The 1942 Alabama squad finished the regular season 8–3 with losses coming to theGeorgia Bulldogs,Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Georgia Navy Pre-Flight (anall-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]
The 1942 Boston College squad entered their final game of the regular season against the rivalHoly 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]
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-AmericanfullbackMike Holovak scored both first-quarter touchdowns for the Eagles on a 65-yard reception fromEdward 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 fromRuss Mosley and Ted Cook had Alabama's second score on a 17-yard reception from Johnny August. George Hecht missed bothextra 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 Hechtfield goal at the end of the end of the quarter giving Alabama a 22–21 lead athalftime.[4]
In the second half, the Alabama defenseshutout 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 byJoe Domnanovich in the endzone for asafety on a failedpunt attempt.[4]
