1921 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1921 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association SIAA 5–4–2 2–4–2 Xen C. Scott 3rd Al Clemens Denny FieldRickwood Field The 1921 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1921 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 28th overall and 25th season as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA). The team was led by head coach Xen C. Scott, in his third year, and played their home games at Denny Field in Tuscaloosa and at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of five wins, four losses and two ties (5–4–2 overall, 2–4–2 in the SIAA). In the opener, Alabama spotted Howard a 14–0 first-quarter lead before they rallied and won, 34–14. After a victory over Spring Hill in their second game, the Crimson Tide outscored Marion and Bryson College by a combined 150–0 over their next two games en route to a 4–0 start to open the season. The fast start did not translate to winning for the remainder of the season as they lost four of their next five games. In their first Rickwood Field game of the season, the Crimson Tide was shut out by Sewanee and followed the loss with a tie against LSU in their first road game of the season at New Orleans. Alabama returned to Rickwood in their next game, where they were shut out by Vanderbilt, followed by losses to Florida on homecoming in Tuscaloosa and then to Georgia at Atlanta. After they tied Mississippi A&M in their final home game of the year, Alabama upset Tulane at New Orleans and prevented their first losing season since 1903. Schedule September 24 w Howard (AL) Denny Field Tuscaloosa, AL 34–14 2,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71369939/bulldogs-lose-to-crimson-machine/ The Birmingham News Bulldogs lose to Crimson machine September 25, 1921 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com October 1 w y Spring Hill Denny Field Tuscaloosa, AL 27–7 Spring Hill holds fast in first half and then loses to Alabama after fierce football struggle The Montgomery Advertiser October 2, 1921 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22025985/spring_hill_holds_fast_in_first_half/ February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com October 8 w y Marion Denny Field Tuscaloosa, AL 55–0 2,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71370106/alabama-opens-up-against-marion/ The Birmingham News Alabama opens up against Marion October 9, 1921 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com October 15 w y Bryson College Denny Field Tuscaloosa, AL 95–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71370186/alabama-crushes-bryson-gridders/ The Birmingham News Alabama crushes Bryson gridders October 16, 1921 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com October 22 l Sewanee Rickwood Field Birmingham, AL 0–17 7,500 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71370269/coughlan-and-tigers-run-over-alabamians/ The Tennessean Coughlan and Tigers run over Alabamians October 23, 1921 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com October 29 t y LSU Heinemann Park New Orleans, LA rivalry 7–7 4,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10607263/ The Shreveport Times Alabama's Crimson Tide is buffeted by L.S.U. team but are deadlocked at end October 30, 1921 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com November 5 l Vanderbilt Rickwood Field Birmingham, AL 0–14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71370444/commodores-defeat-alabamians/ Nashville Banner Commodores defeat Alabamians November 6, 1921 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com November 11 l y Florida Denny Field Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 2–9 5,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71370514/florida-trims-alabama-team/ Tampa Bay Times Florida trims Alabama team November 12, 1921 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com November 19 l y Georgia Ponce de Leon Park Atlanta, GA rivalry 0–22 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71370514/florida-trims-alabama-team/ The Atlanta Constitution Georgia crashes to victory over Crimson Tide November 20, 1921 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com November 24 t Mississippi A&M Rickwood Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 7–7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71370676/ The Birmingham News Crimsons and Aggies stage thrilling draw November 25, 1921 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com December 3 w y Tulane Second Tulane Stadium New Orleans, LA 14–7 4,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71370798/ The Shreveport Times Tulane warriors are dropped by powerful offensive by Alabama gridders December 4, 1921 February 18, 2021 Newspapers.com http://www.rolltide.com/sports/2016/6/10/sports-m-footbl-archive-m-footbl-archive-1921-html.aspx?id=256 1921 Alabama football schedule RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics March 1, 2012 Game summaries Howard (AL) Howard at Alabama Howard 14 0 0 0 Alabama 0 13 21 0 September 24 Denny FieldTuscaloosa, AL 2,000 Source:Jack Freeman Baptist boys lose first to Alabama NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser September 25, 1921 2 As they had lost several starters from the previous season, Alabama entered their season opener against Howard (now known as Samford University) with much uncertainty.University opens season Saturday NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser September 23, 1921 2 Against the Bulldogs, the Crimson Tide trailed 14–0 after the first quarter, but rallied with 34 unanswered points and won 34–14.1921 Season Recap Early in the first, Howard scored both of their touchdowns on fumble returns on successive Alabama