Following the Navy football team?s victory over Army on Saturday, a number of Midshipmen expressed hope that Maryland would accept a bid to play them Dec. 30 in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, N.C.
That hope faded Sunday night when Maryland announced its intention to play Purdue on Dec. 29 in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Fla. That decision caused a domino effect, leading No. 23 Boston College to become Navy?s bowl opponent.
Despite their desire for a contest between the state of Maryland?s only two Division I-A programs, Meineke Car Care Bowl organizers are still happy with the actual matchup. Boston College and Navy, which are both 9-3, have played each other 28 times dating back to 1928. The Eagles own a 17-11 advantage in the series, including a 46-21 win when the teams last met in 2002.
Boston College, which is coached by 1971 Naval Academy graduate Tom O?Brien, brings with it first-team, all-conference quarterback Matt Ryan and the top-ranked passing offense in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Meanwhile, Navy goes into the game with the top rushing attack in the country.
“We?ve got two good teams, including one that is nationally ranked, and we expect a lot of people to watch this game on television,” Meineke Car Care Bowl Executive Director William Webb said. “This should be a real wide-open game, and I expect to see some good football played.”
Navy coach Paul Johnson said preparation for Boston College will get under way next week. He knows the Midshipmen will be a big underdog against the Eagles, who went 6-2 against bowl teams this year, including a 38-16 pounding of Maryland on Nov. 18.
“This is going to be a challenging game for us,” Johnson said. “Boston College has a strong-armed quarterback, but they are much more than just a quarterback. In fact, their defense seems to be scoring as much as their offense lately.”
As for Maryland (8-4), it received the top bowl bid on its list despite the fact that Boston College had a better overall record and the head-to-head win this year. The Champs Sports Bowl represents Maryland?s first bowl game appearance in three seasons and 21st overall.
Maryland enters its game against Purdue (8-5) having lost two straight, including a 38-24 defeat to Wake Forest on Nov. 25 that nixed its ACC title game hopes. A victory over the Boilermakers, though, would give the Terps their third straight bowl victory.
“We are excited to be playing in the Champs Sports Bowl,” Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said in a statement. “It?s a great bowl game, and we?ll certainly put our best foot forward in the game. It is quite an accomplishment for our program and an exclamation point to a good season.”
Champs Sports Bowl
» Who: Maryland (8-4) vs.Purdue (8-5)
» Where: Orlando, Fla.
» When: 9 p.m., Dec. 29
» TV: ESPN
Meineke Car Care Bowl
» Who: Navy (9-3) vs. Boston College (9-3)
» Where: Charlotte, N.C.
» When: 1 p.m., Dec. 30
» TV: ESPN
