1951 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1951 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference SEC 5–6 3–5 Harold Drew 5th Jack Brown Denny StadiumLegion FieldLadd StadiumCramton Bowl The 1951 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1951 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 57th overall and 18th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Harold Drew, in his fifth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham, Ladd Stadium in Mobile and at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. They finished with a record of five wins and six losses (5–6 overall, 3–5 in the SEC). The Crimson Tide opened the season with an 89–0 victory over Delta State, and the 89 points were the most scored by an Alabama team since the 1922 squad defeated Marion Military Institute 110–0. However, the Tide followed the victory up with a four-game losing streak that included losses against LSU, Vanderbilt, Villanova and Tennessee. Alabama then evened its record at 4–4 with victories over Mississippi State, Georgia and 1951 Southern Miss Golden Eagles Mississippi Southern, but then lost to Georgia Tech and Florida to secure their first losing season since 1903. The Crimson Tide then closed the season with a 25–7 victory over Auburn. The game against Delta State at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery marked the first year of a four-year period in which Alabama, which was already regularly playing games in Mobile and Birmingham as well as Tuscaloosa, began playing "home" games in four different cities. Schedule 1951 AP September 21 w y 9 Delta State Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL 89–0 9,000 September 29 l 9 LSU Ladd Stadium Mobile, AL rivalry 7–13 32,169 October 6 l y Vanderbilt Dudley Field Nashville, TN 20–22 25,000 October 12 l y Villanova Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 18–41 15,000 October 20 l Tennessee 2 Legion Field Birmingham, AL Third Saturday in October ABC 13–27 44,000 October 27 w y Mississippi State Scott Field Starkville, MS rivalry 7–0 20,000 November 3 w y Georgia Sanford Stadium Athens, GA rivalry 16–14 32,000 November 10 w y Mississippi Southern Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 40–7 13,000 November 17 l Georgia Tech 7 Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 7–27 35,000 November 24 l y Florida Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 21–30 23,000 December 1 w y Auburn Legion Field Birmingham, AL Iron Bowl 25–7 42,000 http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html#1951 1951 Alabama football schedule RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 26, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111125000700/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html November 25, 2011 Game summaries Delta State 1951 Delta State Statesmen football team Delta State 0 0 0 0 #9 Alabama 21 14 28 26 September 21 Cramton BowlMontgomery, AL 9,000 Source:Edwin Watkins Tide running attack smashes Delta under 89–0 TD deluge https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Zvs-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=TU0MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4983%2C6384209 The Tuscaloosa News September 22, 1951 1 October 26, 2012 To open the 1951 season, Alabama shutout the Delta State Statesmen 89–0 at the Cramton Bowl in the only all-time meeting between the schools.1951 Season Recap The Crimson Tide scored multiple touchdowns in all four quarters in what was the largest margin of victory for Alabama since a 110–0 win over the Marion Military Institute to open the 1922 season. In the first quarter, touchdowns were scored on a 30-yard Bobby Marlow run, a 27-yard James Melton run and an 11-yard Clell Hobson pass to Joe Curtis for a 21–0 lead. In the second quarter, touchdowns were scored on a 36-yard Larry Chiodetti run and a three-yard Joe Compton run for a 35–0 halftime lead. In the third quarter, touchdowns were scored on a 51-yard Marlow run, a 15-yard George McCain pass to Chiodetti, a one-yard Bobby Luna run and a 46-yard Luna pass to Thomas Tharp for a 63–0 lead. In the fourth quarter, touchdowns were scored on a 63-yard Tommy Lewis run, a 44-yard Luna run, an 11-yard Tharp run and a 19-yard Hobson run to make the final score 89–0. In total, the Crimson Tide outgained the Statesmen in total offense 553 to 163 yards. LSU 1951 LSU Tigers football team LSU 0 6 7 0 #9 Alabama 0 0 7 0 September 29 Ladd StadiumMobile, AL 32,169 Source:Edwin Watkins LSU Bengals topple Tide by 13–7 count https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bvs-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=TU0MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6347%2C7099836 The Tuscaloosa News September 30, 1951 8 October 26, 2012 