1935 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1935 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference SEC 6–2–1 4–2 Frank Thomas 5th Jimmy Walker Denny StadiumLegion Field The 1935 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1935 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 42nd overall and 3rd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his fifth 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 six wins, two losses and one tie (6–2–1 overall, 4–2 in the SEC). After Alabama opened the season with an "upset" tie against Howard, Alabama shutout George Washington at Griffith Stadium. One week later, the Crimson Tide suffered their first defeat since 1933 against Mississippi State at Denny Stadium which was also both their first SEC and loss at Denny Stadium. Following this defeat, Alabama responded with five consecutive victories over Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Clemson on homecoming and Georgia Tech before they lost to Vanderbilt to close the season. For his performance during the season, Riley Smith was a consensus selection to the 1935 College Football All-America Team. In February 1936 Smith, Bear Bryant and Kavanaugh Francis became the first Crimson Tide players selected in the NFL draft. Schedule Central September 28 t y Howard (AL) Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 7–7 4,500–8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71724731/howard-shocks-alabama-77-tie/ The Birmingham News Howard shocks Alabama, 7–7 tie September 29, 1935 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 5 1:30 p.m. w y y George Washington Griffith Stadium Washington, DC 39–0 30,000 G. U. in Grid Opener Tonight: Three Other D. C. Teams in Big Tests Tomorrow https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star/127209352/ The Evening Star Washington, D.C. October 4, 1935 D2 June 27, 2023 Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71725218/bama-wallops-colonials-390-in/ Richmond Times-Dispatch Bama wallops Colonials, 39–0, in comeback October 6, 1935 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 12 l Mississippi State Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 7–20 8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71725558/state-flashes-aerial-attack-to-defeat/ The Selma Times-Journal State flashes aerial attack to defeat Tide, 20 to 0 October 13, 1935 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 19 w y Tennessee Shields-Watkins Field Knoxville, TN rivalry 25–0 20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71725838/crimson-tide-crushes-tennessee-vols/ The Knoxville Journal Crimson Tide crushes Tennessee Vols, 25 to 0 October 20, 1935 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com October 26 w y Georgia Sanford Stadium Athens, GA rivalry 17–7 25,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71726107/tide-removes-georgia-from-unbeaten-ranks/ The Atlanta Constitution Tide removes Georgia from unbeaten ranks October 27, 1935 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 2 w Kentucky Legion Field Birmingham, AL 13–0 14,500 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71726429/kentuckys-errors-lead-to-victory-for/ Lexington Herald-Leader Kentucky's errors lead to victory for Tide November 3, 1935 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 9 w y y Clemson Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 33–0 rivalry 8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71726757/versatile-red-elephants-of-bama-beat/ The Greenville News Versatile red elephants of Bama beat Clemson, 33 to 0 November 10, 1935 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 16 w Georgia Tech Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 38–7 11,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71726999/tide-powerhouse-overwhelms-tech/ The Atlanta Constitution Tide powerhouse overwhelms Tech November 17, 1935 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com November 28 Thursday l y Vanderbilt Dudley Field Nashville, TN 6–14 18,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71727492/vandy-smashes-crimson-tide-by-more/ The Birmingham News Vandy smashes Crimson Tide by more alert playing, 14–6 November 29, 1935 February 21, 2021 Newspapers.com https://rolltide.com/sports/2016/6/10/sports-m-footbl-archive-m-footbl-archive-1935-html.aspx?id=242 1935 Alabama football archives RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics February 20, 2021 Game summaries Howard (AL) 1935 Howard Bulldogs football team Howard 0 0 0 7 Alabama 0 7 0 0 September 28 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 4,500–8,000 Source:Gallant Howard clan stuns opening crowd by tying Bama https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=j7o-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=qEwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6313%2C4015848 Jay Thornton The Tuscaloosa News September 29, 1935 10 April 7, 2012 To open the 1935 season Alabama was almost upset by Howard College (now Samford University), but escaped with a 7–7 tie at Denny Stadium.1935 Season Recap After a scoreless first, Alabama took a 7–0 halftime lead after James Angelich scored on an eight-yard touchdown run. The Bulldogs' defense continued to hold Alabama's offense in check for the remainder of the game, and in the fourth quarter, Howard tied the game. The touchdown was made on a 32-yard Ewing Harbin pass to Dan Snell late in the game.Howard shocks Alabama https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0rkfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3NcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5073%2C1156172 