1925 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season April 2022 April 2022 1925 Alabama Crimson Tide football 1925 Alabama Crimson Tide football team photo.jpg 285 Southern Conference SoCon 10–0 7–0 Wallace Wade 3rd Single-wing Bruce Jones Denny FieldRickwood FieldCramton Bowl National champion (multiple selectors)SoCon co-championRose Bowl champion Rose Bowl W Won 20–19 vs. Washington 20sTideuniform.png The 1925 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1925 Southern Conference football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 32nd overall and 4th season as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon). The team was led by head coach Wallace Wade, in his third year, and played their home games at Denny Field in Tuscaloosa, at Rickwood Field in Birmingham and at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. They finished the season with their first ever perfect record (10–0 overall, 7–0 in the SoCon), as Southern Conference champions, defeated Washington in the Rose Bowl, and were retroactively named as national champion for 1925 by several major selectors.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 March 3, 2012 The Crimson Tide entered the season as the defending Southern Conference champions after finishing the 1924 season with an 8–1 record. Alabama would then go on and shutout all but one of their regular season opponents en route to a second consecutive Southern Conference championship. The Crimson Tide then accepted an invitation to participate as the first Southern team in the annual Rose Bowl Game, where they defeated Washington 20–19. This victory has subsequently been recognized as one of the most important in Southern football history as well as has been deemed "the game that changed the South." Schedule September 26 w y Union (TN) Denny Field Tuscaloosa, AL 53–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71442778/alabama-has-romp-with-union-eleven/ Chattanooga Daily Times Alabama has romp with Union eleven September 27, 1925 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com October 2 w y Birmingham–Southern Denny Field Tuscaloosa, AL 50–7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71443082/tide-parades-to-507-victory-over/ The Birmingham News Tide parades to 50–7 victory over Panthers October 3, 1925 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com October 10 w y LSU Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA rivalry 42–0 8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71443649/crimson-tide-overwhelms-donahues-420/ The Birmingham News Crimson Tide overwhelms Donahues, 42–0 October 11, 1925 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com October 17 w Sewanee Rickwood Field Birmingham, AL 27–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71443886/sewanee-tigers-trampled-by-wallace/ Nashville Banner Sewanee Tigers trampled by Wallace Wade's Bama eleven October 18, 1925 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com October 24 w y Georgia Tech Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry 7–0 20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71444190/better-football-won-for-alabama-says/ The Atlanta Constitution Better football won for Alabama, says Staton October 25, 1925 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com October 31 w y Mississippi A&M Denny Field Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 6–0 7,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71444432/mississippi-aggies-held-conference/ The Tuscaloosa News Mississippi Aggies held conference champions to lone score on wet field November 1, 1925 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com November 7 w Kentucky Rickwood Field Birmingham, AL 31–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71444709/alabama-line-holds-cats-and-kentucky-is/ The Courier-Journal Alabama line holds Cats and Kentucky is beaten by 31–0 in hard game November 8, 1925 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com November 14 w Florida Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL rivalry 34–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71444934/gators-lose-to-crimson-tide-34-to-0/ The Tampa Tribune Gators lose to Crimson Tide 34 to 0 November 15, 1925 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com November 26 w Georgia Rickwood Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 27–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71445264/crimson-cinches-conference-title-by/ The Atlanta Constitution Crimson cinches conference title by 27–0 victory November 27, 1925 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com January 1, 1926 w y y Washington Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl 20–19 55,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71445526/alabamans-win-game-huskies-beaten-20/ Los Angeles Times Alabamans win game, Huskies beaten, 20 to 19 January 2, 1926 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com https://rolltide.com/sports/2016/6/10/sports-m-footbl-archive-m-footbl-archive-1925-html.aspx?id=252 1925 Alabama football archive RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics February 18, 2021 Before the season Alabama was last year upset by Centre. Former center and alumnus Shorty Propst was hired to the coaching staff. 