The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • C6

C6 The Boston Globe SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2010 Eagles are keeping goals simple First step is ending a four-game skid By Mark Blaudschun GLOBE STAFF Frank Spaziani danced around the issue with the skill of someone who could make a splash on "Dancing with the Stars." The question was simple: How important is it for Boston College to end its four-game losing streak this afternoon? The coach smiled and Having said all that, Spaziani must realize that beating Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Maryland today is the highest priority the Eagles have faced this season. After wins over Weber State and Kent State, BC has stumbled to its worst losing stretch in a dozen years. The preseason goal of winning a third Atlantic Division title in four years is all but mathematically impossible, and the run of 1 1 straight bowl appearances is also in danger, unless the Eagles turn things around, 2007 FILESTEW MILNEASSOCIATED PRESS this season, starting the last three. Maryland, however, offers some different challenges to BC than Florida State did. The Terrapins are a more in-your-face team than the Seminoles, and are physical and aggressive on defense.

They also present problems on offense. "Maryland has always given us fits offensively," said Spaziani. "Ralph Friedgen is a great football coach. He's been on the offensive side of the ball quite a while. We expect to have our hands full." One player who should expect to be busy is sophomore linebacker Luke Kuechly who leads the nation in tackles per game (13.67) and who made a play against the Terrapins last year that Spaziani and anyone else who saw the game still marvel at a line-hurdling, fourth-down stop to end Maryland's last offensive series in a 19-17 BC victory.

"I looked at that play on film and it was a remarkable play," said Spaziani. "I had no idea how he did that." He did and BC won. It is a year later and Kuechly needs to make plays like that again, and BC needs to win. indicated that all wins are important. And that all teams play with varying degrees of urgency.

But then he went into Zen mode. "You have to take little beginning against Maryland. The Terrapins also come to Alumni Stadium with a sense of urgency. Although they are 4-2, they are coming off a 31-7 loss iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Maryland vs. BC When: Today, 1 p.m.

Where: Alumni Stadium Radio: WEEI (850) quarterback from freshman Chase Rettig, who showed positive signs against the Seminoles. They also need to continue to stabilize their offensive line, which has been a work in progress all season. Spaziani again shook things up this week when he moved Nate Richman, who had been a guard before making the switch to center this season, back to left guard, and shifting Mark Spinney from guard to center. Thomas Claiborne was also reinserted into the starting lineup at right guard. Spaziani said the biggest problem was filling the hole created when center Matt Tennant graduated and left for the NFL.

Richman was the choice, but the Eagles never seemed to be in synch, so Spaziani moved Richman back to guard. "We're using the five best players along the offensive line," said Spaziani. "We considered this moving Spinney to center during the summer, but we thought the other way Richman was the better way to go at that time." The Terrapins have their own problems, the latest of which occurred Thursday night when offensive lineman Pete DeSouza broke both of his legs while driving a motor scooter on campus and will miss the rest of the season. The 6-foot-6-inch, 310-pound DeSouza played five games at right tackle steps to reach your goals," Spaziani said. "That's how you move up your goal ladder.

You can't worry about winning Game 7 in a best-of-seven series until you win Game 4. It's always getting to the next rung. That's what moves you forward. "The problem with focusing on bigger goals and not focusing on how you get to those goals is that you might never get to the big goals. If you take care of the little goals, big things will come.

In order to win games, you need to have a sense of urgency. It's part of the whole culture." to Clemson and are 4-point underdogs to the Eagles, who have won the last two meetings and four of the last five. Spaziani has done his best to minimize his frustration and his expectations. "Once again, one game does not make a pattern," he said, when asked about the Eagles' improved play in last week's 24-19 loss at Florida State, "but it's certainly pointed in the right direction and hopefully we can continue to do it." In order for that to happen, the Eagles will need more consistency at Material from the Associated Press was used in this report; Mark Blaudschun can be reached at blaudschun globe.com. Evans hitting stride at UNH Linebacker covers ground in a hurry By Craig Larson GLOBE STAFF His rise to prominence has been as quick as his explosive first step: from reserve linebacker at New Hampshire last fall to the leading tackier in the Colonial Athletic Association this season.