To open conference play for the 1951 season, Alabama was defeated by LSU 13–7 at Ladd Stadium in Mobile. After a scoreless first quarter, LSU took a 6–0 halftime lead when James Barton threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Warren Virgets. The Crimson Tide responded to take a 7–6 lead in the third after Bobby Marlow scored on a one-yard touchdown run. However, their lead was short lived as Leroy Labat scored the game-winning touchdown for the Tigers on an 18-yard run for the 13–7 victory. Vanderbilt 1951 Vanderbilt Commodores football team Alabama 7 6 0 7 Vanderbilt 0 12 10 0 October 6 Dudley FieldNashville, TN 25,000 Source:Vandy trips Tide, 22–20 Norman H. Bassett https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uTo_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=7UwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6496%2C417387 The Tuscaloosa News October 7, 1951 10 October 26, 2012 In what was their first road game of the season, the Crimson Tide lost to the Vanderbilt Commodores by a final score of 22–20 in Nashville. After Alabama took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter on a one-yard James Melton run, Vanderbilt took a 12–7 lead in the second quarter on a Richard Foster run and a four-yard Charles Wade pass to Ted Kirkland. The Crimson Tide responded with a one-yard Bobby Marlow touchdown run late in the second to take a 13–12 halftime lead. The Commodores rebounded in the third to retake the lead 22–13 after Foster scored on a 10-yard run and later kick a 46-yard field goal. A four-yard Marlow touchdown in the fourth made the final score 22–20 in favor of the Commodores. Villanova 1951 Villanova Wildcats football team Villanova 0 21 7 13 Alabama 0 0 6 12 October 12 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 15,000 Source:Ben A. Green Villanova crushes Tide, 41–18 with savage running attack https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vzo_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=7UwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4515%2C921715 The Tuscaloosa News October 13, 1951 1 October 26, 2012 On a Friday night in the first Tuscaloosa game of the season, Alabama was defeated by the Villanova Wildcats, 41–18, at Denny Stadium in the only all-time meeting between the schools. After a scoreless first quarter, Villanova took a 21–0 lead into halftime with touchdowns scored on touchdown runs of eight-yards by Robert Haner, two-yards by Dick Bedesem and 38-yards by Benjamin Addiego. Alabama opened the third with their first points of the game on a two-yard Bobby Marlow touchdown run. However, the Wildcats responded with a four-yard William Brannau touchdown pass to Joseph Rilo to make the score 28–6 as the teams entered the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, each team scored a pair of touchdowns and made the final score 41–18 in favor of the Wildcats. Alabama scored on a pair of long touchdown passes from Clell Hobson to George MacAfee from 75 and 67 yards and Villanova scored on touchdown runs of one yard by Bedesem and five yards by Addiego. The loss marked the first time the Crimson Tide lost three consecutive games since the 1927 season, ended a 20-game winning streak at Denny Stadium and the 41 points allowed to the Wildcats were the most scored by an Alabama opponent since a 54–4 loss to Sewanee in 1907.Associated Press Villanova wins 41–18 over Bama https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1sVRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=z2oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5028%2C3016150 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette October 13, 1951 11 October 26, 2012 Tennessee 1951 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October #2 Tennessee 0 7 7 13 Alabama 7 0 0 6 October 20 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 44,000 ABC Sources:Edwin Watkins Vols trim Tide in second half 27 to 13 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xzo_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=7UwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6396%2C1518822 The Tuscaloosa News October 21, 1951 10 October 26, 2012 Alabama lost 27–13 to the rival Tennessee Volunteers and it marked both their first loss to Tennessee at Legion Field since the 1940 season and the first four-game losing streak for the Crimson Tide since the 1910 season. Alabama took a 7–0 first quarter lead on a one-yard Bobby Marlow run only to see Tennessee tie the game 7–7 at halftime after Bert Rechichar scored on a 20-yard Hank Lauricella touchdown pass in the second quarter. The Volunteers then took a 14–7 lead in the third on a three-yard Dick Ernsberger run before they closed the game with a pair of touchdowns in the fourth. In the final period Tennessee touchdowns