1925 saw the south's widespread use of the forward pass.https://books.google.com/books?id=_RqQQHqQdAAC&pg=PA101 Shaping College Football 9780815608868 Schmidt Raymond 18 June 2007 Syracuse University Press Game summaries Union (TN) Week 1: Union at Alabama Union Alabama 0 0 0 0 13 27 7 6 September 26 Denny FieldTuscaloosa, AL Charles Kittleman Source:Bama has easy time with Union Associated Press NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Times-Picayune September 27, 1925 6.1 Alabama opened their 1925 season against Union University at Denny Field, and defeated the Bulldogs 53–0 in rainy field conditions.1925 Season Recap The Crimson Tide played every player on their squad in this game and touchdowns were scored twice each by Herschel Caldwell and David Rosenfeld; and were scored once each by Johnny Mack Brown, Hoyt Winslett, Waile and James Johnson. The margin of victory was not unexpected with The Augusta Chronicle stating:"Union's squad is nothing more than a first class prep school and the Crimson Tide has no right to boast of their score and win.Tide beats Union NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Augusta Chronicle September 28, 1925 3" The starting lineup was Melvin Vines (left end), Pickhard (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Jones (center), Perry (right guard), Camp (right tackle), Hudson (right end), Barnes (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Caldwell (right halfback), Hubert (fullback). Birmingham–Southern Week 2: Birmingham–Southern at Alabama Birmingham–Southern Alabama 0 0 7 0 25 12 13 0 September 26 Denny FieldTuscaloosa, AL Source: Only one team scored on the Tide all regular season — Birmingham–Southern managed a touchdown after recovering a Grant Gillis fumble at the Alabama 25-yard line. Aided by two offside penalties, the Panthers drove the ball into the endzone. The Tide won 50–7. Hubert and Winslett scored two touchdowns each; and Rosenfeld, Gillis, Johnson and Barnes one each. The last period went scoreless. LSU Week 3: Alabama at LSU Alabama LSU 7 14 14 7 0 0 0 0 October 10 Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA 8,000 Finley Sources:Alabama smothers helpless Louisiana Staters by 42 to 0 Jimmy Snee NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Times-Picayune October 11, 1925 6.1Alabama sweeps over Tigers 42–0 NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Advocate October 11, 1925 1 In a game described by some as "perfection itself," Alabama defeated the LSU Tigers at Baton Rouge 42–0 in what was both their first road and conference game of the season. The Crimson Tide scored their first of six touchdowns on the opening drive of the game after Pooley Hubert scored on a three-yard run over center. In the second quarter, Hubert scored again on a one-yard run and David Rosenfeld scored on a five-yard run as time expired in the first half that gave Alabama a 21–0 halftime lead. Alabama received the second half kickoff and drove 65 yards for their fourth touchdown scored by Grant Gillis on a one-yard run. Hubert then scored his third touchdown of the game on a short run that gave the Crimson Tide a 35–0 lead as they entered the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, Hubert scored his fourth touchdown on another short run that made the final score 42–0. The starting lineup was Hudson (left end), Camp (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Holmes (center), Jones (right guard), Perry (right tackle), Winslett (right end), Gillis (quarterback), Barnes (left halfback), M. Brown (right halfback), Hubert (fullback).The game in figures NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Advocate October 11, 1925 1 Sewanee Week 4: Sewanee at Alabama Sewanee Alabama 0 0 0 0 6 7 0 14 October 17 Rickwood FieldBirmingham, AL Springer Sources:Alabama Tide sweeps over Sewanee 27–0; Hubert is big star NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Times-Picayune October 18, 1925 6.1Alabama sweeps over Sewanee by score of 27 to 0 Associated Press NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Advocate October 18, 1925 17 1925 saw the South's