1942 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

1942 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Orange Bowl Champions
Orange Bowl, W 37–21 vs. Boston College
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Ranking
AP	#10
1942 record	8–3 (4–2 SEC)
Head coach	Frank Thomas
Captain	Joe Domnanovich
Home stadium	Denny Stadium Legion Field Cramton Bowl

1942 SEC football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
#2 Georgia $	6	–	1	–	0			11	–	1	–	0
#5 Georgia Tech	4	–	1	–	0			9	–	2	–	0
#7 Tennessee	4	–	1	–	0			9	–	1	–	1
#18 Mississippi State	5	–	2	–	0			8	–	2	–	0
#10 Alabama	4	–	2	–	0			8	–	3	–	0
LSU	3	–	2	–	0			7	–	3	–	0
#16 Auburn	3	–	3	–	0			6	–	4	–	1
Vanderbilt	2	–	4	–	0			6	–	4	–	0
Florida	1	–	3	–	0			3	–	7	–	0
Tulane	1	–	4	–	0			4	–	5	–	0
Kentucky	0	–	5	–	0			3	–	6	–	1
Ole Miss	0	–	5	–	0			2	–	7	–	0
$ – Conference champion Rankings from AP Poll

The 1942 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") 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 (8–3 overall, 4–2 in the SEC) and with a victory in the Orange Bowl over Boston College.

The Crimson Tide opened the 1942 season with five consecutive victories, four of which were shutouts, and rose to the No. 3 spot in the AP Poll. They outscored their opponents 124 to 6 and defeated Southwestern Louisiana, Mississippi State, a team of former college all-stars playing for the Pensacola NAS, Tennessee and Kentucky. Against No. 2 ranked Georgia, Alabama surrendered a 10–0 fourth quarter lead and lost 21–10 to a Bulldogs squad that went on to capture a share of the 1942 national championship. The Crimson Tide went on to alternate wins and losses over their final four regular season games with victories over both South Carolina and Vanderbilt and losses to Georgia Tech and Georgia Pre-Flight. They then closed the season with a victory over Boston College in the Orange Bowl.

Schedule

Date	Opponent^#	Rank^#	Site	Result	Attendance
September 25	Southwestern Louisiana*		Cramton Bowl • Montgomery, AL	W 54–0
October 3	Mississippi State		Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL (Rivalry)	W 21–6	18,000
October 10	Pensacola NAS*		Murphy High School Stadium • Mobile, AL	W 27–0	8,000
October 17	#15 Tennessee	#4	Legion Field • Birmingham, AL (Third Saturday in October)	W 8–0	25,000
October 24	at Kentucky	#3	McLean Stadium • Lexington, KY	W 14–0	14,000
October 31	at #2 Georgia	#3	Grant Field • Atlanta, GA	L 10–21	33,000
November 7	South Carolina*	#8	Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL	W 29–0	10,000
November 14	at #2 Georgia Tech	#5	Grant Field • Atlanta, GA	L 0–7	32,000
November 21	Vanderbilt	#9	Legion Field • Birmingham, AL	W 27–7	17,000
November 28	Georgia Pre-Flight*	#7	Legion Field • Birmingham, AL	L 19–35	7,000
January 1	vs. #8 Boston College*	#10	Burdine Stadium • Miami, FL (Orange Bowl)	W 37–21	25,166
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. ^#Rankings from AP Poll.

• Source: Rolltide.com: 1942 Alabama football schedule^[1]

Game notes

Southwestern Louisiana

1 2 3 4 Total SW Louisiana 0 0 0 0 0 • Alabama 14 21 13 6 54 Date: September 25 Location: Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL Source:[2]

To open the 1941 season, Alabama defeated the Southwestern Louisiana Institute Bulldogs (now known as the Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns) 54–0 at the Cramton Bowl on a Friday night.^[2][3] After Don Salls recovered a Bobby Voitier fumble on the Bulldogs' opening possession, Salls scored Alabama's first touchdown of the night on a 30-yard run on the possession that ensued.^[2] The Crimson Tide then extended their lead to 14–0 at the end of the first quarter after Russ Mosley threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to George Weeks. In the second quarter, Alabama scored a trio of touchdowns on Kenny Reese runs of 7 and 24-yards and on a 45-yard Norman Mosley run to make the halftime score 35–0.^[2] The second half saw many of Alabama's reserves play and three more touchdowns. In the third-quarter touchdowns were scored by Joe Domnanovich on a 25-yard interception return and on an Al Sabo reception.^[2] The Crimson Tide got their final points in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard Lou Scales touchdown run.^[2] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 2–0.^[4]

