1934 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Schedule

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Game summaries

Howard

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Source: To open the 1934 season, Alabama scored touchdowns in all four quarters and defeated Howard College (now Samford University) 24–0 at Denny Stadium. Dixie Howell scored in the first on a two-yard run and Joe Riley scored in the second on a three-yard run to give the Crimson Tide a 12–0 halftime lead. Joe Demyanovich then scored both second half touchdowns with his seven-yard run in the third and one-yard run in the fourth for the 24–0 victory. The Howard squad was led by former Alabama player and assistant coach Clyde "Shorty" Propst in his first game against his alma mater. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Howard to 13–0.

Sewanee

Montgomery, Alabama

• Source: In June 1934, coach Thomas announced their game against Sewanee would be moved from Tuscaloosa to the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. In what was their conference opener, Alabama defeated the Tigers, 35–6, at Montgomery.

This game was originally scheduled to kick off at 8:00 pm on Friday, October 5, and it was to have been the first night game played by Alabama in their history. After a mutual agreement was reached between both head coaches, the game was postponed to the following afternoon as a result of a major rain event that made the playing surface at the Cramton Bowl unplayable. The Crimson Tide would not compete in their first night game for another six seasons when they defeated Spring Hill to open the 1940 season.

Mississippi State

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Source: Against their long-time rival, the Mississippi State Maroons, Alabama won 41–0 at Denny Stadium.

Tennessee

Birmingham, Alabama

• Source: Against rival Tennessee, Alabama defeated the Volunteers, 13–6 at Legion Field.

Georgia

Birmingham, Alabama

• Source: Against Georgia, Alabama outgained the Bulldogs 427 to 119 yards in total offense in their 26–6 victory at Legion Field. Dixie Howell scored first for the Crimson Tide with his touchdown run on Alabama's third offensive play of the game. Howell then scored in the second quarter on a three-yard touchdown run to give the Crimson Tide a 13–0 halftime lead. Alabama further extended their lead to 26–0 in the third quarter on a 38-yard James Angelich and two-yard Joe Demyanovich touchdown run. However, the defense was unable to complete the shutout as Maurice Greene scored for the Bulldogs on a seven-yard run in the fourth to make the final score 26–6. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 12–11–3.

Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky

• Source: In what was their first road game of the season, Alabama defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 34–14 on homecoming at McLean Stadium. Don Hutson scored the first touchdown with his 10-yard run and was followed with a three-yard Tilden Campbell touchdown run to give Alabama a 14–0 lead at the end of the first. Joe Riley then scored on a 16-yard run in the second to give the Crimson Tide a 21–0 halftime lead. Kentucky cut the lead to 21–7 in the third when Bert Johnson scored on a four-yard run. Both teams then traded fourth-quarter touchdowns to make the final score 34–14. Alabama scored first on an 11-yard Bear Bryant run, next was Johnson for the Wildcats with his 69-yard run and then Joe Riley threw a 38-yard pass to Young Boozer for the final score of the afternoon. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky 13–1.

Clemson

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Sources: On homecoming at Denny Stadium, Alabama defeated the Clemson Tigers of the Southern Conference 40–0 in Tuscaloosa.

Georgia Tech

Atlanta

• Source: Against the Georgia Tech, Alabama shutout the Yellow Jackets 40–0 at Grant Field.

Vanderbilt

Birmingham, Alabama

• Source: In the regular season finale on Thanksgiving Day, Alabama defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 34–0 to capture their second consecutive SEC championship and secure a place in the Rose Bowl Game. James Angelich scored on a four-yard run and Dixie Howell on a 21-yard run to give the Crimson Tide a 13–0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Alabama then scored one touchdown in each of the final three quarters to make the final score 34–0. Joe Demyanovich scored on a short run in the second, on a 70-yard Angelich interception return in the third and on a 15-yard Howell run in the fourth. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 7–8.

Stanford

Pasadena, California

• Source: Immediately after their victory over Vanderbilt in the season finale, University president George Denny accepted an invitation to play in the 1935 Rose Bowl against the Stanford Indians. In the game, which was a rematch of their draw in the 1927 Rose Bowl, the Crimson Tide overwhelmed the Indians with their 29–13 victory before 84,474 fans at Pasadena. The Stanford defense shined in the first quarter, as Alabama had only four yards total offense. The Indians then took a 7–0 lead later in the quarter after Bobby Grayson scored on a short run to complete a drive set up after Keith Topping recovered a Joe Demyanovich fumble. Early in the second, Dixie Howell scored on a five-yard run, but Riley Smith missed the extra point and Stanford still led 7–6.

