1955 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1955 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference SEC 0–10 0–7 Jennings B. Whitworth 1st Nick Germanos Denny StadiumLegion FieldLadd Stadium The 1955 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1955 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 61st overall and 22nd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Jennings B. Whitworth, in his first year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and at Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished winless with a record of zero wins and ten losses (0–10 overall, 0–7 in the SEC). On December 2, 1954, Harold Drew resigned as head coach of the Crimson Tide, and Jennings B. Whitworth was introduced as his successor.Red Drew out, Whitworth in https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pOgeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sswEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6380%2C2875576 Associated Press Google News Archives Daytona Beach Morning Journal December 3, 1954 8 November 18, 2012Whitworth named Tide's head coach https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PRIdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PJgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6625%2C3467161 Associated Press Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News December 18, 1954 1 November 3, 2012 Whitworth brought a new system that was more oriented towards the running game. As a result, senior quarterback Bart Starr and the other Tide seniors saw little playing time.Legends of Alabama Football Richard Scott Sports Publishing LLC 2004 1-58261-277-3 75 Whitworth, for his part, was allowed to hire only two assistants and required to retain the rest of Coach Drew's staff.Turnaround: Bear Bryant's 1st Year at Alabama Tom Stoddard Black Belt Press 2000 978-1-880216-89-7 20 Alabama football hit rock bottom in 1955, going 0–10, the worst season in school history. It was only the third winless season in the history of the Crimson Tide, the others being the 0–4 teams in 1893 and 1895 when the program was just starting. For the season, Alabama averaged only 4.8 points per game and the opposition averaged 25.6. The Tide was shut out four times, the opposition never scored fewer than 20 points, and the smallest margin of defeat was 15 points in a 21–6 loss to Vanderbilt. Schedule 1955 AP September 24 l y y Rice 13 Rice Stadium Houston, TX 0–20 50,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-huntsville-times-rice-hammers-alabam/133052682/ The Huntsville Times Rice hammers Alabama, 20–0 September 25, 1955 October 7, 2023 Newspapers.com October 1 l y Vanderbilt Dudley Field Nashville, TN 6–21 27,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-huntsville-times-vanderbilt-spanks-a/133048760/ The Huntsville Times Vanderbilt spanks Alabama, 21–6 October 2, 1955 October 7, 2023 Newspapers.com October 8 l y TCU 8 Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 0–21 20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-frogs-start-slo/133052831/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Frogs start slow, bop Tide, 21–0 October 9, 1955 October 7, 2023 Newspapers.com October 15 l Tennessee Legion Field Birmingham, AL Third Saturday in October 0–20 35,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98725550/majors-vols-rip-tide-200/ The Birmingham News Majors, Vols rip Tide, 20–0 October 16, 1955 October 7, 2023 Newspapers.com October 22 l y Mississippi State Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 7–26 28,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-morgan-romps-paces-state/133052955/ The Clarion-Ledger Morgan romps, paces State to 26–7 win over Tide October 23, 1955 October 7, 2023 Newspapers.com October 29 l y Georgia Sanford Stadium Athens, GA rivalry 14–35 29,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-selma-times-journal-georgia-bulldogs/133052470/ The Selma Times-Journal Georgia Bulldogs smother Alabama with 35–14 victory October 30, 1955 October 7, 2023 Newspapers.com November 5 l Tulane Ladd Stadium Mobile, AL 7–27 17,301 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85628499/tulane-whacks-tide-277-after-standoff/ The Birmingham News Tulane whacks Tide, 27–7, after standoff first half November 6, 1955 October 7, 2023 Newspapers.com November 12 l Georgia Tech 11 Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 2–26 38,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-tech-thumps-bama-2/133048031/ The Macon Telegraph & News Tech thumps 'Bama, 26–2 November 13, 1955 October 7, 2023 Newspapers.com November 18 l y y Miami (FL) Burdine Stadium Miami, FL 12–34 35,414 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-fair-warning-to-flor/133053085/ The Atlanta Journal Fair warning to Florida: Hurricane hits high gear November 19, 1955 October 7, 2023 Newspapers.com November 26 l y Auburn 10 Legion Field Birmingham, AL Iron Bowl 0–26 45,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-auburn-mows-down-tid/133032807/ The Birmingham News Auburn mows down Tide, 26–0 November 27, 1955 October 6, 2023 Newspapers.com http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html#1955 1955 Alabama football schedule RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics November 5, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111125000700/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html November 25, 2011 Game summaries Rice 1955 Rice Owls football team Alabama 0 0 0 0 #13 Rice 0 0 0 20 September 24 Rice StadiumHouston, TX 50,000 Source:Rice rallies in final period to top Tide, 20–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-ukhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0ZkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7127%2C2781964 Google News Archives Charles Land The Tuscaloosa News 10 September 25, 1955 November 7, 2012 To open the 1955 season, the Crimson Tide traveled to Houston and were shutout 20–0 by the Rice Owls of the Southwest Conference.1955 Season Recap After being held scoreless for the first three quarters, the Owls scored all three of their touchdowns in the fourth quarter. King Hill scored first on a one-yard run, a 45-yard Page Rogers run and on a two-yard Hill run. Vanderbilt 1955 Vanderbilt Commodores football team Alabama 0 6 0 0 Vanderbilt 0 7 7 7 October 1 Dudley FieldNashville, TN 27,500 Sources:Vandy rolls over Bama, 21–6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AOohAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0ZkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7421%2C3685219 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 2, 1955 8 November 8, 2012Horton in 44-yard TD run as Vandy bops Bama 21–6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YMtaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dHoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5049%2C486209 Associated Press Google News Archives St. Petersburg Times October 2, 1955 3C November 8, 2012 At Dudley Field, the Crimson Tide were defeated by the Vanderbilt Commodores 21–6 to open conference play. TCU 1955 TCU Horned Frogs football team #8 TCU 0 0 14 7 Alabama 0 0 0 0 October 8 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 20,000 Source:Charles Land TCU throttles Alabama, 21–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=B-ohAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0ZkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5444%2C4564177 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 9, 1955 10 November 17, 2012 In their home opener for the 1955 season, the Crimson Tide were shutout by the Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs 21–0 at Denny Stadium in what was the first all-time meeting between the schools. After a scoreless first half, Jim Swink scored all three of the Frogs' touchdowns in the second half.Associated Press T. C. U. overcomes Alabama, 21 to 0 https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0E17FC3A5E127A93CBA9178BD95F418585F9 nytimes.com The New York Times October 9, 1955 November 17, 2012 The scores came on runs of 65 and three-yards in the third and on a 10-yard run in the fourth quarter. Tennessee 1955 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October Tennessee 0 7 0 13 Alabama 0 0 0 0 October 15 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 35,000 Sources:Charles Land Tennessee topples Crimson Tide for 20–0 win https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DeohAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0ZkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5798%2C5478493 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 16, 1955 10 November 17, 2012Vols defeat Alabama by 20–0 count Associated Press https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XMMyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M-sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3128%2C506151 Google News Archives The Miami News October 16, 1955 6D November 17, 2012 In their annual rivalry game against Tennessee, Alabama was shut out for the third time in four weeks, and lost to the Volunteers, 20–0, at Legion Field. After a scoreless first quarter, the Vols took a 7–0 halftime lead after Johnny Majors threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Roger Urbano on a fourth-down play early in the second quarter. A pair of touchdown runs in the fourth quarter, by Majors from two yards out and by Lon Herzbrun from one yard out, made the final score 20–0 in favor of the visitors. Mississippi State 1955 Mississippi State Maroons football team Mississippi State 6 7 7 6 Alabama 0 7 0 0 October 22 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 28,000 Sources:Charles Land State spoils Tide homecoming in 26–7 win https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FOohAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0ZkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4316%2C6346814 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 23, 1955 13 November 17, 2012Maroons belt