Mississippi State

1 2 3 4 Total Mississippi State 0 0 0 6 6 • Alabama 0 0 21 0 21 Date: October 3 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 18,000 Source:[5]

In the first conference game of the season, Alabama defeated Mississippi State 21–6 in what was the first conference loss for the Maroons since the 1939 season.^[3][5] After a scoreless first half, Russ Craft scored all three of the Crimson Tide's touchdowns in the third quarter on runs of 3, 38 and 4-yards.^[5] Mississippi State responded in the fourth quarter with their only points of the afternoon on a 43-yard Billy Murphy touchdown pass to Kermit Davis to make the final score 21–6.^[5] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 20–7–2.^[6]

Pensacola NAS

1 2 3 4 Total Pensacola NAS 0 0 0 0 0 • Alabama 7 6 7 7 27 Date: October 10 Location: Mobile, AL Game attendance: 8,000 Source:[7]

With the outbreak of World War II, many leaders in the military viewed football as a means to help develop leadership abilities and greater discipline in preparation for combat. As such, during this time colleges scheduled military schools and organizations for regular season football games. For their third game of the season, Alabama met the team that represented the Naval Air Station Pensacola at Mobile, and defeated the Goslings 27–0.^[3][7] The game also marked the first for Alabama against a service team since the 1917 season.^[8] In the game, Alabama scored a touchdown in all four quarters and outgained Pensacola in rushing yards 295 to minus 2.^[7] Touchdowns were scored by Russ Craft on a 3-yard run in the first, on a 5-yard Johnny August pass to Al Sabo in the second, Craft on a 6-yard reverse in the third and on a 39-yard Kenny Reese run in the fourth.^[7]

Tennessee

Third Saturday in October

1 2 3 4 Total #15 Tennessee 0 0 0 0 0 • #4 Alabama 0 0 2 6 8 Date: October 17 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 25,000 Source:[9]

After each team opened the season undefeated through the fourth week, Alabama entered the first AP Poll of the season as No. 4 team and Tennessee entered as the No. 15 team.^[10] Due to each team being ranked and the heated rivalry between each other, NBC broadcast the game nationally over 218 radio affiliates and Bill Stern served as commentator.^[11] In the game, Alabama defeated the Volunteers 8–0 before 25,000 fans at Legion Field.^[3][9] After a scoreless first half, the Crimson Tide scored their first points of the game on the opening kickoff of the second half. Alabama took a 2–0 lead after Bob Cifers was tackled in the endzone for a safety.^[9] The only touchdown of the contest was scored in the fourth quarter on a 38-yard Tom Jenkins run.^[9] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 15–8–2.^[12]

Kentucky

1 2 3 4 Total • #3 Alabama 0 0 7 7 14 Kentucky 0 0 0 0 0 Date: October 24 Location: McLean Stadium Lexington, KY Game attendance: 14,000 Source:[13]

After their victory over Tennessee, Alabama moved up one position to the No. 3 spot in the AP Poll prior to their game at Kentucky.^[14] On what was homecoming in Lexington, the Crimson Tide shutout the Wildcats 14–0.^[3][13] After a scoreless first half, touchdowns were scored by Russ Mosley on a 2-yard run in the third and by Lou Scales on a 1-yard run in the fourth.^[13] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky 20–1–1.^[15]

Georgia

1 2 3 4 Total #3 Alabama 7 0 3 0 10 • #2 Georgia 0 0 0 21 21 Date: October 31 Location: Grant Field Atlanta, GA Game attendance: 33,000 Source:[16]

