| 1925Alabama Crimson Tide football | |
|---|---|
 | |
National champion (multiple selectors) SoCon co-champion Rose Bowl champion | |
| Conference | Southern Conference |
| Record | 10–0 (7–0 SoCon) |
| Head coach |
|
| Offensive scheme | Single-wing |
| Captain | Bruce Jones |
| Home stadium | Denny Field Rickwood Field Cramton Bowl |
Uniform | |
 | |
Seasons | |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 2Alabama + | 7 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 10 | – | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 6Tulane + | 5 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 9 | – | 0 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina | 4 | – | 0 | – | 1 | 7 | – | 1 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington and Lee | 5 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia | 4 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 7 | – | 1 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia Tech | 4 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 6 | – | 2 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 3 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auburn | 3 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VPI | 3 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vanderbilt | 3 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee | 2 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 2 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 2 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia | 2 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sewanee | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi A&M | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VMI | 1 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LSU | 0 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NC State | 0 | – | 4 | – | 1 | 3 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ole Miss | 0 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clemson | 0 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 1 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland | 0 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The1925 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented theUniversity of Alabama in the1925 Southern Conference football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 32nd overall and 4th season as a member of theSouthern Conference (SoCon). The team was led by head coachWallace Wade, in his third year, and played their home games atDenny Field inTuscaloosa, atRickwood Field inBirmingham and at theCramton Bowl inMontgomery,Alabama. They finished the season with their first everperfect record (10–0 overall, 7–0 in the SoCon), as Southern Conference champions, defeatedWashington in theRose Bowl, and were retroactively named as national champion for 1925 by severalmajor selectors.[1][2][3]
The Crimson Tide entered the season as the defending Southern Conference champions after finishing the1924 season with an 8–1 record. Alabama would then go on and shutout all but one of their regular season opponents en route to a second consecutive Southern Conference championship. The Crimson Tide then accepted an invitation to participate as the first Southern team in the annualRose Bowl Game, where they defeatedWashington20–19. This victory has subsequently been recognized as one of the most important in Southern football history as well as has been deemed "the game that changed the South."
Alabama was last year upset byCentre. Former center and alumnusShorty Propst was hired to the coaching staff.
1925 saw the south's widespread use of theforward pass.[4]
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 26 | Union (TN)* | W 53–0 | [5] | ||
| October 2 | Birmingham–Southern* |
| W 50–7 | [6] | |
| October 10 | atLSU | W 42–0 | 8,000 | [7] | |
| October 17 | Sewanee | W 27–0 | [8] | ||
| October 24 | atGeorgia Tech | W 7–0 | 20,000 | [9] | |
| October 31 | Mississippi A&M |
| W 6–0 | 7,000 | [10] |
| November 7 | Kentucky |
| W 31–0 | [11] | |
| November 14 | Florida | W 34–0 | [12] | ||
| November 26 | Georgia |
| W 27–0 | [13] | |
| January 1, 1926 | vs.Washington* | W 20–19 | 55,000 | [14] | |
| |||||
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 13 | 27 | 7 | 6 | 53 |
Alabama opened their 1925 season againstUnion University at Denny Field, and defeated theBulldogs 53–0 in rainy field conditions.[16][17] The Crimson Tide played every player on their squad in this game and touchdowns were scored twice each byHerschel Caldwell and David Rosenfeld; and were scored once each byJohnny Mack Brown,Hoyt Winslett, Waile and James Johnson.[16] The margin of victory was not unexpected withThe Augusta Chronicle stating:
"Union's squad is nothing more than a first class prep school and the Crimson Tide has no right to boast of their score and win.[18]"
The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against Union to 4–0 in what was the final game played between the schools.[19]
