| 1930Alabama Crimson Tide football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Southern Conference |
| Record | 10–0 (8–0 SoCon) |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive scheme | Single-wing |
| Captain | Foots Clement |
| Home stadium | Denny Stadium Legion Field Cramton Bowl |
Uniform | |
 | |
Seasons | |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 3Alabama + | 8 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 10 | – | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 11Tulane + | 5 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 10Tennessee | 6 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 9 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duke | 4 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 8 | – | 1 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vanderbilt | 5 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 4 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina | 4 | – | 2 | – | 2 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clemson | 3 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia | 3 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 7 | – | 2 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | 4 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 4 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VPI | 2 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi A&M | 2 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia Tech | 2 | – | 4 | – | 1 | 2 | – | 6 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LSU | 2 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia | 2 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sewanee | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 6 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NC State | 1 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 8 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ole Miss | 1 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auburn | 1 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington and Lee | 0 | – | 4 | – | 1 | 3 | – | 6 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VMI | 0 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The1930 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented theUniversity of Alabama in the1930 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 37th overall and 9th season as a member of theSouthern Conference (SoCon). The team was led by head coachWallace Wade, in his eighth year, and played their home games atDenny Stadium inTuscaloosa, atLegion Field inBirmingham, and at theCramton Bowl inMontgomery, Alabama. They finished the season with aperfect record (10–0 overall, 8–0 in the SoCon), as Southern Conference champions and as national champions after they defeatedWashington State in theRose Bowl.[1]
In April 1930, coach Wade announced his resignation effective at the end of the 1930 season, and his last Alabama team might have been his best. For psychological effect, Wade routinely started games with his second team, and the backups never allowed a point.[2] The first team defense only allowed the opposition to score 13 points over the course of the season en route to a 9–0 record. Only theVanderbilt game was close, as the Commodores scored a late touchdown that cut Alabama's lead to five in their 12–7 loss. Vanderbilt's touchdown and a touchdown scored byTennessee accounted for all of the scoring by Alabama's opponents in 1930.
Alabama received its thirdRose Bowl invitation in six seasons, this time against the also undefeatedCougars ofWashington State. In the game, Wade started his second team. Once again, the second team did not allow any points and neither did the first team in their 24–0 victory. The win clinched the second perfect season in school history after 1925, and the Crimson Tide claimed the 1930 national championship along with theNotre Dame Fighting Irish.
Johnny Cain starred at fullback, and in the days ofiron man football also handledlinebacker, andpunting duties.[n 1] He was later inducted into theCollege Football Hall of Fame. Other players from the 1930 Alabama team includedFred Sington, who went on to playbaseball for theWashington Senators andFrank Howard, who later became famous as the long-time head coach atClemson.Jennings B. Whitworth, who kicked afield goal in the Rose Bowl, was hired as Alabama's football coach a quarter-century later.
After eight seasons as Alabama's head coach, on April 1, 1930, Wallace Wade announced he would resign his position at the conclusion of the 1930 season to take the same position withDuke.[4] At the time of his announcement, Wade did not give a reason for his departure other than that his contract was set to expire on September 1, 1931.[4] Although never publicly stated by Wade himself, friends and former players attributed his resignation to criticism he received during the1927,1928, and1929 seasons, as well as his desire to return to a private university.[2] Wallace Wade completed his Alabama tenure with a 61–13–3 record (.812), four conference titles, and three national championships. He also coached several star players as well. Wade followed up his success at Alabama with a longer and almost as successful run at Duke, and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.[5]
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 27 | Howard (AL)* | W 43–0 | 6,000 | [6] | |
| October 4 | Ole Miss |
| W 64–0 | [7] | |
| October 11 | Sewanee | W 25–0 | [8] | ||
| October 18 | Tennessee |
| W 18–6 | 18,000 | [9] |
| October 25 | Vanderbilt |
| W 12–7 | 20,000 | [10] |
| November 1 | atKentucky | W 19–0 | 22,000 | [11] | |
| November 8 | atFlorida | W 20–0 | 18,000 | [12] | |
| November 15 | LSU | W 33–0 | 5,000 | [13] | |
| November 27 | Georgia |
| W 13–0 | 28,000 | [14] |
| January 1, 1931 | vs.Washington State* | W 24–0 | 60,000 | [15] | |
| |||||
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 0 | 34 | 0 | 9 | 43 |
