1946 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Schedule

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Rankings

Game summaries

Furman

Birmingham, Alabama

• Source: To open the 1946 season, the Crimson Tide played the Furman Purple Hurricane, who fielded their first team since the 1942 season, on a Friday night at Legion Field. Against the Purple Hurricane, Alabama won 26–7 before a crowd of 25,000 in Birmingham. In the first quarter, Alabama took a 6–0 lead after Norwood Hodges intercepted a Skeeter Coyle pass and returned it 27-yards for a touchdown. On the kickoff that ensued, Charlie Truluck returned it 95-yards to give Furman a 7–6 lead. The Crimson Tide responded with a pair of second-quarter touchdowns to take a 19–7 halftime lead. The first came on a 29-yard Harry Gilmer pass to Ted Cook and the second on a six-yard Johnny August run. Alabama then scored their final points of the game in the third quarter on a 15-yard Gilmer run. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Furman to 2–0.

Tulane

New Orleans, Louisiana

• Source: To open conference play, Alabama traveled to New Orleans and defeated the Tulane Green Wave 7–6 in what was described as a "torrential downpour" throughout the game.

South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina

• Source: Against the South Carolina Gamecocks, Alabama won their third game of the season with this 14–6 at Carolina Stadium. The Gamecocks took a 6–0 first quarter lead after Bo Hagan threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Earl Dunham. Alabama responded with a one-yard Hal Smith touchdown run for a 7–6 halftime lead. After a scoreless third, the Crimson Tide closed the game with a one-yard Fred Grant touchdown run for the 14–6 win. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against South Carolina to 4–0.

Southwestern Louisiana

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Source: After they opened the season with three consecutive victories, Alabama was recognized with the No. 6 ranking in the first AP Poll for the 1946 season in the week that led to their game against the Southwestern Louisiana Institute. Against the Bulldogs, that were led by former Tide great Johnny Cain, Alabama won their fourth game of the season with their 54–0 shutout at Denny Stadium. Alabama took a 6–0 first-quarter lead after Lowell Tew scored on a 28-yard touchdown run. They extended their lead 20–0 at halftime after Johnny August threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Bob Hood and Lionel W. Noonan scored on a three-yard run.

In the third quarter, Tew scored his second touchdown on a seven-yard run and Fred Grant scored on a three-yard run for a 34–0 lead. The Crimson Tide then concluded the afternoon with a trio of touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The touchdowns were scored on a Clem Welsh run, a 46-yard Norman Mosley punt return and an 87-yard D. Joe Gambrell reception from Theo Fakier for the 54–0 victory. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 3–0.

Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee

• Sources: Although they defeated Southwestern Louisiana in their previous game, Alabama dropped to the No. 7 position in the second AP Poll of the season. Against Tennessee, the Crimson Tide were shutout Volunteers 12–0 at Shields–Watkins Field.

Kentucky

Montgomery, Alabama

• Source: After their loss against Tennessee, Alabama dropped four spots to the No. 11 ranking prior to their game against Kentucky. In Montgomery, the Crimson Tide defeated the Wildcats 21–7 at the Cramton Bowl.

Georgia

Athens, Georgia

• Source: Although the Crimson Tide defeated Kentucky the previous week, Alabama dropped four spots to the No. 15 ranking for their game against Georgia. Against the Bulldogs, the Crimson Tide were shutout 14–0 before 30,000 fans at Sanford Stadium.

LSU

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Source: To open conference play for the 1945 season, the Crimson Tide traveled to play LSU and left Baton Rouge with a 26–7 victory.

Vanderbilt

Birmingham, Alabama

• Source: Against the Vanderbilt Commodores, Alabama won 12–7 at Legion Field in Birmingham.

Boston College

Boston

• Source: Against the Boston College Eagles, Alabama lost 13–7 in what was the first game ever played by the Crimson Tide in New England. After a scoreless first quarter, each team scored second-quarter touchdowns. The Eagles scored first on a one-yard James Benedetto run and Alabama responded with a 38-yard Harry Gilmer pass to Ted Cook to make the halftime score 7–7. Boston then scored the game-winning touchdown early in the final period on a 39-yard Maurice Poissant run. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Boston College to 1–1. In addition to being their first game played in New England, this game also marked the first time that an Alabama squad traveled to an away game by way of airplane.

