1921 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Schedule

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Game summaries

Howard (AL)

Tuscaloosa, AL

• Source: 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. Against the Bulldogs, the Crimson Tide trailed 14–0 after the first quarter, but rallied with 34 unanswered points and won 34–14. 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. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Howard to 10–0.

Spring Hill

Tuscaloosa, AL

• Source: 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 Military Institute

Tuscaloosa, AL

• Source: Against Marion, Alabama shutout the Cadets 55–0 at Tuscaloosa for their third consecutive win to open the season.

Bryson College

Against Bryson College (merged with Erskine College in 1929), coach Scott played two separate backfields in a game for the first time. In the only game ever played between the schools, Alabama was dominant in a 95–0 victory at Tuscaloosa. 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

Birmingham, AL

• Sources: In the first Rickwood Field game of the season, the Sewanee Tigers shutout Alabama 17–0 for their first loss of the season.

LSU

New Orleans, LA

• Source: 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. At Heinemann Park in New Orleans, Alabama tied LSU 7–7 after the Tigers scored a late touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Vanderbilt

Birmingham, AL

• Sources: As they entered their game against Vanderbilt, the Alabama team had much uncertainty of the outcome as the Commodores were undefeated. Played at Birmingham, Alabama was able to play with Vanderbilt, but fell short in this 14–0 loss.

Florida

Tuscaloosa, AL

• Source: On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, the Florida Gators upset the Crimson Tide 9–2 at Denny Field.

Georgia

Atlanta, GA

• Sources: Playing in rainy, muddy conditions at Atlanta, the Crimson Tide lost their third consecutive game to the Georgia Bulldogs 22–0.

Mississippi A&M

Birmingham, AL

• Source: 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.

Tulane

New Orleans, LA

• Sources: 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.

Personnel

Varsity letter winners

Line

Backfield

Other

Coaching staff

References

General

Specific

References

1. (September 25, 1921). "Bulldogs lose to Crimson machine". The Birmingham News.
2. (October 2, 1921). "Spring Hill holds fast in first half and then loses to Alabama after fierce football struggle". The Montgomery Advertiser.
3. (October 9, 1921). "Alabama opens up against Marion". The Birmingham News.
4. (October 16, 1921). "Alabama crushes Bryson gridders". The Birmingham News.
5. (October 23, 1921). "Coughlan and Tigers run over Alabamians". The Tennessean.
6. (October 30, 1921). "Alabama's Crimson Tide is buffeted by L.S.U. team but are deadlocked at end". The Shreveport Times.
7. (November 6, 1921). "Commodores defeat Alabamians". Nashville Banner.
8. (November 12, 1921). "Florida trims Alabama team". Tampa Bay Times.
9. (November 20, 1921). "Georgia crashes to victory over Crimson Tide". The Atlanta Constitution.
10. (November 25, 1921). "Crimsons and Aggies stage thrilling draw". The Birmingham News.
11. "1921 Alabama football schedule". University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
12. Freeman, Jack. (September 25, 1921). "Baptist boys lose first to Alabama". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
13. (September 23, 1921). "University opens season Saturday". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
14. 1921 Season Recap
15. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Samford (AL)". College Football Data Warehouse.
16. (October 2, 1921). "Spring Hill holds fast in first half and then loses to Alabama in fierce football struggle". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
17. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Spring Hill (AL)". College Football Data Warehouse.
18. (October 9, 1921). "State university has easy sailing". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
19. Kordic, p. 136
20. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Bryson". College Football Data Warehouse.
21. (October 23, 1921). "Sewanee Tiger breaks up Thin Red Line and wins an easy game". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
22. (October 23, 1921). "Sewanee beats Alabama". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
23. Schwam, Walter. (October 30, 1921). "Ives' star work gives LSU 7–7 tie with Alabama". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
24. (October 29, 1921). "Crimson eleven is determined to win". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
25. (November 6, 1921). "Vanderbilt winner over Alabama team". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
26. (November 6, 1921). "Vanderbilt wins over Alabama U.". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
27. (November 4, 1921). "Hope and fear in Crimson hearts". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
28. (November 12, 1921). "Florida upsets dope, winning from Alabama at very start". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
29. (November 20, 1921). "Alabama suffers defeat at hands of Georgians". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
30. Bell, Hunter. (November 20, 1921). "Georgia humbles Alabama Crimson 22–0". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
31. (November 25, 1921). ""Thin red line" plays farmers no decision". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
32. (December 4, 1921). "Alabama springs surprise on Tulane in post-season". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
33. (December 4, 1921). "Alabama defeats Tulane 14–7". NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers.
34. (2011). "2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office.
35. (2011). "2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office.