Mike Goodson The Gadsden Times May 9, 1999 16 April 7, 2012 The tie marked the first time Alabama had not won since their loss at Fordham in 1933 and their first in an opening game since their loss at Vanderbilt to open the 1903 season. George Washington 1935 George Washington Colonials football team Alabama 13 6 6 14 George Washington 0 0 0 0 October 5 Griffith StadiumWashington, DC 30,000 Source:Crimson Tide flashes new form in smothering Colonials 39–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lbo-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=qEwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6048%2C4328364 The Tuscaloosa News October 6, 1935 10 April 7, 2012 In what was the first road game of the season, Alabama shutout the George Washington Colonials 39–0 at Griffith Stadium. Riley Smith scored the first Crimson Tide touchdown in the first quarter on a four-yard run to cap a 92-yard drive. Joe Riley scored later in the quarter on a 70-yard punt return to give Alabama a 13–0 lead at the end of the first. In the second, the Crimson Tide scored on a four-yard reverse by James Nesbet for a 19–0 halftime lead. After Nesbet scored a touchdown on a five-yard run in the third, Alabama closed the game with a pair of Clarence Rohrdanz touchdown runs in the fourth quarter for the 39–0 victory. Mississippi State 1935 Mississippi State Maroons football team Mississippi State 13 7 0 0 Alabama 0 0 7 0 October 12 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 8,000 Source:Brilliant Mississippi State team lashes Crimson Tide, 20–7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mLo-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=qEwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6245%2C4666436 The Tuscaloosa News October 13, 1935 10 April 7, 2012 Against their long-time rival, the Mississippi State Maroons, Alabama lost 20–7 at Denny Stadium. The loss was Alabama's first defeat against State since 1914, their first all-time SEC loss and their first all-time loss at Denny Stadium. The Maroons took a 13–0 lead in the first quarter after a pair of Charles Armstrong touchdown passes, first to Ike Pickle and then to Robert Thames. They then extended their lead to 20–0 by halftime after two-yard Pickle touchdown run in the second. In the third, Alabama scored their only touchdown after James Whatley blocked a Pickle punt that was returned twelve-yards by James Walker. Tennessee 1935 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October Alabama 6 6 6 7 Tennessee 0 0 0 0 October 19 Shields-Watkins FieldKnoxville, TN 20,000 Source:Bama startles throng of 20,000 by crushing Vols, 25 to 0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=m7o-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=qEwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6213%2C4948992 Jay Thornton The Tuscaloosa News October 20, 1935 10 April 7, 2012 Against rival Tennessee, Alabama defeated the Volunteers, 25–0 at Shields-Watkins Field and scored one touchdown in each of the four quarters in their victory. Riley Smith scored in the first on a four-yard run and in the second on a Joe Riley run for a 12–0 halftime lead. Both Riley and Smoth scored touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters respectively for the 25–0 victory. The game was also notable for the performance of Bear Bryant at end, as he competed in the game in spite of having a fractured fibula in his right leg, incurred the week before against Mississippi State.Neyland, Bryant helped shape rivalry and the SEC http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20111022/NEWS/111029937?p=2&tc=pg Tommy Deas The Tuscaloosa News October 22, 2011 April 7, 2012Coach: The Life of Paul "Bear" Bryant Dunnavant Keith 2005 St. Martin's Press New York, New York 9780312348762 40–41 https://books.google.com/books?id=GIl8s3l0RY8C April 7, 2012 Georgia 1935 Georgia Bulldogs football team Alabama 0 7 0 10 Georgia 7 0 0 0 October 26 Sanford StadiumAthens, GA 25,000 Source:Tide stages brilliant comeback to annihilate Georgia, 17–7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=n7o-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=qEwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6602%2C5224177 The Tuscaloosa News October 27, 1935 10 April 7, 2012 Against Georgia, Alabama defeated the Bulldogs 17–7 before a homecoming crowd of 25,000 at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs took a 7–0 first quarter lead after John Bond threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Al Minot. Alabama responded in the second with a two-yard Young Boozer touchdown run to make the halftime score 7–7. After a scoreless third, in the fourth the Crimson Tide took a 10–7 lead on a 14-yard Riley Smith field goal. Smith then scored the final points of the game later in the quarter with his one-yard touchdown run. Kentucky 1935 Kentucky Wildcats football team Kentucky 0 0 0 0 Alabama 7 0 6 0 November 2 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 14,500 Source:Crimson Tide line shines in 13–0 triumph over Kentucky Jay Thornton https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=n7o-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=qEwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6242%2C5549365 The Tuscaloosa News November 3, 1935 10 April 7, 2012 In their first game at Legion Field of the season, Alabama defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 13–0 in Birmingham. James Nesbet scored in the first on a four-yard run and Joe Kilgrow threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to James