were scored by Lauricella on a 35-yard run and on a 20-yard Harold Payne pass to Vince Kaseta; the lone Alabama touchdown was scored on a second, one-yard Marlow run to make the final score 27–13. Although the first Alabama game to be televised occurred in their matchup at Fordham in 1939, this game was broadcast on ABC and was the first Alabama game to be broadcast over network television.2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2011 Televised Games University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama 131 http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/alab/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/history-awards.pdf October 26, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110523102902/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/alab/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/history-awards.pdf May 23, 2011 Mississippi State 1951 Mississippi State Maroons football team Alabama 0 7 0 0 Mississippi State 0 0 0 0 October 27 Scott FieldStarkville, MS 20,000 Source:Edwin Watkins Tide blanks Maroons 7–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zjo_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=7UwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6385%2C2071790 The Tuscaloosa News 10 October 28, 1951 October 26, 2012 At Starkville, the Crimson Tide shutout the Mississippi State Maroons 7–0 to end their four-game losing streak at Scott Field. The only points of the game came in the second quarter when Clell Hobson threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Larry Chiodetti for Alabama. Georgia 1951 Georgia Bulldogs football team Alabama 0 0 6 10 Georgia 0 7 0 7 November 3 Sanford StadiumAthens, GA 32,000 Sources:Ed Watkins Tide topples Bulldogs, 16 to 14 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1To_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=7UwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6264%2C2673095 The Tuscaloosa News November 4, 1951 10 October 26, 2012 In their final road game of the season, Alabama defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 16–14 Sanford Stadium in Athens. After a scoreless first quarter, the Bulldogs took a 7–0 halftime lead after Conrad Manisera returned a punt 72-yards for a second-quarter touchdown. The Crimson Tide responded over the final two quarters with a pair of Clell Hobson touchdown passes to George McCain from 14 and 21-yards and a 21-yard Harold Lutz field goal for a 16–7 lead. Georgia then scored the final touchdown of the game late in the fourth on a two-yard Manisera run to make the final score 16–14. Mississippi Southern 1951 Mississippi Southern Southerners football team Mississippi Southern 7 0 0 0 Alabama 19 7 14 0 November 10 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 13,000 Source:Tide blasts Southern, 40–7 Edwin Watkins https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3Do_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=7UwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6374%2C3185741 The Tuscaloosa News November 11, 1951 10 October 26, 2012 After the Mississippi Southern Southerners took a 7–0 lead, the Crimson Tide responded with 40 unanswered points for the 40–7 victory at Denny Stadium. The lone Southern touchdown came early in the first quarter on a two-yard Granville Hart run for their brief 7–0 lead. Alabama responded with touchdowns on 58-yard Virgil Willis interception return and runs of 53 and five yards by George McCain for a 19–7 Crimson Tide lead at the end of the first quarter. They then closed the game with touchdowns on a four-yard Bobby Marlow run in the third and two-yard Thomas Tharp run and 21-yard Clell Hobson pass to Bobby Luna in the fourth quarter. Georgia Tech 1951 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team #7 Georgia Tech 0 6 14 7 Alabama 0 0 0 7 November 17 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 35,000 Source:Ga. Tech bowls over Bama 27–7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4zo_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=7UwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6280%2C3785414 The Tuscaloosa News November 18, 1951 10 October 26, 2012 After Alabama held Georgia Tech to only six first half points, the Yellow Jackets scored three second half touchdowns en route to a 27–7 victory at Legion Field. The only first half points were scored on a 17-yard Elbert Crawford touchdown pass to Lambert Knox in the second quarter for a 6–0 halftime lead for Tech. The Yellow Jackets continued their scoring into the fourth quarter with touchdowns on a two-yard Windle Hardeman run and 21-yard Crawford pass to Jake Martin in the third and a 31-yard Crawford pass to Knox in the fourth for a 27–0 lead. The only Alabama points were scored late in the fourth on