After the Alabama touchdown, Stanford chose to kickoff rather than receive the ball after the score. On the resulting Alabama possession, the Crimson Tide took a 9–7 lead after Smith connected on a 27-yard field goal. For the second time, Stanford again chose to kickoff rather than receive the ball, and two plays later Howell scored on a 67-yard touchdown run and made the score 16–7. Then Alabama intercepted a Stanford pass, and took the ball at the 46-yard line with only eight seconds left. Joe Riley then threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Don Hutson to put Alabama up 22–7 at halftime. Stanford scored in the third on a 12-yard Elzo Van Dellen touchdown run but could get no closer to the lead. Alabama finished the game with a 59-yard Howell to Hutson touchdown pass in the fourth and made final score 29–13.

Awards

After the season, Alabama had three players selected by consensus to the 1934 College Football All-America Team. These players were:

• Don Hutson at end
• Dixie Howell at halfback
• Bill Lee at tackle

National championship claim

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 1934 championship as one of its now 18 national championships. As such, Alabama claims a share of the 1934 national championship, with Minnesota, due to each school being selected national champion by various major selectors. Specifically, Alabama was selected national champion in 1934 by Dunkel, Houlgate, Poling System and Williamson.

Personnel

Varsity letter winners

Coaching staff

References

General

Specific

References

1. Thornton, Jay. (November 20, 1934). "Tide surges over Vandy, 34 to 0, in great show of power". The Tuscaloosa News.
2. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "National Poll Champions". NCAA.org.
3. (September 30, 1934). "Stubborn Howard line holds Tide to 24–0 win". The Birmingham News.
4. (October 7, 1934). "Tide rolls over Sewanee in exhibition of speed, 35 to 6". The Montgomery Advertiser.
5. (October 14, 1934). "Alabama, Tennessee too much for boys of Magnolia State". The Clarion-Ledger.
6. (October 21, 1934). "Tennessee Vols fall before surging Crimson Tide, 13 to 6". The Knoxville Journal.
7. (October 28, 1934). "Tide rolls on by crushing Georgia, 26 to 6". The Birmingham News.
8. (November 4, 1934). "Alabama defeat Kentucky, 34 to 14". Lexington Herald-Leader.
9. (November 11, 1934). "Mighty Crimson Tide rolls over Tigers, 40 to 0". The Greenville News.
10. (November 18, 1934). "Tech 0, Alabama 40 - Red elephants trample foes before 17,000". The Atlanta Constitution.
11. (November 30, 1934). "Bama crushes Vandy to clear its path to Rose Bowl". The Tennessean.
12. (January 2, 1935). "Alabama air raid crushes Stanford, 29–13". [[Los Angeles Times]].
13. "1934 Alabama football archives". University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
14. Thornton, Jay. (September 30, 1934). "Crimson Tide crushes Howard, 24 to 0". The Tuscaloosa News.
15. 1934 Season Recap
16. (September 28, 1934). "Tiders regain zest as opener with Howard's Bulldogs nears". The Tuscaloosa News.
17. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Samford". College Football Data Warehouse.
18. (October 7, 1934). "Alabama rolls over Sewanee, 35 to 6". The Tuscaloosa News.
19. (June 5, 1934). "Montgomery to get Tide–Sewanee game". The Tuscaloosa News.
20. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Sewanee". College Football Data Warehouse.
21. (October 5, 1934). "Terrific rain causes postponement in Tide–Tiger battle". The Tuscaloosa News.
22. (September 29, 1940). "Tiders return with 26–0 win". The Tuscaloosa News.
23. Thornton, Jay. (October 14, 1934). "Alabama triumphs over Maroons, 41–0". The Tuscaloosa News.
24. (October 21, 1934). "Crimson Tide rolls over Tennessee, 13–6". The Tuscaloosa News.
25. (October 28, 1934). "Alabama races through Georgia 26–6". The Tuscaloosa News.
26. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse.
27. (November 4, 1934). "Kentucky falls before Tide, 34 to 14". The Tuscaloosa News.
28. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Kentucky". College Football Data Warehouse.
29. Thornton, Jay. (November 11, 1934). "Tide marches on, lashes Clemson, 40–0". The Tuscaloosa News.
30. Davenport, T. M.. (November 11, 1934). "Alabama rolls across Clemson, 40 to 0". The Spartanburg Herald.
31. Gregory, Kenneth. (November 18, 1934). "Tide sweeps over Georgia Tech, 40–0". The Tuscaloosa News.
32. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse.
33. (January 2, 1935). "Victorious Tide heads homeward". The Tuscaloosa News.
34. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "Award Winners". NCAA.org.
35. Solomon, Jon. (January 6, 2010). "Got 12? Here's how Alabama bumped up its claim to a dozen national titles". AL.com.
36. (2011). "2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office.
37. (2011). "2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office.