| 1934Alabama Crimson Tide football | |
|---|---|
National champion (five selectors) Rose Bowl champion SEC co-champion | |
| Conference | Southeastern Conference |
| Record | 10–0 (7–0 SEC) |
| Head coach |
|
| Captain | Bill Lee |
| Home stadium | Denny Stadium Legion Field Cramton Bowl |
Seasons | |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 11Tulane + | 8 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 10 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 6Alabama + | 7 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 10 | – | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee | 5 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LSU | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 2 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia | 3 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vanderbilt | 4 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 2 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ole Miss | 2 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 4 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | 1 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auburn | 1 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 8 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sewanee | 0 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi State | 0 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia Tech | 0 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 1 | – | 9 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The1934 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented theUniversity of Alabama in the1934 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 41st overall season and 2nd as a member of theSoutheastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coachFrank Thomas, in his fourth year, and played their home games atDenny Stadium inTuscaloosa,Legion Field inBirmingham and theCramton Bowl inMontgomery, Alabama. They finished the season with aperfect record (10–0 overall, 7–0 in the SEC), as Southeastern Conference champions for the second consecutive season and defeatedStanford in theRose Bowl.[1]
Five of the 13 selectors recognized as "major" by the NCAA (Berryman,Dunkel,Houlgate,Poling, and Williamson – all math systems) recognize the 1934 Alabama team as the national champion.[2] SportswriterMorgan Blake called it the best football team he ever saw.[citation needed]
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 29 | Howard (AL)* | W 24–0 | 6,000 | [3] | |
| October 6 | Sewanee | W 35–6 | [4] | ||
| October 13 | Mississippi State |
| W 41–0 | 6,000 | [5] |
| October 20 | Tennessee | W 13–6 | 18,000 | [6] | |
| October 27 | Georgia |
| W 26–6 | 15,000 | [7] |
| November 3 | atKentucky | W 34–14 | 13,000 | [8] | |
| November 10 | Clemson* |
| W 40–0 | 8,000 | [9] |
| November 17 | atGeorgia Tech | W 40–0 | 14,000 | [10] | |
| November 29 | Vanderbilt |
| W 34–0 | 24,000 | [11] |
| January 1, 1935 | vs.Stanford* | W 29–13 | 84,474 | [12] | |
| |||||
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 24 |
To open the 1934 season, Alabama scored touchdowns in all four quarters and defeatedHoward College (now Samford University) 24–0 at Denny Stadium.[14][15]Dixie Howell scored in the first on a two-yard run and Joe Riley scored in the second on a three-yard run to give the Crimson Tide a 12–0 halftime lead.[14] Joe Demyanovich then scored both second half touchdowns with his seven-yard run in the third and one-yard run in the fourth for the 24–0 victory.[14] The Howard squad was led by former Alabama player and assistant coach Clyde "Shorty" Propst in his first game against his alma mater.[16] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Howard to 13–0.[17]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sewanee | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| •Alabama | 14 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 35 |
In June 1934, coach Thomas announced their game againstSewanee would be moved from Tuscaloosa to the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.[19] In what was their conference opener, Alabama defeated theTigers, 35–6, at Montgomery.[15][18] Alabama took a 14–0 lead in the first quarter after scoring touchdowns on successive possessions.Dixie Howell scored first with his short run on offense and James Angelich scored a defensive touchdown on the next series after heintercepted a Tigers pass and ran it back 23 yards for the score.[18] Sewanee responded in the second quarter with an 87-yard Ruch interception return for a touchdown to cut the Alabama lead to 14–6 at the half.[18] Alabama then closed the game with three unanswered touchdowns for the 35–6 victory. Touchdowns were scored by Howell on a 61-yard run and by Joe Demyanovich on a short run in the third, and on a 15-yard Young Boozer run in the fourth.[18] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Sewanee to 15–10–3.[20]
This game was originally scheduled to kick off at 8:00 pm on Friday, October 5, and it was to have been the first night game played by Alabama in their history.[18][21] After a mutual agreement was reached between both head coaches, the game was postponed to the following afternoon as a result of a major rain event that made the playing surface at the Cramton Bowl unplayable.[21] The Crimson Tide would not compete in their first night game for another six seasons when theydefeated Spring Hill to open the 1940 season.[22]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 14 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 41 |
Against theirlong-time rival, theMississippi StateMaroons, Alabama won 41–0 at Denny Stadium.[15][23] The Crimson Tide scored two touchdowns in each of the first two quarters to take a commanding 28–0 lead at halftime. In the first, James Angelich scored on a 48-yard run andRiley Smithintercepted aCharles Armstrong pass and returned it 64-yards for a score.[23] In the second,Bear Bryant scored on a reception and later on an 80-yardkickoff return for a touchdown by Young Boozer.[23] After a scoreless third, the Crimson Tide scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns on Boozer runs of 74 and 8-yards for the 41–0 win.[23] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State 17–4–2.[24]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| •Alabama | 0 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
AgainstrivalTennessee, Alabama defeated theVolunteers, 13–6 at Legion Field.[15][25] After a scoreless first quarter that featured several defensive stops for each team, both scored second-quarter touchdowns to tie the game 6–6 at the half. Joe Demyanovich scored for Alabama first on an eight-yard run and then Tennessee tied the game on a two-yard George Craig run.[25] During the Volunteers scoring drive,Bear Bryant was ejected from the game due to anunsportsmanlike conduct penalty.[15][25] In the third,Don Hutson scored the game-winning touchdown on an end-around run.[25] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee 11–5–1.[26]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| •Alabama | 6 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 26 |