Walker in the third for the 13–0 victory. Clemson 1935 Clemson Tigers football team Clemson 0 0 0 0 Alabama 0 13 13 7 November 9 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 8,000 Source:Crimson Tide swirls over Clemson 33–0 in homecoming game Jay Thornton https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pbo-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=qEwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5797%2C5822776 The Tuscaloosa News November 10, 1935 10 April 7, 2012 On homecoming at Denny Stadium, Alabama defeated the Clemson Tigers of the Southern Conference 33–0 in Tuscaloosa. After a scoreless first, the Crimson Tide scored a pair of touchdowns in the second. The first was on a Riley Smith quarterback sneak and the second on a seven-yard James Walker run. Alabama extended their lead further to 26–0 by the end of the third period with touchdowns scored by James Walker on a one-yard run and by James Angelich on a short run. They then closed the game with their fifth touchdown of the afternoon on a 30-yard Red Keller touchdown reception. Georgia Tech 1935 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team Georgia Tech 0 7 0 0 Alabama 6 13 6 13 November 16 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 11,000 Source:Crimson Tide rambles through Georgia Tech crew, 38 to 7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q7o-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=qEwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6550%2C6147355 The Tuscaloosa News November 17, 1935 12 April 7, 2012 Against the Georgia Tech, Alabama defeated the Yellow Jackets 38–7 at Legion Field. Alabama took a 6–0 first quarter lead after James Angelich scored on a touchdown run. In the second quarter, both teams traded touchdowns on a Riley Smith quarterback sneak and a Clarence Rohrdanz run for Alabama and on a 37-yard E. H. Gibson reception and lateral pass to E. R. Collins. Up 19–7 at the half, Alabama closed the game with 19 unanswered second half points. Bear Bryant scored on a run in the third and on a pair of Joe Kilgrow touchdown runs in the fourth. Vanderbilt 1935 Vanderbilt Commodores football team Alabama 0 0 6 0 Vanderbilt 0 7 0 7 November 28 Dudley FieldNashville, TN Source:Commodores upsets Alabama 14 to 6, first time since '29 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tLo-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=qEwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6212%2C6695240 The Tuscaloosa News November 29, 1935 9 April 7, 2012 In the season finale on Thanksgiving Day, Alabama lost to the Vanderbilt Commodores for the first time since 1929 with their 14–6 defeat at Dudley Field. After a scoreless first, Vanderbilt took a 7–0 halftime lead after Paul Dixon scored on a three-yard touchdown run. Alabama responded in the third with a 51-yard Riley Smith touchdown pass to James Walker, however a failed extra point kept the Commodores in the lead 7–6. Byron Beard scored the final points of the game after he recovered a fumbled punt by Joe Riley in the endzone for a touchdown. After the season Awards After the season, Riley Smith was selected by consensus to the 1935 College Football All-America Team as a quarterback.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 3, 2012 NFL draft Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1935 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) between the 1936 and 1938 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 team1936 1 2 Riley Smith Riley Smith (American football) Blocking back Boston Redskins 4 31 Bear Bryant End Brooklyn Dodgers 5 44 Kavanaugh Francis 1 Center Detroit Lions 1937 2 14 Arthur White Art White Back New York Giants1938 2 13 Joe Kilgrow 1 Back Brooklyn Dodgers Personnel Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position George Adams Montgomery, Alabama End James Angelich Indiana Harbor, Indiana Halfback Ben Baswell Pell City, Alabama Tackle Young Boozer Dothan, Alabama Halfback Bear Bryant Moro Bottom, Arkansas End Tilden "Happy" Campbell Pine Bluff, Arkansas Quarterback Kavanaugh Francis Timson, Texas Center Ralph Gandy Birmingham, Alabama End Joe Kilgrow Montgomery, Alabama Halfback Samuel Hamilton Lyon Meridian, Mississippi Tackle T. A. "Son" McGahey Columbus, Mississippi Tackle Ben McLeod Leeksville, Mississippi Halfback Lamar Moyle Decatur, Alabama Center James Nisbet Bainbridge, Georgia Fullback James Radford Hartford, Alabama Tackle Joe Riley Dothan, Alabama Halfback Clarence Rohrdanz Harvey, Indiana Fullback Joe Shepherd Tuscaloosa, Alabama Guard Riley Smith Columbus, Mississippi Quarterback Charlie Stapp Birmingham, Alabama Halfback James Jimmy Holt, Alabama End Jim Whatley Alexander City, Alabama Tackle Arthur "Tarzan" White Atmore, Alabama Guard Temple Williamson Tuscaloosa, Alabama QuarterbackReference: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 5 Notre Dame (1923) Paul Burnum Assistant coach 6 Alabama (1922) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 15 VPI (1920) Jim Dildy Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1934) Harold Drew Assistant coach 5 Bates (1916) Larry Hughes Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1934) Joe F. Sharpe Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1932)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/1935.pdf 1935 Season Recap RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics April 7, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120604190049/http://www.rolltide.com/datadump/fls_files/files/football/1930s/1935.pdf 2012-06-04 dead Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football