1949 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1949 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference SEC 6–3–1 4–3–1 Harold Drew 3rd Doug Lockridge Denny StadiumLegion FieldLadd Stadium The 1949 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1949 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 55th overall and 16th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Harold Drew, in his third year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished with a record of six wins, three losses and one tie (6–3–1 overall, 4–3–1 in the SEC). Alabama opened the season with losses against Tulane and at Vanderbilt before they notched their first win of the season against Duquesne at Denny Stadium. A week later, the Crimson Tide played Tennessee to a tie before they won five consecutive games over Mississippi State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, 1949 Southern Miss Golden Eagles Mississippi Southern and Florida. Alabama then closed their season with a 14–13 loss to Auburn in the Iron Bowl after Ed Salem missed an extra point that would have tied the game with less than two minutes left in the game. Schedule 1949 AP September 24 l Tulane Ladd Stadium Mobile, AL 14–28 37,500 October 1 l y Vanderbilt Dudley Field Nashville, TN 7–14 27,500 October 7 w y Duquesne Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 48–8 15,000 October 15 t Tennessee Legion Field Birmingham, AL Third Saturday in October 7–7 41,000 October 22 w y Mississippi State Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 35–6 26,000 October 29 w y Georgia Sanford Stadium Athens, GA rivalry 14–7 35,000 November 12 w Georgia Tech Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 20–7 43,000 November 19 w y Mississippi Southern Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 34–26 15,000 November 26 w y Florida Florida Field Gainesville, FL rivalry 35–13 15,000 December 3 l y Auburn Legion Field Birmingham, AL Iron Bowl 13–14 44,000 http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html#1949 1949 Alabama football schedule RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 22, 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 Tulane 1949 Tulane Green Wave football team Tulane 0 7 7 14 Alabama 0 0 0 14 September 24 Ladd StadiumMobile, AL 37,500 Source:Price leads Tulane to win over Crimson Tide, 28 to 14 Associated Press https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ujg_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=30wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6582%2C6462072 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News September 25, 1949 10 October 22, 2012 To open the 1949 season, Alabama traveled to Mobile and were defeated 28–14 by the Tulane Green Wave to open the second consecutive season with a loss.1949 Season Recap After a scoreless first quarter, Tulane took a 7–0 halftime lead after George Kinek scored on a four-yard touchdown run. The Greenies extended their lead further in the third quarter to 14–0 when Eddie Price scored on an 11-yard run. In the fourth quarter, Bill Svoboda scored a pair of touchdowns on a one-yard run and on an 85-yard kickoff return for Tulane. Alabama scored both of their touchdowns on a pair of passes; the first on a 78-yard pass from Ed Salem to Bill Abston and the second on a 23-yard Butch Avinger pass to Tom Calvin to make the final score 28–14. Vanderbilt 1949 Vanderbilt Commodores football team Alabama 0 7 0 0 Vanderbilt 0 7 0 7 October 1 Dudley FieldNashville, Tennessee 27,500 Source:Tide's drive in final minute fails as Vanderbilt wins, 14–7 Tom Ketterson United Press https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SHRBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wLcMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6370%2C78692 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 2, 1949 8 October 22, 2012 The Crimson Tide lost for the second consecutive week against the Vanderbilt Commodores by a final score of 14–7 at Dudley Field. After a scoreless first quarter, both teams scored second-quarter touchdowns in a span of just one minute to make the halftime score 7–7. The Commodores scored first on a 29-yard Dean Davidson run and the Crimson Tide responded with a nine-yard Ed Salem pass to Tom Calvin. Joe Hicks then scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run. Alabama then drove to the Vandy 12-yard line late in the fourth when a fourth down pass went incomplete to preserve the Commodores victory. Duquesne 1949 Duquesne Dukes football team Duquesne 0 6 0 2 Alabama 20 14 14 0 October 7 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 15,000 Sources:Tide blasts Dukes 48–8 in season's first win Ed Watkins https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TnRBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wLcMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4220%2C544802 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 8, 1949 1 October 22, 2012Alabama Tide swamps Dukes, 48–8 Vince Johnson https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WigNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QmoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6468%2C2624074 Google News Archives Pittsburgh Post-Gazette October 8, 1949 10 