1941 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1941 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference SEC 20 9–2 5–2 Frank Thomas 11th John Wyhonic Denny StadiumLegion Field National champion (Houlgate)Cotton Bowl champion Cotton Bowl Classic W Won 29–21 vs. Texas A&M The 1941 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1941 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 48th overall and 9th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his 11th 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 nine wins and two losses (9–2 overall, 5–2 in the SEC) and with a victory in the Cotton Bowl Classic over Texas A&M. Alabama also claims a share of the 1941 national championship due to its selection as national champion by the Houlgate System.http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/FBS.pdf National Poll Champions 73 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records NCAA.org June 9, 2012 The Crimson Tide opened the 1941 season with a non-conference victory over Southwestern Louisiana but lost to Mississippi State in the second game of the season. Alabama rebounded with six consecutive victories over Howard, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Tulane and Georgia Tech. As they entered their game against Vanderbilt, the Crimson Tide was ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll, but were upset 7–0 in Nashville. Alabama then closed the regular season with a road victory over Miami and defeated Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Alabama was ranked at No. 6 (out of 681 teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System for 1941.Gophers Grid Kings Over 6-Year Span: Tennessee 2d, Pitt 3d Over Period Litkenhous Ratins Are Published The Courier-Journal Dr. E. E. Litkenhous December 26, 1941 Sports 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123088221/gophers-grid-kings-over-6-year-span/ Newspapers.com Schedule 1941 AP September 27 w y Southwestern Louisiana Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 47–6 6,000 October 4 l Mississippi State Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 0–14 18,000 October 11 w y Howard (AL) Legion Field Birmingham, AL 61–0 6,000 October 18 w y Tennessee Shields-Watkins Field Knoxville, TN Third Saturday in October 9–2 35,000 October 25 w Georgia Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 27–14 23,000 November 1 w y 15 Kentucky Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 30–0 11,000 November 8 w y 13 Tulane 14 Tulane Stadium New Orleans, LA 19–14 50,000 November 15 w 9 Georgia Tech Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 20–0 25,000 November 22 l y 7 Vanderbilt Dudley Field Nashville, TN 0–7 12,000 November 28 w y y 18 Miami (FL) Burdine Stadium Miami, FL 21–7 26,000 January 1, 1942 w y y 20 Texas A&M 9 Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX Cotton Bowl Classic 29–21 38,000 http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html#1941 1941 Alabama football schedule RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics June 9, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111125000700/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html November 25, 2011 Rankings 1941 college football rankings AP 1 8 NR NR 15 13 9 7 18 20 Game summaries Southwestern Louisiana 1941 Southwestern Louisiana Bulldogs football team SW Louisiana 0 6 0 0 Alabama 13 7 14 13 September 27 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 6,000 Source:Tide shows running form in 47–6 triumph over Louisiana Bulldogs https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=etQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=uUwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6353%2C1270001 The Tuscaloosa News September 28, 1941 6 June 9, 2012 To open the 1941 season, Alabama defeated the Southwestern Louisiana Institute Bulldogs (now known as the Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns) 47–6 at Denny Stadium.1941 Season Recap Alabama took a 13–0 first quarter lead after touchdowns were scored on a short Paul Spencer run and on a 9-yard Jimmy Nelson run. The Bulldogs then responded early in the second quarter with their only points on an 11-yard Bobby Voitier touchdown pass to William Bernhard. The Crimson Tide then played their second line and Don Salls scored their third touchdown of the afternoon on a 6-yard run to give Alabama a 20–6 halftime lead. In the second half, Louisiana was shut out and the Crimson Tide added two touchdowns in each of the final two quarters for the 47–6 win. Third-quarter touchdowns were scored by Dave Brown on a 6-yard run and by Spencer on a 7-yard run; fourth-quarter touchdowns were scored after Wheeler Leeth blocked a Bulldogs punt that was returned 15-yards by Joe Chorba and on a short Louie Scales run. The victory was Alabama's first against the Bulldogs and also marked the return of former Crimson Tide All-American Johnny Cain to Tuscaloosa as head coach of Southwestern Louisiana.Bulldogs sweep into city, set to test Alabama's Tide Saturday https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=edQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=uUwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6403%2C1235249 