Recognized in the 1941 edition of Eddie Dooley's Football Annual as "burly Joe Kovach, giant sophomore pivot," the native of North Tarrytown, New York, provided added strength and depth on a quality line. As a sophomore, Joe teamed with captain Lawrence Sartori at center on a team which outscored its opponents 182 to 67, finished the 1941 season 8-1, and defeated Missouri 2-0 in the Sugar Bowl.