1925 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

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1925 Alabama Crimson Tide football
National champion (multiple selectors)
SoCon co-champion
Rose Bowl champion
Rose Bowl, W 20–19 vs. Washington
ConferenceSouthern Conference
Record10–0 (7–0 SoCon)
Head coach
Offensive schemeSingle-wing
CaptainBruce Jones
Home stadiumDenny Field
Rickwood Field
Cramton Bowl
Uniform
Seasons
← 1924
1926 →
1925 Southern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 2 Alabama + 7 – 0 – 0 10 – 0 – 0
No. 6 Tulane + 5 – 0 – 0 9 – 0 – 1
North Carolina 4 – 0 – 1 7 – 1 – 1
Washington and Lee 5 – 1 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Virginia 4 – 1 – 1 7 – 1 – 1
Georgia Tech 4 – 1 – 1 6 – 2 – 1
Kentucky 4 – 2 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Florida 3 – 2 – 0 8 – 2 – 0
Auburn 3 – 2 – 1 5 – 3 – 1
VPI 3 – 3 – 1 5 – 3 – 2
Vanderbilt 3 – 3 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Tennessee 2 – 2 – 1 5 – 2 – 1
South Carolina 2 – 2 – 0 7 – 3 – 0
Georgia 2 – 4 – 0 4 – 5 – 0
Sewanee 1 – 4 – 0 4 – 4 – 1
Mississippi A&M 1 – 4 – 0 3 – 4 – 1
VMI 1 – 5 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
LSU 0 – 2 – 1 5 – 3 – 1
NC State 0 – 4 – 1 3 – 5 – 1
Ole Miss 0 – 4 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Clemson 0 – 4 – 0 1 – 7 – 0
Maryland 0 – 4 – 0 2 – 5 – 1
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from Dickinson System

The 1925 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the

major selectors.[1][2][3]

The Crimson Tide entered the season as the defending Southern Conference champions after finishing the 1924 season with an 8–1 record. Alabama would then go on and shutout all but one of their regular season opponents en route to a second consecutive Southern Conference championship. The Crimson Tide then accepted an invitation to participate as the first Southern team in the annual Rose Bowl Game, where they defeated Washington 20–19. This victory has subsequently been recognized as one of the most important in Southern football history as well as has been deemed "the game that changed the South."

Before the season

Alabama was last year upset by Centre. Former center and alumnus Shorty Propst was hired to the coaching staff.

1925 saw the south's widespread use of the forward pass.[4]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 26Union (TN)*
W 53–0[5]
October 2Birmingham–Southern*
  • Denny Field
  • Tuscaloosa, AL
W 50–7[6]
October 10at
Tiger Stadium
  • Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry)
    		• W 42–08,000[7]
    October 17Sewanee
    		W 27–0[8]
    October 24at
    Georgia Tech
    		W 7–020,000[9]
    October 31Mississippi A&Mdagger
    • Denny Field (Alabama)
    • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
    		W 6–07,000[10]
    November 7Kentucky
    • Rickwood Field
    • Birmingham, AL
    		W 31–0[11]
    November 14Florida
    		W 34–0[12]
    November 26Georgia
    • Rickwood Field
    • Birmingham, AL (rivalry)
    		W 27–0[13]
    January 1, 1926vs. Washington*
    		W 20–1955,000[14]
    • *Non-conference game
    • daggerHomecoming

    [15]

    Game summaries

    Union

    Week 1: Union at Alabama
    1 234Total
    Union 0 000 0
    • Alabama 13 2776 53
    • Date: September 26
    • Location: Denny Field
      Tuscaloosa, AL
    • Referee: Charles Kittleman

    Alabama opened their 1925 season against

    Bulldogs 53–0 in rainy field conditions.[16][17] The Crimson Tide played every player on their squad in this game and touchdowns were scored twice each by Herschel Caldwell and David Rosenfeld; and were scored once each by Johnny Mack Brown, Hoyt Winslett, Waile and James Johnson.[16] The margin of victory was not unexpected with The Augusta Chronicle stating:

    "Union's squad is nothing more than a first class prep school and the Crimson Tide has no right to boast of their score and win.[18]

    "

    The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against Union to 4–0 in what was the final game played between the schools.[19]

    The starting lineup was Melvin Vines (left end), Pickhard (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Jones (center), Perry (right guard), Camp (right tackle), Hudson (right end), Barnes (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Caldwell (right halfback), Hubert (fullback).[16]

    Birmingham–Southern

    Week 2: Birmingham–Southern at Alabama
    1 234Total
    Birmingham–Southern 0 070 7
    • Alabama 25 12130 50
    • Date: September 26
    • Location: Denny Field
      Tuscaloosa, AL

    Only one team scored on the Tide all regular season — Birmingham–Southern managed a touchdown after recovering a Grant Gillis fumble at the Alabama 25-yard line. Aided by two offside penalties, the Panthers drove the ball into the endzone. The Tide won 50–7. Hubert and Winslett scored two touchdowns each; and Rosenfeld, Gillis, Johnson and Barnes one each.[17] The last period went scoreless.[17] The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against Birmingham–Southern to 3–0 in what was the final game played between the schools.[20]

