1930 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Before the season

Wade resignation

After eight seasons as Alabama's head coach, on April 1, 1930, Wallace Wade announced he would resign his position at the conclusion of the 1930 season to take the same position with Duke. At the time of his announcement, Wade did not give a reason for his departure other than that his contract was set to expire on September 1, 1931. Although never publicly stated by Wade himself, friends and former players attributed his resignation to criticism he received during the 1927, 1928, and 1929 seasons, as well as his desire to return to a private university. Wallace Wade completed his Alabama tenure with a 61–13–3 record (), four conference titles, and three national championships. He also coached several star players as well. Wade followed up his success at Alabama with a longer and almost as successful run at Duke, and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Schedule

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Game summaries

Howard (AL)

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Source: Alabama opened the season with its only scheduled non-conference game against Howard College (now Samford University) at Denny Stadium. Before an estimated crowd of 6,000 fans, Alabama shutout Howard 43–0. After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide scored 34 second-quarter points. Touchdowns were scored on runs by Johnny Cain, John Suther (one on a 56-yard run and another on a 96-yard kickoff return), Hillman D. Holley, and John Campbell. The final points of the game came in the fourth on a Hugh Miller run and 33-yard drop kick to make the final score 43–0. Alabama gained 513 total yards on 66 plays and held Howard to only 84 yards on 32 plays. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Howard to 11–0.

The starting lineup was: Dobbs (left end), Jackson (left tackle), Sanford (left guard), Sharpe (center), Whitworth (right guard), Godfrey (right tackle), Elmore (right end), Tucker (quarterback), H. B. Miller (left halfback), Long (right halfback), and Boykin (fullback).

Ole Miss

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Source: The Tide opened conference play game against the Ole Miss Rebels, and for a second consecutive week shutout their opponent. This time the Rebels were defeated 64–0. Alabama's first string entered in the second quarter. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss to 14–2–1.

The starting lineup was: Elmore (left end), Whitworth (left tackle), Sanford (left guard), Sharpe (center), Leslie (right guard), Jackson (right tackle), Dothero (right end), H. B. Miller (quarterback), Tucker (left halfback), Long (right halfback), and Hanson (fullback).

Sewanee

Birmingham, Alabama

• Source: For the third week in a row, Alabama shutout its opponent the Sewanee Tigers at Legion Field 25–0. The team was led by assistant coach Hank Crisp as both head coach Wade and assistant Jess Neely were in Knoxville to scout the Tennessee Volunteers for their game the following week.

John Campbell gave Alabama its first points with his 58-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. After Campbell scored his second touchdown, John Tucker scored two more to make the final score 25–0. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Sewanee to 13–10–3.

The starting lineup was: Elmore (left end), Jackson (left tackle), Sanford (left guard), Sharpe (center), Whitworth (right guard), Godfrey (right tackle), Dothero (right end), Tucker (quarterback), Miller (left halfback), Long (right halfback), and Hanson (fullback).

Tennessee

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Source: On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, Alabama defeated coach Robert Neyland's Tennessee Volunteers 18–6 before what was then the largest crowd to have seen an Alabama game in Tuscaloosa. The loss was Tennessee's first in 34 games, dating back to a 20–3 loss to Vanderbilt during the 1926 season.

The Tide took a 6–0 lead after Johnny Cain scored on a 13-yard touchdown run. John Suther extended their lead to 12–0 later in the quarter with his 33-yard touchdown run. After Hugh Miller scored on a short run in the third, Tennessee responded with its only points of the game on a short Buddy Hackman run in the fourth to make the final score 18–6. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 9–4–1.

The starting lineup was: Elmore (left end), Whitworth (left tackle), Leslie (left guard), Sharpe (center), Sanford (right guard), Godfree (right tackle), Dothero (right end), Tucker (quarterback), H. B. Miller (left halfback), Long (right halfback), and Boykin (fullback).