a one-yard Larry Chiodetti run to end the Tech shutout bid. Florida 1951 Florida Gators football team Florida 7 6 10 7 Alabama 7 14 0 0 November 24 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 23,000 Source:Edwin Watkins Gators down Tide late, 30–21 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6jo_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=7UwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6478%2C4323378 The Tuscaloosa News November 25, 1951 8 October 26, 2012 On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, 17 unanswered points by Florida in the second half gave the Gators 30–21 win at Denny Stadium. The teams traded touchdowns in the first half to give Alabama a 21–13 halftime lead. Crimson Tide touchdowns were scored on a 10-yard Clell Hobson run, a 73-yard George McCain pass to Al Lary and a six-yard James Melton run; Gators touchdowns were scored on Buford Long touchdown runs of 10 and eight-yards. Florida then closed with game with a 45-yard Haywood Sullivan touchdown pass to James French and a 14-yard Richard Casares field goal in the third and a one-yard Sullivan touchdown run in the fourth for the 30–21 Gators victory. Auburn 1951 Auburn Tigers football team Iron Bowl Auburn 0 0 0 7 Alabama 6 7 12 0 December 1 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 42,000 Source:Ed Watkins Alabama crushed Auburn 25 to 7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8To_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=7UwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6464%2C4906105 The Tuscaloosa News December 2, 1951 10 October 26, 2012Griffin John Chandler Alabama vs. Auburn: Gridiron Grudge Since 1893 2001 Hill Street Press Athens, Georgia 1-58818-044-1 136–138 1951: Ailing Tigers call Dr. Jordan For the third time in four years since the revival of the Auburn series, Alabama defeated the Tigers 25–7 at Legion Field. The Crimson Tide took a 13–0 halftime lead on touchdown runs of seven-yards by Bobby Marlow in the first and of three-yards by James Melton in the second. Third quarter Marlow touchdown runs of 39 and 22-yards gave Alabama a 25–0 lead before Auburn scored their only points on an eight-yard Homer Williams run in the fourth to make the final score 25–7. Personnel Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Dick Barry Cordele, Georgia Fullback Jack Brown Selma, Alabama Quarterback Ralph Carrigan Oak Park, Illinois Center Larry Chiodetti Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Halfback Joe Compton Sylacauga, Alabama Fullback Bob Conway Fort Wayne, Indiana Halfback Ed Culpepper Bradenton, Florida Tackle Joe Curtis Birmingham, Alabama End Tom Danner Tuscaloosa, Alabama Guard Jim Davis Hamilton, Alabama Guard Clell Hobson Tuscaloosa, Alabama Quarterback Travis Hunt Albertville, Alabama Tackle Hyrle Ivy Fort Wayne, Indiana End Jug Jenkins Eufaula, Alabama End Harold Johnson Greensboro, Alabama Center Lint Jordan Monticello, Georgia End Ed Lary Northport, Alabama End Ed Lary Northport, Alabama End Harry Lee Birmingham, Alabama Guard Tommy Lewis Greenville, Alabama Fullback Bobby Luna Huntsville, Alabama Halfback Harold Lutz Clinton, Iowa End Ken MacAfee North Easton, Massachusetts End Harold Manley Winfield, Alabama End Van Marcus Birmingham, Alabama Tackle Bobby Marlow Troy, Alabama Halfback George McCain Clanton, Alabama Halfback James Melton Wetumpka, Alabama Halfback Fred Mims Birmingham, Alabama Guard John Prom Jacksonville, Florida Guard Jess Richardson Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Guard Jack Smalley Tuscaloosa, Alabama Tackle Thomas Tharp Birmingham, Alabama Halfback Wesley Thompson Decatur, Alabama Tackle Jerry Watford Gadsden, Alabama Guard Bob Wilga Webster, Massachusetts Guard Al Wilhite Tuscumbia, Alabama Tackle Billy Williams Lincoln, Alabama Tackle Virgil Willis Tifton, Georgia End Bobby Wilson Bay Minette, 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 Harold Drew Head coach 18 Bates (1916) Lew Bostick Assistant coach 8 Alabama (1939) Tilden Campbell Assistant coach 12 Alabama (1935) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 24 VPI (1920) Joe Kilgrow Assistant coach 8 Alabama (1937) Malcolm Laney Assistant coach 8 Alabama (1932) James Nisbet Assistant coach 3 Alabama (1937)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://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/alab/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/1951-m-footbl-recaps.pdf 1951 Season Recaps RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 26, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120545/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/alab/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/1951-m-footbl-recaps.pdf 2016-03-04 dead Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football