1936 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 April 2012 1936 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference SEC 4 8–0–1 5–0–1 Frank Thomas 6th James Nesbit Denny StadiumLegion Field The 1936 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1936 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 43rd overall and 4th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his sixth 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 eight wins, zero losses, and one tie (8–0–1 overall, 5–0–1 in the SEC). After Alabama opened the season with three consecutive shutouts against Howard, Clemson and Mississippi State, they suffered their only blemish of the season, a scoreless tie against Tennessee. The Crimson Tide rebounded to win their final five games against 1936 Loyola Wolfpack Loyola, Kentucky, Tulane, Georgia Tech, and Vanderbilt. Although they finished undefeated and ranked No. 4 in the final AP Poll, Alabama did not receive an invitation to participate in a postseason bowl game. Schedule 1936 AP September 26 w y Howard (AL) Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 34–0 8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71729285/tide-turns-on-howard-34-to-0/ The Birmingham News Tide turns on Howard, 34 to 0 September 27, 1936 February 21, 2021 8 Newspapers.com October 3 w y Clemson Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 32–0 6,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71729476/alabama-elephants-trample-tigers-320/ The Greenville News Alabama elephants trample Tigers, 32–0 October 4, 1936 February 21, 2021 8 Newspapers.com October 10 w y Mississippi State Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 7–0 17,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71729741/joe-kilgrow-brings-tide-70-victory/ The Huntsville Times Joe Kilgrow brings Tide 7–0 victory October 11, 1936 February 21, 2021 8 Newspapers.com October 17 t Tennessee Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 0–0 15,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71730022/vols-battle-crimson-tide-to-scoreless/ The Knoxville Journal Vols battle Crimson Tide to scoreless tie October 18, 1936 February 21, 2021 8 Newspapers.com October 23 w y y Loyola (LA) Loyola University Stadium New Orleans, LA 13–6 6,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67754724/loyola-tough-for-crimsons-scoring-first/ The Birmingham News Loyola tough for Crimsons, scoring first October 24, 1936 February 21, 2021 8 Newspapers.com October 31 w y Kentucky McLean Stadium Lexington, KY 14–0 18,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71730231/cats-fall-before-tide-after-gallant/ Lexington Herald-Leader Cats fall before Tide after gallant stand November 1, 1936 February 21, 2021 8 Newspapers.com November 7 w 14 Tulane 10 Legion Field Birmingham, AL 34–7 18,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71730498/alabama-completely-outclasses-tulane-to/ The Shreveport Times Alabama completely outclasses Tulane to hand Green Wave first defeat of season November 8, 1936 February 21, 2021 8 Newspapers.com November 14 w y 4 Georgia Tech Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry 20–16 20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71730729/tide-rolls-on-with-first-score/ The Atlanta Constitution Tide rolls on with first score November 15, 1936 February 21, 2021 8 Newspapers.com November 26 Thursday w 3 Vanderbilt Legion Field Birmingham, AL 14–6 25,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71731059/alabama-survives-mighty-scare-to-defeat/ Chattanooga Daily Times Alabama survives mighty scare to defeat Vanderbilt by score of 14–6 November 27, 1936 February 21, 2021 8 Newspapers.com https://rolltide.com/sports/2016/6/10/sports-m-footbl-archive-m-footbl-archive-1936-html.aspx?id=241 1936 Alabama football archives RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics February 20, 2021 Game summaries Howard (AL) 1936 Howard Bulldogs football team Howard 0 0 0 0 Alabama 0 6 14 14 September 26 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 8,000 Source:Bama gains momentum after uneventful start to whip Howard https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YOM-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6069%2C3710978 Jay Thornton The Tuscaloosa News September 27, 1936 6 April 8, 2012 To open the 1936 season, Alabama outgained Howard (now Samford University) in total yards, 294 to 12, and defeated the Bulldogs 34–0 at Denny Stadium.1936 Season Recap After a scoreless first, Joe Kilgrow scored on a four-yard touchdown run to give the Crimson Tide a 6–0 lead. Alabama then scored two touchdowns in each of the final two quarters to secure the 34–0 victory. Joe Riley scored both third-quarter touchdowns, the first on a 27-yard run and