1931 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

1931 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Conference	Southern Conference
1931 record	9–1 (7–1 SoCon)
Head coach	Frank Thomas (1st year)
Captain	Joe Sharpe
Home stadium	Denny Stadium Legion Field Cramton Bowl

1931 Southern Conference football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Tulane $	8	–	0	–	0			11	–	1	–	0
Tennessee	6	–	0	–	1			9	–	0	–	1
Alabama	7	–	1	–	0			9	–	1	–	0
Georgia	6	–	1	–	0			8	–	2	–	0
Maryland	4	–	1	–	1			8	–	1	–	1
Kentucky	4	–	2	–	2			5	–	2	–	2
LSU	3	–	2	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Duke	3	–	3	–	1			5	–	3	–	2
South Carolina	3	–	3	–	1			5	–	4	–	1
Auburn	3	–	3	–	0			5	–	3	–	0
Sewanee	3	–	3	–	0			6	–	3	–	1
Vanderbilt	3	–	4	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
North Carolina	2	–	3	–	3			4	–	3	–	3
Washington and Lee	2	–	3	–	0			4	–	5	–	1
Georgia Tech	2	–	4	–	1			2	–	7	–	1
Florida	2	–	4	–	2			2	–	6	–	2
VMI	2	–	4	–	0			3	–	6	–	1
NC State	2	–	4	–	0			3	–	6	–	0
VPI	1	–	4	–	1			3	–	4	–	2
Clemson	1	–	4	–	0			1	–	6	–	2
Ole Miss	1	–	5	–	0			2	–	6	–	1
Virginia	0	–	5	–	1			2	–	6	–	1
Mississippi A&M	0	–	5	–	0			2	–	6	–	0
$ – Conference champion

The 1931 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1931 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 38th overall and 10th season as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his first year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, at Legion Field in Birmingham and at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of nine wins and one loss (9–1 overall, 7–1 in the SoCon).

The Crimson Tide won the Southern Conference championship, the 1931 Rose Bowl and a share of the national championship in Wallace Wade's final year at Alabama. The Crimson Tide lost all of the starters from their 10–0 1930 team except for Johnny Cain, but still played almost as well. With Frank Thomas hired as Wade's successor, Alabama won their first three games of the 1931 season against Howard, Ole Miss and Mississippi A&M before they suffered their only loss of the season against Tennessee. The Crimson Tide responded from the loss to win their final five regular season games against Sewanee, Kentucky, Florida, Clemson and Vanderbilt. Alabama then competed in a pair of charity games scheduled in early November to follow the regular season finale against Vanderbilt. In these two games, the Crimson Tide defeated Chattanooga and then three separate Washington, D.C. schools in an exhibition that featured an all-star collection of former Crimson Tide players.

Although Alabama did have considerable success on the field, tragedy did strike the team on November 17 when freshman center James Richard Nichols died from complications due to a spinal injury he suffered during a football practice.^[1][2] His death was the first major accident associated with the Alabama football program in its history.^[1]

Before the season

Prior to the start of the 1930 season, head coach Wallace Wade announced his resignation in order to become the head coach at Duke.^[3] On July 26, 1930, former Chattanooga head and then Georgia assistant coach Frank Thomas was announced as Wade's successor by the University Athletic Committee.^[4][5] Signed to a three-year contract, Thomas would take over as head coach on January 1, 1931, with the 1931 season being his first as head coach.^[4] In the 1930 season, Alabama finished the season undefeated, with a victory in the 1931 Rose Bowl and as national champions. For the 1931 season, coach Thomas retired Wade's single-wing offense and installed the Notre Dame Box formation that he learned as both a player and assistant coach at Notre Dame under Knute Rockne.^[6]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance
September 26	Howard*	Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL	W 42–6
October 3	Ole Miss	Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL (Rivalry)	W 55–6
October 10	at Mississippi A&M	Greer Memorial Field • Meridian, MS (Rivalry)	W 53–0
October 17	at Tennessee	Shields–Watkins Field • Knoxville, TN (Third Saturday in October)	L 0–25	23,000
October 24	Sewanee	Legion Field • Birmingham, AL	W 33–0	5,000
October 31	Kentucky	Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL	W 9–7	10,000
November 7	Florida	Legion Field • Birmingham, AL	W 41–0	7,000
November 14	Clemson	Cramton Bowl • Montgomery, AL	W 74–7
November 26	at Vanderbilt	Dudley Field • Nashville, TN	W 14–6
December 5	at Chattanooga*	Chamberlain Field • Chattanooga, TN	W 39–0	3,000
*Non-conference game. Homecoming.