As both Alabama and Georgia were undefeated as they entered their game, both received top five rankings in the weekly AP Poll.^[17] Although the Crimson Tide led 10–0 at the start of the fourth quarter, three late touchdowns gave the Bulldogs the 21–10 victory at Grant Field in Atlanta.^[3][16] Russ Craft scored first for Alabama with his 47-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.^[16] Alabama then extended their lead to 10–0 early in the third quarter when George Hecht kicked a 20-yard field goal.^[16] In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs staged their comeback to win the game 21–10. Fourth-quarter touchdowns were scored on Frank Sinkwich passes of 5 and 13-yards to George Poschner and by Andrew Dudish on a 25-yard fumble return.^[16] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 14–12–3.^[18]

South Carolina

1 2 3 4 Total South Carolina 0 0 0 0 0 • #8 Alabama 13 16 0 0 29 Date: November 7 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 10,000 Source:[19]

After their loss to Georgia, the Crimson Tide dropped five places to the No. 8 position in the weekly AP Poll prior to their game against South Carolina.^[20] On homecoming at Denny Stadium, Alabama defeated the Gamecocks 29–0.^[3][19] Alabama took a 13–0 first quarter lead after Johnny August connected on touchdown passes of 24-yards to Kenny Reese and 38-yards to James Roberts.^[19] They then scored their final 16 points of the game in the second quarter on a 44-yard Russ Craft touchdown run, and 84-yard Dave Brown touchdown run and when the Gamecocks' Ken Roskie was tackled for a safety.^[19] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against South Carolina to 2–0.^[21]

Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total #5 Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 • #2 Georgia Tech 7 0 0 0 7 Date: November 14 Location: Grant Field Atlanta, GA Game attendance: 32,000 Source:[22]

Prior to their second trip to Atlanta of the season, this time to face Georgia Tech, Alabama moved up from the No. 8 position to the No. 5 position in the AP Poll.^[23] Against the Yellow Jackets, the Crimson Tide was shutout 7–0 at Grant Field in a game that saw two dominant defenses.^[3][22] The only points of the game came in the first quarter when Ralph Plaster scored for Georgia Tech on a short run.^[22] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 13–12–3.^[24]

Vanderbilt

1 2 3 4 Total Vanderbilt 0 0 0 7 7 • #9 Alabama 7 7 13 0 27 Date: November 21 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 17,000 Source:[25]

After their loss against Georgia Tech, Alabama dropped down spots to the No. 9 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt.^[26] Against the Commodores, Alabama rebounded from their loss to the Yellow Jackets with a 27–7 victory at Legion Field.^[3][25] First half touchdowns were scored by Johnny August on an 11-yard run in the first quarter and on a 1-yard Tom Jenkins run in the second quarter.^[25] The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 27–0 in the third quarter with touchdowns scored on a 5-yard Dave Brown run and on a 45-yard Bill Baughman interception return.^[25] The Commodores ended the shutout for the Alabama defense in the fourth quarter when Jack Jenkins scored on a 5-yard touchdown run.^[25] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 14–10.^[27]

Georgia Pre-Flight

1 2 3 4 Total • Georgia Pre-Flight 7 7 14 7 35 #7 Alabama 0 0 0 19 19 Date: November 28 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 7,000 Source:[28]

After their victory over Vanderbilt, Alabama moved up two spots to the No. 7 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Georgia Pre-Flight.^[29] Against the Skycrackers, Alabama lost 35–19 at Legion Field to a team that featured several former college stars in addition to former Crimson Tide coach Bear Bryant.^[3][28] The Skycrackers took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter after Thomas White blocked a Russ Mosley quick kick that was returned 40-yards by Darrell Tully for a Georgia touchdown.^[28] Tully then scored the second touchdown on a 9-yard run in the second quarter to cap a 70-yard drive and give the Skycrackers a 14–0 halftime lead.^[28] Georgia extended their lead further to 28–0 at the end of the third quarter with touchdowns on a 25-yard Frank Filchock pass to Bob Foxx and on a Jim Poole reception.^[28] In the fourth quarter, Alabama scored first on a 3-yard Don Salls touchdown run to cut the Georgia lead to 28–6. The Skycrackers responded with a 9-yard Filchock to Poole touchdown pass to extend their lead to 35–6.^[28] Alabama did score the final pair of touchdowns in the game on a 19-yard Tom Jenkins run and on a 21-yard Norman Mosley pass to Jim McWhorter to make the final score 35–19.^[28]

