1933 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1933 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference SEC 7–1–1 5–0–1 Frank Thomas 3rd Foy Leach Denny StadiumLegion Field The 1933 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1933 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 40th overall and 1st season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his third 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 seven wins, one loss and one tie (7–1–1 overall, 5–0–1 in the SEC), and as the first SEC champions.SEC Football: 75 Years of Pride and Passion Richard Scott 2008 MVP Books New York 9780760332481 35 https://books.google.com/books?id=cm1TZA6jCSgC April 2, 2012 After opening the season with victory over 1933 Oglethorpe Petrels Oglethorpe, Alabama played Ole Miss to a scoreless tie in their first SEC matchup. One week later, the Crimson Tide defeated Mississippi State for their first SEC victory and followed that with their first SEC road victory with their win over Tennessee at Shields–Watkins Field. From Knoxville, Alabama traveled to New York City where they lost their only game of the season against Fordham in an intersectional matchup. Alabama rebounded with four consecutive victories to close the season as conference champions with wins over Kentucky, VPI (Virginia Tech) on homecoming, Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt. Schedule September 30 w y Oglethorpe Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 34–0 12,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71706611/bama-swamps-petrels-under-34-to-0-score/ The Atlanta Constitution Bama swamps Petrels under 34-to-0 score October 1, 1933 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 7 t Ole Miss Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 0–0 12,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71707016/ole-miss-stuns-alabama-supporters-in/ The Birmingham News Ole Miss stuns Alabama supporters in 0–0 draw October 8, 1933 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 14 w Mississippi State Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 18–0 5,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71707323/stubborn-state-eleven-beaten-18-to-0-by/ The Clarion-Ledger Stubborn State eleven beaten 18 to 0 by Crimson Tide October 15, 1933 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 21 w y Tennessee Shields–Watkins Field Knoxville, TN rivalry 12–6 25,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71707628/volunteers-defeated-by-crimson-tide-12/ The Knoxville Journal Volunteers defeated by Crimson Tide, 12 to 6 October 22, 1933 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 28 l y y Fordham Polo Grounds New York, NY 0–2 60,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71708151/fordham-barely-wins-by-20/ Brooklyn Times Union Fordham barely wins by 2–0 October 29, 1933 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 4 w Kentucky Legion Field Birmingham, AL 20–0 15,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71708469/bama-tide-rolls-over-cripples-cats/ Lexington Herald-Leader Bama Tide rolls over cripples 'Cats, 20–0 November 5, 1933 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 11 w y y VPI Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 27–0 10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71708842/tech-clipped-270-fails-to-get-1st/ Richmond Times-Dispatch Tech, clipped 27–0, fails to get 1st down November 12, 1933 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 18 w y Georgia Tech Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry 12–9 18,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71709227/tech-stages-great-battle-but-bows-to/ The Atlanta Constitution Tech stages great battle but bows to Alabama, 12–9 November 19, 1933 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 30 Thursday w y Vanderbilt Dudley Field Nashville, TN 7–0 15,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71709544/alabama-ascends-big-13-title-throne/ Nashville Banner Alabama ascends 'Big 13' title throne as battling Commodores barely miss tie December 1, 1933 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com https://rolltide.com/sports/2016/6/10/sports-m-footbl-archive-m-footbl-archive-1933-html.aspx?id=244 1933 Alabama football archives RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics February 20, 2021 Before the season In December 1932, after the conclusion of the 1932 season, Alabama withdrew from the Southern Conference to become a charter member of the SEC.Southern Conference broken by members https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ED8sAAAAIBAJ&pg=7004%2C3305214 Dillon Graham Associated Press The Spartanburg Herald December 10, 1932 April 2, 2012 The Crimson Tide was joined by Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Sewanee, Tennessee, Tulane and Vanderbilt. Effective the start of the 1933 season, the SEC was formed in an effort to