, the quarterback did not receive much help from his offensive line.
The signal-caller spent a good deal of the afternoon with his face buried in Michigan Stadium's turf. He was sacked six times for minus-61 yards.
Hasselbeck spent most of the afternoon running for his life from David Bowens and company, and he still was able to complete passes to six different receivers.
The junior, however, gave most of the credit for the fine passing performance to his receivers.
"Michigan was laying them out," Hasselbeck said. "Hitting them hard, and they kept bouncing up. I think it sent a message to Michigan's defensive backs that our receivers were there to play."
Despite its gutsy performance, Hasselbeck's receiving corps failed to come through at the game's most critical juncture.
Late in the third quarter, the Eagles enjoyed a 14-7 lead and were on the move again. An improbable upset was in reach. So were the cyanide capsules for Michigan fans.
Facing a third-and-11 from the Michigan 39, Hasselbeck rolled left and spotted a wide-open Anthony DiCosmo. The quarterback's pass hit DiCosmo in the hands, but the freshman juggled the ball, allowing free safety Daydrion Taylor to make the interception at the Michigan 21.
If DiCosmo had made that catch, it would have been cyanide city for the Wolverines.
Instead, Michigan proceeded to drive 79 yards to tie the game, and then they took the lead for good on their following possession.
MARK FRIEDMAN/Daily
Boston College quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, with the help of receiver Steve Everson, nearly beat Michigan on Saturday.