1942 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1942 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference SEC 10 8–3 4–2 Frank Thomas 12th Joe Domnanovich Denny StadiumLegion FieldCramton Bowl Orange Bowl champion Orange Bowl W Won 37–21 vs. Boston College 1944 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 1942 AP September 25 w y Southwestern Louisiana Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL 54–0 October 3 w Mississippi State Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 21–6 18,000 October 10 w y Pensacola NAS Murphy High School Stadium Mobile, AL 27–0 8,000–10,000 October 17 w 4 Tennessee 15 Legion Field Birmingham, AL Third Saturday in October 8–0 25,000 October 24 w y 3 Kentucky McLean Stadium Lexington, KY 14–0 14,000 October 31 l y 3 Georgia 2 Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry 10–21 32,000–33,000 November 7 w y y 8 South Carolina Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 29–0 10,000 November 14 l y 5 Georgia Tech 2 Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry 0–7 32,000 November 21 w 9 Vanderbilt Legion Field Birmingham, AL 27–7 17,000 November 28 l y 7 Georgia Pre-Flight Legion Field Birmingham, AL 19–35 7,000 January 1, 1943 w y y 10 Boston College 8 Burdine Stadium Miami, FL Orange Bowl 37–21 25,166 http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html#1942 1942 Alabama football schedule RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics June 10, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111125000700/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html November 25, 2011 Rankings 1942 college football rankings AP 1 8 4 (10) 3 (8) 3 (6) 8 5 9 7 10 Game summaries Southwestern Louisiana 1942 Southwestern Louisiana Bulldogs football team SW Louisiana 0 0 0 0 Alabama 14 21 13 6 September 25 Cramton BowlMontgomery, AL Source:Alabama opens season with 54–0 'warm-up' over SLI Bulldogs https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rvU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6456%2C3622856 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News September 27, 1942 10 June 10, 2012 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.1942 Season Recap 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. 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. 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. The Crimson Tide got their final points in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard Lou Scales touchdown run. Mississippi State 1942 Mississippi State Maroons football team Mississippi State 0 0 0 6 Alabama 0 0 21 0 October 3 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 18,000 Source:Crimson Tide drowns State title hopes with 21 to 6 triumph https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tPU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6487%2C3928897 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News 6 October 4, 1942 June 10, 2012 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. 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. 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. Pensacola NAS Pensacola NAS 0 0 0 0 Alabama 7 6 7 7 October 10 Mobile, AL 8,000–10,000 Source:Tide power downs Fliers 27–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uvU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6442%2C4244243 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News 8 October 11, 1942 June 10, 2012Alabama Defeats Pensacola Team The Philadelphia Inquirer October 11, 1942 38 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17960325/alabama_defeats_pensacola_team/ Newspapers.com 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. The game also marked the first for Alabama against a service team since the 1917 season.Tide to meet service team https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=t_U-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6435%2C4090253 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News 7 October 7, 1942 June 10, 2012 In the game, Alabama scored a touchdown in all four quarters and outgained Pensacola in rushing yards 295 to minus 2. 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. Tennessee 1942 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October #15 Tennessee 0 0 0 0 #4 Alabama 0 0 2 6 October 17 Legion Field Birmingham, AL 25,000 Source:Alabama rallies in last half to down Tennessee 8–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v_U-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6437%2C4504104 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 18, 1942 7 June 10, 2012 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.Tide ranked fourth in U.S. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vPU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4265%2C4337422 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 13, 1942 7 June 10, 2012 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.Tide-Vol game to go overseas https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vPU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6466%2C4302530 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 12, 1942 8 June 10, 2012 In the game, Alabama defeated the Volunteers 8–0 before 25,000 fans at Legion Field. 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. The only touchdown of the contest was scored in the fourth quarter on a 38-yard Tom Jenkins run. Kentucky 1942 Kentucky Wildcats football team #3 Alabama 0 0 7 7 Kentucky 0 0 0 0 October 24 McLean StadiumLexington, KY 14,000 Source:Tide continues unbeaten, whipping Kentucky 14–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xfU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6487%2C4816725 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 25, 1942 6 June 10, 2012 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.Alabama is ranked third in AP scribes' voting https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wfU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5015%2C4632449 Harold Claassen Associated Press Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 20, 1942 9 June 10, 2012 On what was homecoming in Lexington, the Crimson Tide shutout the Wildcats 14–0. 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. Georgia 1942 Georgia Bulldogs football team #3 Alabama 7 0 3 0 #2 Georgia 0 0 0 21 October 31 Grant FieldAtlanta, GA 32,000–33,000 Source:Georgia Wins, 21-10, To Take Front Rank In Nation's Grid List The Atlanta Constitution Jack Troy November 1, 1942 1A, 6B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99031959/georgia-wins-21-10-to-take-front-rank/ Newspapers.comGeorgia's passes defeat Bama in furious last period, 21–10 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y_U-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6427%2C5159509 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 1, 1942 10 June 9, 2012 As both Alabama and Georgia were undefeated as they entered their game, both received top five rankings in the weekly AP Poll.Ohio State holds top spot https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=x_U-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5138%2C4937416 Associated Press Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 27, 1942 7 June 10, 2012 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. Russ Craft scored first for Alabama with his 47-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Alabama then extended their lead to 10–0 early in the third quarter when George Hecht kicked a 20-yard field goal. 