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The 1942 College All-Star Game |
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George Halas' world professional champions gained an impressive 21 to 0 victory over the college All-Stars Friday night on fog-shrouded Soldier's field to turn back the latest challenge to their leadership in the grid kingdom.
In the nine games of this pre-season classic there have been more lopsided scores, but never a contest in which the issue was settled earlier or the superiority of the victor more pronounced.
The Bears scored the first time they got their hands on the ball and had the all-stars back on their heels most of the time thereafter.
The All-Stars had three excellent scoring opportunities, but they couldn't cash in on any of them. The collegians used 14 backfield men, but not one of them could provide the big punch in the clutch. On the other hand, the Bears had two burly ball carriers who could get the yardage when it meant most- "Bullet Bill" Osmanski, the former Holy Cross star, and Hugh Gallarneau, ex-Stanford ace.
Osmanski was the fullback who ripped the All-Stars' line apart almost every time he was given the ball. Gallarneau mauled his way through on two short drives for touchdowns.
Osmanski's part in the Bears' victory was indicated plainly by his work in the first touchdown drive. The Bears moved 60 yards in 12 plays to reach the goal and, on eight of those ball-carrying assignments, it was "Bullet Bill" who carried the ball. The score came, however, on a four-yard plunge by Gallarneau (video).
After scoring their opening touchdown by straight power plays, the Bears switched their type of attack to get their second score. This touchdown came with only 15 seconds of the second period remaining to play and was on a 23-yard forward pass from Young Bussey to Pool (video).
Not once during the initial scoring drive did Quarterback Luckman elect to lay aside his power plays to take to the air. It was straight-down-the-middle-we-come-stuff and it worked to perfection.
The Bears then combined their two offensive styles for their final marker in the third quarter. In this drive the Bruins covered 70 yards in four plays. The key play was a pass from Luckman to Pool that gained 55 yards and put the ball on the collegians' 11-yard stripe. From their Nolting picked up four yards and Gallarneau covered the remaining distance on the next play.
Joe Stydahar, the big tackle with an accurate toe, added the points after each touchdown by placement.
The victory was the fifth in the nine games of the series for the professional representative and their fourth in a row. The collegians have not won since 1938.
By virtue of the triumph the Bears kept their record in the pre-season classic inviolate. Friday night's game was their fourth in the series they have gained three victories and played one tie with the All-Stars.
The Bears dominated play throughout the contest and the issue was never in doubt after the professional champs hung up their first touchdown in the opening period.
Osmanski was the hero of that initial scoring drive. After the All-Stars had received the opening kickoff and failed to gain, Bruce Smith punted to Gallarneau who was brought down on his own 40-yard line after a 15-yard return.
The All-Stars had the best scoring chance in the first period when a brilliant 84-yard punt return by Steve Juzwik of Notre Dame put the ball on the Bears' six-yard line (video). In four plays the collegians couldn't advance it an inch, however. In the third quarter the All-Stars reached the eight-yard stripe before their attack fizzled and again in the same period they moved to the 16-yard line before an intercepted pass shut the scoring door.
If the score isn't indication of the Bears' superiority over the All-Stars forces tutored by the veteran Bob Zuppke, consider the statistics:
The Bears rolled up 18 first downs to seven for the All-Stars and gained 471 yards by rushing and passing to 113 for the collegians. The All-Stars had only a net of 26 yards to show for their attempts to crack the big Bear forward wall by rushing.
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Hugh Gallarneau carries for the Bears. |
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Notre Dame's Steve Juzwik on 84 yard kick return. |
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CHICAGO,
August 28, 1942 (U.P.)- The Chicago Bears remain monarchs of all they
survey in the football world.