• Source: Rolltide.com: 1931 Alabama football schedule^[7]

Game notes

Howard

1 2 3 4 Total Howard 0 0 6 0 6 • Alabama 7 7 14 14 42 Date: September 26 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama Source:[8]

In what was Frank Thomas' first game as Alabama head coach, Alabama opened the 1931 season with a 42–6 victory over Howard College (now Samford University) at Denny Stadium.^[8][9] The Crimson Tide took a 14–0 lead into halftime after Leon Long scored on touchdown runs of one-yard in the first and five-yards in the second quarter.^[8] In the third, Alabama extended their lead to 28–0 when Johnny Cain threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Hillman Holley, followed by a short Long touchdown run later in the quarter.^[8] After Howard scored their only points on a 57-yard touchdown pass late in the third, Alabama closed the game with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. Holley and Larry Hughes each scored on short touchdown runs to make the final score 42–6.^[8] Holley starred in the game with his 204 yards rushing and two touchdowns.^[8] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Howard to 12–0.^[10]

Ole Miss

1 2 3 4 Total Ole Miss 0 0 6 0 6 • Alabama 20 14 7 14 55 Date: October 3 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama Source:[11]

In what was Frank Thomas' first SoCon game as Alabama head coach, the Crimson Tide defeated the Ole Miss Rebels 55–6 at Denny Stadium.^[9][11] Alabama took a 20–0 first quarter lead on a trio of touchdowns. Hillman Holley scored first on a 41-yard run, Johnny Cain second on a three-yard run, and Larry Hughes third on a short run.^[11] The Crimson Tide further extended their lead to 34–0 at the half after Holley scored on a 47-yard run and Leon Long on a two-yard run.^[11] After Cain scored again for Alabama in the third, the Rebels scored their only points of the game when Jack Burke returned a Jennings B. Whitworth kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown.^[11] The Crimson Tide then closed the game with touchdown runs from Cain and Long to make the final margin 55–6.^[11] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss to 15–2–1.^[12]

Mississippi A&M

1 2 3 4 Total • Alabama 14 20 13 6 53 Mississippi A&M 0 0 0 0 0 Date: October 10 Location: Greer Memorial Field Meridian, Mississippi Source:[13]

In what was Frank Thomas' first road game as Alabama head coach, the Crimson Tide defeated the Mississippi A&M Aggies (now the Mississippi State Bulldogs) 53–0 at Greer Memorial Field in Meridian.^[9][13] In the game, Alabama only played its starters in the first quarter. Touchdowns were scored twice by Erskine Walker and Ben Smith and once each by Howard Chappell, Hillman Holley, Larry Hughes and Leon Long.^[9] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi A&M to 15–4–2.^[14]

Tennessee

Third Saturday in October

1 2 3 4 Total Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 • Tennessee 7 0 6 12 25 Date: October 17 Location: Shields–Watkins Field Knoxville, Tennessee Game attendance: 23,000 Source:[15]

Before 23,000 fans at Shields–Watkins Field, Alabama was shutout by the Tennessee Volunteers, 25–0, in Knoxville.^[9][15] The Volunteers took an early 7–0 lead in the first quarter when Gene McEver scored on a short touchdown run.^[15] After a scoreless second quarter, McEver scored again on a three-yard touchdown run to extend the Tennessee lead to 13–0.^[15] The Volunteers then finished the game with touchdowns on a 17-yard H. B. Brackett run and a six-yard pass from Brackett to McEver to make the final score 25–0.^[15] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 9–5–1.^[16]

Sewanee

1 2 3 4 Total Sewanee 0 0 0 0 0 • Alabama 13 7 0 13 33 Date: October 24 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama Game attendance: 5,000 Source:[17]

A week after being shut out by Tennessee, Alabama rebounded with a 33–0 shutout against the Sewanee Tigers at Legion Field.^[9][17] Alabama scored their first pair of touchdowns in the first five minutes of the game.^[17] The first came when Hillman Holley scored on an eight-yard run and the second when Holley threw a seven-yard pass to Ben Smith to give Alabama a 13–0 lead.^[17] Johnny Cain then scored on a short run in the second, and after a scoreless third quarter, the Crimson Tide closed the game with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns.^[17] Joe Causey scored first on a 28-yard run and then Howard Chappell threw a touchdown pass to Leon Long to make the final score 33–0.^[17] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Sewanee to 14–10–3.^[18]

Kentucky

1 2 3 4 Total Kentucky 0 0 7 0 7 • Alabama 0 0 7 2 9 Date: October 31 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama Game attendance: 10,000 Source:[19]

On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, Alabama defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 9–7 at Denny Stadium.^[9][19] After a scoreless first half dominated by both defenses, Kentucky scored the first points of the game early in the third quarter. The touchdown was scored on the only first down made by the Wildcats on the afternoon when John Kelly scored on a 57-yard run for a 7–0 Kentucky lead.^[19] Later in the quarter, Alabama tied the game at 7–7 later in the quarter when Johnny Cain scored on a short touchdown run.^[19] The Crimson Tide then took a 9–7 lead early in the fourth quarter when both Tom Hupke and Jennings B. Whitworth blocked a Ralph Kercheval punt that rolled out of the endzone for a safety.^[19] Prior to the safety, a long Cain punt pinned Kentucky deep in its territory and set it up. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky to 10–1.^[20]

