Staying true to his Ohio roots, Scott Shafer used to watch Syracuse-Boston College games growing up, since both sides often had players from his home state.

“Now, being a part of it is very humbling,” Shafer said during the Atlantic Coast Conference coaches’ teleconference Wednesday morning. “In the week of Thanksgiving, I’m very thankful to be a part of such a great rivalry.”

Now for the second season in a row, Shafer’s Orange (3-8, 1-6 ACC) takes on the Eagles (6-5, 3-4) to wrap up the regular season. The game is set for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts on Saturday and will continue a rivalry that dates back to 1924, before carrying through the programs’ Big East tenures and now into their time in the ACC.

“It’s an old Northeast battle between two programs that have storied histories on both sides,” Shafer said. “… I think it’s great for the conference. I think it’s a great thing for college football to see Boston College and Syracuse playing against one another year in, year out toward the end of the season.

“… The last couple of years, we’ve had some good battles with old Northeast teams and this will be another opportunity for us.”

In SU and BC’s first meeting as ACC opponents last November in the Carrier Dome, Syracuse blew a 21-7 lead over the Eagles, then staged a fourth-quarter comeback to prevail, 34-31, and finish the regular season 6-6 and clinch bowl eligibility.

But due to a “rash of injuries” that Shafer said he’s never been around in his 24 years of coaching, the Orange is not in that position heading into this year’s regular season finale.

Shafer said he doesn’t look at Saturday’s matchup as the Orange “staggering” into its final game.

Instead, he views it as another learning opportunity for the his team’s youth as a banged-up SU team will rely on it one more time in 2014.

Said Shafer: “What a great way to introduce a bunch of young guys — that are playing a little bit earlier than we thought they were going to — to a great rivalry in this conference and even before we were in this conference together.”

Published on November 25, 2014 at 12:34 pm

Contact Phil: pmdabbra@syr.edu | @PhilDAbb