The Tuscaloosa News September 26, 1941 11 June 9, 2012 Mississippi State 1941 Mississippi State Maroons football team Mississippi State 0 0 7 7 Alabama 0 0 0 0 October 4 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 18,000 Source:Fast Maroon eleven out-plays Alabama Tide for 14–0 victory https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ftQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=uUwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6279%2C1632923 The Tuscaloosa News 6 October 5, 1941 June 9, 2012 In the first conference game of the season, Alabama was shut out 14–0 by the Mississippi State Maroons on homecoming at Denny Stadium for the second consecutive year. After a scoreless first half, the Maroons scored a touchdown in each of the final two quarters. Touchdowns were scored on a 19-yard Bill Murphy pass to Robert Patterson in the third and on a short Bruce run in the fourth. Howard (AL) 1941 Howard Bulldogs football team Howard 0 0 0 0 Alabama 6 7 14 34 October 11 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 6,000 Source:Alabama rolls over Howard in display of power, 61–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hNQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=uUwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6378%2C1936945 The Tuscaloosa News October 12, 1941 6 June 9, 2012 In the first Legion Field game of the season, Alabama defeated Howard (now Samford University) 61–0. The Crimson Tide took a 13–0 halftime lead after touchdowns were scored on a 1-yard Don Salls run in the first and on an 8-yard reverse by Dave Brown in the second. Alabama extended their lead further to 27–0 in the third with touchdowns by Jimmy Nelson on a 95-yard kickoff return and then on a 13-yard run. The Crimson Tide then closed the game with five fourth-quarter touchdowns for the 61–0 win. Touchdowns in the fourth were scored by Carl Mims on runs of 26, 6 and 18-yards, Ted McKosky on a 37-yard run and on a Ted Cook touchdown reception. Tennessee 1941 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October Alabama 3 6 0 0 Tennessee 0 0 2 0 October 18 Shields-Watkins Field Knoxville, TN 35,000 Source:Tide pounds out 9–2 victory over Vols https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=itQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=uUwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6344%2C2270412 The Tuscaloosa News October 19, 1941 10 June 9, 2012 At Knoxville, Alabama defeated rival Tennessee 9–2 to end a three-game losing streak against the Volunteers. Alabama scored all of their points in the first half for a 9–0 lead on a 21-yard George Hecht field goal in the first and on a 2-yard Don Salls touchdown run in the second. Tennessee scored their only points in the third quarter on a safety to prevent a shutout. Jimmy Nelson starred on defense with his three interceptions during the game. Georgia 1941 Georgia Bulldogs football team Georgia 0 7 0 7 Alabama 13 7 7 0 October 25 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 23,000 Source:Crimson Tide drops Georgia with air attack, 27 to 14 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kNQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=uUwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6426%2C2594551 The Tuscaloosa News October 26, 1941 10 June 9, 2012 At Legion Field, Alabama defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 27–14 in what was their first meeting since the 1935 season. The Crimson Tide took a 13–0 first quarter lead on a Jimmy Nelson touchdown pass to Holt Rast and on a 1-yard Nelson run. The Bulldogs responded in the first two minutes of the second quarter with a Heyward Allen to Lamar Davis touchdown pass. However, Alabama responded to make the halftime lead 20–7 after Paul Spencer scored on a 1-yard run late in the second quarter. Alabama then scored their final points late in the third when Nelson intercepted a Frank Sinkwich pass and returned it 54 yards for a 27–7 lead. A late Allen to Jerry Nunnally touchdown pass made the final score 27–14. Kentucky 1941 Kentucky Wildcats football team Kentucky 0 0 0 0 #15 Alabama 6 6 6 12 November 1 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 11,000 Source:Tide strides through Wildcats in offensive display, 30 to 0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ltQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=uUwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6276%2C2908087 The Tuscaloosa News November 2, 1941 6 June 9, 2012 After their victory over Georgia, Alabama entered the polls for the first time of the season at the No. 15 position.Two teams tie in ranking poll https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ktQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=uUwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6395%2C2698260 Bill Boni Associated Press The Tuscaloosa News October 28, 1941 9 June 9, 2012 On what was homecoming in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide shutout Kentucky 30–0, and scored at least one touchdown in all four quarters. First half touchdowns were scored by Jimmy Nelson on a 20-yard run in the first and on a 22-yard pass from Russ Mosley to George Weeks in the second. Second