1938 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Schedule

On December 5, 1937, Frank Thomas announced the 1938 schedule. The intersectional game against USC was announced in August 1937 and was the first between the two football powers. The remaining schedule included road games at Kentucky and Georgia Tech with the remaining three games split evenly between Denny Stadium and Legion Field.

|{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = t |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w

Game summaries

USC

Los Angeles, California

• Source: In August 1937, university officials announced Alabama would open the 1938 season in Los Angeles against the University of Southern California (USC). Looking for "revenge" after their January loss in the Rose Bowl, their first loss on the West Coast, the Crimson Tide defeated the Trojans 19–7 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama scored two touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 13–0 halftime lead. The scores came on a pair of Herschel Mosley touchdown passes, the first on a seven-yard pass to Billy Slemons and the second on an 18-yard pass to Gene Blackwell. The Trojans responded after the first Alabama touchdown with their deepest drive into Crimson Tide territory of the game. On the drive, Robert Peoples connected with Grenny Lansdell for a 36-yard gain to the Alabama 22. However, the Alabama defense held, and USC failed to score after they turned the ball over on downs at the Alabama 13-yard line.

After they held their 13–0 lead through the third quarter, Hal Hughes intercepted an Oliver Day pass and returned it 25-yards for an Alabama touchdown to make the score 19–0 after Vic Bradford missed his second extra point of the game. Later in the fourth, the Trojans scored their only points of the game. The one-yard Day touchdown run was set up after Al Krueger recovered Charley Boswell fumbled punt at the Alabama one-yard line. The victory was their first all-time against USC. Over 6,000 fans greeted the team at the Alabama Great Southern Railroad station in downtown Tuscaloosa upon their arrival the following Tuesday to celebrate their victory.

Howard

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Source: A week after their intersectional victory over USC to open the season, Alabama hosted Howard (now Samford University) in their home opener. In the game, the Crimson Tide outgained the Bulldogs in rushing yards 354 to 8 in their 34–0 shutout at Denny Stadium. Alabama scored their first touchdown on a 15-yard Billy Slemons run to take a 7–0 first quarter lead. In the second quarter touchdowns were scored by, George Zivich on a 43-yard run and by Alvin Davis on a 56-yard run to extend the Alabama lead to 20–0 at halftime. The Crimson Tide then closed the game with a pair of second half touchdowns for the 34–0 victory. Davis scored in the third on a two-yard run and Charlie Holm scored in the fourth on a three-yard run. Davis starred for Alabama in the game with his 153 yards rushing on 15 attempts with a pair of touchdowns. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Howard to 16–0–1.

NC State

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Source: In their third and final non-conference game of the season, Alabama hosted North Carolina State University (NC State) in their annual homecoming contest. In the game, the Crimson Tide's two second touchdowns were enough in their defeat of the Wolfpack in their 14–0 shutout at Denny Stadium. On offense, Mosley starred for the Crimson Tide with his 123 rushing yards on 15 attempts and one passing and rushing touchdown. The victory was their first all-time against NC State.

Tennessee

Birmingham, Alabama

• Source: In Birmingham, Alabama was upset by rival Tennessee 13–0 at Legion Field.

Sewanee

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Source: A week after their loss to Tennessee, Alabama defeated the Sewanee Tigers 32–0 at Denny Stadium.

Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky

• Source: As Alabama entered their contest against Kentucky, they entered the rankings at No. 18 in the weekly AP Poll. In the game, the Crimson Tide defeated the Wildcats 26–6 on homecoming at McLean Stadium.

Tulane

Birmingham, Alabama

• Source: After their victory over Kentucky, the Crimson Tide moved up three positions to the No. 15 spot in the weekly poll. In the game, the Crimson Tide defeated the Tulane Green Wave 3–0 after Vic Bradford converted a game-winning, 17-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter.

Georgia Tech

Atlanta

• Source: After their close victory over Tulane, the Crimson Tide dropped one position to the No. 16 spot in the weekly poll. In their game against Georgia Tech Alabama fell behind 14–0 after the first quarter, but a pair of second half touchdowns gave the Crimson Tide a 14–14 tie against the Yellow Jackets at Grant Field. Still down 14–0 as they entered the third quarter, Alabama scored their first points of the game on a three-yard Alvin Davis touchdown run to cap a 57-yard drive. The Crimson Tide then tied the game in the fourth when they executed a hook and lateral play, with Davis crossing the endzone line for a 66-yard touchdown. Alabama was then in position to attempt a game-winning field goal from the Jackets' 15; however, time expired before they could get a play off which resulted in the 14–14 tie. The tie brought Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 11–10–3.

Vanderbilt

Birmingham, Alabama

• Source: In their season finale against the Vanderbilt Commodores, Alabama won 7–0 at Legion Field on Thanksgiving Day.

After the season

After all of the regular season games were completed, the final AP Poll was released in early December. In the final poll, Alabama held the No. 13 position. Alabama was also recognized by the Associated Press for having the best record (40–4–3) and highest winning percentage (.909) of any major, college team for the five-year period between 1934 and 1938.

