1935 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

1935 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Conference	Southeastern Conference
1935 record	6–2–1 (4–2 SEC)
Head coach	Frank Thomas (5th year)
Captain	James Walker
Home stadium	Denny Stadium Legion Field

1935 SEC football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
LSU $	5	–	0	–	0			9	–	2	–	0
Vanderbilt	5	–	1	–	0			7	–	3	–	0
Ole Miss	3	–	1	–	0			9	–	3	–	0
Auburn	5	–	2	–	0			8	–	2	–	0
Alabama	4	–	2	–	0			6	–	2	–	1
Tulane	3	–	3	–	0			6	–	4	–	0
Kentucky	3	–	3	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Georgia Tech	3	–	4	–	0			5	–	5	–	0
Mississippi State	2	–	3	–	0			8	–	3	–	0
Tennessee	2	–	3	–	0			4	–	5	–	0
Georgia	2	–	4	–	0			6	–	4	–	0
Florida	1	–	6	–	0			3	–	7	–	0
Sewanee	0	–	6	–	0			2	–	7	–	0
$ – Conference champion

The 1935 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1935 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 42nd overall and 3rd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his fifth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of six wins, two losses and one tie (6–2–1 overall, 4–2–0 in the SEC).

After Alabama opened the season with an "upset" tie against Howard, Alabama shutout George Washington at Griffith Stadium. One week later, the Crimson Tide suffered their first defeat since 1933 against Mississippi State at Denny Stadium which was also both their first SEC and loss at Denny Stadium. Following this defeat, Alabama responded with five consecutive victories over Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Clemson on homecoming and Georgia Tech before they lost to Vanderbilt to close the season.

For his performance during the season, Riley Smith was a consensus selection to the 1935 College Football All-America Team. In February 1936 Smith, Bear Bryant and Kavanaugh Francis became the first Crimson Tide players selected in the NFL Draft.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance
September 28	Howard*	Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL	T 7–7	8,000
October 5	at George Washington*	Griffith Stadium • Washington, DC	W 39–0	30,000
October 12	Mississippi State	Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL (Rivalry)	L 7–20	8,000
October 19	at Tennessee	Shields-Watkins Field • Knoxville, TN (Third Saturday in October)	W 25–0	20,000
October 26	at Georgia	Sanford Stadium • Athens, GA	W 17–7	25,000
November 2	Kentucky	Legion Field • Birmingham, AL	W 13–0	14,500
November 9	Clemson*	Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL	W 33–0	8,000
November 16	Georgia Tech	Legion Field • Birmingham, AL	W 38–7	11,000
November 28	at Vanderbilt	Dudley Field • Nashville, TN	L 6–14	18,000
*Non-conference game. Homecoming.

• Source: Rolltide.com: 1935 Alabama football schedule^[1]

Game notes

Howard

1 2 3 4 Total Howard 0 0 0 7 7 Alabama 0 7 0 0 7 Date: September 28 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 8,000 Source:[2]

To open the 1935 season Alabama was almost upset by Howard College (now Samford University), but escaped with a 7–7 tie at Denny Stadium.^[2][3] After a scoreless first, Alabama took a 7–0 halftime lead after James Angelich scored on an eight-yard touchdown run.^[2] The Bulldogs' defense continued to hold Alabama's offense in check for the remainder of the game, and in the fourth quarter, Howard tied the game. The touchdown was made on a 32-yard Ewing Harbin pass to Dan Snell late in the game.^[2][4] The tie marked the first time Alabama had not won since their loss at Fordham in 1933 and their first in an opening game since their loss at Vanderbilt to open the 1903 season.^[2] The tie brought Alabama's all-time record against Howard to 13–0–1.^[5]

George Washington

1 2 3 4 Total • Alabama 13 6 6 14 39 George Washington 0 0 0 0 0 Date: October 5 Location: Griffith Stadium Washington, DC Game attendance: 30,000 Source:[6]

In what was the first road game of the season, Alabama shutout the George Washington Colonials 39–0 at Griffith Stadium.^[3][6] Riley Smith scored the first Crimson Tide touchdown in the first quarter on a four-yard run to cap a 92-yard drive. Joe Riley scored later in the quarter on a 70-yard punt return to give Alabama a 13–0 lead at the end of the first.^[6] In the second, the Crimson Tide scored on a four-yard reverse by James Nesbet for a 19–0 halftime lead.^[6] After Nesbet scored a touchdown on a five-yard run in the third, Alabama closed the game with a pair of Clarence Rohrdanz touchdown runs in the fourth quarter for the 39–0 victory.^[6] The win improved Alabama's all-time record against George Washington to 2–0.^[7]

Mississippi State

1 2 3 4 Total • Mississippi State 13 7 0 0 20 Alabama 0 0 7 0 7 Date: October 12 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 8,000 Source:[8]