Florida

1 2 3 4 Total Florida 0 0 0 0 0 • Alabama 0 14 14 13 41 Date: November 7 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama Game attendance: 7,000 Source:[21]

Against the Florida Gators, Alabama posted their third shutout of the season with their 41–0 victory.^[9][21] After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama scored a pair of second-quarter touchdowns on short runs by Johnny Cain and Leon Long to take a 14–0 halftime lead.^[21] The Crimson Tide then scored four second half touchdowns on runs by Long and Hillman Holley in the third and on runs by Howard Chappell and Erskine Walker in the fourth to make the final score 41–0.^[21] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Florida to 5–3.^[22]

Clemson

1 2 3 4 Total Clemson 7 0 0 0 7 • Alabama 13 20 20 21 74 Date: November 14 Location: Cramton Bowl Montgomery, Alabama Source:[23]

In their only game played in Montgomery, Alabama defeated the Clemson Tigers 74–7 at the Cramton Bowl.^[9][23] In the game the Crimson Tide scored eleven touchdowns in the victory. Players who scored were Johnny Cain and Howard Chappell with three; Hillman Holley with two; and Joe Causey, Leon Long and Thomas McMillian each scored one.^[23] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Clemson to 3–3.^[24]

Vanderbilt

1 2 3 4 Total • Alabama 7 7 0 0 14 Vanderbilt 0 0 6 0 6 Date: November 26 Location: Dudley Field Nashville, Tennessee Source:[9]

On Thanksgiving Day, Alabama defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 14–6 at Dudley Field.^[9] Alabama scored both of their touchdowns in the first half. Johnny Cain scored first on a short run in the first and Hillman Holley scored on a 16-yard run in the second to give the Crimson Tide a 14–0 halftime lead.^[9] The Commodores scored their only points in the third on a Vernon Close run.^[9] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 4–8.^[25]

Charity games

In early November, University officials announced the football team would participate in a pair of charity games after the scheduled season finale against Vanderbilt.^[26] The two games included one against Chattanooga where the 1931 squad would compete, and an all-star exhibition in Washington, D.C. that would feature graduating seniors and former Crimson Tide players.^[26] Each of the two games was played as part of a national campaign to raise money for unemployment relief due to the effects of the Great Depression.^[26]

Chattanooga

1 2 3 4 Total • Alabama 6 12 14 7 39 Chattanooga 0 0 0 0 0 Date: December 5 Location: Chamberlain Field Chattanooga, Tennessee Game attendance: 3,000 Source:[27]

In the first of the two scheduled charity games, Alabama defeated the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association champion Chattanooga Moccasins 39–0 at Chamberlain Field.^[9][27] Alabama scored its first touchdown on the second play of the game on a 67-yard Howard Chappell run.^[27] In the second quarter, touchdowns were scored on a 41-yard Leon Long run and a five-yard Ben Smith run for an 18–0 halftime lead.^[27] The Crimson Tide then closed the game with three second half touchdowns: a 53-yard Long run, a Johnny Cain pass to Hillman Holley and on a short Chappell run.^[27] Both coach Thomas (from 1925 to 1928) and assistant coach Harold Drew (from 1929 to 1930) had previously served as head coach at Chattanooga.^[28] Although this was played as a charity game, Alabama does include the win in its all-time record.^[7] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Chattanooga to 4–0.^[29]

Washington charity game

After the first charity game against Chattanooga, an all-star team of former Alabama players was assembled to compete in the second charity game to benefit the unemployed.^[30] The game was played at Griffith Stadium and featured three separate contests against George Washington, Catholic University and Georgetown.^[30][31] Each of the three games consisted of two, ten-minute halves, and because the Alabama team was playing three separate squads, the Crimson Tide was allowed to make unlimited substitutions.^[30]

The players on the Alabama team were primarily from the current and 1930 team that captured the national championship, and were led by coach Thomas and assistant coach Hank Crisp.^[30] The players selected included: Dave Boykin, Herschel Caldwell, John Campbell, Joe Causey, C. B. "Foots" Clement, Edgar Dobbs, Jess Eberdt, Albert Elmore, Ellis Hagler, Frank Howard, Allison Hubert, Max Jackson, Leon Long, Ralph McRight, John Miller, Claude Perry, Clyde "Shorty" Propst, Joe Sharpe, Fred Sington, Ben Smith, Earl Smith, John Henry Suther, John Tucker and Jennings B. Whitworth.^[30]

