1942 BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES,
#1 COLLEGE TEAM IN THE EAST ...

The Boston College Eagles were undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the land as they headed into the final game of the season against Holy Cross on November 28th.  The Crusaders pulled one of the biggest upsets in college football history that day by upending B.C. by a 55-12 score. 

Many of the B.C. players and fans were so bitterly disappointed that a planned "victory party" at Boston' Coconut Grove restaurant was cancelled   That night the Coconut Grove was destroyed by a fire that killed 492 people.  The team did get an invitation to play in the Orange Bowl and received the Lambert Trophy for their supremacy in Eastern college athletics for the second time in three years.  World War II did have it's affects on football at B.C.  Due to transportation difficulties the Eagles were forced to play their entire schedule at Fenway Park, and because of the manpower shortage, the "Freshman Rule" was abolished and the youngsters were permitted to perform shoulder to shoulder with the upperclassmen.

Denny Myers, in his second year as head coach, emphasized the necessity for proper conditioning in the summer drills and this rigid training paid off with decisive victories in the fall.  The Eagles proved conclusively that they had mastered the speed and deception of the "t" formation as they rode rough shod over eight opponents before being humbled by Holy Cross.  Coach Myers' men were unstoppable on two occasions, these being the amazing lopsided triumphs over Georgetown (47-0) and Fordham (56-6).

Co-captains Fred Naumetz and Mike Holovak brought the curtain down on their college careers in a blaze of glory.  Holovak, along with stellar end Don Currivan were chosen unanimously as All-Americans, while Naumetz, along with Gil Bouley and Rocco Canale, were frequently honored with other awards.  Other members to be honored are Mickey Connolly, the unsung hero who played a major role in every game and courageous Wally Boudreau who capably directed his second string "Junior Commandos".  Al Florentino was an outstanding guard with Joe Repko at tackle.  It was an interesting team with an offense that could explode at any time and from any position on the field.  Whether it be a quick thrust up the middle, an end sweep following a clever lateral, or a long forward pass, the squad could score from anywhere.