1937 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1937 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference SEC 4 9–1 6–0 Frank Thomas 7th Leroy Monsky Denny StadiumLegion Field SEC champion Rose Bowl L Lost 0–13 vs. California The 1937 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1937 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 44th overall and 5th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his seventh 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 one loss (9–1 overall, 6–0 in the SEC), as SEC champions and with a loss against California in the 1938 Rose Bowl. The Crimson Tide opened the season with three consecutive shutouts against Howard, Sewanee and South Carolina. In their fourth game, Alabama surrendered their first points of the season on defense in their 14–7 victory over Tennessee. They then shutout their next two opponents, George Washington and Kentucky prior to their game at Tulane. Against the Green Wave, the Crimson Tide won 9–6 on a game-winning fourth-quarter field goal by Hayward Sanford. After their sixth shutout of the season against Georgia Tech, Alabama won their second game of the season on a fourth quarter Sanford field goal against Vanderbilt, and clinched the SEC championship with the win. With their undefeated regular season, Alabama accepted an invitation to play in the 1938 Rose Bowl where they lost 13–0 to California. Schedule 1937 AP September 25 w y Howard (AL) Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 41–0 7,500 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71800365/alabama-crushes-howard-410/ The Birmingham News Alabama crushes Howard, 41–0 September 26, 1937 February 22, 2021 Newspapers.com October 2 w Sewanee Legion Field Birmingham, AL 65–0 7,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71800696/ Chattanooga Daily Times Alabama's powerful Crimson Tide engulfs Sewanee by score of 65 to 0 October 3, 1937 February 22, 2021 Newspapers.com October 9 w y South Carolina Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 20–0 9,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71801028/mighty-alabama-eleven-humbles-south/ The Greenville News Mighty Alabama eleven humbles South Carolina October 10, 1937 February 22, 2021 Newspapers.com October 16 w y Tennessee Shields-Watkins Field Knoxville, TN rivalry 14–7 25,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71801261/tide-power-crushes-vols-14-to-7/ The Knoxville News-Sentinel Tide power crushes Vols 14 to 7 October 17, 1937 February 22, 2021 Newspapers.com October 23 w y y 2 George Washington Griffith Stadium Washington, DC 19–0 24,666 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71801479/tide-wallops-colonials-190-in-sea/ The Birmingham News Tide wallops Colonials, 19–0, in sea of mud October 24, 1937 February 22, 2021 Newspapers.com October 30 w y 3 Kentucky Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 41–0 13,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71801731/alabamas-powerhouse-smashes-out-41-to/ Lexington Herald-Leader Alabama's powerhouse smashes out 41 to 0 victory over luckless Kentucky Wildcat eleven October 31, 1937 February 22, 2021 Newspapers.com November 6 w y 2 Tulane 19 Tulane Stadium New Orleans, LA 9–6 30,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71802587/sanfords-field-goal-enables-alabama-to/ The Montgomery Advertiser Sanford's field goal enables Alabama to beat Tulane November 7, 1937 February 22, 2021 Newspapers.com November 13 w 3 Georgia Tech Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 7–0 26,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71802835/bama-scores-late-in-fourth-quarter-to/ The Atlanta Constitution Bama scores late in fourth quarter to nose out Tech, 7–0 November 14, 1937 February 22, 2021 Newspapers.com November 25 Thursday w y 4 Vanderbilt 12 Dudley Field Nashville, TN 9–7 22,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71803208/sanfords-great-field-goal-brings-tide/ Nashville Banner Sanford's great field goal brings Tide 9–7 victory November 29, 1937 February 22, 2021 Newspapers.com January 1, 1938 l y y 4 California 2 Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl 0–13 89,650 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71803538/bears-beat-alabama-in-bowl-130/ The Los Angeles Times Bears beat Alabama in Bowl, 13–0 January 2, 1938 February 22, 2021 Newspapers.com https://rolltide.com/sports/2016/6/10/sports-m-footbl-archive-m-footbl-archive-1937-html.aspx?id=240 1937 Alabama football archives RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics February 22, 2021 Before the season After the 1936 season, the first expansion of Denny Stadium was undertaken. The stadium originally opened for the 1929 season, and the concrete stands had a seating capacity of 12,000.Denny Stadium https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ftY-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6504%2C4372156 The Tuscaloosa News October 8, 1937 4 April 12, 2012 The 1937 expansion included the construction of a 6,000 seat eastern addition that was utilized primarily by students. Its construction was financed with a combination of funding from both the university ($140,000) and a grant from the Public Works Administration ($90,000). Designed after the Yale Bowl, at the time of this expansion the school envisioned a build-out of Denny Stadium at a capacity of 66,000. Game summaries Howard (AL) 1937 Howard Bulldogs football