AgainstGeorgia, Alabama outgained theBulldogs 427 to 119 yards in total offense in their 26–6 victory at Legion Field.[27]Dixie Howell scored first for the Crimson Tide with his touchdown run on Alabama's third offensive play of the game. Howell then scored in the second quarter on a three-yard touchdown run to give the Crimson Tide a 13–0 halftime lead. Alabama further extended their lead to 26–0 in the third quarter on a 38-yard James Angelich and two-yard Joe Demyanovich touchdown run. However, the defense was unable to complete theshutout as Maurice Greene scored for the Bulldogs on a seven-yard run in the fourth to make the final score 26–6.[27] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 12–11–3.[28]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Alabama | 14 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 34 |
| Kentucky | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
In what was their first road game of the season, Alabama defeated theKentuckyWildcats 34–14 onhomecoming at McLean Stadium.[15][29][30]Don Hutson scored the first touchdown with his 10-yard run and was followed with a three-yard Tilden Campbell touchdown run to give Alabama a 14–0 lead at the end of the first. Joe Riley then scored on a 16-yard run in the second to give the Crimson Tide a 21–0 halftime lead.[29] Kentucky cut the lead to 21–7 in the third whenBert Johnson scored on a four-yard run.[29] Both teams then traded fourth-quarter touchdowns to make the final score 34–14. Alabama scored first on an 11-yardBear Bryant run, next was Johnson for the Wildcats with his 69-yard run and then Joe Riley threw a 38-yard pass to Young Boozer for the final score of the afternoon.[29] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky 13–1.[31]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 7 | 7 | 6 | 20 | 40 |
On homecoming at Denny Stadium, Alabama defeated theClemsonTigers of theSouthern Conference 40–0 in Tuscaloosa.[15][32][33] In the game, Alabama scored a touchdown in each of the first three quarters before doubling the score with three fourth-quarter touchdowns.Dixie Howell threw a three-yard touchdown pass toDon Hutson in the first quarter,Riley Smith scored in the second on a one-yardquarterback sneak and then Howell connected again with Hutson, this time from 26-yards, to give Alabama a 20–0 lead as they entered the fourth quarter.[32][33] In the fourth, Young Boozer scored on a 27-yard run, Howell on an eight-yard run and Smith on an 18-yard run for the 40–0 win.[32][33] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Clemson to 4–3.[34]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Alabama | 6 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 40 |
| Georgia Tech | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Against theGeorgia Tech, Alabama shutout theYellow Jackets 40–0 at Grant Field.[15][35] Joe Demyanovich started the scoring for Alabama in the first with his four-yard touchdown run.[35] In the second,Dixie Howell scored a touchdown on 65-yardpunt return and then he threw a 40-yard touchdown pass toDon Hutson to give the Crimson Tide a 20–0 halftime lead.[35] AfterRiley Smith scored on a six-yard run and Howell on a five-yard run in the third, Joe Riley threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Ralph Gandy in the fourth quarter and made the final score 40–0.[35] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 8–10–2.[36]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Alabama | 13 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
In the regular season finale onThanksgiving Day, Alabama defeated theVanderbiltCommodores 34–0 to capture their second consecutive SEC championship and secure a place in theRose Bowl Game.[1][15][37] James Angelich scored on a four-yard run andDixie Howell on a 21-yard run to give the Crimson Tide a 13–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.[1] Alabama then scored one touchdown in each of the final three quarters to make the final score 34–0. Joe Demyanovich scored on a short run in the second, on a 70-yard Angelichinterception return in the third and on a 15-yard Howell run in the fourth.[1] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 7–8.[38]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Alabama | 0 | 22 | 0 | 7 | 29 |
| Stanford | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 13 |
Immediately after their victory over Vanderbilt in the season finale, University president George Denny accepted an invitation to play in the1935 Rose Bowl against theStanfordIndians.[37] In the game, which was a rematch of their draw in the1927 Rose Bowl, the Crimson Tide overwhelmed the Indians with their 29–13 victory before 84,474 fans at Pasadena.[39] The Stanford defense shined in the first quarter, as Alabama had only four yards total offense. The Indians then took a 7–0 lead later in the quarter afterBobby Grayson scored on a short run to complete a drive set up after Keith Topping recovered a Joe Demyanovichfumble.[39] Early in the second,Dixie Howell scored on a five-yard run, butRiley Smith missed theextra point and Stanford still led 7–6.[39]
After the Alabama touchdown, Stanford chose tokickoff rather than receive the ball after the score. On the resulting Alabama possession, the Crimson Tide took a 9–7 lead after Smith connected on a 27-yardfield goal.[39] For the second time, Stanford again chose to kickoff rather than receive the ball, and two plays later Howell scored on a 67-yard touchdown run and made the score 16–7.[39] Then Alabamaintercepted a Stanford pass, and took the ball at the 46-yard line with only eight seconds left. Joe Riley then threw a 46-yard touchdown pass toDon Hutson to put Alabama up 22–7 at halftime.[39] Stanford scored in the third on a 12-yard Elzo Van Dellen touchdown run but could get no closer to the lead. Alabama finished the game with a 59-yard Howell to Hutson touchdown pass in the fourth and made final score 29–13.[39]
After the season, Alabama had three players selected by consensus to the1934 College Football All-America Team.[40] These players were:
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 1934 championship as one of its now 18 national championships.[2][41] As such, Alabama claims a share of the 1934 national championship, withMinnesota, due to each school being selected national champion by various major selectors.[2] Specifically, Alabama was selected national champion in 1934 by Dunkel, Houlgate,Poling System and Williamson.[2]
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