1911 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1911 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association SIAA 5–2–2 2–2–2 D. V. Graves 1st Robert Bumgardner The QuadBirmingham Fairgrounds The 1911 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1911 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 19th overall and 16th season as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA). The team was led by head coach D. V. Graves, in his first year, and played their home games at the University of Alabama Quad in Tuscaloosa and the Birmingham Fairgrounds in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of five wins, two losses and two ties (5–2–2 overall, 2–2–2 in the SIAA). In June 1911, Guy Lowman resigned from his position of head coach and athletic director at Alabama, and one month later the hiring of Graves to serve in both capacities was announced by the university president. Under Graves, Alabama opened their season with a pair of victories over Howard and 1911 Birmingham–Southern Panthers Birmingham College at Tuscaloosa. They were then upset by Georgia at Birmingham before playing both Mississippi A&M and Georgia Tech to ties on the road. After a victory over Marion Military Institute in their final road game of the season, Alabama closed the season with victories over both Tulane and 1911 Davidson Wildcats Davidson and an upset loss to Sewanee. Schedule September 30 w Howard (AL) The Quad Tuscaloosa, AL 24–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8499248/the_atlanta_constitution_howard_is/ The Atlanta Constitution Howard is easy for Alabama October 1, 1911 January 22, 2017 B5 Newspapers.com October 7 w y Birmingham The Quad Tuscaloosa, AL 47–5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8499576/the_atlanta_constitution_alabama/ H. U. Feibieman The Atlanta Constitution Alabama walks over Birmingham October 8, 1911 January 22, 2017 B6 Newspapers.com October 14 l Georgia Birmingham Fairgrounds Birmingham, AL rivalry 3–11 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8500289/the_atlanta_constitution_alabama/ Hugh W. Roberts The Atlanta Constitution Alabama gives Georgia a scrap October 15, 1911 January 22, 2017 B1 Newspapers.com October 20 Friday t y Mississippi A&M Columbus Fairgrounds Columbus, MS rivalry 6–6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8500948/clarionledger_both_fight_hard_but/ Associated Press Clarion-Ledger Both fight hard but neither win October 21, 1911 January 22, 2017 2 Newspapers.com October 28 t y Georgia Tech Ponce de Leon Park Atlanta, GA rivalry 0–0 Alabama fights draw with Yellow Jackets NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser October 29, 1911 15 November 4 w y y 1911 Marion Cadets Marion Marion, AL 35–0 Alabama beats Marion NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser November 5, 1911 14 November 11 w Tulane The Quad Tuscaloosa, AL 22–0 Tulane goes to pieces in last period and Alabama wins 22–0 NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The New Orleans Item November 12, 1911 23 November 18 l Sewanee Birmingham Fairgrounds Birmingham, AL 0–3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8504841/the_atlanta_constitution_by_place/ Hugh W. Roberts The Atlanta Constitution By place kick Sewanee wins November 19, 1911 January 22, 2017 5 Newspapers.com November 30 w y Davidson Birmingham Fairgrounds Birmingham, AL 16–6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8505637// The Charlotte Observer Alabama spurts in final moments and passes Davidson in the stretch December 1, 1911 January 22, 2017 9 Newspapers.com https://rolltide.com/sports/2016/6/10/sports-m-footbl-archive-m-footbl-archive-1911-html.aspx?id=265 1911 Alabama football archive RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics February 17, 2021For the 1911 season, point values were different from those used in contemporary games. In 1911 a touchdown was worth five points, a field goal was worth three points and an extra point (PAT) was worth one point. "A" Before the season On June 21, 1911, Kansas State Agricultural College (now known as Kansas State University) announced Alabama head coach and athletic director Guy Lowman had been hired to serve in the same capacities at Kansas State.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8526332/the_topeka_daily_capital_k_s_a_c/ The Topeka Daily Capital K. S. A. C. football coach is named June 22, 1911 January 23, 2017 2 Newspapers.com After a month-long search, on July 21, university president John Abercrombie offered the job of professor of physical training and athletic director to D. V. Graves to which he accepted immediately via telegraph.