The 1942 College All-Star Game
Football’s
annual pre-season classic game was held on August 28, 1942 before a
record-breaking crowd of 101,103 spectators. The lavish pre-game
ceremony included a display by 1700 sailors covering the field with red,
white and blue cardboard pieces to form the national flag in a show of
support for the war effort. The ceremony also included an appearance by
Amos Alonzo Stagg, then 80 years old and was the current coach of the
College of the Pacific. He presented a trophy to George Franck as the
Most Valuable Player of the 1941 College All-Star Game. Also receiving
recognition was Don Hutson of the Green Bay Packers. Commissioner of the
National Football League, Elmer Layden, presented him with the Joe F.
Carr memorial award as the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1941.
Robert Zuppke, the “beloved little Dutchman” of the University of
Illinois coached the 1942 All-Star team against one of his former
pupils, George Halas of the Chicago Bears. Although ten of the Bears’
players had to be given over to the armed forces, Chicago still had the
ability to play superb ball. After the initial kickoff, the All-Stars
moved the ball 8 yards and were then stopped dead. Chicago took control
and ended a 71-yard drive by giving the ball to Hugh Gallarneau who
plunged into the endzone for the first of three Chicago scores in the
game. Notre Dame’s Steve Juzwik was able to return a punt 91 yards late
in the first period giving collegiate fans something to cheer about.
The
second period score for the Bears came after a fumble by the All-Stars,
which set up Chicago on the 23-yard line. Young Bussey, in for Sid
Luckman, passed the ball to end Hampton Pool who caught it at the goal
line and scored. The Bears drove the ball 73 yards in the third quarter
and culminated their
efforts with another touchdown plunge by Gallarneau.
All three conversion points were kicked by veteran tackle Joe Stydahar.
The All-Stars prevented the Bears from scoring in the fourth with an
interception by Tom Farris of Wisconsin. The final score was Chicago
Bears 21, All-Stars 0. Heisman Trophy winner, Bruce Smith of Minnesota
was voted Most Valuable Player for the All-Star team.
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