the second on a 26-yard run. Kilgrow then scored both of the fourth-quarter touchdowns on a pair of one-yard runs. Clemson 1936 Clemson Tigers football team Clemson 0 0 0 0 Alabama 12 7 7 6 October 3 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 6,000 Source:Improved Crimson Tide swamps Clemson under wraps, 32–0 Jay Thornton https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZeM-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6116%2C4054331 The Tuscaloosa News October 4, 1936 8 April 8, 2012 For the second week in a row Alabama shutout their opponent, and this time it was the Clemson Tigers of the Southern Conference 32–0 in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide took a 12–0 lead in the first quarter on touchdown runs of 15 yards by Gene Blackwell and of five-yards by Herman Caldwell. They would then score a touchdown in each of the three remaining quarters for the 32–0 margin. The touchdown runs were scored by Charlie Holm in the second on a three-yard run, by Young Boozer in the third on a 39-yard run and finally by Joe Kilgrow in the fourth on a five-yard run. Mississippi State 1936 Mississippi State Maroons football team Mississippi State 0 0 0 0 Alabama 0 7 0 0 October 10 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 17,000 Source:Crimson Tide subdues Maroons, 7–0, before crowd of 17,000 Jay Thornton https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aOM-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6208%2C4401621 The Tuscaloosa News October 11, 1936 6 April 8, 2012 The Crimson Tide entered their annual game against their long-time rival, Mississippi State as a slight underdog that sought redemption against the Maroons after their 20–7 loss the previous year.Capacity crowd expected for homecoming grid classic Saturday https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aOM-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6306%2C4352617 The Tuscaloosa News October 9, 1936 6 April 8, 2012 In what was Alabama's annual homecoming game, they defeated the Maroons 7–0 at Denny Stadium. In a game dominated by both defenses, the only points of the game came in the second quarter. The touchdown was scored by Joe Kilgrow after he received a lateral pass from Joe Riley on a fake punt and returned it 83-yards for the score. The Alabama defense also starred and made eight interceptions of State passes in the game. Tennessee 1936 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October Tennessee 0 0 0 0 Alabama 0 0 0 0 October 17 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 15,000 Source:Vols tumble Tide from untied, unbeaten ranks in 0–0 draw https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bOM-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6535%2C4711852 Jay Thornton The Tuscaloosa News October 18, 1936 6 April 8, 2012 Against rival Tennessee, Alabama battled the Volunteers to a 0–0 tie at Legion Field. In a game once again dominated by both defenses, the closest either team came to a score was at the end of the second quarter when Alabama was in position for a touchdown at the Tennessee one-yard line. However, the official call time for the end of the period before Alabama could get another play off. Loyola 1936 Loyola Wolf Pack football team Alabama 6 0 7 0 Loyola 6 0 0 0 October 23 Loyola StadiumNew Orleans, LA 6,000 Source:Crimson Tide scored on passes to subdue Loyola threat, 13–6 Jay Thornton https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-IdhAAAAIBAJ&pg=6283%2C5017433 The Tuscaloosa News October 25, 1936 8 April 8, 2012 In what was the first road game of the season, Alabama made their first trip to New Orleans since the 1921 season and defeated the Loyola Wolfpack of the Dixie Conference 13–6 on a Friday evening.Crimson Tide squad entrains tonight for Friday Loyola tilt https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=buM-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6285%2C4923620 The Tuscaloosa News October 22, 1936 9 April 8, 2012 After each team traded punts to start the game, Loyola scored first on a one-yard touchdown run by Clay Calhoun to take a 6–0 lead. Alabama responded on the third play of the drive that ensued when Joe Kilgrow threw a 20-yard pass to Erin Warren that was run an additional 42-yards for a 62-yard touchdown and tied the game at 6–6. After a scoreless second, Alabama scored the game-winning touchdown in the third after they received the ball at the Wolfpack 36-yard line due to a short punt. On this drive, Joe Riley threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to James Nesbit to secure the win in what was Alabama's only all-time game against Loyola. Kentucky 1936 Kentucky Wildcats football team Alabama 0 0 7 7 Kentucky 0 0 0 0 October 31 McLean StadiumLexington, KY 18,000 