create a smaller, geographically closer conference. Game summaries Oglethorpe 1933 Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels football team Oglethorpe 0 0 0 0 Alabama 14 7 7 6 September 30 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama 12,000 Source:Tide surges over Petrels in muddy 34–0 victory https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dp0-AAAAIBAJ&pg=5953%2C3681847 The Tuscaloosa News October 1, 1933 8 April 2, 2012 Although they played most of the game in a heavy rainstorm, Alabama opened the 1933 season with a 34–0 victory over Oglethorpe at Denny Stadium.1933 Season Recap The Crimson Tide took a 14–0 first quarter lead on a 12-yard Frank Moseley touchdown pass to Dixie Howell and a two-yard James McDanal touchdown run. With the lead, Alabama pulled their starters and played their second string for the second quarter. In the second, they took a 21–0 lead on a 21-yard Howard Chappell touchdown run. In the second half, the Crimson Tide closed the game with a touchdown in each of the final two quarters. McDanal scored first on a short run followed by a 12-yard Chappell run for the 34–0 win. Ole Miss 1933 Ole Miss Rebels football team Ole Miss 0 0 0 0 Alabama 0 0 0 0 October 7 Legion FieldBirmingham, Alabama 12,000 Source:Ole Miss thwarts Tide's attack to achieve scoreless tie https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=e50-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6292%2C3957540 The Tuscaloosa News October 8, 1933 8 April 2, 2012 In what was the first SEC game ever played by the Crimson Tide, Alabama and the rival Ole Miss Rebels battled to a 0–0 tie at Legion Field.Tide to depart this afternoon for Magic City https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ep0-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6127%2C3898447 The Tuscaloosa News October 6, 1933 6 April 2, 2012 Although Alabama outgained the Rebels in total offense 179 to 33 yards, seven fumbles kept the Crimson Tide out of the end zone. Mississippi State 1933 Mississippi State Maroons football team Mississippi State 0 0 0 0 Alabama 0 6 6 6 October 14 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama 5,000 Source:Moseley, Howell lead Bama to 18–0 victory over Miss. State https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gZ0-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6332%2C4264689 The Tuscaloosa News October 15, 1933 8 April 2, 2012 Against their long-time rival, the Mississippi State Maroons, Alabama won their first all-time SEC game 18–0 at Denny Stadium. In the game, Frank Moseley scored on a pair of touchdown runs with Dixie Howell scoring the other in the third quarter on a seven-yard run in the victory. Tennessee 1933 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October Alabama 0 0 6 6 Tennessee 0 6 0 0 October 21 Shields–Watkins FieldKnoxville, Tennessee 25,000 Source:Crimson Tide rises high to surge over mighty Vols, 12–6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hp0-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6321%2C4659715 The Tuscaloosa News October 22, 1933 8 April 2, 2012 Against rival Tennessee, Alabama defeated the Volunteers, 12–6 at Shields–Watkins Field. After a scoreless first quarter, the Volunteers took a 6–0 lead in the second when Beattie Feathers scored on a touchdown run. Down six at the half, a pair of second half touchdowns gave the Crimson Tide the 12–6 victory. Erskine Walker scored in the third on a 34-yard run and Dixie Howell scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth on a four-yard run. The loss was the first at home for Tennessee in the Robert Neyland era. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee 10–5–1. Fordham 1933 Fordham Rams football team Alabama 0 0 0 0 Fordham 2 0 0 0 October 28 Polo GroundsNew York 60,000 Source:60,000 see Rams block punt for safety, defeat Tide 2 to 0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iZ0-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6254%2C4938501 The Tuscaloosa News October 29, 1933 8 April 2, 2012 Before 60,000 fans at the Polo Grounds in New York City, Alabama was defeated the Fordham Rams, 2–0. The only points scored in the game came in the first quarter when Amerino Sarno blocked a Dixie Howell punt that Howell recovered in the endzone for a Fordham safety. The loss was Alabama's first intersectional loss since their 15–0 defeat against Wisconsin in 1928, and brought Alabama's all-time record against Fordham 0–1. Kentucky 1933 Kentucky Wildcats football team Kentucky 0 0 0 0 Alabama 0 6 7 7 November 4 Legion FieldBirmingham, Alabama 15,000 Source:Tide drowns Wildcats 20 to 0 in wake of 'Dixie' Howell https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jp0-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6055%2C5249593 The Tuscaloosa News November 5, 1933 10 April 2, 2012 A week after their first loss of the season, Alabama defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 