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8526501/the_atlanta_constitution_graves_named/ The Atlanta Constitution Graves named Alabama coach July 22, 1911 January 23, 2017 8 Newspapers.com The appointment was inclusive of him serving as head coach of all athletic teams at Alabama, including football. Graves was selected as he was the most highly recommended candidate, and he also played baseball for a single-season under Lowman while in college at the University of Missouri. Game summaries Howard (AL) Week 1: Howard at Alabama Howard Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 18 September 30 The QuadTuscaloosa, AL Donnelley Sources:Joplin features University win NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser October 1, 1911 13 Alabama opened the season with a 24–0 shutout victory over Howard (now Samford) at Tuscaloosa.1911 Season Recap After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide took a 6–0 lead into halftime after Farley Moody scored on a 40-yard punt return for a touchdown. After a scoreless third, Alabama then closed the game with a trio of fourth quarter touchdowns. Robert Bumgardner scored first on a five-yard run, Moody on a one-yard run and Charlie Joplin on a 65-yard reception. The starting lineup was Hargrove Vandegraaff (left end), Harold Mustin Powell (left tackle), Phillip Brooks Keller (left guard), Henry Barnett (center), Julius Clorefeline (right guard), C. C. Countess (right tackle), W. S. Pritchard (right end), Farley Moody (quarterback), Robert Bumgardner (left halfback), Edward Judson Finnell (right halfback), Adrian Vandegraaff (fullback). Birmingham Week 2: Birmingham at Alabama Birmingham Alabama 5 0 0 0 6 11 6 24 October 7 The QuadTuscaloosa, AL Corleaux (Washington) Sources:Alabama smothers Birmingham College NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser October 8, 1911 14 In their second game of the season, Alabama defeated Birmingham College (now Birmingham–Southern College) 47–5 at The Quad. Adrian Vandegraaff gave Alabama an early 6–0 lead behind his short touchdown run within the first three minutes of the game. Birmingham responded with their only points of the day on the drive that ensued on a short Taylor run and made the score 6–5. In the second, Alabama extended their lead to 17–5 behind a short touchdown run by Vandegraaff and a 30-yard run by Robert Bumgardner. After Farley Moody scored on a short touchdown run early in the third, Alabama closed the game with four touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Hargrove Van de Graaff scored first after he blocked a Birmingham punt and returned it 22-yards for the score. Adrian Van de Graaff next scored on an 85-yard kickoff return followed by a fourth Adrian Vandegraaff touchdown run and a 70-yard C. W. Greer run that made the final score 47–5. The starting lineup was Robert Bumgardner (left end), Harold Mustin Powell (left tackle), Phillip Brooks Keller (left guard), Henry Barnett (center), Julius Clorefeline (right guard), C. C. Countess (right tackle), W. S. Pritchard (right end), Farley Moody (quarterback), Hargrove Vandegraaff (left halfback), Edward Judson Finnell (right halfback), Adrian Vandegraaff (fullback). Georgia Week 3: Georgia at Alabama Georgia Alabama 5 0 0 6 0 3 0 0 October 14 FairgroundsBirmingham, AL Ed Hamilton Sources:https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8500342/the_tennessean_georgia_heavier_is/ The Tennessean Georgia, heavier, is conqueror of Alabama October 15, 1911 January 22, 2017 34 Newspapers.com In what was their first Birmingham game of the season, the Crimsons lost to Georgia 11–3 at the Fairgrounds. Bob McWhorter scored the first Georgia points of the game after he recovered a punt fumbled by Farley Moody and returned it for a touchdown and 5–0 lead. Farley then cut the Bulldog lead to 5–3 at halftime behind his 35-yard drop kick field goal in the second quarter. McWhorter then made the final score 11–3 behind his 12-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. The starting lineup was: Hargrove Vandergraaf (left end), Harold Mustin Powell (left tackle), Phillip Brooks Keller (left guard), Henry Barnett (center), Julius Clorefeline (right guard), C. C. Countess (right tackle), William L. Harsh (right end), Farley Moody (quarterback), Courtney (left halfback), Holt Andrews McDowell (right halfback), Adrian Vandegraaff (fullback).Woodruff 1928 252 Mississippi A&M Week 4: Alabama at Mississippi A&M Alabama MS A&M 0 0 6 0 0 6 0 0 October 20 FairgroundsColumbus, MS George Watkins Sources:Alabama ties A&M of Mississippi NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser October 21, 1911 11 In their first road game of the season, the Alabama played the Mississippi A&M Aggies to a 6–6 tie before 3,000 fans at the Fairgrounds in Columbus, Mississippi. After a scoreless first, the Aggies took a 6–0 lead behind a four-yard Morley Jennings touchdown run. Alabama responded with their lone points after Adrian Vandegraaff returned a Mississippi fumble 25-yard and tied the game 6–6. The starting lineup was: Hargrove Vandergraaf (left end), Harold Mustin Powell (left tackle), Phillip Brooks Keller (left guard), Henry Barnett (center), Julius Clorefeline (right guard), J. W. Hicks (right tackle), Robert Bumgardner (right end), Farley Moody (quarterback), Holt Andrews McDowell (left halfback), Edward Judson Finnell (right halfback), Adrian Vandegraaff (fullback). Georgia Tech Week 5: Alabama at Georgia Tech Alabama Ga. Tech 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 October 28 Ponce de Leon ParkAtlanta, GA Brown (Vanderbilt) Sources:https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8501548/the_timesdemocrat_alabama_0_georgia/ The Times-Democrat Alabama 0, Georgia 0 October 29, 1911 January 