half touchdowns were scored on a Nelson to Holt Rast reception in the third and on both a 25-yard Howard Hughes to Carl Mims pass and on a 23-yard Frank Martin run. Tulane 1941 Tulane Green Wave football team #13 Alabama 6 0 7 6 #14 Tulane 7 7 0 0 November 8 Tulane StadiumNew Orleans, LA 50,000 Source:Tide outwits Tulane, 19–14 with last half comeback https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nNQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=uUwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6335%2C3237048 The Tuscaloosa News November 9, 1941 7 June 9, 2012 The Crimson Tide defeated the Green Wave 19–14 with a fourth-quarter touchdown to take the lead before a crowd of 50,000 at Tulane Stadium. Alabama scored first when Jimmy Nelson took a Bob Glass punt and then handed it to Dave Brown who returned it 60 yards for a touchdown. Tulane then took a 7–6 lead later in the first on a 25-yard Lou Thomas touchdown pass to Gordon English, and extended it to 14–6 at halftime when Thomas threw his second touchdown of the afternoon to Bob Grush. Alabama responded in the third with a 3-yard Nelson to Holt Rast touchdown pass and with the game-winning points on a 2-yard Don Salls touchdown run in the fourth. Georgia Tech 1941 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team Georgia Tech 0 0 0 0 #9 Alabama 0 6 7 7 November 15 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 25,000 Source:Tide throttles Tech Tornado with 3-touchdown parade https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=otQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=uUwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6361%2C3655717 The Tuscaloosa News November 16, 1941 6 June 9, 2012 Prior to their final home game of the season against Georgia Tech, Alabama moved up from the No. 13 position to the No. 9 position in the AP Poll.Tide advances in AP Poll https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ntQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=uUwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5014%2C3366814 Bill Boni Associated Press The Tuscaloosa News November 11, 1941 7 June 9, 2012 Against the Yellow Jackets, the Crimson Tide won with a 20–0 shutout at Legion Field. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama scored one touchdown in each of the three remaining quarters in the victory. Howard Hughes scored in the second on a 2-yard run, Jimmy Nelson scored on a 68-yard punt return in the third and Nelson threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Russ Craft in the fourth. Vanderbilt 1941 Vanderbilt Commodores football team #7 Alabama 0 0 0 0 Vanderbilt 0 0 7 0 November 22 Dudley FieldNashville, TN 12,000 Source:Commodores best Tide for muddy 7 to 0 victory https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qNQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=uUwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6366%2C3969599 The Tuscaloosa News November 23, 1941 6 June 9, 2012 After their victory over Georgia Tech, Alabama moved up two spots to the No. 7 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt.Tide rated 7th in nation https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pdQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=uUwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4946%2C3793235 Associated Press The Tuscaloosa News November 18, 1941 10 June 9, 2012 In their game against the Commodores, Alabama lost 7–0 in rainy and muddy conditions on the road at Dudley Field. The only points of the game came in the third quarter when Art Rebrovich threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jack Jenkins. Miami (FL) 1941 Miami Hurricanes football team #18 Alabama 7 7 7 0 Miami 7 0 0 0 November 28 Burdine StadiumMiami, FL 26,000 Source:Hurricane gives Tide battle but great Nelson nets margin https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CVAtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ndMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4543%2C6257922 Guy Butler The Miami Daily News November 29, 1941 9 June 9, 2012 After their loss to Vanderbilt, Alabama moved down eleven spots to the No. 18 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Miami.Gophers voted top in nation https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qtQ-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=uUwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5746%2C4093283 Associated Press The Tuscaloosa News November 25, 1941 7 June 9, 2012 In their game against the Hurricanes on a Friday evening, Alabama won 21–7 in what was the first all-time meeting between the schools. After an 85-yard punt return by Jimmy Nelson brought the ball to the Miami 5-yard line, Russ Craft scored on a 5-yard reverse for a 7–0 Alabama lead. Howard Plasman tied the game at 7–7 on the ensuing possession with his 2-yard touchdown run. The Crimson Tide retook the lead in the second on a 28-yard Dave Brown touchdown run and then scored again in the third quarter on a Nelson run for the 21–7 victory. Texas A&M 1941 Texas A&M Aggies football team 1942 Cotton Bowl Classic Cotton Bowl Classic #20 Alabama 0 7 13 9 #9 Texas A&M 0 7 0 14 January 1, 1942 Cotton BowlDallas, TX 38,000 