Boston College Announces 2020 Football Schedule

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CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Boston College and the Atlantic Coast Conference announced the 2020 football schedule on Wednesday. The Eagles play seven home games at Alumni Stadium in year one of the Jeff Hafley era at the Heights.

BC returns nine starters on defense, five starters on offense, including four of five All-ACC selections on the offensive line from a season ago. In addition, the Eagles return their starting kicker, punter and long snapper on special teams from 2019.

The 2020 schedule features three primetime national television appearances, including BC’s seventh Thursday primetime appearance against Virginia Tech in series history.

Boston College opens the 2020 season under the Friday night lights at Alumni Stadium against rival Syracuse on Sept. 4. It marks the first time since BC joined the ACC in 2005 the Eagles will open a season at home on a Friday night. The Eagles rolled to a 58-27 win at Syracuse last season. In the win at the Carrier Dome in 2019, BC finished with a school-record 691 yards of total offense and the 58 points scored were the most in an ACC game for BC. All-time, Syracuse leads the series 32-21.

The non-conference portion of the schedule begins on Saturday, Sept. 12 as Ohio visits Chestnut Hill for the second time in school history. The lone other meeting between the two schools was a 23-14 Ohio victory at BC in 1966.

The first game ever played in the state of Kansas for the Eagles is on tap in week three as BC visits Kansas on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Jayhawks won the first meeting between the two schools last year in Chestnut Hill.

Big Ten foe Purdue visits Alumni Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26 as the two schools meet for the second time in series history. The Boilermakers captured a 30-13 victory over BC at Purdue in 2018. The visit by Purdue marks the first home game for Boston College against a Big Ten opponent since Northwestern came to the Heights in 2011.

Defending ACC champion Clemson makes the trip north to Chestnut Hill for a Friday night appearance on Oct. 2. It marks the third straight primetime appearance for the Tigers at Alumni Stadium. In a series that began in 1940, Boston College and Clemson meet for the 30th time with Clemson leading the series 18-9-2. For the 13th time, Boston College and Clemson will play for the O’Rourke-McFadden Trophy after the BC Gridiron Club established the award in 2008.

BC closes out a stretch of playing five of its first six games at home on Saturday, October 10 against Louisville. BC has won two of the previous three games against the Cardinals, including a 38-20 win at home in 2018. BC is 5-7 in series history against Louisville.

Following an off week, the Eagles head to Lane Stadium for a Thursday night tilt against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. BC has played the Hokies six times on Thursday nights. The Eagles’ last Thursday night game at Tech was the memorable 14-10 win at No. 8 Virginia Tech in 2007 when Matt Ryan threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Andre Callender with 11 seconds remaining. Last season, BC defeated the Hokies 35-28 to open the 2019 season. Overall, BC has won two straight against Virginia Tech. The Hokies lead the all-time series 18-10.

Jesuit opponents Boston College and Holy Cross meet again for the second time in three seasons on Saturday, Oct. 31, in Chestnut Hill. Boston College and Holy Cross met 82 times on the gridiron between 1896 and 1986. The 2018 meeting was the first football game between the Eagles and Crusaders since a 56-26 BC victory on Nov. 22, 1986, in Worcester, Mass. Boston College has faced Holy Cross more than any opponent in school history and leads the all-time series, 49-31-3.

The Eagles close out the regular season with three road games in the month of November, beginning at NC State on Saturday, Nov. 7. Last year, the Eagles rushed for 429 yards in a 45-24 victory over the Wolfpack. All-time, BC is 10-7 against the Wolfpack.

BC hits the road again the following week in Tallahassee to face Florida State on Saturday, Nov. 14. FSU leads the all-time series 13-5 against the Eagles, including two straight fourth-quarter victories.

The Eagles close out the home portion of the 2020 schedule on Saturday, Nov. 21 versus North Carolina. It marks just the fifth ACC game between the two schools and the first since 2013. All-time. BC is 2-5 against the Tar Heels, including an 0-4 mark as conference members. The last win for BC against UNC was a 37-24 victory in the 2004 Continental Tire Bowl in Charlotte.

BC closes out the regular season for the second time in five seasons at Wake Forest on Saturday, Nov. 28. BC is 14-11-2 all-time against the Demon Deacons, including a 17-14 victory in 2016 to send the Eagles to the Quick Lane Bowl.

Season tickets are now available for the 2020 season by visiting BCEagles.com or calling 617-552-4622 (GOBC).

Kickoff times and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

2020 Boston College Football Schedule

Friday, Sept. 4 Syracuse*

Saturday, Sept. 12 Ohio

Saturday, Sept. 19 at Kansas

Saturday, Sept. 26 Purdue

Friday, Oct. 2 Clemson*

Saturday, Oct. 10 Louisville*

Thursday, Oct. 22 at Virginia Tech*

Saturday, Oct. 31 Holy Cross

Saturday, Nov. 7 at NC State*