possessions; the first came on a 60-yard and second on a 30-yard return. The 14–0 deficit marked the first time Alabama ever trailed Howard at the end of the first quarter in the history of their series. Alabama responded in the second with a pair of 25-yard touchdown runs first by Lelias Kirby and then by Max Rosenfeld that made the halftime score 14–13. The Crimson Tide then closed the game with three touchdowns in the third quarter that made the final score 34–14. Rosenfeld scored on runs of five and ten-yards and Charles Bartlett scored on a six-yard run. Spring Hill Spring Hill at Alabama Spring Hill 0 7 0 0 Alabama 0 7 7 13 October 1 Denny FieldTuscaloosa, AL Source:Spring Hill holds fast in first half and then loses to Alabama in fierce football struggle NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser October 2, 1921 9 In what was their first all-time game against Spring Hill College, Alabama defeated the Badgers 27–7 at Denny Field. After a scoreless first quarter that saw the Badgers drive to the one-foot line of the Crimson Tide before a turnover on downs, each team scored a second quarter touchdown that made the halftime score 7–7. Poc Little scored first for the Crimson Tide on a five-yard run and the Badgers' Walet intercepted a Tom Newton pass and returned it 55-yards and tied the game 7–7 at halftime. Alabama then closed the game with three one-yard touchdown runs and won 27–7. The first was by L. O. Wesley in the third and by Max Rosenfeld and William C. Baty in the fourth. Marion Marion at Alabama Marion 0 0 0 0 Alabama 0 20 21 14 October 8 Denny FieldTuscaloosa, AL Source:State university has easy sailing NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser October 9, 1921 7 Against Marion, Alabama shutout the Cadets 55–0 at Tuscaloosa for their third consecutive win to open the season. Touchdowns were scored four times by Max Rosenfeld, twice by William C. Baty and once each by Al Clemens and Virgil Hawkins. Bryson College Against Bryson College (merged with Erskine College in 1929), coach Scott played two separate backfields in a game for the first time.Kordic, p. 136 In the only game ever played between the schools, Alabama was dominant in a 95–0 victory at Tuscaloosa.Alabama piles up score on Bryson NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser October 16, 1921 8 Touchdowns were scored three times by Max Rosenfeld and Al Clemens, twice by William C. Baty, Poc Little and Virgil Hawkins and once each by George Baker, Lewis and W. S. "Country" Oliver. The 95 points remain the second most scored in a single game in the history of Alabama football behind a 110 performance against the Marion Military Institute to open the 1921 season. Sewanee Sewanee at Alabama Sewanee 3 0 7 7 Alabama 0 0 0 0 October 22 Rickwood FieldBirmingham, AL 7,500 Sources:Sewanee Tiger breaks up Thin Red Line and wins an easy game NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser October 23, 1921 11Sewanee beats Alabama NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The New Orleans Item October 23, 1921 In the first Rickwood Field game of the season, the Sewanee Tigers shutout Alabama 17–0 for their first loss of the season. After an early Al Clemens fumble gave Sewanee good field position, Fletcher Skidmore gave the Tigers an early 3–0 lead with his 40-yard field goal in the first quarter. Both teams then played strong defense and the Tigers' maintained their slim lead into halftime. Bauman scored on a short touchdown run that capped a 70-yard drive in the third quarter and extended their lead to 10–0. William Coughlan then made the final score 17–0 with his short touchdown run in the fourth quarter. LSU Alabama at LSU Alabama 0 0 7 0 LSU 0 0 0 7 October 29 Heinemann ParkNew Orleans, LA 4,000 Source:Walter Schwam Ives' star work gives LSU 7–7 tie with Alabama NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The New Orleans Item October 30, 1921 4 After their loss to Sewanee, Alabama scrimmaged both Cullman High School and Tuscaloosa High School as part of their preparation for their first road game of the season.Crimson eleven is determined to win NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser October 29, 1921 3 At Heinemann Park in New Orleans, Alabama tied LSU 7–7 after the Tigers scored a late touchdown in the fourth quarter. After a defensive struggle in the first half, Alabama scored the first points of the game in the third quarter. The touchdown came on a three-yard Hulet Whitaker run that capped a 65-yard drive. Clarence Ives then tied the game late in the fourth quarter on a short touchdown run. Although the game ended in a tie, the Crimson Tide dominated play as they made 23 first downs as compared to LSU's six. Vanderbilt thumb|left|alt=Touchdown photographed from the side, with fans in an end-zone grandstand|Lynn Bomar as he scored his first quarter touchdown for Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt at Alabama Vanderbilt 7 0 0 7 Alabama 0 0 0 0 November 5 Rickwood FieldBirmingham, AL Sources:Vanderbilt winner over Alabama team NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser 7 November 6, 1921Vanderbilt wins over Alabama U. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Times-Picayune 12 November 6, 1921 As they entered their game against Vanderbilt, the Alabama team had much uncertainty of the outcome as the Commodores were undefeated.Hope and fear in Crimson hearts NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser 5 November 4, 1921 Played at Birmingham, Alabama was able to play with Vanderbilt, but fell short in this 14–0 loss. Midway through the first quarter, the Commodores took a 7–0 lead on a short Lynn Bomar touchdown run. The score remained the same through the fourth quarter when a Paul Stumb interception set up the final Vanderbilt scoring drive. Jess Neely then led the Commodores downfield where Rupert Smith made the final score 14–0 with his three-yard touchdown run. Florida Florida at Alabama Florida 6 0 0 3 Alabama 0 0 2 0 November 11 Denny FieldTuscaloosa, AL 5,000 Source:Florida upsets dope, winning from Alabama at very start NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Tampa Morning Tribune 10 November 12, 1921 On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, the Florida Gators upset the Crimson Tide 9–2 at Denny Field. Florida took a 6–0 lead on a 12-yard run by either Ark Newton or Ferdinand H. Duncan in the first quarter. After a scoreless second, Alabama scored their only points in the third after L. O. Wesley blocked a Newton punt that was recovered by Newton for a safety. The Gators then made the final score 9–2 on a 20-yard Newton field goal in the fourth quarter. Georgia Alabama at Georgia Alabama 0 0 0 0 Georgia 7 0 0 15 November 19 Ponce de Leon ParkAtlanta, GA Sources:Alabama suffers defeat at hands of Georgians NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser November 20, 1921 6Hunter Bell Georgia humbles Alabama Crimson 22–0 NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Macon Daily Telegraph November 20, 1921 3 Playing in rainy, muddy conditions at Atlanta, the Crimson Tide lost their third consecutive game to the Georgia Bulldogs 22–0. After each team fumbled the ball on successive possessions, the Bulldogs scored their first touchdown on a six-yard James Reynolds run in the first quarter. The score remained 7–0 through the fourth quarter when Georgia closed the game with 15 points in the final period. First, Hugh Whelchel blocked a Charles Bartlett punt that Bartlett recovered for a safety. James Spicer and Teany Randall then scored on short touchdown runs that capped a pair of long drives and made the final score 22–0. Mississippi A&M Mississippi A&M at Alabama Miss. A&M 0 0 7 0 Alabama 0 7 0 0 November 24 Rickwood FieldBirmingham, AL Source:"Thin red line" plays farmers no decision NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser November 25, 1921 5 In their final home game of the season, Alabama tied the Mississippi A&M (now known as Mississippi State University) Aggies 7–7 on Thanksgiving at Rickwood Field. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 7–0 lead on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Hulet Whitaker to Charles Bartlett. C. B. Cameron then tied the game 7–7 with his 55-yard punt return in the third quarter. Each team had opportunities to win late in the game, but failed to convert on each occasion. Tulane Alabama at Tulane Alabama 0 0 0 14 Tulane 0 0 0 7 December 3 Second Tulane StadiumNew Orleans, LA 4,000 Sources:Alabama springs surprise on Tulane in post-season NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Montgomery Advertiser December 4, 1921 6Alabama defeats Tulane 14–7 NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers The Times-Picayune December 4, 1921 Alabama avoided their first losing season since the 1903 season after they defeated the Tulane Green Wave 14–7 in a game that featured a wild fourth quarter. After the first three quarters were scoreless (Alabama once fumbling the ball away at Tulane's 3-yard line), the Green Wave scored early in the fourth and took a 7–0 lead. Alabama answered with a 65-yard drive, capped with a 20-yard Charles Bartlett touchdown run that tied the game 7–7. Later in the quarter, Alabama drove down the field and scored to take a 14–7 lead on a second Bartlett touchdown run. As the clocked wound down in the final seconds, Tulane had the ball at the Alabama 40 yard line. The Green Wave then appeared to score a game-tying touchdown on a 40-yard pass completion. However, the referee ruled that time had expired as he had blown the whistle before Tulane snapped the ball. The Tulane fans rioted and stormed the field and the referee required a police escort to escape. Personnel Varsity letter winners Line Alabama Crimson Tide Player Hometown Position Gamesstarted Prep school Height Weight Age George Baker Cleveland, Ohio Tackle J. E. Blackwood Birmingham, Alabama Guard Al Clemens Scottsboro, Alabama End Ernest Cooper St. Stephens, Alabama Tackle Clayton H. Hudson Montgomery, Alabama End Ben Hunt Scottsboro, Alabama Guard William Milner Kelly Birmingham, Alabama End William Gabriel Montgomery Birmingham, Alabama Tackle Tom Newton Birmingham, Alabama End Backfield Alabama Crimson Tide Player Hometown Position Gamesstarted Prep school Height Weight Age Charles Bartlett Marlin, Texas Halfback William C. Baty Bessemer, Alabama Halfback J. H. Emmett Albertville, Alabama Halfback Jack Hovater Russellville, Alabama Back190 Lelias E. Kirby Albertville, Alabama Halfback Max Rosenfeld Birmingham, Alabama Quarterback Lester Thomas Birmingham, Alabama Fullback Other Alabama Crimson Tide Player Hometown Position William Almon Manager2011 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 Alabama Crimson Tide Name Position Seasons atAlabama Alma mater Xen C. Scott Head coach 3 Hank Crisp Assistant coach 1 VPI (1920) William T. Van de Graaff Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1916)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 Kordic Gregory A Damn Good Yankee: Xen Scott and the Rise of the Crimson Tide 2007 AuthorHouse Bloomington, Indiana 978-1-4259-6018-6 https://books.google.com/books?id=_9EyzQQh-noC&pg=PP1 December 26, 2013 http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/21-m-footbl-recaps.pdf 1921 Season Recap RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics December 26, 2013 December 27, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131227104249/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/21-m-footbl-recaps.pdf dead Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football