1943 Orange Bowl

1943 Orange Bowl
1943 Orange Bowl
9th Orange Bowl
Alabama Crimson Tide	Boston College Eagles
(7–3)	(8–1)
SEC	Independent
37	21
Head coach: ; Frank Thomas	Head coach: ; Denny Myers
	AP
	10
	AP
	8
Date	January 1, 1943
Season	1942
Stadium	Burdine Stadium
Location	Miami, Florida
Referee	L.L. McMasters (SEC)
Attendance	25,166
Orange Bowl
< 1942	1944 >

Last updated February 12, 2024

The 1943 Orange Bowl, part of the 1942 bowl game season, took place on January 1, 1943, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Boston College Eagles, competing as a football independent. Alabama won the game 37–21.

Teams

Alabama

The 1942 Alabama squad finished the regular season 8–3 with losses coming to the Georgia Bulldogs, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Georgia Navy Pre-Flight (an all-star team of military personnel). The Monday following the 35–19 defeat against Georgia Navy Pre-Flight, Alabama accepted a bid to play in the Orange Bowl on New Years Day.^[1] The appearance marked the first for Alabama in the Orange Bowl, and their seventh overall.^[1]

Boston College

The 1942 Boston College squad entered their final game of the regular season against the rival Holy Cross Crusaders ranked No. 1 with a perfect record of 8–0.^[2] In the contest, the Crusaders upset the heavily favored Eagles by a final score of 55–12 resulting in Boston College losing their No. 1 ranking and finishing the regular season with a record of 8–1.^[2] The following Monday, the Eagles accepted a bid to play in the Orange Bowl on New Years Day.^[1] The appearance marked the first for Boston College in the Orange Bowl, and their third overall.^[1]

Game summary

Looking to rebound from their loss to Holy Cross in the regular season finale, Boston College was looking for redemption against the Crimson Tide.^[3] With this mindset entering the game, the Eagles raced to a 14–0 first quarter lead.^[4] All-American fullback Mike Holovak scored both first-quarter touchdowns for the Eagles on a 65-yard reception from Edward Doherty and on a 33-yard run.^[4] Alabama responded with a 22 point second quarter to take a 22–21 lead at the half. Wheeler Leeth scored the Crimson Tide's first points on a 14-yard touchdown reception from Russ Mosley and Ted Cook had Alabama's second score on a 17-yard reception from Johnny August. George Hecht missed both extra points and Alabama only trailed by two 14–12.^[4] The teams then traded touchdown with Bama scoring on a 40-yard Tom Jenkins run and Boston College on a one-yard Mike Holovak run with a 15-yard George Hecht field goal at the end of the end of the quarter giving Alabama a 22–21 lead at halftime.^[4]

In the second half, the Alabama defense shutout the Boston College offense, and the offense scored two more touchdowns. Johnny August reached the endzone on a 15-yard touchdown run in the third and Tom Jenkins on a one-yard run in the fourth.^[4] The final points of the game came late in the fourth when on a punt the Eagles' Harry Connolly was tackled by Joe Domnanovich in the endzone for a safety on a failed punt attempt.^[4]

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	Alabama	Boston College
1	13:35		67 yards, 2 plays		Boston College	Mike Holovak 65-yard touchdown reception from Edward Doherty, Harry Connolly kick good	0	7
1			74 yards, 8 plays		Boston College	Mike Holovak 33-yard touchdown run, Harry Connolly kick good	0	14
2			60 yards, 10 plays		Alabama	Wheeler Leeth 14-yard touchdown reception from Russ Mosley, George Hecht kick no good	6	14
2			33 yards, 4 plays		Alabama	Ted Cook 17-yard touchdown reception from Johnny August, George Hecht kick no good	12	14
2			58 yards, 4 plays		Alabama	Tom Jenkins 40-yard touchdown run, George Hecht kick good	19	14
2			58 yards, 4 plays		Boston College	Mike Holovak 1-yard touchdown run, Harry Connolly kick good	19	21
2			50 yards, 6 plays		Alabama	15-yard field goal by George Hecht	22	21
3			54 yards, 6 plays		Alabama	Johnny August 15-yard touchdown run, George Hecht kick no good	28	21
4			68 yards, 11 plays		Alabama	Tom Jenkins 1-yard touchdown run, George Hecht kick good	35	21
4					Alabama	Harry Connolly tackled in end zone for a safety by Joe Domnanovich	37	21
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							37	21

Related Research Articles

The 1973 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1973 NCAA Division I football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 79th overall and 40th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 16th year at his alma mater and 29th overall as a head coach, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with eleven wins and one loss, as SEC champions and with a loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.

The 1972 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1972 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 78th overall season and 39th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 15th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with ten wins and two losses, as SEC champions and with a loss to Texas in the Cotton Bowl Classic.

The 1960 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1960 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 66th overall and 27th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his third year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished with a record of eight wins, one loss and two ties and with a tie against Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl.

The 1962 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1962 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 68th overall and 29th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his fifth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with ten wins and one loss and with a victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.

The 1964 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1964 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 70th overall and 31st season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his seventh year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished the season with ten wins and one loss, as SEC champions and with a loss to Texas in the Orange Bowl. As the major wire services at that time awarded their national champions prior to the bowl season, Alabama was also recognized as national champions by the AP and UPI before their loss to Texas. After the bowl games, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) named the undefeated Arkansas Razorbacks as the national champions.

