1931 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1931 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southern Conference SoCon 9–1 7–1 Frank Thomas 1st Joe Sharpe Denny StadiumLegion FieldCramton Bowl The 1931 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1931 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 38th overall and 10th season as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his first year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, at Legion Field in Birmingham and at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of nine wins and one loss (9–1 overall, 7–1 in the SoCon). The Crimson Tide won the Southern Conference championship, the 1931 Rose Bowl and a share of the national championship in Wallace Wade's final year at Alabama. The Crimson Tide lost all of the starters from their 10–0 1930 team except for Johnny Cain, but still played almost as well. With Frank Thomas hired as Wade's successor, Alabama won their first three games of the 1931 season against Howard, Ole Miss and Mississippi A&M before they suffered their only loss of the season against Tennessee. The Crimson Tide responded from the loss to win their final five regular season games against Sewanee, Kentucky, Florida, Clemson and Vanderbilt. Alabama then competed in a pair of charity games scheduled in early November to follow the regular season finale against Vanderbilt. In these two games, the Crimson Tide defeated 1931 Chattanooga Mocs Chattanooga and then three separate Washington, D.C. schools in an exhibition that featured an all-star collection of former Crimson Tide players. Although Alabama did have considerable success on the field, tragedy did strike the team on November 17 when freshman center James Richard Nichols died from complications due to a spinal injury he suffered during a football practice.U. of A. freshman football player dies of injuries https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ODBBAAAAIBAJ&pg=5673%2C3599779 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 17, 1931 March 28, 2012Football injury fatal https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0B17F73A5D1B7A93CAA8178AD95F458385F9 The New York Times November 18, 1931 March 28, 2012 His death was the first major accident associated with the Alabama football program in its history. Schedule no September 26 w y Howard (AL) Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 42–6 5,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71692288/tide-gains-momentum-as-minutes-pass-in/ The Birmingham News Tide gains momentum as minutes pass in 42–6 win September 27, 1931 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 3 w Ole Miss Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 55–6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71692681/powerful-tide-team-crushes/ The Montgomery Advertiser Powerful Tide team crushes Mississippians, 55 to 6 October 4, 1931 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 10 w y Mississippi A&M Greer Memorial Field Meridian, MS rivalry 53–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71694140/alabama-swamps-aggies-530-with-subs/ The Birmingham News Alabama swamps Aggies, 53–0 with subs shining October 11, 1931 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 17 l y Tennessee Shields–Watkins Field Knoxville, TN rivalry 0–25 23,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71694601/tennessee-routs-crimson-tide-25-to-0/ The Knoxville Journal Tennessee routs Crimson Tide, 25 to 0 October 18, 1931 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 24 w Sewanee Legion Field Birmingham, AL 33–0 5,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71694931/alabama-piles-up-330-score-on-sewanee/ Chattanooga Daily Times Alabama piles up 33–0 score on Sewanee October 25, 1931 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 31 w y Kentucky Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 9–7 10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71695316/fumble-and-blocked-kick-beat-kentucky/ The Courier-Journal Fumble and blocked kick beat Kentucky, 9–7 November 1, 1931 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 7 w Florida Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 41–0 7,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71695611/powerful-alabama-eleven-crushes-gators/ Tampa Bay Times Powerful Alabama eleven crushes Gators, 41–0 November 8, 1931 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 14 w Clemson Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL rivalry 74–7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71695921/bama-team-shows-finesse-in-routing/ The Montgomery Advertiser Bama team shows finesse in routing Clemson by 74–7 November 15, 1931 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 27 Thursday w y Vanderbilt Dudley Field Nashville, TN 14–6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71696569/tide-takes-high-rank-by-beating-vandy/ The Birmingham News Tide takes high rank by beating Vandy, 14–6 November 27, 1931 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com December 5 w y y Chattanooga Chamberlain Field Chattanooga, TN 39–0 3,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71696976/brilliant-blocking-paves-way-for/ Chattanooga Daily Times Brilliant blocking paves way for touchdowns as Alabama mauls Moccasins, 39–0 December 6, 1931 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com