team Howard 0 0 0 0 Alabama 14 14 7 6 September 25 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 7,500 Source:Relentless Crimson Tide inundates Howard, 41–0, in opener https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=c9Y-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6394%2C3802439 Jay Thornton The Tuscaloosa News September 26, 1937 10 April 10, 2012 To open the 1937 season, Alabama outgained Howard (now Samford University) in total yards 198 to 6, and defeated the Bulldogs 41–0 at Denny Stadium.1937 Season Recap The Crimson Tide scored a pair of touchdowns in each of the first two quarters to take a 28–0 halftime lead. First-quarter touchdowns were scored on a 21-yard Joe Kilgrow touchdown pass to George Zivich and on a Perron Shoemaker blocked punt returned 15-yards for the score. In the second, touchdowns were scored by Herschel Mosley on a 91-yard punt return and on a 10-yard Mosley to Bud Waites touchdown pass. The Crimson Tide then closed the game with a pair of second half touchdowns for the 41–0 victory. Charlie Holm scored on a four-yard run in the third and Alvin Davis scored on a 19-yard run in the fourth. Sewanee 1937 Sewanee Tigers football team Sewanee 0 0 0 0 Alabama 13 27 13 12 October 2 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 7,000 Source:Raging Crimson Tide sweeps over Sewanee in 65 to 0 rout Jay Thornton https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=edY-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6388%2C4114571 The Tuscaloosa News October 3, 1937 8 April 10, 2012 In the conference opener, Alabama defeated the Sewanee Tigers 65–0 at Legion Field in rainy conditions. In the game, Alabama outgained the Tigers 600 to 27 yards in total offense with both Charlie Holm and Joe Kilgrow each having gained over 100 yards rushing. The Crimson Tide also scored ten total touchdowns with Silas Beard, Kilgrow, Herschel Mosley and Billy Slemons each scoring two and both Holm and George Zivich each scoring one in the victory. South Carolina 1937 South Carolina Gamecocks football team South Carolina 0 0 0 0 Alabama 7 6 7 0 October 9 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 9,000 Sources:Crimson Tide subdues South Carolina, 20–0, to continue surge https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=f9Y-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6347%2C4431151 Jay Thornton The Tuscaloosa News October 10, 1937 6 April 10, 2012Plucky Gamecocks go down before Tide's power, 20–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=z0UsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=z8oEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5101%2C3854829 Associated Press The Spartanburg Herald-Journal October 10, 1937 22 April 10, 2012 Against the South Carolina Gamecocks of the Southern Conference Alabama won 20–0 at Denny Stadium in what was the first all-time meeting between the schools. Touchdowns were scored by Joe Kilgrow on a short run in the first, on a 33-yard Kilgrow pass to Silas Beard in the second and on a one-yard Hal Hughes run in the third. Tennessee 1937 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October Alabama 0 7 7 0 Tennessee 0 0 0 7 October 16 Shields-Watkins FieldKnoxville, TN 25,000 Source:Alabama's Crimson Tide drowns out Tennessee Vols, 14 to 7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hdY-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6160%2C4753902 Jay Thornton The Tuscaloosa News October 17, 1937 10 April 10, 2012 In Knoxville, Alabama defeated rival Tennessee 14–7 at Shields-Watkins Field one year after their scoreless tie at Legion Field. The overflow crowd of 25,000 included Tennessee Governor Gordon Browning and Alabama Governor Frank M. Dixon. After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide took a 7–0 lead in the second quarter after a Carey Cox interception set up the scoring drive. The touchdown was scored by Vic Bradford on a two-yard quarterback sneak to complete a 60-yard drive. In the third, Alabama extended their lead to 14–0 after Hal Hughes scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak. The Volunteers responded in the fourth with their only points, a three-yard George Cafego touchdown pass to Edwin Duncan to complete an 85-yard drive. The Tennessee touchdown was the first points allowed by the Crimson Tide defense of the season. George Washington 1937 George Washington Colonials football team #2 Alabama 0 13 6 0 George Washington 0 0 0 0 October 23 Griffith StadiumWashington, DC 24,666 Source:Crimson Tide rides through mud to overwhelm Colonials, 39–0 Jay Thornton https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=i9Y-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6291%2C5140504 The Tuscaloosa News October 24, 1937 10 April 10, 2012 As the entered their game against George Washington, Alabama was ranked No. 2 in the first AP Poll of the 1937 season.National poll ranks California Bears as nation's leading football team https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/843386422.html?dids=843386422:843386422&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+19%2C+1937&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=National+Poll+Ranks+California+Bears+As+Nation%27s+Leading+Football+Team&pqatl=google https://archive.today/20130131170522/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/843386422.html?dids=843386422:843386422&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+19,+1937&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=National+Poll+Ranks+California+Bears+As+Nation's+Leading+Football+Team&pqatl=google