Mississippi State

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Source: On what was both homecoming and the final game of the season at Denny Stadium, Alabama upset the Mississippi State Maroons 24–7.

Thomas resignation

The struggles of the 1946 team might have been caused in part by the deteriorating health of coach Frank Thomas. High blood pressure left him bedridden for most of the 1946 season, unable to stand for long periods, and forced to ride in a trailer to conduct many Alabama practices. After the 1946 season his ill health forced his resignation when he was only 48 years old, and Thomas later died in Tuscaloosa on May 10, 1954. During his fifteen seasons as head coach at Alabama, Thomas won four SEC championships and compiled an overall record of 115 wins, 24 losses and seven ties (115–24–7) record, for an winning percentage.

Prior to the conclusion of the season, speculation began as to who would succeed Thomas as the head coach of the Crimson Tide. In early November, sources indicated that former Thomas player, and then head coach at Kentucky, Bear Bryant was to become the next head coach of the Crimson Tide. On November 11, Bryant stated that he had not been in contact about the Alabama job and indicated his focus was on the Wildcats. After an exhaustive search, on January 14, 1947, former Thomas assistant and then head coach at Ole Miss, Harold Drew was introduced as the new head coach of the Crimson Tide.

Personnel

Varsity letter winners

Coaching staff

After the season

The 1947 NFL draft was held on December 16, 1946. The following Crimson Tide player was selected.

References

General

Specific

References

1. "1946 Alabama football schedule". University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
2. Simms, Leroy. (September 21, 1946). "Furman bows to Alabama, 26–7". Spartanburg Herald.
3. (September 20, 1946). "'46 Tide makes debut tonight". The Tuscaloosa News.
4. 1946 Season Recap
5. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Furman". College Football Data Warehouse.
6. Bassett, Norman. (September 29, 1946). "Rain, mud mire Tide attack in 7–6 victory". The Tuscaloosa News.
7. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse.
8. (October 6, 1946). "Tide off stride but nips Gamecocks, 14–6". The Tuscaloosa News.
9. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs South Carolina". College Football Data Warehouse.
10. Bassett, Norman. (October 13, 1946). "18,000 see rejuvenated Tide swamp SLI, 54–0". The Tuscaloosa News.
11. Feder, Sid. (October 8, 1946). "Longhorns lead gridiorn poll". The Tuscaloosa News.
12. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Louisiana–Lafayette". College Football Data Warehouse.
13. Bassett, Norman. (October 20, 1946). "Vol twin drive blanks Tide 12 to 0". The Tuscaloosa News.
14. (October 15, 1946). "Alabama ranks No. 7 in poll". The Tuscaloosa News.
15. Bassett, Norman. (October 27, 1946). "Gilmer leads Alabama to 21–7 win over Cats". The Tuscaloosa News.
16. (October 22, 1946). "Army No. 1 in grid poll". The Tuscaloosa News.
17. Bassett, Norman. (November 3, 1946). "Trippi throttles Alabama on two plays, 14–0". The Tuscaloosa News.
18. (October 29, 1946). "Army far ahead in grid poll". The Tuscaloosa News.
19. (November 10, 1946). "L.S.U. outscores Tide in thrilling 31–21 win". The Tuscaloosa News.
20. (November 17, 1946). "Tiders throttle Vandy with 12 to 7 victory". The Tuscaloosa News.
21. Elebash, Karl S. Jr.. (November 24, 1946). "Eagles clip Tide 13–7 in near freezing wind". The Tuscaloosa News.
22. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Boston College". College Football Data Warehouse.
23. (November 18, 1946). "Crimson Tide flies to Boston". The Tuscaloosa News.
24. Bassett, Norman. (December 1, 1946). "Tide rolls through State in decisive victory, 24–7". The Tuscaloosa News.
25. Scott, Richard. (2004). "Legends of Alabama Football". Sports Publishing LLC.
26. DeLassus, David. "Frank W. Thomas Records by Year". College Football Data Warehouse.
27. (November 10, 1946). "Bryant seen as Tide coach". The Tuscaloosa News.
28. (November 11, 1946). "Bryant not contacted about Alabama job". The Tuscaloosa News.
29. (January 14, 1947). "Drew signed as Crimson coach, Thomas director". The Tuscaloosa News.
30. (2011). "2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office.
31. (2011). "2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book". University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office.
32. "1947 NFL Draft Listing".