Vanderbilt

Birmingham, Alabama

• Source: Against the favored Vanderbilt Commodores, Wallace Wade defeated his coaching mentor Dan McGugin 12–7 at Legion Field. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama scored the first touchdown of the game on a short John Campbell run. The Crimson Tide's lead was extended to 12–0 in the third after a 13-yard John Suther run. The Commodores then scored their only points of the game later in the third when Benny Parker threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to William Schwartz. Late in the game, Vandy drove to the Alabama 27-yard line before they stalled out and never threatened again. After a scoreless fourth quarter, Alabama won 12–7. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 3–8.

The starting lineup was: Elmore (left end), Godfree (left tackle), Howard (left guard), Eberdt (center), Miller (right guard), Sington (right tackle), Dothero (right end), Campbell (quarterback), Suther (left halfback), Cain (right halfback), and McWright (fullback).

Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky

• Source: In what was the first road game of the season, Alabama traveled to Lexington and defeated the Wildcats 19–0. Alabama scored its first points on a 49-yard Jimmy Moore touchdown pass to John Suther for a 6–0 lead. Alabama scored 13 fourth quarter points to seal the victory. John Campbell and Leon Long each scored a touchdown on short runs to make the final score 19–0. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky to 9–1.

The starting lineup was: Moore (left end), Sington (left tackle), Howard (left guard), Eberdt (center), Godfrey (right guard), Clement (right tackle), Smith (right end), Campbell (quarterback), Suther (left halfback), McWright (right halfback), and Cain (fullback).

Florida

Gainesville, Florida

• Source: In the first game ever played at Florida Field, Alabama defeated the Gators on their homecoming 20–0. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama scored their first points on a 21-yard John Campbell touchdown run for a 6–0 lead.

The starting lineup was: Elmore (left end), Godfree (left tackle), Sanford (left guard), Sharpe (center), Howard (right guard), Clement (right tackle), Dothero (right end), Miller (quarterback), Long (left halfback), McWright (right halfback), and Tucker (fullback).

LSU

Montgomery, Alabama

• Source: In the only game of the season played at the Cramton Bowl, Alabama defeated Louisiana State University 33–0. Alabama's touchdowns were scored on an 80-yard John Campbell kickoff return and on runs by John Tucker, Hillman D. Holley, Leon Long, and Bellini.

The starting lineup was: Moore (left end), Leslie (left tackle), Whitworth (left guard), Sharpe (center), Sanford (right guard), Godfree (right tackle), Smith (right end), Holley (quarterback), Long (left halfback), Tucker (right halfback), and Boykin (fullback).

Georgia

Birmingham, Alabama

• Source: In their final regular season game, the Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 13–0 to capture the Southern Conference championship. John Campbell scored Alabama's first touchdown in the first quarter on a short run and Johnny Cain scored one in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run.

The starting lineup was: Moore (left end), Sington (left tackle), Howard (left guard), Eberdt (center), J. Miller (right guard), Clement (right tackle), Elmore (right end), Cain (quarterback), Suther (left halfback), Campbell (right halfback), and McWright (fullback).

Washington State—Rose Bowl

Pasadena, California

• Source: Immediately after their victory over Georgia in the season finale, University president George Denny accepted an invitation to play in the 1931 Rose Bowl against the Washington State Cougars. The Crimson Tide overwhelmed the Cougars with their 24–0 victory before 60,000 fans at Pasadena.

After a scoreless first, Alabama scored three second-quarter touchdowns in a six-minute blitz to take a 21–0 lead. The first score came on a 61-yard Jimmy Moore touchdown pass to John Henry Suther with the other two coming on touchdown runs of one and 43-yards by John Campbell. Jennings B. Whitworth scored the final points of the game with his 30-yard field goal to give Alabama the 24–0 victory.

The starting lineup was: Dobbs (left end), Clement (left tackle), Sanford (left guard), Sharpe (center), Whitworth (right guard), Godfree (right tackle), Elmore (right end), Tucker (quarterback), Long (left halfback), Holley (right halfback), and Boykin (fullback).