dead January 31, 2013 Hartford Courant October 19, 1937 19 April 10, 2012 In the contest, the Crimson Tide defeated the Colonials 19–0 at Griffith Stadium. For the second week in a row, Alabama was held scoreless in the first quarter, however a pair of second-quarter touchdowns gave the Crimson Tide a 13–0 halftime lead. In the second, touchdowns were scored by Joe Kilgrow on a 35-yard pass to Perron Shoemaker and Kilgrow on a six-yard run. The final points of the game were scored by Charlie Holm in the third after he returned an interception 30-yards for a touchdown. Kentucky 1937 Kentucky Wildcats football team Kentucky 0 0 0 0 #3 Alabama 6 21 7 7 October 30 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 13,000 Source:Ambitious Tide machine grinds out 41–0 win over Kentucky Jay Thornton https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kNY-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6611%2C5404533 The Tuscaloosa News October 31, 1937 6 April 10, 2012 As Alabama entered their homecoming contest against Kentucky, they dropped one place to No. 3 in the weekly poll.Rankings place Alabama third Alan Gould Associated Press https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jdY-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6490%2C5238928 The Tuscaloosa News October 26, 1937 8 April 10, 2012 In the game, the Crimson Tide defeated the Wildcats 41–0 before 13,000 at Denny Stadium. After Charlie Holm scored on a 27-yard touchdown run in the first, the Crimson Tide scored three second-quarter touchdowns for a 27–0 halftime lead. The second-quarter touchdowns were scored by Gene Blackwell on a six-yard run, Joe Kilgrow on a 20-yard run and on a ten-yard Herschel Mosley pass to Johnny Roberts. Alabama then closed the game with a pair one-yard touchdown runs in the second half for the 41–0 win. The first was scored by Billy Slemons in the third and the second by W. L. Waites in the fourth. Tulane 1937 Tulane Green Wave football team #2 Alabama 0 0 6 3 #19 Tulane 6 0 0 0 November 6 Tulane StadiumNew Orleans, LA 30,000 Source:Last minute field goal saves Tide in Tulane tussle, 9 to 6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ltY-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6273%2C5740514 Ben Green The Tuscaloosa News November 7, 1937 6 April 12, 2012 After their victory over Kentucky, the Crimson Tide moved up one position and regained the No. 2 spot in the weekly poll.California tops and Tide second Drew Middleton Associated Press https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ktY-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4162%2C5556660 The Tuscaloosa News November 2, 1937 7 April 10, 2012 Tulane was ranked No. 19 in the poll after their victory over Ole Miss. In the contest, the Crimson Tide defeated the Green Wave 9–6 after they converted a game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter. Tulane took a 6–0 lead in the first when John Andrews scored on a one-yard run three plays after William Kirchem blocked an Alabama punt to give the Greenies possession at the Tide's 18-yard line. Alabama did not score until early in the third when Vic Bradford completed an 87-yard drive with his one-yard touchdown run, and after a missed extra point the game was tied at six. With less than two minutes remaining in the fourth, Hayward Sanford kicked a 23-yard field goal to win the game. Georgia Tech 1937 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team Georgia Tech 0 0 0 0 #3 Alabama 0 0 0 7 November 13 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 26,000 Source:Long march in last quarter enables Tide to take Tech, 7–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nNY-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6010%2C6064338 The Tuscaloosa News November 14, 1937 10 April 10, 2012 After their close victory over Tulane, the Crimson Tide dropped one position to the No. 3 spot in the weekly poll in spite of having more first-place voted than No. 2 California.Pittsburgh forges ahead as No. 1 team in poll of writers Alan Gould Associated Press https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mdY-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6326%2C5868278 The Tuscaloosa News November 9, 1937 8 April 10, 2012 In their game against Georgia Tech, the game remained scoreless before a fourth-quarter touchdown gave Alabama the 7–0 victory over the Yellow Jackets at Legion Field. In the fourth, Joe Kilgrow threw the game-winning two-yard touchdown pass to Erin Warren with only four minutes remaining in the game for the 7–0 win. Vanderbilt 1937 Vanderbilt Commodores football team #4 Alabama 0 6 0 3 #12 Vanderbilt 0 0 7 0 November 25 Dudley FieldNashville, TN 22,000 Source:Crimson Tide ends "Season of Victory" by trouncing Vandy 9–7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p9Y-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6052%2C6679611 The Tuscaloosa News November 26, 1937 11 April 10, 2012 After their victory over Georgia Tech, Alabama had a bye week prior to their annual Thanksgiving Day game against Vanderbilt. Prior to their game, Alabama dropped to No. 4 and Vanderbilt moved up to No. 12 in the weekly AP Poll.Pitt strengthens No. 1 ranking, Alabama drops to fourth Alan Gould Associated Press