1934 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1934 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference SEC 10–0 7–0 Frank Thomas 4th Bill Lee Denny StadiumLegion FieldCramton Bowl National champion (five selectors)Rose Bowl championSEC co-champion Rose Bowl W Won 29–13 vs. Stanford The 1934 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1934 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 41st overall season and 2nd as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his fourth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. They finished the season with a perfect record (10–0 overall, 7–0 in the SEC), as Southeastern Conference champions for the second consecutive season and defeated Stanford in the Rose Bowl.Tide surges over Vandy, 34 to 0, in great show of power Jay Thornton https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VTJBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g7cMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6221%2C4030448 The Tuscaloosa News November 20, 1934 6 April 3, 2012 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.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 April 3, 2012 Sportswriter Morgan Blake called it the best football team he ever saw.January 2026 Schedule September 29 w y Howard (AL) Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 24–0 6,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71713421/stubborn-howard-line-holds-tide-to/ The Birmingham News Stubborn Howard line holds Tide to 24–0 win September 30, 1934 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 6 w Sewanee Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL 35–6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71713740/tide-rolls-over-sewanee-in-exhibition/ The Montgomery Advertiser Tide rolls over Sewanee in exhibition of speed, 35 to 6 October 7, 1934 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 13 w Mississippi State Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 41–0 6,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71714145/alabama-tennessee-too-much-for-boys-of/ The Clarion-Ledger Alabama, Tennessee too much for boys of Magnolia State October 14, 1934 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 20 w Tennessee Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 13–6 18,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71714552/tennessee-vols-fall-before-surging/ The Knoxville Journal Tennessee Vols fall before surging Crimson Tide, 13 to 6 October 21, 1934 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 27 w Georgia Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 26–6 15,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71715024/tide-rolls-on-by-crushing-georgia-26/ The Birmingham News Tide rolls on by crushing Georgia, 26 to 6 October 28, 1934 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 3 w y Kentucky McLean Stadium Lexington, KY 34–14 13,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71715284/alabama-defeat-kentucky-34-to-14/ Lexington Herald-Leader Alabama defeat Kentucky, 34 to 14 November 4, 1934 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 10 w y y Clemson Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 40–0 8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71715697/mighty-crimson-tide-rolls-over-tigers/ The Greenville News Mighty Crimson Tide rolls over Tigers, 40 to 0 November 11, 1934 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 17 w y Georgia Tech Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry 40–0 14,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71716006/tech-0-alabama-40-red-elephants/ The Atlanta Constitution Tech 0, Alabama 40 - Red elephants trample foes before 17,000 November 18, 1934 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 29 Thursday w Vanderbilt Legion Field Birmingham, AL 34–0 24,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71716359/bama-crushes-vandy-to-clear-its-path-to/ The Tennessean Bama crushes Vandy to clear its path to Rose Bowl November 30, 1934 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com January 1, 1935 Tuesday w y y Stanford Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl 29–13 84,474 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71716675/alabama-air-raid-crushes-stanford/ Los Angeles Times Alabama air raid crushes Stanford, 29–13 January 2, 1935 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com https://rolltide.com/sports/2016/6/10/sports-m-footbl-archive-m-footbl-archive-1934-html.aspx?id=243 1934 Alabama football archives RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics February 20, 2021 Game summaries Howard (AL) 1934 Howard Bulldogs football team Howard 0 0 0 0 Alabama 6 6 6 6 September 29 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama 6,000 Source:Crimson Tide crushes Howard, 24 to 0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IjJBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g7cMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5404%2C1267129 Jay Thornton The Tuscaloosa News September 30, 1934 9 April 3, 2012 To open the 1934 season, Alabama scored touchdowns in all four quarters and defeated Howard College (now Samford University) 24–0 at Denny Stadium.1934 Season Recap 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. 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. The Howard squad was led by former Alabama player and assistant coach Clyde "Shorty" Propst in his first game against his alma mater.Tiders regain zest as opener with Howard's Bulldogs nears https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ITJBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g7cMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6245%2C1202082 The Tuscaloosa News September 28, 1934 6 April 3, 2012 Sewanee 1934 Sewanee Tigers football team Sewanee 0 6 0 0 Alabama 14 0 14 7 October 6 Cramton BowlMontgomery, Alabama Source:Alabama rolls over Sewanee, 35 to 6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JzJBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g7cMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6218%2C1640517 The Tuscaloosa News October 7, 1934 11 April 3, 2012 In June 1934, coach Thomas announced their game against Sewanee would be moved from Tuscaloosa to the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.Montgomery to get Tide–Sewanee game https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lX4-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=7EsMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5571%2C1636286 The Tuscaloosa News June 5, 1934 8 June 25, 2014 In what was their conference opener, Alabama defeated the Tigers, 35–6, at Montgomery. 