Alabama, jump into title race Associated Press https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=H0FSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dnoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3007%2C3215998 Google News Archives St. Petersburg Times October 23, 1955 3C November 17, 2012 On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide were defeated for the second consecutive year by the Mississippi State Maroons 26–7 at Denny Stadium. The first State touchdown was set up after the Maroons recovered a fumble at their 37-yard line. Bill Stanton scored on a one-yard run five plays later to give State a 6–0 lead. In the second quarter, William Morgan scored on a nine-yard run for the Maroons, but Alabama answered with a one-yard Clay Walls touchdown run to make the halftime score 13–7. State then pulled away in the second half to win 26–7 after 14-yard Morgan run in the third and on a 27-yard Stanton pass to Morgan in the fourth. Georgia 1955 Georgia Bulldogs football team Alabama 0 0 7 7 Georgia 7 7 7 14 October 29 Sanford StadiumAthens, GA 29,000 Sources:Charles Land Georgia storms over Tide, 35–14 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GuohAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0ZkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7170%2C7220728 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 30, 1955 12 November 17, 2012Vernon Butler Georgia wallops 'Bama https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZMktAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Xp4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=810%2C3283305 Google News Archives The Florence Times October 30, 1955 12 November 17, 2012 At Athens, the Crimson Tide lost to the Georgia Bulldogs 35–14 on homecoming at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs took a 14–0 halftime lead after James Harper threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Laneair Roberts in the first and on a one-yard Robert Garrard run in the second quarter. The Tide then scored the first touchdown of the second half on a six-yard Donald Kinderknecht run to cut the Georgia lead to 14–7. However, the Bulldogs responded with a three-yard Henry Dukes run to make the score 21–7 at the start of the fourth. In the final quarter, Conrad Manisera scored on a four-yard run and on a one-yard John Bell run for Georgia and on a one-yard Bart Starr run for Alabama. Tulane 1955 Tulane Green Wave football team Tulane 7 0 7 13 Alabama 0 7 0 0 November 5 Ladd StadiumMobile, AL 17,301 Sources:Norman Bassett Tulane Greenies smash Tide in 27–7 victory https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T_kcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1JkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7242%2C501399 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 6, 1955 13 November 17, 2012Tulane Greenies throttle Alabama Crimsons, 27–7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2oAEAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gTEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5613%2C468810 Google News Archives Rome News-Tribune November 6, 1955 12 November 17, 2012 Playing their annual home game at Ladd Stadium, the Crimson Tide lost 27–7 to the Tulane Green Wave in Mobile. The game was tied 7–7 at halftime after Tulane scored on a 12-yard Al Cottrell run in the first and Alabama scored on a short Billy Lumpkin run in the second quarter. After a one-yard Ronald Quillian run in the third to give Tulane a 14–7 lead, the Green Wave closed the game with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns o win 27–7. The fourth quarter scored were made by Quillian on a five-yard run and by Cottrell on a 17-yard interception return. Georgia Tech 1955 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team #11 Georgia Tech 12 7 0 7 Alabama 0 0 0 2 November 12 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 38,000 Source:Tech hands Tide eleventh loss in a row https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aAJVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Bj0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1335%2C4419299 Google News Archives The Miami News November 13, 1955 3D November 17, 2012 Against Georgia Tech, Alabama lost their eleventh consecutive game in this 26–2 defeat by the Yellow Jackets at Legion Field. Tech took a 12–0 first quarter lead after they scored a pair of touchdowns in a 19-second span. The first came on a five-yard Richard Mattison run and the second on a 28-yard Kenny Thompson interception return. The Yellow Jackets' third score was set up early in the second quarter after Thomas Rose blocked an Alabama punt at the Tide's 12-yard line. Two plays later, Tech took a 19–0 lead after Paul Rotenberry scored on a five-yard run. After a scoreless third, in the fourth quarter Tech scored their final touchdown on a 34-yard Ronald Vann pass to Marion Ellis and Alabama got their only points on a safety in the final minute to make the score 26–2. Miami (FL) 1955 