1940 Cotton Bowl Classic

1940 Cotton Bowl Classic
Banks McFadden carries the ball for Clemson
Clemson Tigers Boston College Eagles
(8–1) (9–1)
6 3
Head coach: 
Jess Neely		 Head coach: 
Frank Leahy
AP
12
AP
11
1234 Total
Clemson 0600 6
Boston College 0300 3
Date January 1, 1940
Season 1939
Stadium Cotton Bowl
Location Dallas, Texas
MVP Banks McFadden
(Back, Clemson)
Favorite Clemson
Attendance 15,000
Payout US$15,000

The 1940 Cotton Bowl Classic was the fourth edition of the postseason college football bowl game, between the Clemson Tigers and the Boston College Eagles.[1] It was played on Monday, January 1, 1940, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas.[2][3]

Background

Texas A&M, the 1939 SWC Champion, declined to be in this game, instead playing in the Sugar Bowl. Tennessee of the SEC and Oklahoma of the Big Six also declined this game. Fearing for the longevity of the game, J. Curtis Sanford strove to keep the bowl game alive, extending invites to Clemson and BC, who accepted; this was the first bowl game for both schools.

With both teams from outside the region, attendance was low;[2] the first three editions (and next six) included a team from the state of Texas.

Game summary

Boston College took the lead on a 30-yard field goal by Alex Lukachik early in the second quarter, after four failed plays following a punt return to the Clemson 13. After both teams exchanged punts throughout most of the quarter, Clemson got it back at their 43. They drove 57 yards and it culminated with a touchdown by sophomore Charlie Timmons, but the extra point was missed.[4] The remainder of the game was scoreless as Clemson won their first bowl game, and All-American back Banks McFadden was named the game's most valuable player.[2][3][5]

Aftermath

This is Clemson's only Cotton Bowl Classic appearance to date; Boston College returned 45 years later in 1985 and won, led by Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie.

The teams have been conference foes since 2005, when BC joined the Atlantic Coast Conference. Since 2008, the O'Rourke–McFadden Trophy is awarded to the winner of the annual Boston College–Clemson game, honoring Charlie O'Rourke of BC and McFadden of Clemson, leaders of their teams in the 1940 Cotton Bowl.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Snider, Steve (January 1, 1940). "Texans pick Clemson to beat Boston". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). United Press. p. 11.
  2. 1 2 3 Snider, Steve (January 2, 1940). "Cotton Bowl game costly". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). United Press. p. 14.
  3. 1 2 "Clemson upsets Boston College". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. January 2, 1940. p. 2.
  4. ↑ "Clemson takes Boston in the Cotton Bowl". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. January 2, 1940. p. 7.
  5. ↑ "14-25.pmd" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-01-01. Retrieved 2014-12-28.
  6. ↑ "O'Rourke-McFadden Trophy to the Winner of Clemson vs. BC". TigerNet. October 27, 2008. Retrieved November 19, 2017.


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