Against their long-time rival, the Mississippi State Maroons, Alabama lost 20–7 at Denny Stadium.^[3][8] The loss was Alabama's first defeat against State since 1914, their first all-time SEC loss and their first all-time loss at Denny Stadium.^[3][8] The Maroons took a 13–0 lead in the first quarter after a pair of Charles Armstrong touchdown passes, first to Ike Pickle and then to Robert Thames.^[8] They then extended their lead to 20–0 by halftime after two-yard Pickle touchdown run in the second.^[8] In the third, Alabama scored their only touchdown after James Whatley blocked a Pickle punt that was returned twelve-yards by James Walker.^[8] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State 17–5–2.^[9]

Tennessee

Third Saturday in October

1 2 3 4 Total • Alabama 6 6 6 7 25 Tennessee 0 0 0 0 0 Date: October 19 Location: Shields-Watkins Field Knoxville, TN Game attendance: 20,000 Source:[10]

Against rival Tennessee, Alabama defeated the Volunteers, 25–0 at Shields-Watkins Field and scored one touchdown in each of the four quarters in their victory.^[3][10] Riley Smith scored in the first on a four-yard run and in the second on a Joe Riley run for a 12–0 halftime lead.^[10] Both Riley and Smoth scored touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters respectively for the 25–0 victory.^[10] The game was also notable for the performance of Bear Bryant at end, as he competed in the game in spite of having a fractured fibula in his right leg, incurred the week before against Mississippi State.^[10][11][12] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee 12–5–1.^[13]

Georgia

1 2 3 4 Total • Alabama 0 7 0 10 17 Georgia 7 0 0 0 7 Date: October 26 Location: Sanford Stadium Athens, GA Game attendance: 25,000 Source:[14]

Against Georgia, Alabama defeated the Bulldogs 17–7 before a homecoming crowd of 25,000 at Sanford Stadium.^[3][14] The Bulldogs took a 7–0 first quarter lead after John Bond thew a 43-yard touchdown pass to Al Minot.^[14] Alabama responded in the second with a two-yard Young Boozer touchdown run to make the halftime score 7–7.^[14] After a scoreless third, in the fourth the Crimson Tide took a 10–7 lead on a 14-yard Riley Smith field goal.^[14] Smith then scored the final points of the game later in the quarter with his one-yard touchdown run.^[14] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 13–11–3.^[15]

Kentucky

1 2 3 4 Total Kentucky 0 0 0 0 0 • Alabama 7 0 6 0 13 Date: November 2 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 14,500 Source:[16]

In their first game at Legion Field of the season, Alabama defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 13–0 in Birmingham.^[3][16] James Nesbet scored in the first on a four-yard run and Joe Kilgrow threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to James Walker in the third for the 13–0 victory.^[16] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky 14–1.^[17]

Clemson

1 2 3 4 Total Clemson 0 0 0 0 0 • Alabama 0 13 13 7 33 Date: November 9 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 8,000 Source:[18]

On homecoming at Denny Stadium, Alabama defeated the Clemson Tigers of the Southern Conference 33–0 in Tuscaloosa.^[3][18] After a scoreless first, the Crimson Tide scored a pair of touchdowns in the second. The first was on a Riley Smith quarterback sneak and the second on a seven-yard James Walker run.^[18] Alabama extended their lead further to 26–0 by the end of the third period with touchdowns scored by James Walker on a one-yard run and by James Angelich on a short run.^[18] They then closed the game with their fifth touchdown of the afternoon on a 30-yard Red Keller touchdown reception.^[18] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Clemson to 5–3.^[19]

Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total Georgia Tech 0 7 0 0 7 • Alabama 6 13 6 13 38 Date: November 16 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 11,000 Source:[20]

Against the Georgia Tech, Alabama defeated the Yellow Jackets 38–7 at Legion Field.^[3][20] Alabama took a 6–0 first quarter lead after James Angelich scored on a touchdown run.^[20] In the second quarter, both teams traded touchdowns on a Riley Smith quarterback sneak and a Clarence Rohrdanz run for Alabama and on a 37-yard E. H. Gibson reception and lateral pass to E. R. Collins.^[20] Up 19–7 at the half, Alabama closed the game with 19 unanswered second half points. Bear Bryant scored on a run in the third and on a pair of Joe Kilgrow touchdown runs in the fourth.^[20] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 9–10–2.^[21]

Vanderbilt

1 2 3 4 Total Alabama 0 0 6 0 6 • Vanderbilt 0 7 0 7 14 Date: November 28 Location: Dudley Field Nashville, TN Source:[22]