Boston College

Orange Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total • #10 Alabama 0 22 6 9 37 #8 Boston College 14 7 0 0 21 Date: January 1 Location: Burdine Stadium Miami, FL Game attendance: 25,166 Source:[30]

After their loss to Georgia Pre-Flight in their regular season finale, on November 30 Alabama accepted an invitation to play in the Orange Bowl against the Boston College Eagles.^[31] At that time, the final AP Poll was also released with Alabama in the No. 10 position and Boston College in the No. 8 position.^[32] In the Orange Bowl, the Crimson Tide overcame a 14–0 first quarter deficit to defeat the Eagles 37–21.^[30] Boston College took a 14–0 lead with first-quarter touchdowns scored on a 65-yard Mike Holovak pass to Ed Doherty and on a 33-yard Holovak run.^[30] Alabama responded with three consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 19–14 lead on a 14-yard Russ Mosley pass to Wheeler Leeth, a 17-yard Johnny August pass to Ted Cook and on a 40-yard Tom Jenkins run.^[30] The Eagles then scored their final points of the game on a 1-yard Holovak touchdown run before the Crimson Tide took a 22–21 halftime lead on a 15-yard George Hecht field goal.^[30] Alabama went on to shutout the Eagles in the second half and score on a 15-yard August run in the third and on a 1-yard Jenkins run in the fourth. Joe Domnanovich then tackled Harry Connolly for a safety to make the final score 37–21.^[30]

Personnel

Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Jack Aland Birmingham, Alabama Tackle Johnny August Shadyside, Ohio Halfback Andy Bires Ambridge, Pennsylvania End Dave Brown Birmingham, Alabama Halfback Charley Compton Sylacauga, Alabama Tackle Ted Cook Birmingham, Alabama End Russ Craft Beach Bottom, West Virginia Halfback Joe Domnanovich South Bend, Indiana Center Leon Fichman Los Angeles, California Tackle George Gammon Cullman, Alabama Halfback George Hecht Chicago Heights, Illinois Guard Tom Jenkins Talladega, Alabama Fullback Wheeler Leeth Boaz, Alabama End Tony Leon Follansbee, West Virginia Guard Jack McKewen Birmingham, Alabama Tackle Ted McKosky Monessen, Pennsylvania Guard Jim McWhorter Athens, Georgia Quarterback Norman Mosley Blytheville, Arkansas Halfback Russ Mosley Blytheville, Arkansas Halfback Mitchell Olenski Vestal, New York Tackle Kenny Reese El Dorado, Arkansas Halfback George Richeson Russellville, Alabama Tackle James Roberts Blytheville, Arkansas End Al Sabo Los Angeles, California Quarterback Don Salls White Plains, New York Fullback Lou Scales Glencoe, Alabama Fullback Sam Sharpe Birmingham, Alabama End John Staples Owensboro, Kentucky Guard George Weeks Dothan, Alabama End Don Whitmire Decatur, Alabama Guard Reference:[33]

Coaching staff Name Position Seasons at Alabama Alma Mater Frank Thomas Head coach 12 Notre Dame (1923) Lew Bostick Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1939) Paul Burnum Assistant coach 13 Alabama (1922) Pete Cawthon Assistant coach 1 Southwestern (1918) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 22 VPI (1920) Jess Foshee Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1939) Julius Papais Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1942) Reference:[34]

After the season

NFL Draft

Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1942 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) between the 1943 and 1945 drafts.^[35][36] These players included the following:

