Stripping the Ball

Trailing 3-0 in the second quarter at Florida State last fall, Boston College defensive back Sulaiman Sanni rapidly closed on a short pass to the tight end in the flat. He stood up the receiver, securing the tackle, while another defender came in on the play and began to poke and pry at the ball – just like the Eagles had practiced all season. The ball popped loose. Safety Wes Davis didn’t hesitate, scooped up the fumble and returned it to the FSU 1 yard line. It was the first of three Seminole turnovers and would lead to a go-ahead touchdown and eventually a 24-19 victory in Tallahassee. “We make a conscious effort to make sure our kids understand that turnovers are a big part of the game, and we need to get them,” said Boston College’s Defensive Coordinator Frank Spaziani. “That play had every element of what we emphasize.” BC forced a remarkable 31 turnovers this