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 he intercepted a Tigers pass and ran it back 23 yards for the score. 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. 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. 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.Terrific rain causes postponement in Tide–Tiger battle Associated Press https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JjJBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g7cMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6169%2C1565881 The Tuscaloosa News October 5, 1934 6 June 25, 2014 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. The Crimson Tide would not compete in their first night game for another six seasons when they defeated Spring Hill to open the 1940 season.Tiders return with 26–0 win https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GeU-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=_kwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6481%2C1310007 The Tuscaloosa News September 29, 1940 10 June 25, 2014 Mississippi State 1934 Mississippi State Maroons football team Mississippi State 0 0 0 0 Alabama 14 14 0 13 October 13 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama 6,000 Source:Alabama triumphs over Maroons, 41–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LTJBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g7cMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5433%2C1954698 Jay Thornton The Tuscaloosa News October 14, 1934 8 April 3, 2012 Against their long-time rival, the Mississippi State Maroons, Alabama won 41–0 at Denny Stadium. 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 and Riley Smith intercepted a Charles Armstrong pass and returned it 64-yards for a score. In the second, Bear Bryant scored on a reception and later on an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Young Boozer. 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. Tennessee 1934 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October Tennessee 0 6 0 0 Alabama 0 6 7 0 October 20 Legion FieldBirmingham, Alabama 18,000 Source:Crimson Tide rolls over Tennessee, 13–6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MzJBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g7cMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6154%2C2268601 The Tuscaloosa News October 21, 1934 9 April 3, 2012 Against rival Tennessee, Alabama defeated the Volunteers, 13–6 at Legion Field. 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. During the Volunteers scoring drive, Bear Bryant was ejected from the game due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. In the third, Don Hutson scored the game-winning touchdown on an end-around run. Georgia 1934 Georgia Bulldogs football team Georgia 0 0 0 6 Alabama 6 7 13 0 October 27 Legion FieldBirmingham, Alabama 15,000 Source:Alabama races through Georgia 26–6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ODJBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g7cMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5438%2C2564657 The Tuscaloosa News October 28, 1934 9 April 3, 2012 Against Georgia, Alabama outgained the Bulldogs 427 to 119 yards in total offense in their 26–6 victory at Legion Field. 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 the shutout as Maurice Greene scored for the Bulldogs on a seven-yard run in the fourth to make the final score 26–6. Kentucky 1934 Kentucky Wildcats football team Alabama 14 7 0 13 Kentucky 0 0 7 7 November 3 McLean StadiumLexington, Kentucky 13,000 Source:Kentucky falls before Tide, 34 to 14 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PjJBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g7cMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5399%2C2888502 The Tuscaloosa News November 4, 1934 9 April 3, 2012 In what was their first road game of the season, Alabama defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 34–14 on homecoming at McLean Stadium.Alabama squad leaves for Kentucky at 4:30 this afternoon https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PTJBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g7cMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5899%2C2792204 The Tuscaloosa News November 1, 1934 10 April 3, 2012 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. Kentucky cut the lead to 21–7 in the third when Bert Johnson scored on a four-yard run. Both teams then traded fourth-quarter touchdowns to make the final score 34–14. Alabama scored first on an 11-yard Bear 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. Clemson 1934 Clemson Tigers football team Clemson 0 0 0 0 Alabama 7 7 6 20 November 10 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama 8,000 Sources:Tide marches on, lashes Clemson, 40–0 Jay Thornton https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RDJBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g7cMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5451%2C3192723 The Tuscaloosa News November 11, 1934 9 April 3, 2012Alabama rolls across Clemson, 40 to 0 T. M. Davenport https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dkksAAAAIBAJ&sjid=scoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6754%2C890425 The Spartanburg Herald November 11, 1934 19 April 3, 2012 On homecoming at Denny Stadium, Alabama defeated the Clemson Tigers of the Southern Conference 40–0 in Tuscaloosa. 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 to Don Hutson in the first quarter, Riley Smith scored in the second on a one-yard quarterback 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. 