Source:Joe Riley sparkles as Alabama turns back Kentucky, 14 to 0 Associated Press https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cOM-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6539%2C5339367 The Tuscaloosa News November 1, 1936 6 April 8, 2012 On what was their homecoming game, Alabama defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 14–0 at McLean Stadium. After a scoreless first half that saw the Kentucky defense hold Alabama out of the endzone on four occasions from within their own ten-yard line, the Crimson Tide scored two second half touchdowns to win the game. Joe Riley scored both Alabama touchdowns on a 27-yard run in the third and on a 21-yard reverse in the fourth. Tulane 1936 Tulane Green Wave football team #10 Tulane 7 0 0 0 #14 Alabama 14 7 7 6 November 7 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 18,000 Source:Crimson Tide reaches season's peak in Tulane romp, 34 to 7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cuM-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6085%2C5668300 Jay Thornton The Tuscaloosa News November 8, 1936 7 April 8, 2012 In what was the first game Alabama was ranked and played against a ranked opponent, the Crimson Tide defeated the Tulane Green Wave 34–7 at Legion Field. The Greenies scored first on a 42-yard, Bill Mathis touchdown run in the first quarter to take an early 7–0 lead. However, Alabama responded with five unanswered touchdowns to win the game 34–7. In the first quarter, the Crimson Tide scored on a 54-yard Joe Riley touchdown run and followed that with a 17-yard Joe Kilgrow touchdown pass to Perron Shoemaker to give Alabama a 14–7 lead after one. After Kilgrow threw his second touchdown pass of the game to Erin Warren in the second, James Nesbit scored on a two-yard run to give the Crimson Tide a 28–7 lead as they entered the fourth quarter. In the fourth, Alabama's final points were scored when Leroy Monsky intercepted a Tulane pass and returned it 25-yards for a touchdown. This game was noted for being the first regular season Alabama game that was broadcast nationally on two major radio networks.Two chains to broadcast Tide game on national hook-up https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cOM-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6572%2C5464509 The Tuscaloosa News November 3, 1936 7 April 8, 2012 It was broadcast by CBS with Ted Husing as the announcer and by NBC with Bill Slater as the announcer. The national broadcasts were made due to both teams being undefeated and ranked in the AP Poll as they entered the game. The game was also the first in which the Crimson Tide defeated a ranked opponent.2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2011 Alabama vs. Ranked Teams University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama 128 Georgia Tech 1936 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team #4 Alabama 7 13 0 0 Georgia Tech 0 0 9 7 November 14 Grant FieldAtlanta, GA Source:Tide weathers late spree to sweep past Georgia Tech 20–16 Ben Green https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eOM-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6227%2C5990318 The Tuscaloosa News November 15, 1936 8 April 8, 2012 Although outgained in total yardage against Georgia Tech, Alabama defeated the Yellow Jackets 20–16 at Grant Field. After the Crimson Tide scored on a Joe Kilgrow touchdown pass to Herman Caldwell in the first, Alabama scored two second-quarter touchdowns to take a 20–0 halftime lead. In the second, James Nesbit scored on a two-yard run and Kilgrow threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Perron Shoemaker. The Yellow Jackets scored their first points early in the third after Hal Hughes was tackled for a safety on a punt attempt. On the possession that ensued, T. F. Sims threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to M. J. Konemann to cut the Crimson Tide lead to 20–9. H. H. Appleby then scored the final points of the game with his short touchdown run in the fourth on a drive that featured a 71-yard run by Konemann. Vanderbilt 1936 Vanderbilt Commodores football team Vanderbilt 6 0 0 0 #3 Alabama 0 0 7 7 November 26 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 25,000 Source:Crimson Tide ends unbeaten season, submerging Vandy 14–6 Jay Thornton https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g-M-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6603%2C6584971 The Tuscaloosa News November 27, 1936 9 April 8, 2012 In the season finale on Thanksgiving Day, Alabama defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 14–6 defeat at Legion Field. Vanderbilt scored first after the received the opening kickoff when Herbert Plasman scored on a ten-yard touchdown on their opening drive. With the score still 