22, 2017 34 Newspapers.com The Georgia Tech game ended in a scoreless tie after time expired as Alabama drove to the Tech three-yard line. Following a hard-fought scoreless tie with Georgia Tech in 1911, coach John Heisman declared that he had never seen a player "so thoroughly imbued with the true spirit of football as Hargrove Vandegraaff."https://tavm.omeka.net/items/show/30 Coleman Hargrove Van de Graaff, 1893-1938 The starting lineup was: Hargrove Vandergraaf (left end), Harold Mustin Powell (left tackle), Phillip Brooks Keller (left guard), Henry Barnett (center), Julius Clorefeline (right guard), C. C. Countess (right tackle), Robert Bumgardner (right end), Farley Moody (quarterback), Holt Andrews McDowell (left halfback), Edward Judson Finnell (right halfback), Adrian Vandegraaff (fullback). Marion In what was their third consecutive road game, Alabama shutout the Marion Military Institute 35–0. Tulane Week 7: Tulane at Alabama Tulane Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 17 November 11 The QuadTuscaloosa, AL George Watkins Sources:https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8504084/the_atlanta_constitution_alabama_team/ H. U. Feibieman The Atlanta Constitution Alabama team easy winners November 12, 1911 January 22, 2017 1B Newspapers.com In what was their final Tuscaloosa game of the season, Alabama shutout Tulane 22–0 at The Quad. After a scoreless first, Alabama took a 5–0 lead in the second quarter on a 40-yard Farley Moody punt return. The score remained the same through the fourth quarter when Alabama scored a trio of touchdowns for the 22–0 victory. Touchdowns were scored on short runs by both Adrian and Hargrove Vandergraaf as well as on a 25-yard Robert Bumgardner run. The starting lineup was: Hargrove Vandergraaf (left end), Harold Mustin Powell (left tackle), Phillip Brooks Keller (left guard), Henry Barnett (center), Julius Clorefeline (right guard), C. C. Countess (right tackle), Robert Bumgardner (right end), Farley Moody (quarterback), Holt Andrews McDowell (left halfback), William L. Harsh (right halfback), Adrian Vandegraaff (fullback). Sewanee Week 8: Sewanee at Alabama Sewanee Alabama 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 November 18 FairgroundsBirmingham, AL Elgin (Nashville) Sources:https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8504896/the_courierjournal_gillems_toe_wins/ The Courier-Journal Gillem's toe wins for Sewanee team November 19, 1911 January 22, 2017 32 Newspapers.com In extremely muddy conditions at Birmingham, Alabama was upset by Sewanee 3–0 at the Fairgrounds. The game remained scoreless through the final minutes of the game when Jenks Gillem connected on a 15-yard drop kick field goal that gave the Tigers the 3–0 victory. The starting lineup was: Hargrove Vandergraaf (left end), Harold Mustin Powell (left tackle), Phillip Brooks Keller (left guard), Henry Barnett (center), Julius Clorefeline (right guard), C. C. Countess (right tackle), Robert Bumgardner (right end), Farley Moody (quarterback), Holt Andrews McDowell (left halfback), William L. Harsh (right halfback), Adrian Vandegraaff (fullback). Davidson Week 9: Davidson at Alabama Davidson Alabama 0 6 0 0 0 5 0 11 November 30 FairgroundsBirmingham, AL George Watkins Source: In their only all-time meeting against 1911 Davidson Wildcats Davidson, Alabama Alabama rallied with a pair of late touchdowns and defeated the Wildcats 16–6 at the Birmingham Fairgrounds in their season finale. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 5–0 lead behind a long Adrian Vandegraaff touchdown reception from Farley Moody on a fake punt. Davidson responded on the drive that ensued and took a 6–5 lead behind a 55-yard Q. D. Williford interception return for a touchdown. The Wildcats retained the lead through the fourth quarter when Alabama won the game behind a pair of late touchdowns. Adrian Vandegraaff scored first on a 27-yard touchdown run and was followed with a second touchdown run from Vandegraaff that made the final score 16–6. The starting lineup was: Hargrove Vandergraaf (left end), Harold Mustin Powell (left tackle), Phillip Brooks Keller (left guard), Henry Barnett (center), J. W. Hicks (right guard), C. C. Countess (right tackle), Robert Bumgardner (right end), Farley Moody (quarterback), Holt Andrews McDowell (left halfback), William L. Harsh (right halfback), Adrian Vandegraaff (fullback). Roster Alabama Crimson Tide 1911 roster Backs Edward Judson Finnell Charles West Greer William L. Harsh Victor John Heard Holt Andrews McDowell Farley Moody Adrian Van de GraaffEnds Robert Bumgardner Hargrove Van de Graaff Charlie Joplin M. Cammack Tackles James Gibbons Harold Mustin Powell W. S. PritchardGuards Julius Clorefeline J. W. Hicks Phillip Brooks Keller P. W. Shumate Center Henry Barnett C. C. CountessCoaching staff D. V. Graves – Head coach Auxford Burks – Assistant coach George Barnett – Manager Notes "A" References General A History of Southern Football 1890–1928 Woodruff Fuzzy 1 1928 http://www.rolltide.com/documents/2016/8/18//1911_season.pdf?id=7605 1911 Season Recap RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics January 22, 2017 PDF Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football