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CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Fifth-year seniors Rich Gunnell, Mike McLaughlin and Matt Tennant have been elected the team captains for the 2009 football season, announced by head coach Frank Spaziani.

Gunnell, a wide receiver from East Windsor, NJ, is the most
seasoned wide out in the ACC. He ranks first among active ACC receivers
in receptions (121), receiving yards (1,579) and touchdowns (11). He is
also 10th on the all-time BC receptions list with 121 and 12th in
receiving yards with 1,579. Gunnell led the team in 2008 with 49
catches and four touchdowns.

McLaughlin will be serving his second season as captain. As the
leader of one of the best defenses in the country in 2008, the
linebacker from Woburn, MA, was second on the team with 53 solo tackles
and 89 total stops. He also ranked second in sacks (4) and third in
tackles for a loss (12) and pass break-ups (5). McLaughlin forced a
team-high two fumbles as well.

Tennant enters the 2009 season as one of the top-rated centers
in the country. He was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List and the
All-ACC Preseason Team. Last season, the Cincinnati, OH, product led an
offensive line that ranked 25th in the country in tackles for a loss
allowed (4.77) and 49th in sacks allowed (1.69). The line paved the way
for true freshman Montel Harris to break BC freshman records with 900 rushing yards and five 100-yard performances. Harris and classmate Josh Haden were the second-most prolific true freshman backfield in the country.

Eagles Back To Practice On Day Two

The Boston College football team returned to Shea Field on Tuesday
for the second day of preseason workouts in Chestnut Hill. With the
first day kinks worked out of their systems, the team seemed much more
focused and ready to play when they jogged onto the field.

Like Monday, the weather decided to fully cooperate with the
Eagles' practice plans and gave the team a beautiful day outside of
Alumni Stadium to work on line formations, kickoff returns and running
plays. Last year's early preseason was marred by overcast skies and
occasional rain showers, so the team hopes these gorgeous days are
signs of good fortunes to come.

Another noteworthy point, similar to the excellent news regarding Clarence Megwa yesterday, was that junior defensive end Alex Albright
was back in his three-point stance on the line. The 6-5 end from
Cincinnati looked determined to put last year behind him and focus on
preparing for a successful year ahead.

The big question that stands in front of Albright and the rest
of the defense concerns the takeover of the central line positions that
were once occupied by BJ Raji and Ron Brace, both of whom are now making their way into the NFL. Head Coach Frank Spaziani addressed the situation and reminded everyone that losing players to the pros is nothing new.

"It's the common thing that happens all the time in college
football," Spaziani said. "We can replace them but other guys have to
(step in). Some guys may be sixty or seventy percent as good as (Brace
and Raji) were and then some other guys are going to have to get
better."

With the preseason just getting started, it may be a while
before any final decision is made concerning spots on the depth chart.