October 22, 2012 In their first Tuscaloosa game of the season, Alabama defeated the Duquesne Dukes, for the third consecutive season, by a final score of 48–8 on a Friday evening. The Crimson Tide opened the scoring with three first-quarter touchdowns on a 36-yard Tom Calvin run, a 61-yard James Melton run and on a 20-yard Butch Avinger pass to Al Lary for a 20–0 lead. In the second quarter, Alabama scored first on a one-yard Ralph Cochran run, and then the Dukes responded with their only touchdown of the game on a three-yard Chuck Rapp run to make the score 27–6. The Crimson Tide then scored on the kickoff that ensued when a 101-yard Jim Burkett return made the halftime score 34–6. Alabama then closed the scoring for the evening with a pair of third-quarter touchdowns. The first came on a 76-yard J. D. Roddam run and the second on a 22-yard Lary run to make the score 48–6. The Dukes then scored the final points of the game in the fourth quarter when Frank Yacina tackled George McCain for a safety to make the final score 48–8. Tennessee 1949 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October Tennessee 7 0 0 0 Alabama 0 7 0 0 October 15 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 41,000 Sources:Ed Watkins Tide, Vols draw 7–7 in dual on wet turf https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VnRBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wLcMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3887%2C1113937 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 16, 1949 1 October 22, 2012 Alabama played the rival Tennessee Volunteers to a 7–7 tie at Legion Field in a driving rainstorm. The only points of the game came on a pair of one-yard touchdown runs in the first half. Bernie Sizemore scored for the Volunteers in the first quarter and James Melton scored for the Crimson Tide in the second quarter. Mississippi State 1949 Mississippi State Maroons football team Mississippi State 0 0 0 6 Alabama 7 14 7 7 October 22 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 26,000 Source:Ben A. Green Tide tramples State 35–6 with 45 players https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XXRBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wLcMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6204%2C1604910 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News 1 October 23, 1949 October 22, 2012 On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide scored touchdowns in all four quarters and defeated the Mississippi State Maroons 35–6 at Denny Stadium. Lionel W. Noonan scored the initial Alabama touchdown on a two-yard run in the first. In the second, Ed Salem scored on a three-yard run and later threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Al Lary for a 21–0 halftime lead. The Crimson Tide further extended their lead with touchdown runs of three-yards by J. D. Roddam in the third and of two-yards by Jim Burkett in the fourth to make the score 35–0. The Maroons then ended the shutout attempt with just 0:02 remaining in the game when Max Stainbrook returned an interception 60-yards for a touchdown as time expired to make the final score 35–6. Georgia 1949 Georgia Bulldogs football team Alabama 0 7 0 7 Georgia 0 7 0 0 October 29 Sanford StadiumAthens, GA 35,000 Sources:Ben A. Green Alabama upsets Georgians 14–7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZHRBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wLcMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6243%2C2126252 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 30, 1949 1 October 22, 2012 One year after Georgia gave the Crimson Tide their worst defeat since the 1910 season, Alabama upset the Bulldogs 14–7 on homecoming in Athens. In the second quarter, Alabama scored on a one-yard Butch Avinger run and Georgia on a five-yard Floyd Reid run for a halftime score of 7–7. After a scoreless third, the Crimson Tide scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 25-yard Ed Salem pass to James Melton. Georgia Tech 1949 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team Georgia Tech 0 7 0 0 Alabama 0 0 14 6 November 12 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 43,000 Source:Ed Watkins Tide wrecks Tech, 20–7 for 43,000 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cnRBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wLcMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6037%2C3215649 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 13, 1949 1 October 22, 2012 Before 43,000 fans at Legion Field, Alabama defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 20–7 for their third conference victory of the season. After a scoreless first quarter, the Yellow Jackets took a 7–0 halftime lead when George Humphreys threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Charles Harvin late in the second. Alabama then took the lead with a pair of third-quarter touchdowns scored by Ed Salem on a five-yard run and on a 25-yard Butch Avinger pass to Al Lary. Salem then made the final score 20–7 late in the fourth with his three-yard touchdown run for the Crimson Tide. Mississippi Southern Mississippi Southern 0 0 0 26 Alabama 14 13 7 0 November 19 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 15,000 Source:Tide defeats Southern 34–26 Ben