Source:Alabama outscores Texas Aggies in touchdown race, 29 to 21 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1OdYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6474%2C75291 The Tuscaloosa News January 2, 1942 7 June 9, 2012 In the 1942 Cotton Bowl Classic against Texas A&M, Alabama was outgained 309 yards to 75 and earned just one official first down, but were able to win the game 29–21. In the game, Alabama's defense forced 12 turnovers (seven interceptions and five fumbles). The Crimson Tide scored a touchdown on a 72-yard punt return, a 12-yard interception return, scored two touchdowns after recovering A&M fumbles on the A&M 21 and 24-yard lines and kicked a field goal after they intercepted a pass on the Texas A&M 17. National championship claim In the 1980s, Alabama claimed the 1941 championship as awarded by the Houlgate System. The Houlgate System was a mathematical ranking system devised by Dale Houlgate that was syndicated in newspapers between 1927 and 1958 to determine the national championhttp://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/FBS.pdf Poll systems history 71 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records NCAA.org June 9, 2012 and is recognized by the NCAA as a "major selector" of national championships.Got 12? Here's how Alabama bumped up its claim to a dozen national titles http://blog.al.com/solomon/2010/01/got_12.html Jon Solomon The Birmingham News January 6, 2010 AL.com June 9, 2012 The claim is shared with Minnesota, who was selected by the other eleven major selectors of the time. Personnel Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Sumpter Blackmon Columbus, Georgia Quarterback Dave Brown Birmingham, Alabama Halfback Russ Craft Beach Bottom, West Virginia Halfback Joe Domnanovich South Bend, Indiana Center Leon Fichman Los Angeles, California Tackle George Gammon Cullman, Alabama Halfback Cliff Hansen Gary, Indiana Tackle George Hecht Chicago Heights, Illinois Guard Howard Hughes Little Rock, Arkansas Tackle Morton Kimball South Bend, Indiana Guard Noah Langdale Valdosta, Georgia Tackle Wheeler Leeth Boaz, Alabama End Tony Leon Follansbee, West Virginia Guard Jack McKewen Birmingham, Alabama Tackle Ted McKosky Monessen, Pennsylvania Guard Carl Mims Sylacauga, Alabama Halfback Russ Mosley Blytheville, Arkansas Halfback Jimmy Nelson Live Oak, Florida Halfback Julius Papias Hammond, Indiana Halfback Holt Rast Birmingham, Alabama End Al Sabo Los Angeles, California Quarterback Don Salls White Plains, New York Fullback Lou Scales Glencoe, Alabama Fullback Sam Sharpe Birmingham, Alabama End Vaughn Stewart Anniston, Alabama Center George Weeks Dothan, Alabama End Don Whitmire Decatur, Alabama Guard John Wyhonic Connorville, Ohio GuardReference: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 Frank Thomas Head coach 11 Notre Dame (1923) Paul Burnum Assistant coach 12 Alabama (1922) Tilden Campbell Assistant coach 6 Alabama (1935) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 21 VPI (1920) Harold Drew Assistant coach 11 Bates (1916)Reference:2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2011 All-Time Assistant Coaches University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama 142–143 After the season NFL draft Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1941 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) between the 1942 and 1944 drafts.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/colleges/alabama/drafted.htm Alabama Drafted Players/Alumni April 7, 2012 Sports Reference, LLC Pro-Football-Reference.comNational Football League http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?abbr=A&collegeName=Alabama&abbrFlag=0&type=school Draft History by School–Alabama March 16, 2013 July 15, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140715084011/http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?abbr=A&collegeName=Alabama&abbrFlag=0&type=school dead These players included the following: Year Round Overall Player name Position NFL team1942 9 79 Noah Langdale 1 Tackle Green Bay Packers 14 123 John Wyhonic Guard Philadelphia Eagles 18 170 Holt Rast End Chicago Bears 19 174 Jimmy Nelson Jimmy Nelson (American football) Back Chicago Cardinals1943 4 28 Joe Domnanovich Center Brooklyn Dodgers 5 33 George Hecht 1 Guard Chicago Cardinals 8 70 Tony Leon Tony Leon (American football) Guard Washington Redskins 14 122 George Weeks George Weeks (American football) End Philadelphia Eagles 14 125 Sam Sharpe 1 End Cleveland Rams 15 132 Russ Craft Back Philadelphia Eagles 25 236 Dave Brown 1 Back New York Giants 29 274 Al Sabo 1 Back Brooklyn Dodgers1944 9 82 Don Whitmire Tackle Green Bay Packers 13 126 Bill Baughman 1 Center Green Bay Packers References General http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/41-m-footbl-recap.pdf 1941 Season Recap RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics June 9, 2012 April 25, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140425164522/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/41-m-footbl-recap.pdf dead Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Category:College football national champions Category:Cotton Bowl Classic champion seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football