What Is 2013 Boston College Eagles football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Boston College Eagles football team finished with a 7–6 record, competing in the ACC's Atlantic Division under head coach Steve Addazio. They played their home games at Alumni Stadium and defeated the University of Cincinnati 30–3 in the 2013 Birmingham Bowl.

Key Facts

The 2013 Boston College Eagles finished the season with a 7–6 overall record
Head coach Steve Addazio led the team in his first year, replacing Frank Spaziani
The Eagles played in the ACC Atlantic Division and went 3–5 in conference play
They defeated Cincinnati 30–3 in the Birmingham Bowl on January 4, 2014
Quarterback Chase Rettig started 11 games and threw for 2,616 yards and 15 touchdowns

Overview

The 2013 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College in the NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in the Atlantic Division, the team was led by first-year head coach Steve Addazio, who took over after the dismissal of Frank Spaziani following the 2012 season.

The Eagles finished the regular season with a 6–6 record, securing bowl eligibility and earning a spot in the Birmingham Bowl. They capped off the year with a dominant 30–3 victory over the University of Cincinnati, marking a positive turnaround in Addazio’s debut season.

7–6 final record: The team finished with a winning record for the first time since 2009, including a 3–5 mark in ACC play.
Steve Addazio’s debut: Hired in March 2013, Addazio brought a new offensive system and culture, emphasizing toughness and discipline.
Birmingham Bowl victory: On January 4, 2014, Boston College defeated Cincinnati 30–3 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
Chase Rettig’s final season: Senior quarterback Chase Rettig threw for 2,616 yards and 15 touchdowns before entering the NFL Draft.

Defensive strength:

Performance and Season Highlights

The 2013 campaign was marked by resilience and key victories that signaled a shift in program momentum under new leadership. Despite early struggles, the team showed improvement as the season progressed, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

Season opener win: Boston College defeated Villanova 31–10 on August 31, 2013, setting a positive tone for Addazio’s tenure.
ACC opener loss: A 48–34 defeat to Wake Forest on September 14 exposed defensive vulnerabilities early in conference play.
Key win over NC State: A 27–21 victory on November 2, 2013, improved the Eagles to 5–4 and boosted bowl hopes.
Chase Rettig’s 2,616 yards: The senior quarterback completed 61.7% of his passes and finished his career ranked second in school history in passing yards.
Andre Williams’ breakout season: Running back Andre Williams rushed for 1,768 yards in 2013, earning Doak Walker Award semifinalist honors.
Birmingham Bowl dominance: The 30–3 win over Cincinnati featured a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defensive performance.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2013 season to the previous year highlights notable improvements in record, coaching, and overall team performance.

Category	2012 Season	2013 Season
Overall Record	2–10	7–6
ACC Record	1–7	3–5
Head Coach	Frank Spaziani	Steve Addazio
Bowl Game	None (ineligible)	Birmingham Bowl (W, 30–3)
Passing Yards (QB)	Chase Rettig: 2,367	Chase Rettig: 2,616

The table illustrates a dramatic turnaround from 2012’s losing season to a winning record and bowl victory in 2013. The hiring of Steve Addazio brought immediate cultural and strategic changes, reflected in improved player performance and team morale. The offensive scheme evolved to better utilize Andre Williams’ running ability, while the defense tightened under new coordination. This season laid the foundation for future competitiveness in the ACC.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a pivotal moment in Boston College football history, marking a transition from a struggling program to one showing signs of resurgence. It restored fan confidence and set the stage for future recruiting and on-field success.

Restored bowl eligibility: Ending a three-year drought without a winning season or bowl appearance revitalized interest in the program.
Steve Addazio’s impact: His leadership introduced a more disciplined and physical style of play that defined the team’s identity.
Andre Williams’ rise: His 1,768 rushing yards in 2013 foreshadowed a record-breaking 2014 season, earning All-American honors.
Improved recruiting: The winning season helped attract higher-rated recruits in subsequent classes.
Strengthened ACC presence: The victory over NC State and bowl win enhanced Boston College’s standing in a competitive conference.
Player development: The season demonstrated effective quarterback and running back development under new coaching.

The 2013 Boston College Eagles season stands as a turning point, proving that with new leadership and focused execution, the program could return to competitiveness in the ACC and beyond.