widespread use of the forward pass, and Alabama brought it out to defeat the Sewanee Tigers 27–0 at Birmingham. In the first quarter, a 28-yard pass from Hoyt Winslett to Red Barnes set up the first touchdown score on a short Pooley Hubert run for a 6–0 lead. The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 13–0 at halftime behind Hubert's second touchdown of the game on a three-yard run. After a scoreless third, Alabama scored their third touchdown on a 35-yard pass from Grant Gillis to Herschel Caldwell, and the last set up by a 35-yard pass from Hubert to Winslett. Hubert then scored the final points of the game late in the fourth after he recovered a Caldwell fumble in the endzone for a touchdown and the 27–0 victory. The starting lineup was Hudson (left end), Perry (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Holmes (center), Jones (right guard), Camp (right tackle), Winslett (right end), Gillis (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Caldwell (right halfback), Hubert (fullback). Georgia Tech Week 5: Alabama at Georgia Tech Alabama Georgia Tech 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 October 24 Grant FieldAtlanta, GA 20,000 Burch Sources:https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5149807/the_anniston_star/ Alabama Wins 7 to 0, Brown Scores In Third After Punt By Wycoff May 3, 2016 Newspapers.com Anniston Star October 25, 1925 10 Alabama checks Golden Tornado NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers Associated Press The State October 25, 1925 11Alabama sweeps to 7–0 victory over Tech Associated Press NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Augusta Chronicle October 25, 1925 3 thumb|400x400px|A scene from the Georgia Tech game at Grant Field On a wet field, Alabama defeated coach William Alexander's Georgia Tech Golden Tornado 7–0 at Atlanta. After a scoreless first half, Johnny Mack Brown scored the only points of the game when he returned a Doug Wycoff punt 45-yards for a touchdown. "Hubert played the greatest game of his career and was called the greatest defensive back ever to appear on Grant Field". The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Holmes (center), Jones (right guard), Camp (right tackle), Hudson (right end), M. Brown (quarterback), Barnes (left halfback), Caldwell (right halfback), Hubert (fullback). Mississippi A&M Week 6: Mississippi A&M at Alabama Mississippi A&M Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 October 31 Denny FieldTuscaloosa, AL 7,000 Rain Springer Source:Aggies surprise 'Bama: Aggies hold Alabama U. to 6–0 score NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers Associated Press The Times-Picayune November 1, 1925 6.1 On homecoming, Alabama defeated the Mississippi A&M Aggies 6–0 on a rainy afternoon in Tuscaloosa. After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide scored the only points of the game in the second after a short punt set them up on the Aggies' 26 yard line. Six plays later, Pooley Hubert threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Hoyt Winslett, and Alabama took a 6–0 lead that held for the remainder of the game. The closest A&M came to tying the game came in the third, but stalled after Herschel Caldwell had an interception that stopped an Aggies drive at the Alabama 16 yard line. The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Bowdoin (left guard), Paine (center), Dismukes (right guard), Pickhard (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Hubert (quarterback), Gillis (left halfback), Rosenfeld (right halfback), Johnson (fullback). Kentucky Week 7: Kentucky at Alabama Kentucky Alabama 0 0 0 0 10 7 7 7 November 7 Rickwood FieldBirmingham, AL Lambert (Ohio State) Sources:https://archive.org/stream/xt7crj48q30f#page/n5/mode/2up November 13, 1925 Great Crimson Tide Continues To Flow, Unhalted, in South Kentucky KernelBama Tide sweep over 'Tucky 31–0 NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers Associated Press The Times-Picayune November 8, 1925 6.1 At Rickwood Field, the Crimson Tide defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 31–0. After Bill Buckler kicked an eight-yard field goal, Johnny Mack Brown ran a 79-yard touchdown "on a sweeping flank play" for a 10–0 Alabama lead at the end of the first quarter. Red Barnes extended their lead to 17–0 at halftime after he returned a John Ross fumble 77-yards for a touchdown. Brown scored again in the third quarter on a 16-yard run off a "triple fake pass," and Pooley Hubert made the final score 31–0 with his short run in the fourth quarter. The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Jones (left guard), Holmes (center), Buckler (right guard), Camp (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Hubert (quarterback), Caldwell (left halfback), Barnes (right halfback), M. Brown (fullback). Florida Week 8: Florida at Alabama Florida Alabama 0 0 0 0 7 6 7 14 November 14 Cramton BowlMontgomery, AL Charles Kittleman Sources: A large crowd was expected in Montgomery for the game against the Florida Gators.