https://rolltide.com/sports/2016/6/10/sports-m-footbl-archive-m-footbl-archive-1931-html.aspx?id=246 1931 Alabama football archives RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics February 20, 2021 Before the season Prior to the start of the 1930 season, head coach Wallace Wade announced his resignation in order to become the head coach at Duke.Wade will leave 'Bama in 1931 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C7k-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6280%2C4658754 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News April 1, 1930 March 28, 2012 On July 26, 1930, former Chattanooga head and then Georgia assistant coach Frank Thomas was announced as Wade's successor by the University Athletic Committee.Thomas to coach Tide https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bNE-AAAAIBAJ&pg=5917%2C4375504 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News July 27, 1930 March 28, 2012Frank Thomas named Alabama grid coach https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6TosAAAAIBAJ&pg=4881%2C2134057 Google News Archives The Spartanburg Herald July 28, 1930 March 28, 2012 Signed to a three-year contract, Thomas would take over as head coach on January 1, 1931, with the 1931 season being his first as head coach. In the 1930 season, Alabama finished the season undefeated, with a victory in the 1931 Rose Bowl and as national champions. For the 1931 season, coach Thomas retired Wade's single-wing offense and installed the Notre Dame Box formation that he learned as both a player and assistant coach at Notre Dame under Knute Rockne.Legends of Alabama Football Richard Scott 2004 Sports Publishing, LLC Champaign, Illinois 9781582612775 9 https://books.google.com/books?id=IH0LrFMKVTcC March 25, 2012 Game summaries Howard (AL) 1931 Howard Bulldogs football team Howard 0 0 6 0 Alabama 7 7 14 14 September 26 Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama Source:Alabama whips Howard, 42–6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DDBBAAAAIBAJ&pg=5876%2C1225161 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News September 27, 1931 9 March 28, 2012 In what was Frank Thomas' first game as Alabama head coach, Alabama opened the 1931 season with a 42–6 victory over Howard College (now Samford University) at Denny Stadium.1931 Season Recap The Crimson Tide took a 14–0 lead into halftime after Leon Long scored on touchdown runs of one-yard in the first and five-yards in the second quarter. In the third, Alabama extended their lead to 28–0 when Johnny Cain threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Hillman Holley, followed by a short Long touchdown run later in the quarter. After Howard scored their only points on a 57-yard touchdown pass late in the third, Alabama closed the game with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. Holley and Larry Hughes each scored on short touchdown runs to make the final score 42–6. Holley starred in the game with his 204 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Ole Miss 1931 Ole Miss Rebels football team Ole Miss 0 0 6 0 Alabama 20 14 7 14 October 3 Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama Source:Tide smashes Ole Miss, 55–6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EjBBAAAAIBAJ&pg=6208%2C1578597 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 4, 1931 9 March 28, 2012 In what was Frank Thomas' first SoCon game as Alabama head coach, the Crimson Tide defeated the Ole Miss Rebels 55–6 at Denny Stadium. Alabama took a 20–0 first quarter lead on a trio of touchdowns. Hillman Holley scored first on a 41-yard run, Johnny Cain second on a three-yard run, and Larry Hughes third on a short run. The Crimson Tide further extended their lead to 34–0 at the half after Holley scored on a 47-yard run and Leon Long on a two-yard run. After Cain scored again for Alabama in the third, the Rebels scored their only points of the game when Jack Burke returned a Jennings B. Whitworth kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown. The Crimson Tide then closed the game with touchdown runs from Cain and Long to make the final margin 55–6. Mississippi A&M 1931 Mississippi A&M Aggies football team Alabama 14 20 13 6 Mississippi A&M 0 0 0 0 October 10 Greer Memorial FieldMeridian, Mississippi Source:Alabama scores impressive win over Ags, 53–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GDBBAAAAIBAJ&pg=5850%2C1892253 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 11, 1931 9 March 28, 2012 In what was Frank Thomas' first road game as Alabama head coach, the Crimson Tide defeated the Mississippi A&M Aggies (now the Mississippi State Bulldogs) 53–0 at Greer Memorial Field in Meridian. In the game, Alabama only played its starters in the first quarter. Touchdowns were scored twice by Erskine Walker and Ben Smith and once each by Howard Chappell, Hillman Holley, Larry Hughes and Leon Long. Tennessee 1931 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October Alabama 0 0 0 0 Tennessee 7 0 6 12 October 17 Shields–Watkins FieldKnoxville, Tennessee 23,000 Source:Vols overwhelm Tide, 25–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HjBBAAAAIBAJ&pg=5485%2C2247598 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 18, 1931 9 March 28, 2012 Before 23,000 fans at Shields–Watkins Field, Alabama was shutout by the Tennessee Volunteers, 25–0, in