Matt Evans says it was simply a matter of opportunity, and preparation. "I was behind a really good player former captain Sean Ware, and I was on all the special teams, but it was a matter of learning the defenses. I knew I could play," said Evans, a 6-foot, 219-pound redshirt sophomore who prepped at Thayer Academy in Braintree. His play has been consistently fierce and stellar in the Old Colony League, James Carven, is a reserve senior safety for the Minutemen. Evans will be taking on a tough, physical offensive attack that features a pair of outstanding tailbacks in senior John Griffin, a Northeastern transfer who is second in the CAA in rushing (96.8 yards per game), and junior Jonathan Hernandez, who is third (83.3).

"UMass wants to run the ball, that's what they do," said Evans. "Griffin is a little bigger, really fast, Hernandez is quick and shifty." Hernandez was the difference in last year's meeting in Amherst, rushing for a career-high 166 yards and a score in a 23-17 win. UMass coach Kevin Morris lauded the Wildcats' defense, noting their inspired play the last two weeks in wins over Richmond (17-0) and James Madison. "They're playing great, running around well. MIKE ZARFJLLIGETTY IMAGES Auburn's Cam Newton is a solid passer, but LSU will be focusing on his feet today.

Newton, a Heisman hopeful, is closing in on 1,000 yards rushing this season. NATIONAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL The status of Taylor Twellman (center) is a big question mark for the Revolution. Practice sessions extended Revolution remain at work for next season By Frank Dell'Apa GLOBE STAFF The last time the Revolution missed the MLS playoffs, they still had something to train for a berth in the US Open Cup final. The Revolution concluded this season with a 2-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls Thursday, yet will resume practice next week. Part of the reason for extending the training sessions is to set up tryouts for prospective newcomers.

There will be a chance for players such as captain Shalrie Joseph to keep in synch Joseph had played in the postseason every year since joining the Revolution in 2003. In fact, the Revolution had an eight-year playoff streak, second in MLS history. Add in the 2000 playoffs and the extended US Open Cup run in '01, and there is further evidence the Revolution are unaccustomed to taking such a long break between seasons. "We brought a couple guys in over the last few weeks," vice president of player personnel Mike Burns said. "We do have some guys planning on coming in and we're trying to finalize a couple others, so we'll see.

It's an opportunity for our guys to continue training a little bit, and hopefully we'll get a look at some other guys as well." Burns said one of the players trying out is from South America. "We're still working on others," he said. "This is a good opportunity for us to look at a few guys." The workouts will continue for two or three weeks, according to Burns. Meanwhile, coach Steve Nicol and assistants Stephen Myles and Remi Roy are setting up scouting trips that will cover much of the globe. "Obviously, they'll do all the domestic stuff, Atlantic Coast Conference, Final Four," Burns said.

"Stevie will spend a fair amount of time in Africa, Europe, Central and South America. Stephen and Remi as well. We'll do a fair amount of scouting this offseason." The Revolution had 12 foreign-born players, representing 10 countries, on this year's roster. Of the foreigners likely to return, Mar-ko Perovic and wingers Kenny Mansally and Sainey Nyassi lead the way. Perovic led the team with eight goals in all competitions.

Mansally and Nyassi, both 21, are on the verge of fulfilling the potential they displayed in joining the team in 2007. But the biggest decision is the status of Taylor Twellman, who has performed in only two games in two seasons, slow to recover from a concussion sustained late in 2008. Twellman, the franchise's all-time leading scorer, was part of the announcing crew for the season finale and appears headed for a career in broadcasting after retirement. But no announcement has been made on Twellman's immediate plans. The failure of Twellman to return this year, plus injuries to Edgaras Jankauskas, effectively short-circuited the Revolution's strike ability.

Kheli Dube scored only two goals (down from 10 in all competitions a year ago) and Zack Schilawski produced five goals in his first professional season, both suffering from the lack of an experienced forward partner. Ilija Stolica joined the team too late to make a difference but showed how a veteran striker can change the offensive dynamic. The Revolution's rebirth started after the 2001 season, the team advancing to its first MLS Cup final the next year. And the Revolution rode momentum and some inspired player selections by Nicol during its run of postseason appearances. Now, though, the Revolution are planning to spend money on multiple designated players in an attempt to revive the squad.