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3158891/the_anniston_star/ Anniston Star Crimson Tide Rushing Upon Gator Eleven November 14, 1925 6 September 4, 2015 Newspapers.com The return to the lineup of Tide center Gordon Holmes, injured against Georgia Tech, and the battle between backs Mack Brown and Edgar C. Jones brought intrigue. Mack Brown made two touchdowns; Red Barnes two, and Pooley Hubert one. Brown's first score came when he caught the ball on a pass from Hubert at the 15-yard line, dodged Jones and scored. A pass from Hubert to Brown in the end zone netted the second score. Florida's Scott returned the kickoff to Alabama's 20-yard line, nearly breaking the tackle there. Two Barnes interceptions set up his touchdowns, one a 16-yard run after catch and another an end run. Jones attempted a drop kick, which was short and returned by Brown for 35 yards. A drive and a pass to Barnes got Alabama to Florida's 3-yard line, and Hubert scored over center.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3158824/the_anniston_star/ Crimson Tide Overcomes Gators; Goldstein Stars For Losing Aggregation The Anniston Star November 15, 1925 8 September 4, 2015 Newspapers.com The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Jones (left guard), Holmes (center), Buckler (right guard), Camp (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Hubert (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Barnes (right halfback), Caldwell (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3160962/the_indexjournal/ The Index-Journal 7 November 15, 1925 Alabama Machine Crushes Florida September 5, 2015 Newspapers.com Georgia Week 9: Georgia at Alabama Georgia 0 0 0 0 Alabama 7 7 6 7 November 26 Rickwood FieldBirmingham, AL Charles Kittleman Source:Crimson tide outclasses Bulldogs at all angles of the game Associated Press NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Times-Picayune November 27, 1925 14 In their final regular season game, Alabama defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 27–0 and clinched their second consecutive Southern Conference championship. The Crimson Tide took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter after Pooley Hubert reversed the ball to Hoyt Winslett, who then passed it 25 yards to Grant Gillis, who then ran for 25 more and the score. Hubert then scored the final three touchdowns for Alabama. Hubert scored next after a fumble in the second. In the third period, Gillis made 22 yards on a triple pass to set up a short Hubert touchdown run. The last touchdown was set up by a Hubert pass to Ben A. Hudson that was followed by a short Hubert run for a 27–0 victory. This victory in conjunction with the tie game between Colgate and Brown all but assured the Crimson Tide's selection to the Rose Bowl.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4504886/journal_gazette/ Davis J. Walsh Wash. State And Ala. May Be Opponents 7 Journal Gazette November 27, 1925 Newspapers.com March 3, 2016 The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Camp (left tackle), Jones (left guard), Holmes (center), Buckler (right guard), Perry (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Hubert (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Barnes (right halfback), Gillis (fullback). Postseason Washington Rose Bowl Alabama Washington 0 0 20 0 6 6 0 7 January 1 Rose BowlPasadena, CA 55,000 The season was extended when Alabama received a surprise invitation to head west and play in the Rose Bowl. It was Alabama's first bowl game ever and the first time a southern team had ever been invited to play in what then was college football's only bowl game.Kordic, Gregory. A Damn Good Yankee: Xen Scott and the Rise of the Crimson Tide. 2007, AuthorHouse publishing. 