    LSU

    Week 3: Alabama at LSU
    1 234Total
    • Alabama 7 14147 42
    LSU 0 000 0
    • Date: October 10
    • Location: Tiger Stadium
      Baton Rouge, LA
    • Game attendance: 8,000
    • Referee: Finley

    In a game described by some as "perfection itself," Alabama defeated the

    Baton Rouge 42–0 in what was both their first road and conference game of the season.[17][21][22] The Crimson Tide scored their first of six touchdowns on the opening drive of the game after Pooley Hubert scored on a three-yard run over center. In the second quarter, Hubert scored again on a one-yard run and David Rosenfeld scored on a five-yard run as time expired in the first half that gave Alabama a 21–0 halftime lead.[22]

    Alabama received the second half kickoff and drove 65 yards for their fourth touchdown scored by Grant Gillis on a one-yard run.[22] Hubert then scored his third touchdown of the game on a short run that gave the Crimson Tide a 35–0 lead as they entered the fourth quarter.[22] In the fourth quarter, Hubert scored his fourth touchdown on another short run that made the final score 42–0.[22] The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against LSU to 8–3–1.[23]

    The starting lineup was Hudson (left end), Camp (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Holmes (center), Jones (right guard), Perry (right tackle), Winslett (right end), Gillis (quarterback), Barnes (left halfback), M. Brown (right halfback), Hubert (fullback).[24]

    Sewanee

    Week 4: Sewanee at Alabama
    1 234Total
    Sewanee 0 000 0
    • Alabama 6 7014 27
    • Date: October 17
    • Location: Rickwood Field
      Birmingham, AL
    • Referee: Springer

    1925 saw the South's widespread use of the forward pass, and Alabama brought it out to defeat the Sewanee Tigers 27–0 at Birmingham.[25][26][4] In the first quarter, a 28-yard pass from Hoyt Winslett to Red Barnes set up the first touchdown score on a short Pooley Hubert run for a 6–0 lead.[17][25] The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 13–0 at halftime behind Hubert's second touchdown of the game on a three-yard run.[25]

    After a scoreless third, Alabama scored their third touchdown on a 35-yard pass from Grant Gillis to Herschel Caldwell, and the last set up by a 35-yard pass from Hubert to Winslett.[17][25] Hubert then scored the final points of the game late in the fourth after he recovered a Caldwell fumble in the endzone for a touchdown and the 27–0 victory.[25] The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against Sewanee to 8–10–3.[27]

    The starting lineup was Hudson (left end), Perry (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Holmes (center), Jones (right guard), Camp (right tackle), Winslett (right end), Gillis (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Caldwell (right halfback), Hubert (fullback).[25]

    Georgia Tech

    Week 5: Alabama at Georgia Tech
    1 234Total
    • Alabama 0 070 7
    Georgia Tech 0 000 0
    • Date: October 24
    • Location: Grant Field
      Atlanta, GA
    • Game attendance: 20,000
    • Referee: Burch
    A scene from the Georgia Tech game at Grant Field

    On a wet field, Alabama defeated coach

    Grant Field".[17] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 4–7–2.[31]

    The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Holmes (center), Jones (right guard), Camp (right tackle), Hudson (right end), M. Brown (quarterback), Barnes (left halfback), Caldwell (right halfback), Hubert (fullback).[28]

    Mississippi A&M

    Week 6: Mississippi A&M at Alabama
    1 234Total
    Mississippi A&M 0 000 0
    • Alabama 0 600 6
    • Date: October 31
    • Location: Denny Field
      Tuscaloosa, AL
    • Game attendance: 7,000
    • Game weather: Rain
    • Referee: Springer

    On homecoming, Alabama defeated the Mississippi A&M Aggies 6–0 on a rainy afternoon in Tuscaloosa.[17][32] After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide scored the only points of the game in the second after a short punt set them up on the Aggies' 26 yard line. Six plays later, Pooley Hubert threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Hoyt Winslett, and Alabama took a 6–0 lead that held for the remainder of the game.[32] The closest A&M came to tying the game came in the third, but stalled after Herschel Caldwell had an interception that stopped an Aggies drive at the Alabama 16 yard line.[17] The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi A&M to 10–4–2.[33]

    The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Bowdoin (left guard), Paine (center), Dismukes (right guard), Pickhard (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Hubert (quarterback), Gillis (left halfback), Rosenfeld (right halfback), Johnson (fullback).[32]

    Kentucky

    Week 7: Kentucky at Alabama
    1 234Total
    Kentucky 0 000 0
    • Alabama 10 777 31
    • Date: November 7
    • Location: Rickwood Field
      Birmingham, AL
    • Referee: Lambert (Ohio State)

    At Rickwood Field, the Crimson Tide defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 31–0.[17][34][35] After Bill Buckler kicked an eight-yard field goal, Johnny Mack Brown ran a 79-yard touchdown "on a sweeping flank play" for a 10–0 Alabama lead at the end of the first quarter. Red Barnes extended their lead to 17–0 at halftime after he returned a John Ross fumble 77-yards for a touchdown.[34][35]