The starting lineup wasMelvin Vines (left end), Pickhard (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Jones (center), Perry (right guard), Camp (right tackle), Hudson (right end), Barnes (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Caldwell (right halfback), Hubert (fullback).[16]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham–Southern | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| •Alabama | 25 | 12 | 13 | 0 | 50 |
Only one team scored on the Tide all regular season —Birmingham–Southern managed a touchdown after recovering aGrant Gillis fumble at the Alabama 25-yard line. Aided by two offside penalties, the Panthers drove the ball into the endzone. The Tide won 50–7. Hubert and Winslett scored two touchdowns each; and Rosenfeld, Gillis, Johnson and Barnes one each.[17] The last period went scoreless.[17] The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against Birmingham–Southern to 3–0 in what was the final game played between the schools.[20]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Alabama | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
| LSU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
In a game described by some as "perfection itself," Alabama defeated theLSU Tigers atBaton Rouge 42–0 in what was both their first road and conference game of the season.[17][21][22] The Crimson Tide scored their first of six touchdowns on the opening drive of the game afterPooley Hubert scored on a three-yard run over center. In the second quarter, Hubert scored again on a one-yard run and David Rosenfeld scored on a five-yard run as time expired in the first half that gave Alabama a 21–0 halftime lead.[22]
Alabama received the second halfkickoff and drove 65 yards for their fourth touchdown scored byGrant Gillis on a one-yard run.[22] Hubert then scored his third touchdown of the game on a short run that gave the Crimson Tide a 35–0 lead as they entered the fourth quarter.[22] In the fourth quarter, Hubert scored his fourth touchdown on another short run that made the final score 42–0.[22] The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against LSU to 8–3–1.[23]
The starting lineup was Hudson (left end), Camp (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Holmes (center), Jones (right guard), Perry (right tackle), Winslett (right end), Gillis (quarterback), Barnes (left halfback), M. Brown (right halfback), Hubert (fullback).[24]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sewanee | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 6 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 27 |
1925 saw the South's widespread use of theforward pass, and Alabama brought it out to defeat theSewanee Tigers 27–0 at Birmingham.[25][26][4] In the first quarter, a 28-yard pass fromHoyt Winslett toRed Barnes set up the first touchdown score on a shortPooley Hubert run for a 6–0 lead.[17][25] The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 13–0 at halftime behind Hubert's second touchdown of the game on a three-yard run.[25]
After a scoreless third, Alabama scored their third touchdown on a 35-yard pass fromGrant Gillis toHerschel Caldwell, and the last set up by a 35-yard pass from Hubert to Winslett.[17][25] Hubert then scored the final points of the game late in the fourth after he recovered a Caldwellfumble in the endzone for a touchdown and the 27–0 victory.[25] The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against Sewanee to 8–10–3.[27]
The starting lineup was Hudson (left end), Perry (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Holmes (center), Jones (right guard), Camp (right tackle), Winslett (right end), Gillis (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Caldwell (right halfback), Hubert (fullback).[25]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Alabama | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Georgia Tech | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
On a wet field, Alabama defeated coachWilliam Alexander'sGeorgia Tech Golden Tornado 7–0 at Atlanta.[29][30] After a scoreless first half,Johnny Mack Brown scored the only points of the game when he returned aDoug Wycoffpunt 45-yards for a touchdown.[28] "Hubert played the greatest game of his career and was called the greatestdefensive back ever to appear onGrant Field".[17] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 4–7–2.[31]
The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Holmes (center), Jones (right guard), Camp (right tackle), Hudson (right end), M. Brown (quarterback), Barnes (left halfback), Caldwell (right halfback), Hubert (fullback).[28]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi A&M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Onhomecoming, Alabama defeated theMississippi A&M Aggies 6–0 on a rainy afternoon in Tuscaloosa.[17][32] After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide scored the only points of the game in the second after a short punt set them up on the Aggies' 26 yard line. Six plays later,Pooley Hubert threw an eight-yard touchdown pass toHoyt Winslett, and Alabama took a 6–0 lead that held for the remainder of the game.[32] The closest A&M came to tying the game came in the third, but stalled afterHerschel Caldwell had aninterception that stopped an Aggies drive at the Alabama 16 yard line.[17] The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi A&M to 10–4–2.[33]