With all three played on December 12, Alabama faced George Washington in the first contest. Although the game ended in a 0–0 tie, Alabama had several long plays that included a pair of successive runs by John Campbell for 75 yards and a 55-yard passing play from Allison Hubert to Campbell.^[31] The Crimson Tide then defeated Catholic University in the second game 7–0. The only score of the game was set up after Leon Long intercepted a Catholic pass at their own 42-yard line. After five runs for 31 yards by Hubert and one by Herschel Caldwell for three yards, Long scored the game-winning touchdown on a three-yard run.^[31] In the final game, Alabama tied Georgetown 0–0 after Long intercepted a Hoyas pass in the endzone on a fourth-and-three play late in the second period.^[31]

Personnel

Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Troy Barker Lineville, Alabama Guard Joe Causey Douglas, Arizona Halfback Johnny Cain Montgomery, Alabama Fullback Howard Chappell Sylacauga, Alabama Back David Cochrane Tuscaloosa, Alabama Back Jim Dildy Nashville, Arkansas Tackle Autrey Dotherow Brooksville, Alabama End Calvin Frey Arkadelphia, Arkansas Tackle Newton Godfree Alexander City, Alabama Tackle Willis Hewes Russellville, Arkansas Center Hillman Holley Tuscaloosa, Alabama Back Ellis "Red" Houston Bessemer, Alabama Center Larry Hughes Tuscaloosa, Alabama Back Tom Hupke East Chicago, Indiana Guard Max Jackson Notasulga, Alabama Tackle B'Ho Kirkland Columbia, Alabama Guard Carney Laslie Charlotte, North Carolina Tackle Foy Leach Siloam Springs, Arkansas End Leon Long Haleyville, Alabama Halfback Frank Moseley Montgomery, Alabama Back Donald Sanford Parrish, Alabama Guard Joe F. Sharpe Mobile, Alabama Center Williams Comer Sims Searight, Alabama Guard Ben Smith Haleyville, Alabama End M. M. Swaim Tuscaloosa, Alabama Guard John Tucker Russellville, Arkansas Quarterback Erskine Walker Birmingham, Alabama Halfback Jennings B. Whitworth Blytheville, Arkansas Tackle Reference:[32]

Coaching staff Name Position Seasons at Alabama Alma Mater Frank Thomas Head coach 1 Notre Dame (1923) Paul Burnum Assistant coach 2 Alabama (1922) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 11 VPI (1920) Harold Drew Assistant coach 1 Bates (1916) Clyde "Shorty" Propst Assistant coach 7 Alabama (1924) Reference:[33]

References

General

• "1931 Season Recap" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved March 25, 2012.

Specific

1. "U. of A. freshman football player dies of injuries". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 17, 1931. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
2. "Football injury fatal". The New York Times. The New York Times Archive. November 18, 1931. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
3. "Wade will leave 'Bama in 1931". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. April 1, 1930. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
4. "Thomas to coach Tide". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. July 27, 1930. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
5. "Frank Thomas named Alabama grid coach". The Spartanburg Herald. Google News Archives. July 28, 1930. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
6. Richard, Scott (2004). Legends of Alabama Football. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing, LLC. p. 9. ISBN 9781582612775. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
7. "1931 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
8. "Alabama whips Howard, 42–6". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. September 27, 1931. p. 9. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
9. 1931 Season Recap
10. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Samford". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
11. "Tide smashes Ole Miss, 55–6". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 4, 1931. p. 9. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
12. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
13. "Alabama scores impressive win over Ags, 53–0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 11, 1931. p. 9. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
14. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
15. "Vols overwhelm Tide, 25–0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 18, 1931. p. 9. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
16. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
17. "Tide trounces Sewanee, 33–0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 25, 1931. p. 9. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
18. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Sewanee". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
19. "Tide whips Kentucky 9 to 7". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 1, 1931. p. 9. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
20. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Kentucky". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
21. "Tide routes Gators, 41 to 0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 8, 1931. p. 9. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
22. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Florida". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
23. "Bama runs wild in winning over Clemson, 74–7". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 15, 1931. p. 9. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
24. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Clemson". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
25. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
26. "U. of A. to take part in a pair of charity games". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 9, 1931. p. 7. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
27. "Tide runs over S.I.A.A. champs by 39–0 score". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. December 6, 1931. p. 11. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
28. "Tide to resume work for clash with Moccasins". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 29, 1931. p. 9. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
29. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee-Chattanooga". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
30. "Stars to start their practice here tomorrow". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. December 6, 1931. p. 12. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
31. "Tide all-stars turn back foes at Washington". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. December 13, 1931. p. 11. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
32. "All-Time Tide Football Lettermen". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. pp. 127–141.
33. "All-Time Assistant Coaches". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. pp. 142–143.