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. Georgia Tech 1934 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team Alabama 6 14 13 7 Georgia Tech 0 0 0 0 November 17 Grant FieldAtlanta 14,000 Source:Tide sweeps over Georgia Tech, 40–0 Kenneth Gregory https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SjJBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g7cMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6229%2C3486967 Associated Press The Tuscaloosa News November 18, 1934 9 April 3, 2012 Against the Georgia Tech, Alabama shutout the Yellow Jackets 40–0 at Grant Field. Joe Demyanovich started the scoring for Alabama in the first with his four-yard touchdown run. In the second, Dixie Howell scored a touchdown on 65-yard punt return and then he threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Don Hutson to give the Crimson Tide a 20–0 halftime lead. After Riley 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. Vanderbilt 1934 Vanderbilt Commodores football team Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 Alabama 13 7 7 7 November 29 Legion FieldBirmingham, Alabama 24,000 Source: In the regular season finale on Thanksgiving Day, Alabama defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 34–0 to capture their second consecutive SEC championship and secure a place in the Rose Bowl Game.Alabama accepts Rose Bowl bid https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VTJBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g7cMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5782%2C3997278 Associated Press The Tuscaloosa News November 20, 1934 1 April 3, 2012 James Angelich scored on a four-yard run and Dixie Howell on a 21-yard run to give the Crimson Tide a 13–0 lead at the end of the first quarter. 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 Angelich interception return in the third and on a 15-yard Howell run in the fourth. Stanford 1934 Stanford Indians football team Rose Bowl Game Alabama 0 22 0 7 Stanford 7 0 6 0 January 1, 1935 Rose BowlPasadena, California 84,474 Source:Victorious Tide heads homeward https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=huk-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=x0wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6308%2C49723 The Tuscaloosa News January 2, 1935 1 April 3, 2012 Immediately after their victory over Vanderbilt in the season finale, University president George Denny accepted an invitation to play in the 1935 Rose Bowl against the Stanford Indians. In the game, which was a rematch of their draw in the 1927 Rose Bowl, the Crimson Tide overwhelmed the Indians with their 29–13 victory before 84,474 fans at Pasadena. 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 after Bobby Grayson scored on a short run to complete a drive set up after Keith Topping recovered a Joe Demyanovich fumble. Early in the second, Dixie Howell scored on a five-yard run, but Riley Smith missed the extra point and Stanford still led 7–6. After the Alabama touchdown, Stanford chose to kickoff 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-yard field goal. 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. Then Alabama intercepted 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 to Don Hutson to put Alabama up 22–7 at halftime. 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. Awards After the season, Alabama had three players selected by consensus to the 1934 College Football All-America Team.http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Awards.pdf Award Winners National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 5 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records NCAA.org April 3, 2012 These players were: Don Hutson at end Dixie Howell at halfback Bill Lee at tackle National championship claim The NCAA recognizes consensus national champions as the teams that have captured a championship by way of one of the major polls since the 1950 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.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 April 3, 2012 As such, Alabama claims a share of the 1934 national championship, with Minnesota, due to each school being selected national champion by various major selectors. Specifically, Alabama was selected national champion in 1934 by Dunkel, Houlgate, Poling System and Williamson. Personnel Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position James Angelich Indiana Harbor, Indiana Halfback Young Boozer Dothan, Alabama Halfback Bear Bryant Moro Bottom, Arkansas End Jeff Bush Tuscaloosa, Alabama Back Tilden "Happy" Campbell Pine Bluff, Arkansas Quarterback Joe Demyanovich Bayonne, New Jersey Fullback Joe Dildy Nashville, Arkansas Center Raiford Ellis Birmingham, Alabama Center Kavanaugh Francis Timson, Texas Center Ralph Gandy Birmingham, Alabama End Dixie Howell Hartford, Alabama Halfback Don Hutson Pine Bluff, Arkansas End Bill Lee Eutaw, Alabama Tackle Samuel Hamilton Lyon Meridian, Mississippi Tackle Charlie Marr Pine Bluff, Arkansas Guard T. A. "Son" McGahey Columbus, Mississippi Tackle Ben McLeod Leeksville, Mississippi Halfback Bob Ed Morrow Selma, Alabama Guard Lamar Moyle Decatur, Alabama Center James Nisbet Bainbridge, Georgia Fullback Joe Riley Dothan, Alabama Halfback Riley Smith Columbus, Mississippi Quarterback Jim Whatley Alexander City, Alabama Tackle Arthur "Tarzan" White Atmore, Alabama 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 4 Notre Dame (1923) Paul Burnum Assistant coach 5 Alabama (1922) Johnny Cain Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1933) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 14 VPI (1920) Harold Drew Assistant coach 4 Bates (1916) B'Ho Kirkland Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1934) Jennings B. Whitworth Assistant coach 3 Alabama (1931)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://www.rolltide.com/datadump/fls_files/files/football/1930s/1934.pdf 1934 Season Recap RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics April 3, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120604190018/http://www.rolltide.com/datadump/fls_files/files/football/1930s/1934.pdf 2012-06-04 dead Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Category:College football national champions Category:Southeastern Conference football champion seasons Category:Rose Bowl champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football