National championship

The NCAA recognizes consensus national champions as the teams that have captured a championship by way of one of the major polls since the 1950 college football season. Prior to 1950, national championships were chosen by a variety of selectors, and in the 1980s, Alabama claimed the 1930 championship as one of its 18 claimed/recognized national championships. As such, Alabama claims a share of the 1930 national championship, with Notre Dame, due to each school being selected national champion by various major selectors. Specifically, Alabama was selected national champion by Football Research, Parke Davis, and Sagarin and Sagarin (ELO-Chess).

Personnel

Varsity letter winners

Line

Backfield

Coaching staff

Notes

References

General

Specific

References

1. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "National Poll Champions". NCAA.org.
2. Richard, Scott. (2004). "Legends of Alabama Football". Sports Publishing, LLC.
3. Scott, Richard. (2004). "Legends of Alabama Football". Sports Publishing LLC..
4. (April 1, 1930). "Wade will leave 'Bama in 1931". The Tuscaloosa News.
5. ["Hall of Fame inductee search: Wallace Wade"]({{College Football HoF/url). [[National Football Foundation]].
6. (September 28, 1930). "Alabama crushes Howard Bulldogs by 43 to 0 score". The Selma Times-Journal.
7. (October 5, 1930). "Alabama brilliant, sweeping through Ole Miss, 64 to 0". The Anniston Star.
8. (October 12, 1930). "Alabama uses straight football to conquer Sewanee, 25 to 0". The Birmingham News.
9. (October 19, 1930). "Vols' victorious march is ended as Tide wins, 18–6". The Knoxville Journal.
10. (October 26, 1930). "Brilliant running of Suther is big factor in Alabama win". Nashville Banner.
11. (November 2, 1930). "Bama slaughters its third 'giant'". The Lexington Herald.
12. (November 9, 1930). "Alabama Tide drowns Gator hope of title". The Tampa Tribune.
13. (November 16, 1930). "Thundering Herd stampedes L.S.U. as reserves riot, 33–0". The Montgomery Advertiser.
14. (November 28, 1930). "Crimson Tide sweeps on and on to Pasadena". The Birmingham News.
15. (January 2, 1931). "Alabamans victorious - Cougars bow by 24–0 score". [[Los Angeles Times]].
16. "1930 Alabama football archives". University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
17. (September 28, 1930). "'Bama 43, Howard 0". The Tuscaloosa News.
18. (September 28, 1930). "Suther stars in Tide win". The Tuscaloosa News.
19. (September 28, 1930). "Alabama gains 513 yards with scrimmage play". The Tuscaloosa News.
20. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Samford". College Football Data Warehouse.
21. (September 28, 1930). "Tide trounces Ole Miss 64–0". The Tuscaloosa News.
22. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi". College Football Data Warehouse.
23. (October 12, 1930). "Tide gains force in last quarter to defeat Tigers". The Tuscaloosa News.
24. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Sewanee". College Football Data Warehouse.
25. (October 19, 1930). "Tide drowns Vols, 18–6". The Tuscaloosa News.
26. (October 19, 1930). "How they scored". The Tuscaloosa News.
27. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse.
28. (October 26, 1930). "Running attack beats air raid of Commodores". The Tuscaloosa News.
29. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse.
30. (November 2, 1930). "Tide doused Wildcats 19 to 0". The Tuscaloosa News.
31. 1930 Season Recap
32. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Kentucky". College Football Data Warehouse.
33. (November 9, 1930). "Tide gets Gator hides, 20–0". The Tuscaloosa News.
34. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Florida". College Football Data Warehouse.
35. (November 16, 1930). "Tide 33 LSU 0". The Tuscaloosa News.
36. (November 28, 1930). "Tide drowns Bulldogs 13 to 0 for Southern Conference title". The Tuscaloosa News.
37. Zimmerman, Paul. (January 2, 1931). "Tide trounces Cougars in bowl classic, 24 to 0". The Tuscaloosa News.
38. (November 28, 1930). "Tide takes coast bid". The Tuscaloosa News.
39. Solomon, Jon. (January 6, 2010). "Got 12? Here's how Alabama bumped up its claim to a dozen national titles". AL.com.
40. (2011). "2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office.
41. (2011). "2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office.