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. South Carolina 1942 South Carolina Gamecocks football team South Carolina 0 0 0 0 #8 Alabama 13 16 0 0 November 7 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 10,000 Source:Tide stages offensive show to beat Gamecocks https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0fU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6420%2C5455045 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News 10 November 8, 1942 June 10, 2012 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.Georgia takes first in poll https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zfU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6433%2C5251914 Harold Claassen Associated Press Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News 7 November 3, 1942 June 10, 2012 On homecoming at Denny Stadium, Alabama defeated the Gamecocks 29–0. 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. 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. Georgia Tech 1942 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team #5 Alabama 0 0 0 0 #2 Georgia Tech 7 0 0 0 November 14 Grant FieldAtlanta, GA 32,000 Source:Tech's first period touchdown stands against Tide onslaught https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1_U-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6531%2C5730284 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 15, 1942 6 June 10, 2012 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.Georgia holds first in poll https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0_U-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5440%2C5549738 Associated Press Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 10, 1942 7 June 10, 2012 Against the Yellow Jackets, the Crimson Tide was shutout 7–0 at Grant Field in a game that saw two dominant defenses. The only points of the game came in the first quarter when Ralph Plaster scored for Georgia Tech on a short run. Vanderbilt 1942 Vanderbilt Commodores football team Vanderbilt 0 0 0 7 #9 Alabama 7 7 13 0 November 21 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 17,000 Source:Bama Tiders roll over Commodores 27–7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2vU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6454%2C6027412 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 22, 1942 6 June 10, 2012 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.Georgia clings to poll lead https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2fU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4928%2C5852743 Harold Claassen Associated Press Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 17, 1942 7 June 10, 2012 Against the Commodores, Alabama rebounded from their loss to the Yellow Jackets with a 27–7 victory at Legion Field. 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. 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. The Commodores ended the shutout for the Alabama defense in the fourth quarter when Jack Jenkins scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. Georgia Pre-Flight Georgia Pre-Flight 7 7 14 7 #7 Alabama 0 0 0 19 November 28 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 7,000 Source:Georgia cadets defeat Bama in finale 35–19 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3_U-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6464%2C6340448 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 29, 1942 10 June 10, 2012 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.Boston College is No. 1 team https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3PU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6463%2C6147473 Austin Bealmear Associated Press Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 24, 1942 7 June 10, 2012 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 player and future coach Bear Bryant. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Boston College 1942 Boston College Eagles football team 1943 Orange Bowl Orange Bowl #10 Alabama 0 22 6 9 #8 Boston College 14 7 0 0 January 1 Burdine StadiumMiami, FL 25,166 Source:Alabama's victory Tide starts home in 2 groups https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=I9U-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=wkwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4669%2C102934 Associated Press The Tuscaloosa News 12 January 3, 1943 June 10, 2012 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.Tide, Eagles to meet in Miami https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4fU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6473%2C6462418 Associated Press The Tuscaloosa News 7 December 1, 1942 June 10, 2012 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.Ohio State wins final AP Poll https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4fU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4987%2C6463982 Associated Press The Tuscaloosa News 7 December 1, 1942 June 10, 2012 In the Orange Bowl, the Crimson Tide overcame a 14–0 first quarter deficit to defeat the Eagles 37–21. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 Charles 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 GuardReference:2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2011 All-Time Tide Football Lettermen University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama 127–141 Coaching staff Name Position Seasons atAlabama 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:2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2011 All-Time Assistant Coaches University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama 142–143 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.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/colleges/alabama/drafted.htm Alabama Drafted Players/Alumni April 7, 2012 Sports Reference, LLC Pro-Football-Reference.comNational Football League http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?abbr=A&collegeName=Alabama&abbrFlag=0&type=school Draft History by School–Alabama March 16, 2013 July 15, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140715084011/http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?abbr=A&collegeName=Alabama&abbrFlag=0&type=school dead These players included the following: Year Round Overall Player name Position NFL team1943 4 28 Joe Domnanovich Center Brooklyn Dodgers 5 33 George Hecht 1 Guard Chicago Cardinals 8 70 Tony Leon Tony Leon (American football) Guard Washington Redskins 14 122 George Weeks George Weeks (American football) End Philadelphia Eagles 14 125 Sam Sharpe 1 End Cleveland Rams 15 132 Russ Craft Back Philadelphia Eagles 25 236 Dave Brown 1 Back New York Giants 29 274 Al Sabo 1 Back Brooklyn Dodgers1944 9 78 Mitchell Olenski Tackle Brooklyn Tigers 9 82 Don Whitmire Tackle Green Bay Packers 22 221 Ted Cook Ted Cook (American football) End Brooklyn Tigers 27 279 Andy Bires 1 End New York Giants 27 281 Jack McKewan 1 Tackle Chicago Bears1945 8 70 Johnny August 1 Back Cleveland Rams 13 125 Jack Aland 1 Tackle Cleveland Rams 17 170 Tom Jenkins 1 Back Washington Redskins 18 181 Jim McWhorter 1 Back Detroit Lions 23 239 Norman Mosley 1 Back Philadelphia Eagles 30 312 Charles Compton 1 Tackle Cleveland Rams 31 322 Ken Reese 1 Back Philadelphia Eagles 32 329 John Staples 1 Guard New York Giants See also 1943 Alabama Informals football team the team that unofficially represented the University of Alabama in 1943. References General http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/42-m-footbl-recaps.pdf 1942 Season Recap RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics June 10, 2012 PDF April 25, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140425164539/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/42-m-footbl-recaps.pdf dead Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Category:Orange Bowl champion seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football