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The 1940 College All-Star Game |
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The all-stars, 69 players seasoned by four years of college football, moved into Soldier field last night, forewarned and presumably forearmed for the prowess of the mighty Packers' dazzling overhead attack. But their advance information was useless. The Packers put on one of the most sparkling exhibitions of passing in the history of football, pro or amateur, whipping the All-Stars, 45 to 28, in the seventh game of this series. The victory gave the pros a three to two edge, two games being ties.
The 84,567 spectators, a record breaking crowd, were shocked in the first minutes to see the amateurs drive to a touchdown in the wild scoring fray. Amby Schindler of Southern California set up the tally with an intercepted pass (video), and then scored on a six-yard dash inside right tackle (video). Nile Kinnick, Iowa's sensational star of 1939, dropkicked the point and the All-Stars seemed to be off to victory matching that of 1937 over the Packers.
Then the Packers struck in the style characteristic of their pro campaigns which have brought them five national titles. Cecil Isbell, one time Purdue star, lost 19 yards on an attempted pass, putting the Packers on their own 21. Hutson, who holds all the league pass-catching records worth mentioning, then raced down the middle, took a perfect 51-yard pass on the run and footed the remaining 30 yards for the tying touchdown (video).
Less than two minutes later, the Packers recovered a fumble on the All-Stars' 26 and Isbell shot a touchdown pass to Carl Mulleneaux, an end. But the All-Stars refused to be daunted, driving 36 yards for the tying tally, Kenny Washington, U.C.L.A. Negro star, going over on a spinner.
Again the Packers went ahead with tantalizing ease. Taking the ball on their own 35, the Packers scored in three plays. Arnold Herber, Green Bay's ace passer for a decade, tossed a short one to Andy Uram who galloped 46 yards for the score (video). Near the end of the period Isbell hit Hutson in the end zone with a 35-yard pass.
This gave the pros a 28-14 bulge and the All-Stars never recovered although they pulled up within touchdown of the Packers in the same period when a Kinnick-McFadden aerial netted 57 yards.
But Hutson still hadn't finished his amazing performance. Midway in the third period he took a 17-yard bullet pass from Herber and romped 12 more yards to Green Bay's fifth touchdown. The All-Stars, showing marvelous spirit against the odds, again cracked the Packers, Schindler climaxing a 46-yard attack by smacking the line for a touchdown.
Thus threatened, the Packers cut loose again from their own 20, running and passing to the all-stars' 25 where Paul Engebretsen booted a field goal. Just to polish off the night's work Isbell sparked another drive and rounded right end for the final score.
Highest number of punts returned:
7 – Green Bay |
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Iowa's Nile Kinnick carries with Indiana's James Logan (71) leading the way.
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Lambeau vs. the All Stars Cartoon from Chicago Tribune.
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Chicago,
Aug. 29, 1940 (AP)- Now the college boys know only too well why the
Green Bay Packers and their excellent end, fleet Don Hutson, are
the scourge of the National Football league.