https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pNY-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6032%2C6542007 The Tuscaloosa News November 23, 1937 7 April 10, 2012 In the game against the Commodores, Alabama won their second game of the season with a fourth quarter field goal in their 9–7 win at Dudley Field. After a scoreless first, the Crimson Tide took a 6–0 lead in the second quarter on a Joe Kilgrow touchdown pass to Erin Warren. The Commodores took a 7–6 lead in the third when Hardy Housman scored on a one-yard run and Joe Agee kicked the extra point. However, late in the fourth Hayward Sanford kicked the 27-yard game-winning field goal to give the Crimson Tide the 9–7 win. The victory clinched the SEC championship for the Crimson Tide.Bama captures title in S.E.C. Associated Press https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p9Y-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6129%2C6681697 The Tuscaloosa News November 26, 1937 11 April 10, 2012 California 1937 California Golden Bears football team 1938 Rose Bowl #4 Alabama 0 0 0 0 #2 California 0 7 6 0 January 1, 1938 Rose BowlPasadena, CA 87,000 Source:California overpowers 'Bama, 13–0 Ben Green https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=c-4-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=IE0MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6283%2C10655 The Tuscaloosa News January 2, 1938 1 April 10, 2012 On November 30, Alabama accepted an invitation to play in the 1938 Rose Bowl against the California Golden Bears.Rose Bowl Tide begins work Monday https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q9Y-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=10wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6616%2C6878573 The Tuscaloosa News December 1, 1937 1 April 10, 2012 In the game, the Crimson Tide were defeated in their only game of the season after their 13–0 shutout loss before 87,000 fans at Pasadena. Vic Bottari scored both touchdowns for the Golden Bears on runs of four-yards in the second and five-yards in the third. In the loss, the Crimson Tide turned the ball over eight times, on four fumbles and four interceptions. Alabama had two scoring opportunities end inside the California ten-yard line, one on a fumble at the one-yard line and another at the six-yard line. The loss was also Alabama's first in the Rose Bowl Game. After the season Awards After the season, Leroy Monsky was a consensus selection and both Joe Kilgrow and James Ryba were selected to various 1937 College Football All-America Teams.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 12, 2012 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2011 First-Team All-America University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama 163–172 NFL draft Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1937 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) between the 1938 and 1940 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 team1938 2 13 Joe Kilgrow 1 Back Brooklyn Dodgers 7 53 Leroy Monsky Guard Brooklyn Dodgers1939 3 23 Charley Holm 1 Back Washington Redskins 9 73 Lew Bostick 1 Guard Cleveland Rams1940 4 30 Bobby Wood Bobby Wood (American football) Tackle Cleveland Rams 5 34 Walt Merrill 1 Tackle Brooklyn Dodgers 11 93 Cary Cox 1 Center Pittsburgh Steelers 11 138 Hayward Sanford Sandy Sanford End Washington Redskins Personnel Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Silas Beard Guntersville, Alabama Halfback Gene Blackwell Blytheville, Arkansas End Lewis Bostick Birmingham, Alabama Guard Vic Bradford Memphis, Tennessee Quarterback Henry Cochrane Paducah, Kentucky Quarterback Carey Cox Bainbridge, Georgia Center Alvin Davis Green Forest, Arkansas Fullback Maurice Fletcher Clarksdale, Mississippi Quarterback Jess Foshee Clanton, Alabama Guard Grover Harkins Gadsden, Alabama Guard Charlie Holm Birmingham, Alabama Halfback Hal Hughes Pine Bluff, Arkansas Quarterback Thomas Keller Cullman, Alabama End Joe Kilgrow Montgomery, Alabama Halfback Jack Machtolff Sheffield, Alabama Center Walter Merrill Andalusia, Alabama Tackle Leroy Monsky Montgomery, Alabama Guard Herschel Mosley Blytheville, Arkansas Halfback William Peters Hammond, Indiana Guard Jake Redden Vernon, Alabama Guard Johnny Roberts Birmingham, Alabama Fullback Jim Ryba Cicero, Illinois Tackle Hayward Sanford Plainview, Arkansas End Perron Shoemaker Birmingham, Alabama End Billy Slemons Orlando, Florida Halfback Jim Tipton Blytheville, Arkansas Tackle Erin Warren Montgomery, Alabama End Bobby Wood McComb, Mississippi Tackle George Zivich East Chicago, Indiana HalfbackReference: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 7 Notre Dame (1923) Bear Bryant Assistant coach 2 Alabama (1935) Paul Burnum Assistant coach 8 Alabama (1922) Tilden Campbell Assistant coach 2 Alabama (1935) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 17 VPI (1920) Harold Drew Assistant coach 7 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 References General http://www.rolltide.com/datadump/fls_files/files/football/1930s/1937.pdf 1937 Season Recap RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics April 10, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120604190137/http://www.rolltide.com/datadump/fls_files/files/football/1930s/1937.pdf 2012-06-04 dead Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Category:Southeastern Conference football champion seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football