Alabama opened the season with its only scheduled non-conference game againstHoward College (nowSamford University) atDenny Stadium. Before an estimated crowd of 6,000 fans, Alabamashutout Howard 43–0.[17][18] After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide scored 34 second-quarter points. Touchdowns were scored on runs byJohnny Cain,John Suther (one on a 56-yard run and another on a 96-yardkickoff return), Hillman D. Holley, and John Campbell.[18] The final points of the game came in the fourth on aHugh Miller run and 33-yarddrop kick to make the final score 43–0.[18] Alabama gained 513 total yards on 66 plays and held Howard to only 84 yards on 32 plays.[19] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Howard to 11–0.[20]
The starting lineup was: Dobbs (left end), Jackson (left tackle), Sanford (left guard), Sharpe (center), Whitworth (right guard), Godfrey (right tackle), Elmore (right end), Tucker (quarterback), H. B. Miller (left halfback), Long (right halfback), and Boykin (fullback).[17]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ole Miss | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 6 | 13 | 13 | 32 | 64 |
The Tide opened conference play game against theOle MissRebels, and for a second consecutive week shutout their opponent. This time the Rebels were defeated 64–0.[18] Alabama's first string entered in the second quarter.[21] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss to 14–2–1.[22]
The starting lineup was: Elmore (left end), Whitworth (left tackle), Sanford (left guard), Sharpe (center), Leslie (right guard), Jackson (right tackle), Dothero (right end), H. B. Miller (quarterback), Tucker (left halfback), Long (right halfback), and Hanson (fullback).[21]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sewanee | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 0 | 6 | 0 | 19 | 25 |
For the third week in a row, Alabama shutout its opponent theSewaneeTigers atLegion Field 25–0.[23] The team was led by assistant coachHank Crisp as both head coach Wade and assistantJess Neely were inKnoxville toscout theTennessee Volunteers for their game the following week.[23]
John Campbell gave Alabama its first points with his 58-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.[23] After Campbell scored his second touchdown,John Tucker scored two more to make the final score 25–0.[23] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Sewanee to 13–10–3.[24]
The starting lineup was: Elmore (left end), Jackson (left tackle), Sanford (left guard), Sharpe (center), Whitworth (right guard), Godfrey (right tackle), Dothero (right end), Tucker (quarterback), Miller (left halfback), Long (right halfback), and Hanson (fullback).[23]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| •Alabama | 0 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 18 |
Onhomecoming in Tuscaloosa, Alabama defeated coachRobert Neyland's Tennessee Volunteers 18–6 before what was then the largest crowd to have seen an Alabama game in Tuscaloosa.[25] The loss was Tennessee's first in 34 games, dating back to a 20–3 loss toVanderbilt during the1926 season.[25]
The Tide took a 6–0 lead after Johnny Cain scored on a 13-yard touchdown run.[26] John Suther extended their lead to 12–0 later in the quarter with his 33-yard touchdown run.[26] After Hugh Miller scored on a short run in the third, Tennessee responded with its only points of the game on a shortBuddy Hackman run in the fourth to make the final score 18–6.[26] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 9–4–1.[27]
The starting lineup was: Elmore (left end), Whitworth (left tackle), Leslie (left guard), Sharpe (center), Sanford (right guard), Godfree (right tackle), Dothero (right end), Tucker (quarterback), H. B. Miller (left halfback), Long (right halfback), and Boykin (fullback).[25]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| •Alabama | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
Against the favoredVanderbiltCommodores,Wallace Wade defeated his coaching mentorDan McGugin 12–7 at Legion Field.[28] After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama scored the first touchdown of the game on a short John Campbell run.[28] The Crimson Tide's lead was extended to 12–0 in the third after a 13-yard John Suther run. The Commodores then scored their only points of the game later in the third when Benny Parker threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to William Schwartz.[28] Late in the game, Vandy drove to the Alabama 27-yard line before they stalled out and never threatened again. After a scoreless fourth quarter, Alabama won 12–7.[28] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 3–8.[29]
The starting lineup was: Elmore (left end), Godfree (left tackle), Howard (left guard), Eberdt (center), Miller (right guard), Sington (right tackle), Dothero (right end), Campbell (quarterback), Suther (left halfback), Cain (right halfback), and McWright (fullback).[28]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Alabama | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 19 |
| Kentucky | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
In what was the first road game of the season, Alabama traveled toLexington and defeated theWildcats 19–0.[30] Alabama scored its first points on a 49-yard Jimmy Moore touchdown pass to John Suther for a 6–0 lead.[31] Alabama scored 13 fourth quarter points to seal the victory. John Campbell and Leon Long each scored a touchdown on short runs to make the final score 19–0.[30] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky to 9–1.[32]
The starting lineup was: Moore (left end), Sington (left tackle), Howard (left guard), Eberdt (center), Godfrey (right guard), Clement (right tackle), Smith (right end), Campbell (quarterback), Suther (left halfback), McWright (right halfback), and Cain (fullback).[30]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Alabama | 0 | 6 | 0 | 14 | 20 |
| Florida | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
In the first game ever played atFlorida Field, Alabama defeated theGators on their homecoming 20–0.[33] After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama scored their first points on a 21-yard John Campbell touchdown run for a 6–0 lead.[31] Alabama scored 14 fourth quarter points to seal the victory. Campbell and John Tucker each scored a touchdown on short runs to make the final score 20–0.[33] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Florida to 4–3.[34]