978-1-4259-6018-6 p. 3 Its opponent was the Washington Huskies, who had gone 10–0–1, been just as dominant as the Tide, and were regarded as heavy favorites by the press. Through one half, that prediction looked accurate. Washington's star halfback George Wilson intercepted a pass in the first quarter and then led his team 63 yards for a touchdown and a 6–0 lead. In the second quarter Wilson ran for 36 yards and then threw a 22-yard touchdown pass, and Washington went up 12–0. Both extra point tries failed. At the half, Wade changed his game plan, telling Pooley Hubert to run more often. Possibly more importantly, George Wilson sat out the entire third quarter due to sore ribs. It was in that third quarter that Alabama struck. A short punt set up Alabama on the Washington 42 and the Tide quickly capitalized, Hubert scoring on a 1-yard run to make the score 12–7. The Huskies couldn't move the ball without Wilson and punted. Shortly thereafter Grant Gillis hit Brown on a 59-yard touchdown pass and suddenly Alabama led 14–12. Not long after that Washington fumbled the ball and Alabama recovered at the Husky 30. Hubert found Brown for another touchdown pass on the very next play. The extra point failed, but Alabama still led 20–12. Bama scored three touchdowns in seven minutes of clock time. Wilson returned in the fourth quarter and threw a late touchdown pass, but the two missed extra points in the first half proved decisive, and Alabama won 20–19."A Bunch Of Farmers Upset Football Tradition", Sports Illustrated, Dec. 24, 1962 The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Holmes (center), Jones (right guard), Camp (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Gillis (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Barnes (right halfback), Hubert (fullback). Awards and honors It was Alabama's first real perfect season in school history, though Alabama was undefeated in 1897 when the Tide played and won one game. The team was ranked No. 2 in the nation in the Dickinson System ratings released in December 1925.Dickison Football Rating System: Dartmouth Declared National Champion The Pantagraph January 8, 1926 11 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98589869/dickison-football-rating-system/ Newspapers.com Other major selectors retroactively named Alabama as "national champion" for 1925."NCAA History", Retroactive Poll Champions https://web.archive.org/web/20081215012800/http://www.ncaa.com/history/football-fbs.html 2008-12-15 Football Bowl Subdivision Records http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/football_records/DI/2009/2009FBS.pdf NCAA Football 79 2009 Johnny Mack Brown and Pooley Hubert were later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.[1399 Hall of Fame bio for Brown][1400 Hall of Fame bio for Hubert] Brown capitalized on his Rose Bowl exposure in southern California by signing a motion picture contract with MGM and beginning a 40-year career in the movies.IMDb entry for Johnny Mack Brown Personnel Varsity letter winners Line Alabama Crimson Tide Number Player Hometown Position Gamesstarted Prep school Height Weight Age Bill Buckler Saint Paul, Minnesota Guard8 Joseph "Pete" Camp Manchester, Alabama Tackle8 Ben E. Compton Greensboro, Alabama Guard Gordon Holmes Springville, Alabama Center6 Ben A. Hudson Montgomery, Alabama End4 Bruce Jones Jasper, Alabama Guard6 Leslie Payne Bay Minette, Alabama Tackle Claude Perry Jasper, Alabama Tackle8 Hulet Whitaker Guntersville, Alabama End58 Hoyt "Wu" Winslett Dadeville, Alabama End817221 thumb|305x305px|Johnny Mack Brown in 1925 Backfield Alabama Crimson Tide Number Player Hometown Position Gamesstarted Prep school Height Weight Age Red Barnes Grove Hill, Alabama Halfback71722017 Johnny Mack Brown Dothan, Alabama Halfback8Dothan High5'11"16021 Herschel Caldwell Blytheville, Arkansas Halfback522 Grant Gillis Grove Hill, Alabama Quarterback55'10"16524 Robert Lee Hamner Fayette, Alabama Back10 Allison "Pooley" Hubert Meridian, Mississippi Fullback9Meridian High5'10"19024 James Johnson Tuscaloosa, Alabama Halfback1 W. S. Oliver Panola, Alabama Back/Tackle David Rosenfeld Birmingham, Alabama Halfback1 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2011 All-Time Tide Football Lettermen University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama 127–141 Other Alabama Crimson Tide Name Hometown Position Ed Bruce Birmingham Manager Coaching staff Alabama Crimson Tide Name Position Seasons atAlabama Alma mater Wallace Wade Head coach 3 Brown (1917) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 5 VPI (1920) Russell Cohen Assistant coach 3 Vanderbilt (1916) Clyde "Shorty" Propst Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1924) William T. Van de Graaff Assistant coach 5 Alabama (1916)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/25-m-footbl-recaps.pdf 1925 Season Recap RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 8, 2016 September 19, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170919001155/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/25-m-footbl-recaps.pdf dead Specific External links Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Category:College football national champions Category:Southern Conference football champion seasons Category:Rose Bowl champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football