Statistically, the 1938 defense was one of the best in school history. The 1938 squad still holds numerous defensive records that include:

• Fewest total yards allowed in a season with 701
• Fewest total yards allowed per game with an average of 77.9
• Fewest total yards allowed per play with an average of 1.2
• Fewest first downs allowed in a season with 26
• Fewest rushing yards allowed in a season with 305
• Fewest rushing yards allowed per game with an average of 33.9
• Fewest rushing yards allowed per play with an average of 0.95
• Fewest passing attempts allowed per game with an average of 9.8
• Fewest passing completions allowed per game with an average of 3.4
• Fewest passing yards allowed in a season with 291
• Fewest passing yards allowed per game with an average of 32.7

NFL draft

Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1938 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) between the 1939 and 1941 drafts. These players included the following:

Personnel

Varsity letter winners

Coaching staff

References

General

Specific

References

1. (December 5, 1937). "Three home games on 1938 schedule of Alabama grid team". Google News Archives.
2. Dyer, Braven. (August 8, 1937). "Alabama, Troy clash in Coliseum next year". ProQuest Historical Newspapers.
3. (September 25, 1938). "Bama beats Trojans, 19–7". The Los Angeles Times.
4. (October 2, 1938). "Tide dynamites Howard, 34 to 0". The Birmingham News.
5. (October 9, 1938). "State holds Tide to 14–0 win". The News and Observer.
6. (October 16, 1938). "Tennessee routs Alabama, 13–0". The Knoxville Journal.
7. (October 23, 1938). "Alabama overwhelms Sewanee with belated thrust". The Selma Times-Journal.
8. (October 30, 1938). "Wildcats put up plucky fight but lose to Alabama, 26–6". The Lexington Herald.
9. (November 6, 1938). "Surging Tide nips Tulane, 3 to 0". The Birmingham News.
10. (November 13, 1938). "Tech and Alabama play 14–14 tie". The Atlanta Constitution.
11. (November 25, 1938). "Bama hands Vanderbilt third shutout of year". Nashville Banner.
12. "1938 Alabama football archives". University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
13. Thornton, Jay. (September 25, 1938). "Valiant Tide pours over Trojans, 19–7". Google News Archives.
14. Meyers, Robert. (September 25, 1938). "Tide enjoys her day of revenge". Google News Archives.
15. 1938 Season Recap
16. Wagoner, Ronald. (September 25, 1938). "Alabama wallops California to avenge Rose Bowl defeat". Google News Archives.
17. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Southern California". College Football Data Warehouse.
18. (September 28, 1938). "Welcome home accorded Tide". Google News Archives.
19. (October 1, 1938). "Alabama reveals power; Davis paces Crimson Tide in rout of Howard by 34–0". The New York Times.
20. (September 30, 1938). "Alabama makes home debut on Saturday". Google News Archives.
21. (October 2, 1938). "Tide wallops Howard in home debut, 34–0". Google News Archives.
22. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Samford". College Football Data Warehouse.
23. Thornton, Jay. (October 9, 1938). "Battling Wolves hold Tide to 14–0 score". Google News Archives.
24. (October 7, 1938). "Tiders prepared for homecoming tussle". Google News Archives.
25. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs North Carolina State". College Football Data Warehouse.
26. Thornton, Jay. (October 16, 1938). "Vol-Cano erupts, buries Alabama's hopes 13–0". Google News Archives.
27. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse.
28. (October 23, 1938). "Tide out-mans Tigers after late start, 32–0". Google News Archives.
29. Wheeler, Romney. (December 13, 1940). "Sewanee quits Southeastern". Google News Archives.
30. Stiles, S. V.. (October 30, 1938). "Crimson Tide swamps Wildcats, 26 to 6". Google News Archives.
31. (October 25, 1938). "Pitt continues editors choice". Google News Archives.
32. (November 6, 1938). "Bradford's 17-yard field goal drops Tulane for Tide, 3 to 0". Google News Archives.
33. (November 1, 1938). "Bears to face Trojan eleven". Google News Archives.
34. (November 13, 1938). "Crimson Tide rises in second half to tie with Tech Tornado, 14–14". Google News Archives.
35. (November 8, 1938). "Texas Christian places first in A. P. grid poll". Google News Archives.
36. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia Tech". College Football Data Warehouse.
37. (November 25, 1938). "Crimson Tide subdues Vandy, 7 to 0 in impressive finish". Google News Archives.
38. Middleton, Drew. (December 6, 1938). "T.C.U., Vols place one, two". Google News Archives.
39. Barker, Herbert W.. (December 5, 1938). "Alabama leads nation in five-year grid record". Google News Archives.
40. (December 5, 1938). "Alabama Crimson Tide leads nation's major grid teams in survey of five-year record". Google News Archives.
41. (2011). "2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office.
42. "Alabama Drafted Players/Alumni". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
43. "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League.
44. (2011). "2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office.
45. (2011). "2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office.