Knoxville. The Volunteers took an early 7–0 lead in the first quarter when Gene McEver scored on a short touchdown run. After a scoreless second quarter, McEver scored again on a three-yard touchdown run to extend the Tennessee lead to 13–0. The Volunteers then finished the game with touchdowns on a 17-yard H. B. Brackett run and a six-yard pass from Brackett to McEver to make the final score 25–0. Sewanee 1931 Sewanee Tigers football team Sewanee 0 0 0 0 Alabama 13 7 0 13 October 24 Legion FieldBirmingham, Alabama 5,000 Source:Tide trounces Sewanee, 33–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JDBBAAAAIBAJ&pg=5557%2C2571421 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 25, 1931 9 March 28, 2012 A week after being shut out by Tennessee, Alabama rebounded with a 33–0 shutout against the Sewanee Tigers at Legion Field. Alabama scored their first pair of touchdowns in the first five minutes of the game. The first came when Hillman Holley scored on an eight-yard run and the second when Holley threw a seven-yard pass to Ben Smith to give Alabama a 13–0 lead. Johnny Cain then scored on a short run in the second, and after a scoreless third quarter, the Crimson Tide closed the game with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. Joe Causey scored first on a 28-yard run and then Howard Chappell threw a touchdown pass to Leon Long to make the final score 33–0. Kentucky 1931 Kentucky Wildcats football team Kentucky 0 0 7 0 Alabama 0 0 7 2 October 31 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama 10,000 Source:Tide whips Kentucky 9 to 7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KjBBAAAAIBAJ&pg=5548%2C2895220 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 1, 1931 9 March 28, 2012 On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, Alabama defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 9–7 at Denny Stadium. After a scoreless first half dominated by both defenses, Kentucky scored the first points of the game early in the third quarter. The touchdown was scored on the only first down made by the Wildcats on the afternoon when John Kelly scored on a 57-yard run for a 7–0 Kentucky lead. Later in the quarter, Alabama tied the game at 7–7 later in the quarter when Johnny Cain scored on a short touchdown run. The Crimson Tide then took a 9–7 lead early in the fourth quarter when both Thomas Hupke and Jennings B. Whitworth blocked a Ralph Kercheval punt that rolled out of the endzone for a safety. Prior to the safety, a long Cain punt pinned Kentucky deep in its territory and set it up. Florida 1931 Florida Gators football team Florida 0 0 0 0 Alabama 0 14 14 13 November 7 Legion FieldBirmingham, Alabama 7,000 Source:Tide routes Gators, 41 to 0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MDBBAAAAIBAJ&pg=5514%2C3209214 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 8, 1931 9 March 28, 2012 Against the Florida Gators, Alabama posted their third shutout of the season with their 41–0 victory. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama scored a pair of second-quarter touchdowns on short runs by Johnny Cain and Leon Long to take a 14–0 halftime lead. The Crimson Tide then scored four second half touchdowns on runs by Long and Hillman Holley in the third and on runs by Howard Chappell and Erskine Walker in the fourth to make the final score 41–0. Clemson 1931 Clemson Tigers football team Clemson 7 0 0 0 Alabama 13 20 20 21 November 14 Cramton BowlMontgomery, Alabama Source:Bama runs wild in winning over Clemson, 74–7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NjBBAAAAIBAJ&pg=5688%2C3521141 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 15, 1931 9 March 28, 2012 In their only game played in Montgomery, Alabama defeated the Clemson Tigers 74–7 at the Cramton Bowl. In the game, the Crimson Tide scored eleven touchdowns in the victory. Players who scored were Johnny Cain and Howard Chappell with three; Hillman Holley with two; and Joe Causey, Leon Long and Thomas McMillian each scored one. Vanderbilt 1931 Vanderbilt Commodores football team Alabama 7 7 0 0 Vanderbilt 0 0 6 0 November 26 Dudley Field Nashville, Tennessee Source: On Thanksgiving Day, Alabama defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 14–6 at Dudley Field. Alabama scored both of their touchdowns in the first half. Johnny Cain scored first on a short run in the first and Hillman Holley scored on a 16-yard run in the second to give the Crimson Tide a 14–0 halftime lead. The Commodores scored their only points in the third on a Vernon Close run. Charity games In early November, university officials announced the football team would participate in a pair of charity games after the scheduled season finale against Vanderbilt.U. of A. to take part in a pair of charity games https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MTBBAAAAIBAJ&pg=6303%2C3275576 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 9, 1931 7 March 28, 2012 The two games included one against Chattanooga where the 1931 squad would compete, and an all-star exhibition in Washington, D.C. that would feature graduating seniors and former Crimson Tide players. Each of the two games was played as part of a national campaign to raise money for unemployment relief due to the effects of the Great Depression. Chattanooga 1931 Chattanooga Mocs Alabama 6 12 14 7 Chattanooga 0 0 0 0 December 5 Chamberlain FieldChattanooga, Tennessee 