20–0 at Legion Field. After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide took a 6–0 in the second after Dixie Howell scored on a 55-yard touchdown run. Alabama then closed the game with a five-yard Howell touchdown run in the third and a short Joe Demyanovich touchdown run in the fourth for the 20–0 win. In the first quarter, Howell punted the football 89-yards, which still stands as the Alabama record for longest punt.2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2011 University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/alab/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/record-book.pdf April 2, 2012 23 September 16, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120916033456/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/alab/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/record-book.pdf dead VPI 1933 VPI Gobblers football team VPI 0 0 0 0 Alabama 6 12 9 0 November 11 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama 10,000 Source:Tide tames Gobblers 27 to 0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lJ0-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6350%2C5528100 The Tuscaloosa News November 12, 1933 8 April 2, 2012 Against the Fighting Gobblers of VPI (now known as the Virginia Tech Hokies), Alabama won 27–0 on homecoming at Denny Field. The Crimson Tide took a 6–0 first quarter lead after Riley Smith scored on a five-yard touchdown run. They extended their lead to 18–0 at halftime on touchdown runs of one-yard by Joe Demyanovich and ten-yards by James Angelich in the second quarter. Alabama then closed the game with a 16-yard Dixie Howell touchdown run and a tackle of the Gobblers' Ray Mills for a safety in the third for the 27–0 win. Georgia Tech 1933 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team Alabama 6 0 0 6 Georgia Tech 0 2 7 0 November 18 Grant FieldAtlanta 18,000 Source:Tide keeps clean slate in Southeastern with 12–9 Tech win https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mp0-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6318%2C5803946 The Tuscaloosa News November 19, 1933 8 April 2, 2012 Against the Georgia Tech Golden Tornado, Alabama won 12–9 at Grant Field. The Crimson Tide took a 6–0 lead in the first quarter on a Dixie Howell touchdown run. After a Howell fumble resulted in a safety in the second, Tech took a 9–6 lead in the third quarter when W. A. Davis scored on a one-yard touchdown run. Howell then scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter on a short run. Vanderbilt 1933 Vanderbilt Commodores football team Alabama 0 7 0 0 Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 November 30 Dudley FieldNashville, Tennessee 15,000 Source:Tide brings back championship and Vandy scalp, 7 to 0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pZ0-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6329%2C6353911 The Tuscaloosa News December 1, 1933 6 April 2, 2012 In the season finale at Vanderbilt, Alabama defeated the Commodores 7–0 to capture the first SEC championship. The only points of the game came on a short Dixie Howell touchdown run in the second quarter. Personnel Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position James Angelich Indiana Harbor, Indiana Halfback Troy Barker Lineville, Alabama Guard Bear Bryant Moro Bottom, Arkansas End Jeff Bush Tuscaloosa, Alabama Back Howard Chappell Sylacauga, Alabama Back Joe Demyanovich Bayonne, New Jersey Fullback Jim Dildy Nashville, Arkansas Tackle Joe Dildy Nashville, Arkansas Center Kavanaugh Francis Timson, Texas Center Calvin Frey Arkadelphia, Arkansas Tackle Ralph Gandy Birmingham, Alabama End Dixie Howell Hartford, Alabama Halfback Larry Hughes Tuscaloosa, Alabama Back John Hundertmark Washington, Pennsylvania Tackle Thomas Hupke East Chicago, Indiana Guard Don Hutson Pine Bluff, Arkansas End B'Ho Kirkland Columbia, Alabama Guard Foy Leach Siloam Springs, Arkansas End Bill Lee Eutaw, Alabama Tackle Charlie Marr Pine Bluff, Arkansas Guard Thomas McMillian Brewton, Alabama End Frank Moseley Montgomery, Alabama Back Riley Smith Columbus, Mississippi Quarterback Erskine Walker Birmingham, Alabama Halfback Jim Whatley Alexander City, Alabama 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 Frank Thomas Head coach 3 Notre Dame (1923) Paul Burnum Assistant coach 4 Alabama (1922) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 13 VPI (1920) Harold Drew Assistant coach 3 Bates (1916) Jennings B. Whitworth Assistant coach 2 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/1933.pdf 1933 Season Recap RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics April 2, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120604190005/http://www.rolltide.com/datadump/fls_files/files/football/1930s/1933.pdf 2012-06-04 dead Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Category:Southeastern Conference football champion seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football