The starting lineup was: Elmore (left end), Godfree (left tackle), Sanford (left guard), Sharpe (center), Howard (right guard), Clement (right tackle), Dothero (right end), Miller (quarterback), Long (left halfback), McWright (right halfback), and Tucker (fullback).[33]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 14 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 33 |
In the only game of the season played at theCramton Bowl, Alabama defeatedLouisiana State University 33–0.[35] Alabama's touchdowns were scored on an 80-yard John Campbell kickoff return and on runs by John Tucker, Hillman D. Holley, Leon Long, and Bellini.[31] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against LSU to 11–3–2.[36]
The starting lineup was: Moore (left end), Leslie (left tackle), Whitworth (left guard), Sharpe (center), Sanford (right guard), Godfree (right tackle), Smith (right end), Holley (quarterback), Long (left halfback), Tucker (right halfback), and Boykin (fullback).[35]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 6 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
In their final regular season game, the Tide defeated theGeorgiaBulldogs 13–0 to capture the Southern Conference championship.[35] John Campbell scored Alabama's first touchdown in the first quarter on a short run and Johnny Cain scored one in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run.[31] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 11–11–3.[38]
The starting lineup was: Moore (left end), Sington (left tackle), Howard (left guard), Eberdt (center), J. Miller (right guard), Clement (right tackle), Elmore (right end), Cain (quarterback), Suther (left halfback), Campbell (right halfback), and McWright (fullback).[37]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Alabama | 0 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
| Washington State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Immediately after their victory over Georgia in the season finale, University president George Denny accepted an invitation to play in the1931 Rose Bowl against theWashington StateCougars.[40] The Crimson Tide overwhelmed the Cougars with their 24–0 victory before 60,000 fans at Pasadena.[39]
After a scoreless first, Alabama scored three second-quarter touchdowns in a six-minute blitz to take a 21–0 lead. The first score came on a 61-yard Jimmy Moore touchdown pass to John Henry Suther with the other two coming on touchdown runs of one and 43-yards by John Campbell.[39]Jennings B. Whitworth scored the final points of the game with his 30-yardfield goal to give Alabama the 24–0 victory.[39]
The starting lineup was: Dobbs (left end), Clement (left tackle), Sanford (left guard), Sharpe (center), Whitworth (right guard), Godfree (right tackle), Elmore (right end), Tucker (quarterback), Long (left halfback), Holley (right halfback), and Boykin (fullback).[39]
The NCAA recognizes consensus national champions as the teams that have captured a championship by way of one of the major polls since the1950 college football season. Prior to 1950, national championships were chosen by a variety of selectors, and in the 1980s, Alabama claimed the 1930 championship as one of its 18 claimed/recognized national championships.[1][41] As such, Alabama claims a share of the 1930 national championship, withNotre Dame, due to each school being selected national champion by various major selectors.[1] Specifically, Alabama was selected national champion by Football Research, Parke Davis, and Sagarin and Sagarin (ELO-Chess).[1]
| Number | Player | Hometown | Position | Games started | Height | Weight | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C. B. "Foots" Clement | Rover, Arkansas | Tackle | 6'0" | 230 | 26 | ||
| Edgar Dobbs | Collinsville, Alabama | End | |||||
| Autrey Dotherow | Brooksville, Alabama | End | |||||
| Jess Eberdt | Blytheville, Arkansas | Center | |||||
| Albert Elmore | Reform, Alabama | End | |||||
| John Lewis Hundertmark | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Tackle | |||||
| Ellis "Red" Houston | Bessemer, Alabama | Center | |||||
| Frank Howard | Barlow Bend, Alabama | Guard | |||||
| Max Jackson | Notasulga, Alabama | Tackle | |||||
| Carney Laslie | Charlotte, North Carolina | Tackle | |||||
| Hugh Miller | Round Mountain, Alabama | Guard | |||||
| John Miller | Hazelhurst, Mississippi | Guard | |||||
| Jimmy Moore | Anniston, Alabama | End | |||||
| Donald Sanford | Parrish, Alabama | Guard | |||||
| Joe F. Sharpe | Mobile, Alabama | Center | |||||
| 43 | Fred Sington | Birmingham, Alabama | Tackle | 6'2" | 215 | 20 | |
| Ben Smith | Haleyville, Alabama | End | |||||
| Jennings B. Whitworth | Blytheville, Arkansas | Tackle |
| Number | Player | Hometown | Position | Games started | Height | Weight | age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Johnny Cain | Montgomery, Alabama | Fullback | 5'10" | 183 | 22 | |
| John Campbell | Durant, Mississippi | Quarterback | |||||
| Hillman D. Holley | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Back | |||||
| Leon Long | Haleyville, Alabama | Halfback | |||||
| Ralph McRight | Mount Hope, Alabama | Halfback | |||||
| John Henry Suther | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Halfback | |||||
| John Tucker | Russellville, Arkansas | Quarterback |
| Name | Position | Seasons at Alabama | Alma Mater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wallace Wade | Head coach | 9 | Brown (1917) |
| Paul Burnum | Assistant coach | 1 | Alabama (1922) |
| Hank Crisp | Assistant coach | 10 | VPI (1920) |
| Orville "Tiny" Hewitt | Assistant coach | 1 | Army (1927) |
| Jess Neely | Assistant coach | 3 | Vanderbilt (1923) |
| Clyde "Shorty" Propst | Assistant coach | 6 | Alabama (1924) |
| Jimmy R. Haygood | Freshman coach | 3 | Vanderbilt (1906) |
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