Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall has been impressed by what Boston College first year coach Jeff Hafley has accomplished in this long strange season.
BC (6-4, 5-4) has a chance to finish with a winning record in the ACC for the first time since 2009 when the Eagles engage the Virginia Cavaliers (4-4, 3-4) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Charlottesville, Va.
BC has scored road wins at Duke and Syracuse and last weekend outlasted Louisville 34-27. Three of BC’s league losses have been against ranked opponents: No. 1 Clemson, No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 11 North Carolina.
But Mendenhall believes BC’s biggest victory this season has been against the coronavirus. BC has issued over 8,000 COVID-19 tests without a positive result since the start of training camp, a rate unmatched in the ACC.
“I think it’s their No. 1 (victory), I think it is an exceptional accomplishment,” said Mendenhall. “I think their staff and players should be commended for that and I think it is remarkable in every way.
“Having healthy players and maintaining your depth allows consistency and chemistry and production. For this to keep happening week in and week out must have a compounding effect so think it’s had a huge effect. But they have also earned that and at the end of the day, they should be commended.”
BC started the season on Sept. 19 at Duke, a week behind most of the ACC, and played nine straight games before getting a bye following a hard 45-31 loss to Notre Dame on Nov. 14. Barring a late development, BC will finish its 11-game schedule on time while many ACC members are scrambling to wrap up the campaign before Christmas.
“I would agree with him (Mendenhall), I think it has been our biggest victory because it is probably been the hardest thing we’ve had to deal with,” said Hafley following Tuesday’s practice.
“I appreciate him saying that and I’m grateful that he’s noticed it. Hopefully we can continue the streak. Our tests came back negative yesterday (Monday) and hopefully that streak will continue. It’s hard but keep your fingers crossed.”
Virginia has played only eight games and experienced serious disruptions because of the pandemic’s impact across the ACC. The Cavaliers travelled to Tallahassee, Fla., for a night game against Florida State on Saturday. The Seminoles supposedly got their test results on Saturday morning, but school officials didn’t inform Mendenhall until hours before an 8 p.m. kickoff that the game was postponed. Virginia is scheduled to close out the season against traditional rival Virginia Tech on Dec. 12.
Virginia’s game against FSU hasn’t been rescheduled and Mendenhall has expressed little interest in a return trip to Doak Campbell Stadium. The ACC championship game, likely a rematch between Clemson and Notre Dame, is slated for Dec. 19 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
“I don’t know how many teams have played 11 games or will have played 11 games or even 10 games right now in the Power-5,” said Hafley. “We will finish playing 11 while some teams have played four or five and it’s wild.
“I’m just hopeful that the college football season can go on, I’m hopeful that all these teams with all these cases can get better and finish.
“I’m hopeful that the Big 10 and the Pac 12 and all the conferences can finish their seasons. I’m hopeful there can be a college football playoff and we can play in bowl games. But, it’s wild.”
BC’s success keeping COVID at arm’s length has not gone unnoticed around college football. Many of Hafley’s contemporaries have reached out seeking an exchange of ideas and protocols. Hafley’s former boss, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, tested positive and has been excluded from Saturday’s game at Michigan State.
“I think there is a lot if surprise when you have a conversation and you are asked how many you have and you haven’t had any,” said Hafley. “The first reaction is ‘you’re kidding’ and then they ask ‘what have you done, what are the protocols and do your kids actually go to class or do you lock them up in a room? How are you doing it?’
“I’ve been honest with them and I’m trying to help them the best I can. But again, there is no magical answer and it’s hard. I think it is very fortunate that our campus has done a great job and our players.”
Hafley is grateful that the players bought into the plan, adhered to the ACC’s protocols and to the best of their abilities, kept a safe distance from the rest of the student body.
“As the year goes on and we’ve had no COVID (positive) tests, you don’t want to be that guy that gets that COVID test,” said cornerback Josh DeBerry.
“It’s like a bond and a pact we made with each other. We are going to finish the year strong and this is some people’s last time playing. We want to have everybody out there playing and play our best game.”
