In todays world, the history of these things isnt like the same as it used to be, you know what I mean? said BC coach Steve Addazio. So youve got to bring it back to life.

Addazio likened the revival of the Notre Dame rivalry to the way BC has reignited another longstanding series with Syracuse.

Weve really worked hard to bring that back to life again, Addazio said. It wasnt that long ago that that was so intense, right? Then that period that it really didnt play wasnt the same. It lost something. Things happen quick nowadays, I think.

The Eagles have experience to pull from on their coaching staff, and Addazio plans to use it this week. Running backs coach Brian White was a graduate assistant on the Irishs 1988 national championship team. Defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan was Notre Dames safeties and special teams coach in 2001. Receivers coach Rich Gunnell was a part of two BC wins over the Irish as a player. Special teams coach Ricky Brown and director of football initiatives Josh Beekman were on the roster for three wins over Notre Dame from 2002-04.

Weve been bringing it back to life and talking about it, Addazio said. And Im going to do some other things as the week goes on to try to make sure they understand the intensity of this game and what it means because, yes, these guys, they have not been there.

But we also deal with guys who are very bright guys, and they get it and understand it, and they feel it. You still are playing a national team, and they get that too, that this is still a grand stage, and if youre a competitor, youre playing a top 15 team on a grand stage, thats what you want to do.

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly grew up in Everett, but he never considered himself a BC fan. If he watched, it was for BCs rivalry games with Holy Cross. Otherwise, he said, he always followed Notre Dame.

Thats all we had on TV, he said. Boston College wasnt on the television set much growing up in Boston. It wasnt until I was gone from Boston that BC started to be played on radio and television.

By the time the Eagles program started to gain traction locally and nationally in the 1980s, Kelly was cutting his teeth as a coach at Grand Valley State in Michigan.

From afar, though, he watched the Eagles growth.

From a football standpoint, being in the ACC has obviously benefitted them greatly, Kelly said. They have, certainly, a reputation for being a physical football team. They have, obviously going back to coach Coughlin, theyve either churned out great defensive players or obviously their tight ends or quarterbacks.

Its always been a program that has turned out really fine players, year in year out, and an extremely competitive football team that can beat anybody on a given day.

For the Irish, ranked 15th and winners of 17 straight at home, this installment of the Holy War might not have the same gravity, especially considering the Eagles 1-15 record against ranked opponents since 2014.

But Kelly understands the magnitude of the matchup for a BC team fighting to become bowl-eligible.

When theyre playing Notre Dame, this is a big game, Kelly said. And we know that theyre playing for bowl eligibility.

For the Eagles, keeping their postseason chances alive is just as important as the rivalry.

Theyre well aware of that, Addazio said. Thats a goal. Its a stated goal early in the season. So for all those reasons.

I mean, theres a lot going on in this game. Stakes are high, and thats exciting.

(Notre Dame leads, 15-9)

Sept. 16, 2017 Notre Dame 49, BC 20

Nov. 21, 2015 Notre Dame 19, BC 16

Nov. 10, 2012 Notre Dame 21, BC 6

Nov. 19, 2011 Notre Dame 16, BC 14

Oct. 2, 2010 Notre Dame 31, BC 13

Oct. 24, 2009 Notre Dame 20, BC 16

Nov. 8, 2008 BC 17, Notre Dame 17

Oct. 13, 2007 BC 27, Notre Dame 14

Oct. 23, 2004 BC 24, Notre Dame 23

Oct. 25, 2003 BC 27, Notre Dame 25

Nov. 2, 2002 BC 14, Notre Dame 7

Oct. 27, 2001 BC 21, Notre Dame 17

Nov. 11, 2000 Notre Dame 28, BC 16

No.v 20, 1999 BC 31, Notre Dame 29

Nov. 7, 1998 Notre Dame 31, BC 26

Oct. 25, 1997 Notre Dame 52, BC 20

Nov. 9, 1996 Notre Dame 48, BC 21

Oct. 28, 1995 Notre Dame 20, BC 10

Oct. 8, 1994 BC 30, Notre Dame 11

Nov. 20, 1993 BC 41, Notre Dame 39

Nov. 7, 1992 Notre Dame 54, BC 7

Nov. 7, 1987 Notre Dame 32, BC 25

*Dec. 29, 1983 Notre Dame 19, BC 18

Sept. 15, 1975 Notre Dame 17, BC 3

*Liberty Bowl

Julian Benbow can be reached at jbenbow@globe.com.

Originally posted here:
For BC coach Steve Addazio, Notre Dame week is a time to wake up the echoes - The Boston Globe