Miami Hurricanes football team Alabama 0 6 0 6 Miami 14 0 13 7 November 18 Burdine StadiumMiami, FL 35,414 Sources:'Bama puts U-M in mood for U-F Ralph Warner https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=B9BWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NkINAAAAIBAJ&pg=4954%2C1036545 Google News Archives The Miami News November 19, 1955 1B November 17, 2012Charles Land Scarnecchia paces Hurricanes to 34–12 victory over the Tide https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WPkcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1JkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7018%2C2151883 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 19, 1955 1 November 17, 2012 On a Friday evening in Miami for the second consecutive year, Alabama was defeated by the Miami Hurricanes 34–12 at Burdine Stadium. The Hurricanes took a 14–0 first quarter lead on touchdowns scored by Don Bosseler on a four-yard run and by Whitey Rouviere on a 25-yard run. The Crimson Tide responded in the second quarter with a Donald Kinderknecht touchdown run to make the halftime score 14–6. Bosseler then gave Miami a 27–6 lead in the third quarter with his touchdown runs of two and 14-yards. In the fourth quarter, Bart Starr threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Roy Forbus for Alabama and Ed Oliver scored on a four-yard touchdown run for Miami to make the final score 34–12. Auburn 1955 Auburn Tigers football team Iron Bowl #10 Auburn 0 13 0 13 Alabama 0 0 0 0 November 26 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 45,000 Sources:Auburn rips Alabama in 26–0 game https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pGQrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uNkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3758%2C3316939 Google News Archives The Daily Reporter November 27, 1955 8 November 17, 2012Griffin John Chandler Alabama vs. Auburn: Gridiron Grudge Since 1893 2001 Hill Street Press Athens, Georgia 1-58818-044-1 148–150 1955: Tubbs, Childress, James and Co. do it again For the second consecutive year, Alabama was shutout by the rival Auburn Tigers 26–0 at Legion Field and finished the season winless. After a scoreless first quarter, the Tigers took a 13–0 halftime lead with second quarter passes of 23 and 10-yards from Howell Tubbs to Jerry Elliott. Auburn then closed the game with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns on pair of short runs by Joe Childress and Tubbs to win 26–0. Personnel Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Jimmy Bowdoin Elba, Alabama Halfback William Brooks Tuscaloosa, Alabama Center Marshall Brown Ladysmith, Wisconsin Fullback Knute Christian Tuscaloosa, Alabama Center Don Connor Gadsden, Alabama Center Dan Joseph Coyle Birmingham, Alabama End Jim Cunningham Winfield, Alabama Tackle Alvin Ellett Owens Crossroads, Alabama Tackle Albert Elmore Troy, Alabama Quarterback Nicholas Germanos Montgomery, Alabama End Glen Graham Florence, Alabama Center William Hollis Biloxi, Mississippi Halfback Max Kelley Cullman, Alabama Fullback Donald Kinderknecht Hays, Kansas Fullback Billy Lumpkin Florence, Alabama Halfback Curtis Lynch Wadley, Alabama End Jerry McBee Birmingham, Alabama Halfback John Poole Florence, Alabama End Douglas Potts Evergreen, Alabama Guard James Pritchett Birmingham, Alabama End Bart Starr Montgomery, Alabama Quarterback William Stone Yukon, West Virginia Fullback Wesley Thompson Decatur, Alabama Tackle Louis Veazy Alexander City, Alabama Guard Noojin Walker Falkville, Alabama Fullback Clay Walls Bessemer, Alabama Halfback Sid Youngelman Newark, New Jersey TackleReference:2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2011 All-Time Tide Football Lettermen University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama 127–141 Coaching staff Name Position Seasons atAlabama Alma mater Jennings B. Whitworth Head coach 1 Alabama (1932) Butch Avinger Assistant coach 2 Alabama (1951) Lew Bostick Assistant coach 12 Alabama (1939) Tilden Campbell Assistant coach 16 Alabama (1935) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 28 VPI (1920) Howard "Moose" Johnson Assistant coach 1 Georgia (1948) Joe Kilgrow Assistant coach 12 Alabama (1937) Malcolm Laney Assistant coach 12 Alabama (1932) James Nisbet Assistant coach 7 Alabama (1937) Joe Thomas Assistant coach 1 Oklahoma A&M (1947)Reference:2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2011 All-Time Assistant Coaches University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama 142–143 References General http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/55-m-footbl-recaps.pdf 1955 Season Recaps RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics November 5, 2012 PDF April 25, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140425164929/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/55-m-footbl-recaps.pdf dead Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Category:College football winless seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football