BC's QB excited to play BYU

PROVO — It's likely that nobody wearing a Boston College uniform is looking forward to the 2005 season kicking off more than quarterback Quinton Porter.

After redshirting last year, the 6-foot-5, 233-pound senior has plenty to prove Saturday when the No. 22 Eagles face BYU Saturday (1:30 p.m., Ch. 4) at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

"It was tough to sit out for a year, but I knew I had this season coming," said Porter, a Portland, Maine, native. "I'm relaxed and more mature physically and mentally. This game, this season, is what I've been looking forward to."

Not that he hasn't been in this situation before.

Two years ago, he won the QB job over Paul Peterson, a former Bingham High and Snow Junior College star, and he started 10 games, completing 140-of-250 passes for 1,764 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions before his season ended due to an injury.

Peterson finished the year and earned the starting nod over Porter in 2004. Porter, who had seen action in a backup role as a true freshman, opted to redshirt.

"The redshirt came later in his career," said BC coach Tom O'Brien, "but I think he used it wisely."

Porter said he maintained a good relationship with Peterson, who is the younger brother of former Cougar quarterback Charlie Peterson. "When he played, I tried to help him out," Porter said. "He's rooting for me this year. He's told me he wants us to beat up on BYU."

Peterson is playing in the Canadian Football League, and his wife, Meagan, who is a Utah native, is expected to attend Saturday's game.

Granted a fresh start, Porter aims to make the most of it, especially now that the Eagles are new members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. "We have high expectations," he said. "I can't see why we can't win the ACC this year."

Part of Porter's optimism stems from the fact he has a veteran offensive line playing in front of him. All five O-linemen are returning starters from a year ago, when Boston College posted a 9-3 mark and won the Continental Tire Bowl. The Eagles' massive line includes 6-foot-9, 330-pound left tackle Jeremy Trueblood, 6-foot-8, 313-pound left guard James Marten and 6-foot-7, 310-pound right tackle Gosder Cherilus.

"They have good size. They're big and heavy," said BYU defensive lineman Manaia Brown. "They're going to try to run the ball on us. I love playing against the run, so we'll see what happens."