The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Bowdoin (left guard), Paine (center), Dismukes (right guard), Pickhard (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Hubert (quarterback), Gillis (left halfback), Rosenfeld (right halfback), Johnson (fullback).[32]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
At Rickwood Field, the Crimson Tide defeated theKentucky Wildcats 31–0.[17][34][35] AfterBill Buckler kicked an eight-yardfield goal,Johnny Mack Brown ran a 79-yard touchdown "on a sweeping flank play" for a 10–0 Alabama lead at the end of the first quarter.Red Barnes extended their lead to 17–0 at halftime after he returned a John Rossfumble 77-yards for a touchdown.[34][35]
Brown scored again in the third quarter on a 16-yard run off a "triple fake pass," andPooley Hubert made the final score 31–0 with his short run in the fourth quarter.[35] The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky to 4–1.[36]
The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Jones (left guard), Holmes (center), Buckler (right guard), Camp (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Hubert (quarterback), Caldwell (left halfback), Barnes (right halfback), M. Brown (fullback).[34]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 7 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 34 |
A large crowd was expected inMontgomery for the game against theFlorida Gators.[37] The return to the lineup of Tide centerGordon Holmes, injured against Georgia Tech, and the battle between backsMack Brown andEdgar C. Jones brought intrigue.[37]Mack Brown made two touchdowns;Red Barnes two, andPooley Hubert one. Brown's first score came when he caught the ball on a pass from Hubert at the 15-yard line, dodged Jones and scored.[17] A pass from Hubert to Brown in the end zone netted the second score. Florida's Scott returned the kickoff to Alabama's 20-yard line, nearly breaking the tackle there. Two Barnes interceptions set up his touchdowns, one a 16-yard run after catch and another an end run. Jones attempted adrop kick, which was short and returned by Brown for 35 yards. A drive and a pass to Barnes got Alabama to Florida's 3-yard line, and Hubert scored over center.[17][38] The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against Florida to 2–2.[39]
The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Jones (left guard), Holmes (center), Buckler (right guard), Camp (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Hubert (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Barnes (right halfback), Caldwell (fullback).[40]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 27 |
In their final regular season game, Alabama defeated theGeorgia Bulldogs 27–0 and clinched their second consecutive Southern Conference championship.[17][41] The Crimson Tide took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter afterPooley Hubertreversed the ball toHoyt Winslett, who then passed it 25 yards toGrant Gillis, who then ran for 25 more and the score.[41] Hubert then scored the final three touchdowns for Alabama. Hubert scored next after afumble in the second. In the third period, Gillis made 22 yards on a triple pass to set up a short Hubert touchdown run. The last touchdown was set up by a Hubert pass to Ben A. Hudson that was followed by a short Hubert run for a 27–0 victory.[41]
This victory in conjunction with thetie game betweenColgate andBrown all but assured the Crimson Tide's selection to the Rose Bowl.[42] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 8–9–3.[43]
The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Camp (left tackle), Jones (left guard), Holmes (center), Buckler (right guard), Perry (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Hubert (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Barnes (right halfback), Gillis (fullback).[41]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Alabama | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| Washington | 6 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 19 |
The season was extended when Alabama received a surprise invitation to head west and play in theRose Bowl. It was Alabama's first bowl game ever and the first time a southern team had ever been invited to play in what then was college football's only bowl game.[44] Its opponent was theWashington Huskies, who had gone 10–0–1, been just as dominant as the Tide, and were regarded as heavy favorites by the press.
