During the war years, Boston College reduced the scope of its football program. Many of the older players had entered the armed services, leaving an almost entirely freshman team to face off against the Crusaders in 1945. The margin of victory remained the widest in series history until 1949, when Boston College defeated Holy Cross 76-0. Holy Cross went on to play in the Orange Bowl following the 1945 season, the college’s only bowl appearance in history.