3,000 Source:Tide runs over S.I.A.A. champs by 39–0 score https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SDBBAAAAIBAJ&pg=5746%2C4502839 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News December 6, 1931 11 March 28, 2012 In the first of the two scheduled charity games, Alabama defeated the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association champion Chattanooga Moccasins 39–0 at Chamberlain Field. Alabama scored its first touchdown on the second play of the game on a 67-yard Howard Chappell run. In the second quarter, touchdowns were scored on a 41-yard Leon Long run and a five-yard Ben Smith run for an 18–0 halftime lead. The Crimson Tide then closed the game with three second half touchdowns: a 53-yard Long run, a Johnny Cain pass to Hillman Holley and on a short Chappell run. Both coach Thomas (from 1925 to 1928) and assistant coach Harold Drew (from 1929 to 1930) had previously served as head coach at Chattanooga.Tide to resume work for clash with Moccasins https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QjBBAAAAIBAJ&pg=6089%2C4149068 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 29, 1931 9 March 28, 2012 Although this was played as a charity game, Alabama does include the win in its all-time record. Washington charity game After the first charity game against Chattanooga, an all-star team of former Alabama players was assembled to compete in the second charity game to benefit the unemployed.Stars to start their practice here tomorrow https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SDBBAAAAIBAJ&pg=5829%2C4506203 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News December 6, 1931 12 March 28, 2012 The game was played at Griffith Stadium and featured three separate contests against George Washington, Catholic University and Georgetown.Tide all-stars turn back foes at Washington https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QbU-AAAAIBAJ&pg=5639%2C4844757 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News December 13, 1931 11 March 28, 2012 Each of the three games consisted of two, ten-minute halves, and because the Alabama team was playing three separate squads, the Crimson Tide was allowed to make unlimited substitutions. The players on the Alabama team were primarily from the current and 1930 team that captured the national championship, and were led by coach Thomas and assistant coach Hank Crisp. The players selected included: Dave Boykin, Herschel Caldwell, John Campbell, Joe Causey, C. B. "Foots" Clement, Edgar Dobbs, Jess Eberdt, Albert Elmore, Ellis Hagler, Frank Howard, Allison Hubert, Max Jackson, Leon Long, Ralph McRight, John Miller, Claude Perry, Clyde "Shorty" Propst, Joe Sharpe, Fred Sington, Ben Smith, Earl Smith, John Henry Suther, John Tucker and Jennings B. Whitworth. With all three played on December 12, Alabama faced George Washington in the first contest. Although the game ended in a 0–0 tie, Alabama had several long plays that included a pair of successive runs by John Campbell for 75 yards and a 55-yard passing play from Allison Hubert to Campbell. The Crimson Tide then defeated Catholic University in the second game 7–0. The only score of the game was set up after Leon Long intercepted a Catholic pass at their own 42-yard line. After five runs for 31 yards by Hubert and one by Herschel Caldwell for three yards, Long scored the game-winning touchdown on a three-yard run. In the final game, Alabama tied Georgetown 0–0 after Long intercepted a Hoyas pass in the endzone on a fourth-and-three play late in the second period. Personnel Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Troy Barker Lineville, Alabama Guard Joe Causey Douglas, Arizona Halfback Johnny Cain Montgomery, Alabama Fullback Howard Chappell Sylacauga, Alabama Back David Cochrane Tuscaloosa, Alabama Back Jim Dildy Nashville, Arkansas Tackle Autrey Dotherow Brooksville, Alabama End Calvin Frey Arkadelphia, Arkansas Tackle Newton Godfree Alexander City, Alabama Tackle Willis Hewes Russellville, Arkansas Center Hillman Holley Tuscaloosa, Alabama Back Ellis "Red" Houston Bessemer, Alabama Center Larry Hughes Tuscaloosa, Alabama Back Thomas Hupke East Chicago, Indiana Guard Max Jackson Notasulga, Alabama Tackle B'Ho Kirkland Columbia, Alabama Guard Carney Laslie Charlotte, North Carolina Tackle Foy Leach Siloam Springs, Arkansas End Leon Long Haleyville, Alabama Halfback Frank Moseley Montgomery, Alabama Back Donald Sanford Parrish, Alabama Guard Joe F. Sharpe Mobile, Alabama Center Williams Comer Sims Searight, Alabama Guard Ben Smith Haleyville, Alabama End M. M. Swaim Tuscaloosa, Alabama Guard John Tucker Russellville, Arkansas Quarterback Erskine Walker Birmingham, Alabama Halfback Jennings B. Whitworth Blytheville, Arkansas 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 1 Notre Dame (1923) Paul Burnum Assistant coach 2 Alabama (1922) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 11 VPI (1920) Harold Drew Assistant coach 1 Bates (1916) Clyde "Shorty" Propst Assistant coach 7 Alabama (1924)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/1931.pdf 1931 Season Recap RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics March 25, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120604185918/http://www.rolltide.com/datadump/fls_files/files/football/1930s/1931.pdf 2012-06-04 dead Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football