Boston College has beaten Virginia Tech three of the last four years. So what is it about the Eagles (2-0), Tech’s opponent on Saturday, that makes the Hokies (1-2) sweat?
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One of the reasons is linebacker Mark Herzlich. For three years, Herzlich spearheaded a Boston College defense that limited the Tech offense to a total of one touchdown and an average of 229 yards in three regular-season meetings.
In the spring of 2009, however, Herzlich was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, and spent last season undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
When BC came to Blacksburg last October, the Hokies presented Herzlich a check for $9,494.94, honoring his uniform No. 94 and aiding his battle against the disease. Then the Hokies went out and drilled the Eagles 48-14, ending their three-game regular-season losing streak to BC and enjoying a respite from the havoc wrought by Herzlich, a possible top-10 pick in the NFL Draft before cancer invaded his right leg.
A year later, Herzlich is back with Boston College (2-0), and has a chance for one more shot at Virginia Tech.
“To get back to where he’s at now, you’d have to be totally blind [not] to see that motivation. That has to rub off,” BC coach Frank Spaziani said via conference call Wednesday. “I don’t think you could quantify what he brings to the table.”
In 2008, when Herzlich was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, BC confused quarterback Tyrod Taylor (12 of 27, 90 yards) and stuffed running back Darren Evans (17 carries, 27 yards). It was the lowest efficiency game of Taylor’s career (65.0) and worst performance of Evans’ ACC Rookie of the Year season.
When Tech honored Herzlich last year, it was Evans — out for the season with a torn ACL — who presented the check.
Saturday in Chestnut Hill, Herzlich will come out of the locker room looking for Evans, the likely starter with Virginia Tech’s Ryan Williams (hamstring) hobbled. Herzlich has nine tackles in two games.
“Not many of us have experienced miracles,” Spaziani said. “Mark experienced one. He’s on the verge of trying to experience another.”