But no signings can be made until December, so evaluations will continue. "We have to make decisions, but sometimes you don't know what players are thinking," Burns said. "That's why you have meetings and conversations, to see where their heads are at. The difference this year is we didn't have as much success on the field as in the past. So, we'll have some tough decisions to make." Tigers in a cage match Evans was the defensive player of the week, and it was well deserved.

He flies around the ball," said Mor tnrougn seven games this season, but his smashing performance in the Wildcats' 28-14 upset at James Madison last week was his finest as a 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Colonial Clash Who: UMass vs. UNH When: Today, 3:30 p.m. Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough TV: CSN ris, who has an outstanding line- backer in junior Tyler Holmes (9.8 tackles per game), a Buck Buchanan candidate as the nation's top defender. "They are fast, and they create turnovers," said Hernandez. New Hampshire coach Sean McDonnell looks at Evans and sees a young, dedicat Either Auburn or LSU will lose unbeaten tag ASSOCIATED PRESS Lucky plucky, or just plain good? Fifth-ranked Auburn and No.

6 LSU are the Southeastern Conference's survivors, winning with gutsy comebacks and play-calling, and even being on the right side of officiating rulings. Neither team has been perfect, but their records are entering the latest SEC game of the year today at Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium. "I wouldn't necessarily say there's a lucky undefeated team because there's nothing lucky about wins in the SEC," LSU corner-back Patrick Peterson said. "You get them or 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 collegian. Evans set the tone, scooping up a first-quarter fumble and bulling ahead 17 yards for the game's first score.

Later, he charged into the JMU backfield to sack Drew Dudzik. He forced another fumble, preventing a certain touchdown. "I saw the ball, and i 1 went for the punch," he said matter of fact- ly- By game's end, he had matched his career high with 14 tackles (eight solo stops) to give him 80 for the season. "I'm just trying to play to the best of my ability, our defensive line does not get Today's key games ed player who "keeps getting better and better every week, he has good instincts, and he plays really, really hard, and that's what we love about the kid." None of this surprises Thayer Academy coach Jeff Tous-saint, who made Evans a starting line MATT EVANS CAA's top tackier you don't." Indeed, the league that has produced the last four national champions will only have one remaining unbeaten. Both Tigers are 7-0 with four SEC wins.

Auburn has reached this point behind quarterback Cam Newton, perhaps the Heisman Trophy front-runner, and three comeback victories. Newton's Tigers also had two touchdowns survive replay reviews in last weekend's 65-43 shootout with Arkansas. LSU has thrived behind the SEC's top defense and the running of Stevan Ridley. Not to mention a fortuitous bounce on a fake field goal called by coach Les Miles against Florida and an infamous second-chance touchdown against Tennessee. Auburn leads the league and is sixth nationally in rushing behind Newton, who is just 146 yards shy of the SEC season record for rushing yards by a quarterback set by Auburn's Jimmy Sidle in 1963.

LSU counters with the nation's No. 3 defense, giving up just 242 yards per game. Missouri is unbeaten, ranked 18th, and playing at home, yet the Tigers (6-0) are 3-point underdogs tonight. That's what happens when you face third-ranked Oklahoma (6-0), which was given the top spot in the initial BCS rankings this week. Missouri leads the Big 12 North, Oklahoma the South.

The Sooners have won 19 of the last 20 meetings and seven straight Fourth-ranked TCU (7-0, 3-0 Mountain West) could be in for its toughest challenge of the season tonight when Air Force pays a visit. The Falcons (5-2, 3-1) and their triple-option offense lead the nation in rushing with 347 yards per game. The Horned Frogs have allowed only a field goal over their last three games No. 8 Michigan State (7-0, 3-0) will play outside its home state for the first time this season, visiting perhaps the second-biggest surprise team in the Big Ten, Northwestern. The Wildcats (5-1, 1-1) run a no-huddle offense, and Dan Persa has completed nearly 78 percent of his passes.

South Florida (4-3, 1-2 Big East) posted a 38-30 road win over Cincinnati (3-4, 1-1) last night as B.J. Daniels threw for two TDs and ran for two more Joe Izzo kicked a 32-yard field goal in overtime and Central Connecticut State (5-2, 4-0 Northeast) rallied to beat host Albany, 30-27. AP TOP 25 No. 3 Oklahoma (6-0) at No. 18 Missouri (6-0), 8 p.m.