The 1965 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1965 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 71st overall and 32nd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his eighth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished season with nine wins, one loss and one tie, as SEC champions and with a victory over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. Alabama was also recognized as national champions by the AP Poll after their Orange Bowl win.

The 1968 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1968 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 74th overall and 35th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 11th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished season with eight wins and three losses and with a loss against Missouri in the Gator Bowl.

The 1952 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1952 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 58th overall and 19th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Harold Drew, in his sixth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham, Ladd Stadium in Mobile and at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. They finished with a record of ten wins and two losses and with a victory over Syracuse in the Orange Bowl.

The 1926 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1926 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 33rd overall and 5th season as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon). The team was led by head coach Wallace Wade, in his fourth year, and played their home games at Denny Field in Tuscaloosa, at Rickwood Field in Birmingham and at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of nine wins, zero losses and one tie, as Southern Conference champions. They tied undefeated Stanford in the Rose Bowl. The 1926 Alabama team was retroactively named as the 1926 national champion by Berryman QPRS, Billingsley Report, College Football Researchers Association, and Poling System, and as a co-national champion by the Helms Athletic Foundation and National Championship Foundation. The team was ranked No. 9 in the nation in the Dickinson System ratings released in December 1926.

The 1936 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1936 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 43rd overall and 4th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his sixth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of eight wins, zero losses, and one tie.

The 1941 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1941 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 48th overall and 9th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his 11th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of nine wins and two losses and with a victory in the Cotton Bowl Classic over Texas A&M. Alabama also claims a share of the 1941 national championship due to its selection as national champion by the Houlgate System.

The 1942 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1942 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 49th overall and 10th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his 12th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. They finished the season with a record of eight wins and three losses and with a victory in the Orange Bowl over Boston College.

The 1944 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1944 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 50th overall and 11th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his 13th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. They finished the season with a record of five wins, two losses and two ties and with a loss in the Sugar Bowl against Duke.

The 1945 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1945 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 51st overall and 12th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his 14th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. They finished with a perfect season and with a victory in the Rose Bowl over USC. This team was the second season of the "War Babies" as coined by head coach Thomas.

The 1946 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1946 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 52nd overall and 13th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his 15th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. They finished with a record of seven wins and four losses.

The 1947 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1947 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 53rd overall and 14th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Harold Drew, in his first year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished with a record of eight wins and three losses and with a loss in the Sugar Bowl.

The 1948 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1948 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 54th overall and 15th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Harold Drew, in his second year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished with a record of six wins, four losses and one tie.

The 1988 John Hancock Sun Bowl, part of the 1988 bowl game season, took place on December 24, 1988, at the Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and the Army Cadets, competing as a football independent. The game put Alabama's air attack against Army's ground attack, and ended with Alabama just edging past Army in the fourth quarter to win the game 29–28.

The 1953 Orange Bowl, part of the 1952 bowl game season, took place on January 1, 1953, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Syracuse Orangemen, competing as a football independent. Alabama won the game by a record margin of 61–6. The 55-point margin of victory remained the largest for a bowl game until the 2008 GMAC Bowl, and still stands as the largest margin of victory for an Alabama football team in a bowl game.

The 1969 Liberty Bowl, part of the 1969 bowl game season, took place on Saturday, December 13, at Memphis Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. The competing teams in the eleventh edition of the Liberty Bowl were the Alabama Crimson Tide of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and the Colorado Buffaloes of the Big Eight Conference. Favored by a point, Colorado won 47–33.

References

1 2 3 4 "Tide, Eagles meet in Miami". The Tuscaloosa News. December 1, 1942. p. 7. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
1 2 King, Bill (November 29, 1942). "Holy Cross routes Boston 55–12". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Press. p. 24. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
↑ "Boston Eagles anxious to redeem themselves". The Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. December 1, 1942. p. 6. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
1 2 3 4 5 6 "Alabama's victory tide starts home in 2 groups". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. January 3, 1943. p. 12. Retrieved January 9, 2011.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[TCLDecember_1,_1942-1] 1 2 3 4 "Tide, Eagles meet in Miami". The Tuscaloosa News. December 1, 1942. p. 7. Retrieved January 9, 2011.

[November_29,_1942-2] 1 2 King, Bill (November 29, 1942). "Holy Cross routes Boston 55–12". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Press. p. 24. Retrieved January 9, 2011.

[MKEDecember_1,_1942-3] "Boston Eagles anxious to redeem themselves". The Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. December 1, 1942. p. 6. Retrieved January 9, 2011.

[TCLJanuary_3,_1943-4] 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Alabama's victory tide starts home in 2 groups". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. January 3, 1943. p. 12. Retrieved January 9, 2011.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

v t e Orange Bowl
History & conference tie-ins	History Miami Orange Bowl Hard Rock Stadium College Football Playoff Broadcasters Atlantic Coast Conference Big Ten Conference Southeastern Conference Notre Dame
Games	1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 (January) 1996 (December) 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 (January) 2014 (December) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021 (January) 2021 (December) 2022 2023
Notes	The game was also the national title game (Bowl Coalition, Bowl Alliance, or Bowl Championship Series) in 1994, 1995, 1998, 2001, and 2005. There was an Orange Bowl in January and December in 1996, 2014, and 2021. The 2015, 2018, and 2021 (December) editions were College Football Playoff semifinals.