Year	Round	Overall	Player name	Position	NFL team
1943	4	28	Domnanovich, JoeJoe Domnanovich	Center	Brooklyn Dodgers
	5	33	Hecht, GeorgeGeorge Hecht	Guard	Chicago Cardinals
	8	70	Leon, TonyTony Leon	Guard	Washington Redskins
	14	122	Weeks, GeorgeGeorge Weeks	End	Philadelphia Eagles
	14	125	Sharpe, SamSam Sharpe	End	Cleveland Rams
	15	132	Craft, RussRuss Craft	Back	Philadelphia Eagles
	25	236	Brown, DaveDave Brown	Back	New York Giants
	29	274	Sabo, AlAl Sabo	Back	Brooklyn Dodgers
1944	9	78	Olenski, MitchellMitchell Olenski	Tackle	Brooklyn Tigers
	9	82	Whitmire, DonDon Whitmire	Tackle	Green Bay Packers
	22	221	Cook, TedTed Cook	End	Brooklyn Tigers
	27	279	Bires, AndyAndy Bires	End	New York Giants
	27	281	McKewan, JackJack McKewan	Tackle	Chicago Bears
1945	8	70	August, JohnnyJohnny August	Back	Cleveland Rams
	13	125	Aland, JackJack Aland	Tackle	Cleveland Rams
	17	170	Jenkins, TomTom Jenkins	Back	Washington Redskins
	18	181	McWhorter, JimJim McWhorter	Back	Detroit Lions
	23	239	Mosley, NormanNorman Mosley	Back	Philadelphia Eagles
	30	312	Compton, CharleyCharley Compton	Tackle	Cleveland Rams
	31	322	Reese, KenKen Reese	Back	Philadelphia Eagles
	32	329	Staples, JohnJohn Staples	Guard	New York Giants

References

General

• "1942 Season Recap" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved June 10, 2012.

Specific

1. "1942 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
2. "Alabama opens season with 54–0 'warm-up' over SLI Bulldogs". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). September 27, 1942. p. 10. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
3. 1942 Season Recap
4. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Louisiana–Lafayette". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
5. "Crimson Tide drowns State title hopes with 21 to 6 triumph". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). October 4, 1942. p. 6. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
6. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
7. "Tide power downs Fliers 27–0". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). October 11, 1942. p. 8. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
8. "Tide to meet service team". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). October 7, 1942. p. 7. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
9. "Alabama rallies in last half to down Tennessee 8–0". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). October 18, 1942. p. 7. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
10. "Tide ranked fourth in U.S.". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). October 13, 1942. p. 7. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
11. "Tide-Vol game to go overseas". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). October 12, 1942. p. 8. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
12. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
13. "Tide continues unbeaten, whipping Kentucky 14–0". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). October 25, 1942. p. 6. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
14. Claassen, Harold (October 20, 1942). "Alabama is ranked third in AP scribes' voting". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
15. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Kentucky". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
16. "Georgia's passes defeat Bama in furious last period, 21–10". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). November 1, 1942. p. 10. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
17. "Ohio State holds top spot". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). Associated Press. October 27, 1942. p. 7. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
18. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
19. "Tide stages offensive show to beat Gamecocks". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). November 8, 1942. p. 10. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
20. Claassen, Harold (November 3, 1942). "Georgia takes first in poll". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). Associated Press. p. 7. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
21. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs South Carolina". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
22. "Tech's first period touchdown stands against Tide onslaught". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). November 15, 1942. p. 6. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
23. "Georgia holds first in poll". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). Associated Press. November 10, 1942. p. 7. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
24. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia Tech". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
25. "Bama Tiders roll over Commodores 27–7". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). November 22, 1942. p. 6. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
26. Claassen, Harold (November 17, 1942). "Georgia clings to poll lead". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). Associated Press. p. 7. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
27. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
28. "Georgia cadets defeat Bama in finale 35–19". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). November 29, 1942. p. 10. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
29. Bealmear, Austin (November 24, 1942). "Boston College is No. 1 team". The Tuscaloosa News (Google News Archives). Associated Press. p. 7. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
30. "Alabama's victory Tide starts home in 2 groups". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. January 3, 1943. p. 12. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
31. "Tide, Eagles to meet in Miami". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. December 1, 1942. p. 7. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
32. "Ohio State wins final AP Poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. December 1, 1942. p. 7. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
33. "All-Time Tide Football Lettermen". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. pp. 127–141.
34. "All-Time Assistant Coaches". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. pp. 142–143.
35. "Alabama Drafted Players/Alumni". Sports Reference, LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
36. "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League. Retrieved March 16, 2013.