No. 4TCU (7-0) vs. Air Force (5-2), 8 p.m. No. 5 Auburn (7-0) vs.

No. 6 LSU (7-0), 3:30 p.m. No. 7 Alabama (6-1) at Tennessee (2-4), 7 p.m. No.

8 Mich. State (7-0) at Northwestern (5-1), noon No. 9 Utah (6-0) vs. Colorado State (2-5), 6 p.m. No.

10 Wisconsin (6-1) at No. 13 Iowa (5-1), 3:30 p.m. No. 11 Ohio State (6-1) vs. Purdue (4-2), noon No.

12 Stanford (5-1) vs. Wash. State (1-6), 5 p.m. No. 14 Neb.

(5-1) at No. 17 Okla. St. (6-0), 3:30 p.m. No.

15 Arizona (5-1) vs. Washington (3-3), 10:15 p.m. No. 19 South Carolina (4-2) at Vanderbilt (2-4), 7 p.m. No.

20 West Virginia (5-1) vs. Syracuse (4-2), noon No. 21 Arkansas (4-2) vs. Mississippi (3-3), 12:21 p.m. No.

22 Texas (4-2) vs. Iowa State (3-4), noon No. 23 VirginiaTech (5-2) vs. Duke (1-5), noon No. 24 Mississippi State (5-2) vs.

UAB (2-4), 7 p.m. No. 25 Miami (4-2) vs. North Carolina (4-2), 7:30 p.m. OTHER ACC Maryland (4-2) at Boston College (2-4), 1 p.m.

Georgia Tech (5-2) at Clemson (3-3), 3:30 p.m. E. Michigan (1-6) at Virginia (2-4), 6 p.m. COLONIAL ATHLETIC Delaware (7-0) at William Mary (5-1), noon Maine (2-5) at Rhode Island (2-4), 12:30 p.m. UMass (4-2) vs.

UNH (4-3) at Foxborough, 3:30 p.m. James Madison (4-2) at Villanova(4-2), 3:30 p.m. Towson (1-5) at Richmond (3-3), 3:30 p.m. IVY LEAGUE Penn (4-1) at Yale (4-1), noon Cornell (1-4) at Brown (3-2), 12:30 p.m. Harvard (3-2) at Princeton (1-4), 1 p.m.

Dartmouth (3-2) at Columbia (3-2), 1:30 p.m. OTHER NEW ENGLAND Holy Cross (3-4) at Colgate (4-2), 1 p.m. Georgetown (3-4) at Sacred Heart (1-6), 1 p.m. Connecticut (3-3) at Louisville (3-3), 3:30 p.m. backer midway through his freshman season and watched the hard-nosed player develop into a two-way force over four seasons.

He recalled a heady, athletic play against Milton Academy, in which the senior was positioned inside and a receiver ran a curl. "Matt was truly inside, he got outside, diagnosed the route, made a great catch, and took it 50 to 60 yards for a touchdown," said Toussaint. "One of those plays you say, Wow' "You never know when a kid goes from one level to the next, will he get a chance? But I had a good feeling from the start," added Toussaint, who will not be at Gillette this afternoon because Thayer is taking on unbeaten Lawrence in Groton. "He has a great demeanor for a football player. And the game is important to him." Today's game, in particular.

enough credit," said Evans, singling out junior end Brian McNally and 6-4, 296-pound senior tackle Steve Young. "They open it up for me." By Monday, his focus, along with that of the lOth-ranked Wildcats (4-3, 2-2), was solely on 12th-ranked UMass (4-2, 2-1) and this afternoon's inaugural Colonial Clash at Gillette Stadium, the first college football game at the venue. The matchup, the 73d installment of a rivalry that dates to the Yankee Conference, is expected to attract "Really exciting, I go to a Patriots game there every year, but I've never played there," said Evans, who grew up in Hanover and expects 50 family members and friends to be in the stands, including his parents, Kenneth and Debbie "they never miss a game" along with siblings Michelle, Michael, Micayla, and young cousin Drew. His best friend growing up and teammate Craig Larson can be reached at clarsonglobe.com Frank Dell'Apa can be reached atfdellapa globe.com..