Through one half, that prediction looked accurate. Washington's star halfbackGeorge Wilson intercepted a pass in the first quarter and then led his team 63 yards for a touchdown and a 6–0 lead. In the second quarter Wilson ran for 36 yards and then threw a 22-yard touchdown pass, and Washington went up 12–0. Both extra point tries failed. At the half, Wade changed his game plan, tellingPooley Hubert to run more often. Possibly more importantly, George Wilson sat out the entire third quarter due to sore ribs. It was in that third quarter that Alabama struck. A short punt set up Alabama on the Washington 42 and the Tide quickly capitalized, Hubert scoring on a 1-yard run to make the score 12–7. The Huskies couldn't move the ball without Wilson and punted. Shortly thereafter Grant Gillis hit Brown on a 59-yard touchdown pass and suddenly Alabama led 14–12. Not long after that Washington fumbled the ball and Alabama recovered at the Husky 30. Hubert found Brown for another touchdown pass on the very next play. The extra point failed, but Alabama still led 20–12. Bama scored three touchdowns in seven minutes of clock time. Wilson returned in the fourth quarter and threw a late touchdown pass, but the two missed extra points in the first half proved decisive, and Alabama won 20–19.[45]
The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Holmes (center), Jones (right guard), Camp (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Gillis (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Barnes (right halfback), Hubert (fullback).
It was Alabama's first real perfect season in school history, though Alabama was undefeated in 1897 when the Tide played and won one game. The team was ranked No. 2 in the nation in theDickinson System ratings released in December 1925.[46] Othermajor selectors retroactively named Alabama as "national champion" for 1925.[1][2]Johnny Mack Brown andPooley Hubert were later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.[47][48] Brown capitalized on his Rose Bowl exposure in southern California by signing a motion picture contract with MGM and beginning a 40-year career in the movies.[49]
| Number | Player | Hometown | Position | Games started | Prep school | Height | Weight | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Buckler | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Guard | 8 | |||||
| Joseph "Pete" Camp | Manchester, Alabama | Tackle | 8 | |||||
| Ben E. Compton | Greensboro, Alabama | Guard | ||||||
| Gordon Holmes | Springville, Alabama | Center | 6 | |||||
| Ben A. Hudson | Montgomery, Alabama | End | 4 | |||||
| Bruce Jones | Jasper, Alabama | Guard | 6 | |||||
| Leslie Payne | Bay Minette, Alabama | Tackle | ||||||
| Claude Perry | Jasper, Alabama | Tackle | 8 | |||||
| Hulet Whitaker | Guntersville, Alabama | End | ||||||
| 58 | Hoyt "Wu" Winslett | Dadeville, Alabama | End | 8 | 172 | 21 |
| Number | Player | Hometown | Position | Games started | Prep school | Height | Weight | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Barnes | Grove Hill, Alabama | Halfback | 7 | 172 | 20 | |||
| 17 | Johnny Mack Brown | Dothan, Alabama | Halfback | 8 | Dothan High | 5'11" | 160 | 21 |
| Herschel Caldwell | Blytheville, Arkansas | Halfback | 5 | 22 | ||||
| Grant Gillis | Grove Hill, Alabama | Quarterback | 5 | 5'10" | 165 | 24 | ||
| Robert Lee Hamner | Fayette, Alabama | Back | ||||||
| 10 | Allison "Pooley" Hubert | Meridian, Mississippi | Fullback | 9 | Meridian High | 5'10" | 190 | 24 |
| James Johnson | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Halfback | 1 | |||||
| W. S. Oliver | Panola, Alabama | Back/Tackle | ||||||
| David Rosenfeld | Birmingham, Alabama | Halfback | 1 |
| Name | Hometown | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Ed Bruce | Birmingham | Manager |
| Name | Position | Seasons at Alabama | Alma mater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wallace Wade | Head coach | 3 | Brown (1917) |
| Hank Crisp | Assistant coach | 5 | VPI (1920) |
| Russell Cohen | Assistant coach | 3 | Vanderbilt (1916) |
| Clyde "Shorty" Propst | Assistant coach | 1 | Alabama (1924) |
| William T. Van de Graaff | Assistant coach | 5 | Alabama (1916) |
General
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