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MAZNICKI'S WINNING KICK |
ON THIS DATE (November 29, 1941) ... In their 38th annual football clash, the Eagles rose up from the Fenway sod to topple the Holy Cross Crusaders in the closing minutes of the game. Holy Cross took the opening kickoff and inaugurated an eleven play sustained drive that was climaxed at the five
minute mark with a score from their big fullback John Grigas. Grigas blasted out 103 yards in the game and scored both touchdowns. He waded into the B.C. defense at the outset with a roaring run of 17 yards on the first play from scrimmage. Eleven plays later he drove
outside right end for the first touchdown after 4 1/2 minutes of play.
Trailing 7-0, the Eagles initial scoring effort was sparked by Frank Maznicki, six minutes later, whose broken field running moved B.C. down to Holy Cross' 25-yard line. At this point , on the first pass of his college career, Maznicki threw a perfect strike to
Ed Zabilski at the 5-yard line. In one blast over right guard, Maznicki blew into the end zone for the game tying score.
Early in the final quarter, Holy Cross recovered a fumble at the B.C. 34-yard line. Grigas knocked off nine yards on a right end sweep and five plays later, on fourth down, put up Holy Cross' go-ahead score. but Maznicki rocketed across the line to block
the extra point attempt. The clock showed three minutes to go as Ed Doherty grabbed a Crusader punt to midfield. Maznicki again passed to Don Currivan for twenty yards. With 90 seconds left, Teddy Williams ran the next play 22 yards on a reverse over the goal line as the
final seconds ticked away. Maznicki carefully added the game winning extra point. The "Monk" was a man among men and he received the fitting ovation when he terminated his collegiate career by marching doggedly off the field with a minute to play and his jersey literally torn
from his back.