A. Green https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eXRBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wLcMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6316%2C3755074 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 20, 1949 1 October 22, 2012 Although the Golden Eagles scored 26 fourth quarter points, Alabama defeated Mississippi Southern at Denny Stadium 34–26. The Crimson Tide opened the scoring with a pair of first-quarter touchdown passes from Ed Salem to Ed White for a 14–0 lead. In the second quarter, Butch Avinger scored touchdowns on a quarterback sneak and on his five-yard pass to Al Lary for a 27–0 halftime lead. Before Southern scored their 26 fourth quarter points, Bob Cochran threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Charley Davis to give Alabama a 34–0 lead as they entered the fourth. In the fourth quarter Southern touchdowns were scored by Morris Brown on a four-yard run, a 95-yard Bobby Holmes punt return, a 43-yard Brown run and then on a second Holmes punt return for 85-yards. Florida 1949 Florida Gators football team Alabama 13 9 7 6 Florida 7 0 0 6 November 26 Florida FieldGainesville, FL 15,000 Source:Ed Watkins Tide runs long touchdowns in 35 to 13 romp over Gators https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Dvg-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=ak0MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6249%2C4323084 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 27, 1949 8 October 22, 2012 In their final road game of the season, Alabama defeated the Florida Gators 35–13 for their fifth consecutive win on the season. Auburn 1949 Auburn Tigers football team Iron Bowl Auburn 0 7 0 7 Alabama 0 7 0 6 December 3 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 44,000 Source:Ed Watkins Auburn nips Tide, 14–13 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=h3RBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wLcMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5641%2C4884081 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News December 4, 1949 1 October 22, 2012Griffin John Chandler Alabama vs. Auburn: Gridiron Grudge Since 1893 2001 Hill Street Press Athens, Georgia 1-58818-044-1 130–132 1949: Yes, sports fans, miracles still happen In the second meeting since the renewal of the series, Alabama was upset by Auburn 14–13 at Legion Field. After a scoreless first, Auburn took a 7–0 lead in the second quarter when Johnny Wallis intercepted an Ed Salem pass and returned it 19-yards for the touchdown. Alabama responded with just seconds remaining in the half with a 13-yard Salem touchdown run to tie the game 7–7 at halftime. The Tigers retook the lead early in the fourth on a ten-yard George Davis run. The Crimson Tide responded with a three-yard Tom Calvin touchdown run with just under two minutes left in the game. However, Salem missed the extra point to give Auburn the 14–13 victory. Personnel Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Bill Abston Peterson, Alabama Halfback Paul Arthur Birmingham, Alabama End Butch Avinger Montgomery, Alabama Quarterback Jack Brown Selma, Alabama Quarterback Jim Burkett Dothan, Alabama Fullback Billy Cadenhead Greenville, Mississippi Halfback Tom Calvin Athens, Alabama Halfback Bob Cochran Hueytown, Alabama Halfback Ralph Cochran Hueytown, Alabama Quarterback Joe Compton Sylacauga, Alabama Fullback L. B. Couch Southside, Alabama Center Charley Davis Uniontown, Pennsylvania Halfback Jim Franko Yorkville, Ohio Guard Herb Hannah Athens, Alabama Guard Sandy Helms Tuscaloosa, Alabama Guard Ed Holdnak Kenvil, New Jersey Guard Jug Jenkins Eufaula, Alabama End Al Lary Northport, Alabama End Ed Lary Northport, Alabama End Larry Lauer Wilmette, Illinois Center Doug Lockridge Jasper, Alabama Center Harold Lutz Clinton, Iowa End Walter May Mobile, Alabama Back Dave Mayfield Jacksonville, Florida Tackle James Melton Wetumpka, Alabama Halfback Floyd Miller Oneonta, Alabama Tackle Mike Mizerany Birmingham, Alabama Guard Lionel W. Noonan Mobile, Alabama Halfback Pat O'Sullivan New Orleans, Louisiana Linebacker J. D. Roddam Pinson, Alabama Halfback Ed Salem Birmingham, Alabama Halfback Billy Shipp Mobile, Alabama Tackle Jack Smith Hueytown, Alabama Guard Elliott Speed Selma, Alabama Center Rebel Steiner Birmingham, Alabama End Bill Theris Mobile, Alabama Tackle Ed White Anniston, Alabama End Al Wilhite Tuscumbia, Alabama 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 Harold Drew Head coach 16 Bates (1916) Lew Bostick Assistant coach 6 Alabama (1939) Tilden Campbell Assistant coach 10 Alabama (1935) Ben Enis Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1927) Joe Kilgrow Assistant coach 6 Alabama (1937) Malcolm Laney Assistant coach 6 Alabama (1932) Tom Lieb Assistant coach 4 Notre Dame (1923) James Nisbet Assistant coach 1 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/1949-m-footbl-recaps.pdf 1949 Season Recaps RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 22, 2012 PDF https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085833/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/alab/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/1949-m-footbl-recaps.pdf 2016-03-04 dead Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football