Boston College returns to the Pinstripe Bowl this Saturday when they face Nebraska at Yankee Stadium. Most Eagles fans remember their narrow loss to Iowa in their previous appearance in the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl. However, Boston College nearly made its Yankee Stadium debut over six decades ago.
Recently, I documented the chaos surrounding the 1960 Gotham Bowl that never materialized. This chaos included a potential Air Force-Army bowl matchup and the failure to find an opponent for Oregon State. After the Air Force-Army matchup fell through and Syracuse refused to participate, the Gotham Bowl pursued Holy Cross and Boston College.
Holy Cross and Boston College's rivalry had potential added stakes in 1960. The Gotham Bowl eyed the winner of the Eagles and Crusaders' matchup. A win against Holy Cross could have caused a surprising end to a season that started disastrously.
Boston College started the 1960 season 0-5-1 before three wins over 2-8 Villanova, 3-5-2 Boston University, and 6-4 Clemson salvaged the season somewhat. This late run and the desperation of the Gotham Bowl put the Eagles in a previously unimaginable situation.
Presumably, all the Eagles had to do was beat their 5-4 archrival Holy Cross, and the invitation to the inaugural Gotham Bowl at Yankee Stadium was theirs. However, Boston College could not obtain the win, losing 16-12 to Holy Cross. A red zone fumble in the third quarter on a potential go-ahead drive doomed the Eagles. Ultimately, Holy Cross turned down the Gotham Bowl bid, leaving Oregon State without an opponent.
Boston College would not make its Yankee Stadium debut until 2017. Most Eagles look for redemption for the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl, but a win in a Yankee Stadium bowl has been over six decades in the making.
