Those who watched the game were concerned by the attack on Pearl Harbor, which had occurred less than four weeks previously. Despite the entry of the United States into World War II, the bowl game was played on schedule. New Year's Day, 1942, saw a cold, driving rainstorm in New Orleans. During the first quarter, a blocked Tigers punt, turned back by Fordham tackle Alex Santilli, led to a two-point safety being scored by defensive end Stanley Ritinski.[1]
As the rain continued and no further points were scored, the final tally of Fordham 2, Missouri 0, was the lowest score ever recorded in a major U.S. college football bowl game in which one side won (there have been four 0-0 ties).[2] Fordham had won the game without completing a single forward pass; their total game yardage was 137 yards, all of it on the ground.[1]