6–0 in favor of the Commodores after halftime, the Crimson Tide scored a pair of second half touchdowns to win the game 14–6. In the third, Joe Kilgrow threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Ben McLeod, and in the fourth a 12-yard Joe Riley touchdown pass to Kilgrow. After the season Following their victory over Vanderbilt in the season finale, Alabama was in contention (along with Pittsburgh and LSU) for a place in the 1937 Rose Bowl opposite Washington.Eastern Rose Bowl selection delayed till late in the week Associated Press https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hOM-AAAAIBAJ&pg=5773%2C6593204 The Tuscaloosa News November 29, 1936 1 April 8, 2012 In addition to the Rose, Alabama was also under consideration to compete in the 1937 Sugar Bowl along with the aforementioned Pittsburgh, LSU and Santa Clara.Alabama included in Sugar Bowl prospects Associated Press https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hOM-AAAAIBAJ&pg=3918%2C6591358 The Tuscaloosa News November 29, 1936 1 April 8, 2012 However, on December 3, Rose Bowl officials announced the selection of Pittsburgh and Sugar Bowl officials announced their matchup of LSU and Santa Clara.Santa Clara and L.S.U. will clash in New Orleans Associated Press https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ieM-AAAAIBAJ&pg=5413%2C6877634 The Tuscaloosa News December 4, 1936 1 April 8, 2012 This resulted in Alabama not playing in a bowl game despite an undefeated record of 8–0–1 and a final poll ranking of No. 4. Awards After the season, James Nesbit and Arthur "Tarzan" White selected to various 1936 College Football All-America Teams.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 who were varsity lettermen from the 1936 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) between the 1937 and 1939 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 team 1937 2 14 Arthur White Art White Back New York Giants1938 2 13 Joe Kilgrow 1 Back Brooklyn Dodgers 7 53 Leroy Monsky Guard Brooklyn Dodgers 1939 9 73 Lew Bostick 1 Guard Cleveland Rams Personnel The 1936 coaching staff included former player Bear Bryant in his first year in a coaching position.2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2011 All-Time Assistant Coaches University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama 142–143Coach: The Life of Paul "Bear" Bryant Dunnavant Keith 2005 St. Martin's Press New York, New York 9780312348762 50 https://books.google.com/books?id=GIl8s3l0RY8C April 8, 2012 Bryant came back to Alabama after serving as an assistant coach at Union for their spring practices in early 1936.The Titan of Tuscaloosa: The Tie Games and Career of Paul Bear Bryant Shepard David 2002 iUniverse Bloomington, Indiana 9780595243259 7–9 https://books.google.com/books?id=gTNgcTyZAdIC April 9, 2012 He later went on to serve as head coach at Maryland, Kentucky, Texas A&M and at Alabama. During his career Bryant won 323 games, appeared in 29 bowl games, won 15 conference championships and six national championships.https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Bryant_Bear.html Bear Bryant 'simply the best there ever was' Mike Puma 2007 ESPN Internet Ventures ESPN April 8, 2012 Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Young Boozer Dothan, Alabama Halfback Lewis Bostick Birmingham, Alabama Guard Vic Bradford Memphis, Tennessee Quarterback Herman Caldwell Tallassee, Alabama Back Joe Kilgrow Montgomery, Alabama Halfback Ben McLeod Leeksville, Mississippi Halfback Leroy Monsky Montgomery, Alabama Guard Lamar Moyle Decatur, Alabama Center James Nisbet Bainbridge, Georgia Fullback William Peters Hammond, Indiana Guard James Radford Hartford, Alabama Tackle Joe Riley Dothan, Alabama Halfback Hayward Sanford Plainview, Arkansas End Joe Shepherd Tuscaloosa, Alabama Guard Jim Tipton Blytheville, Arkansas Tackle Hilmon Walker Hattiesburg, Mississippi End Arthur "Tarzan" White Atmore, Alabama Guard Bill Young Pine Bluff, 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 6 Notre Dame (1923) Bear Bryant Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1935) Paul Burnum Assistant coach 7 Alabama (1922) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 16 VPI (1920) Tilden Campbell Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1935) Jim Dildy Assistant coach 2 Alabama (1934) Harold Drew Assistant coach 6 Bates (1916)Reference: References General http://www.rolltide.com/datadump/fls_files/files/football/1930s/1936.pdf 1936 Season Recap RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics April 8, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120604190108/http://www.rolltide.com/datadump/fls_files/files/football/1930s/1936.pdf June 4, 2012 dead mdy-all Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football