In the season finale on Thanksgiving Day, Alabama lost to the Vanderbilt Commodores for the first time since 1929 with their 14–6 defeat at Dudley Field.^[3][22] After a scoreless first, Vanderbilt took a 7–0 halftime lead after Paul Dixon scored on a three-yard touchdown run.^[22] Alabama responded in the third with a 51-yard Riley Smith touchdown pass to James Walker, however a failed extra point kept the Commodores in the lead 7–6.^[22] Byron Beard scored the final points of the game after he recovered a fumbled punt by Joe Riley in the endzone for a touchdown.^[22] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 7–9.^[23]

After the season

Awards

After the season, Riley Smith was selected by consensus to the 1935 College Football All-America Team as a quarterback.^[24]

NFL Draft

Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1935 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) between the 1936 and 1938 drafts.^[25][26] These players included the following:

Year	Round	Overall	Player name	Position	NFL team
1936	1	2	Smith, RileyRiley Smith	Blocking back	Boston Redskins
	4	31	Bryant, BearBear Bryant	End	Brooklyn Dodgers
	5	44	Francis, KavanaughKavanaugh Francis	Center	Detroit Lions
1937	2	14	White, ArthurArthur White	Back	New York Giants
1938	2	13	Kilgrow, JoeJoe Kilgrow	Back	Brooklyn Dodgers

Personnel

Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position George Adams Montgomery, Alabama End James Angelich Indiana Harbor, Indiana Halfback Ben Baswell Pell City, Alabama Tackle Young Boozer Dothan, Alabama Halfback Bear Bryant Moro Bottom, Arkansas End Tilden "Happy" Campbell Pine Bluff, Arkansas Quarterback Kavanaugh Francis Timson, Texas Center Ralph Gandy Birmingham, Alabama End Joe Kilgrow Montgomery, Alabama Halfback Samuel Hamilton Lyon Meridian, Mississippi Tackle T. A. "Son" McGahey Columbus, Mississippi Tackle Ben McLeod Leeksville, Mississippi Halfback Lamar Moyle Decatur, Alabama Center James Nesbet Bainbridge, Georgia Fullback James Radford Hartford, Alabama Tackle Joe Riley Dothan, Alabama Halfback Clarence Rohrdanz Harvey, Indiana Fullback Joe Shepherd Tuscaloosa, Alabama Guard Riley Smith Columbus, Mississippi Quarterback Charlie Stapp Birmingham, Alabama Halfback James Walker Holt, Alabama End James Whatley Alexander City, Alabama Tackle Arthur "Tarzan" White Atmore, Alabama Guard Temple Williamson Tuscaloosa, Alabama Quarterback Reference:[27]

Coaching staff Name Position Seasons at Alabama Alma Mater Frank Thomas Head coach 5 Notre Dame (1923) Paul Burnum Assistant coach 6 Alabama (1922) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 15 VPI (1920) Jim Dildy Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1934) Harold Drew Assistant coach 5 Bates (1916) Larry Hughes Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1934) Joe F. Sharpe Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1932) Reference:[28]

References

General

• "1935 Season Recap" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved April 7, 2012.

Specific

1. "1935 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
2. Thornton, Jay (September 29, 1935). "Gallant Howard clan stuns opening crowd by tying Bama". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 10. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
3. 1935 Season Recap
4. Goodson, Mike (May 9, 1999). "Howard shocks Alabama". The Gadsden Times. Google News Archives. p. 16. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
5. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Samford". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
6. "Crimson Tide flashes new form in smothering Colonials 39–0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 6, 1935. p. 10. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
7. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs George Washington". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
8. "Brilliant Mississippi State team lashes Crimson Tide, 20–7". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 13, 1935. p. 10. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
9. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
10. Thornton, Jay (October 20, 1935). "Bama startles throng of 20,000 by crushing Vols, 25 to 0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 10. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
11. Deas, Tommy (October 22, 2011). "Neyland, Bryant helped shape rivalry and the SEC". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
12. Dunnavant, Keith (2005). Coach: The Life of Paul "Bear" Bryant. New York, New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 40–41. ISBN 9780312348762. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
13. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
14. "Tide stages brilliant comeback to annihilate Georgia, 17–7". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 27, 1935. p. 10. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
15. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
16. Thornton, Jay (November 3, 1935). "Crimson Tide line shines in 13–0 triumph over Kentucky". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 10. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
17. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Kentucky". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
18. Thornton, Jay (November 10, 1935). "Crimson Tide swirls over Clemson 33–0 in homecoming game". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 10. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
19. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Clemson". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
20. "Crimson Tide rambles through Georgia Tech crew, 38 to 7". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 17, 1935. p. 12. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
21. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia Tech". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
22. "Commodores upsets Alabama 14 to 6, first time since '29". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 29, 1935. p. 9. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
23. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
24. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Award Winners (PDF). 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA.org. p. 5. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
25. "Alabama Drafted Players/Alumni". Sports Reference, LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
26. "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
27. "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.
28. "All-Time Assistant Coaches". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. pp. 142–143.