    Brown scored again in the third quarter on a 16-yard run off a "triple fake pass," and Pooley Hubert made the final score 31–0 with his short run in the fourth quarter.[35] The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky to 4–1.[36]

    The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Jones (left guard), Holmes (center), Buckler (right guard), Camp (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Hubert (quarterback), Caldwell (left halfback), Barnes (right halfback), M. Brown (fullback).[34]

    Florida

    Week 8: Florida at Alabama
    1 234Total
    Florida 0 000 0
    • Alabama 7 6714 34
    • Date: November 14
    • Location: Cramton Bowl
      Montgomery, AL
    • Referee: Charles Kittleman

    A large crowd was expected in

    Montgomery for the game against the Florida Gators.[37] The return to the lineup of Tide center Gordon Holmes, injured against Georgia Tech, and the battle between backs Mack Brown and Edgar C. Jones brought intrigue.[37]
    Mack Brown made two touchdowns; Red Barnes two, and Pooley Hubert one. Brown's first score came when he caught the ball on a pass from Hubert at the 15-yard line, dodged Jones and scored.[17] A pass from Hubert to Brown in the end zone netted the second score. Florida's Scott returned the kickoff to Alabama's 20-yard line, nearly breaking the tackle there. Two Barnes interceptions set up his touchdowns, one a 16-yard run after catch and another an end run. Jones attempted a drop kick, which was short and returned by Brown for 35 yards. A drive and a pass to Barnes got Alabama to Florida's 3-yard line, and Hubert scored over center.[17][38] The victory brought Alabama's all-time record against Florida to 2–2.[39]

    The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Jones (left guard), Holmes (center), Buckler (right guard), Camp (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Hubert (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Barnes (right halfback), Caldwell (fullback).[40]

    Georgia

    Week 9: Georgia at Alabama
    1 234Total
    Georgia 0 000 0
    • Alabama 7 767 27
    • Date: November 26
    • Location: Rickwood Field
      Birmingham, AL
    • Referee: Charles Kittleman

    In their final regular season game, Alabama defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 27–0 and clinched their second consecutive Southern Conference championship.[17][41] The Crimson Tide took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter after Pooley Hubert reversed the ball to Hoyt Winslett, who then passed it 25 yards to Grant Gillis, who then ran for 25 more and the score.[41] Hubert then scored the final three touchdowns for Alabama. Hubert scored next after a fumble in the second. In the third period, Gillis made 22 yards on a triple pass to set up a short Hubert touchdown run. The last touchdown was set up by a Hubert pass to Ben A. Hudson that was followed by a short Hubert run for a 27–0 victory.[41]

    This victory in conjunction with the tie game between Colgate and Brown all but assured the Crimson Tide's selection to the Rose Bowl.[42] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 8–9–3.[43]

    The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Camp (left tackle), Jones (left guard), Holmes (center), Buckler (right guard), Perry (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Hubert (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Barnes (right halfback), Gillis (fullback).[41]

    Postseason

    Washington

    Rose Bowl
    1 234Total
    • Alabama 0 0200 20
    Washington 6 607 19
    • Date: January 1
    • Location:
      Pasadena, CA
    • Game attendance: 55,000

    The season was extended when Alabama received a surprise invitation to head west and play in the Rose Bowl. It was Alabama's first bowl game ever and the first time a southern team had ever been invited to play in what then was college football's only bowl game.[44] Its opponent was the Washington Huskies, who had gone 10–0–1, been just as dominant as the Tide, and were regarded as heavy favorites by the press.

    Through one half, that prediction looked accurate. Washington's star halfback

    Pooley Hubert to run more often. Possibly more importantly, George Wilson sat out the entire third quarter due to sore ribs. It was in that third quarter that Alabama struck. A short punt set up Alabama on the Washington 42 and the Tide quickly capitalized, Hubert scoring on a 1-yard run to make the score 12–7. The Huskies couldn't move the ball without Wilson and punted. Shortly thereafter Grant Gillis hit Brown on a 59-yard touchdown pass and suddenly Alabama led 14–12. Not long after that Washington fumbled the ball and Alabama recovered at the Husky 30. Hubert found Brown for another touchdown pass on the very next play. The extra point failed, but Alabama still led 20–12. Bama scored three touchdowns in seven minutes of clock time. Wilson returned in the fourth quarter and threw a late touchdown pass, but the two missed extra points in the first half proved decisive, and Alabama won 20–19.[45]

    The starting lineup was Winslett (left end), Perry (left tackle), Buckler (left guard), Holmes (center), Jones (right guard), Camp (right tackle), T. Brown (right end), Gillis (quarterback), M. Brown (left halfback), Barnes (right halfback), Hubert (fullback).

    Awards and honors

    It was Alabama's first real perfect season in school history, though Alabama was undefeated in 1897 when the Tide played and won one game. The team was ranked No. 2 in the nation in the

    Pooley Hubert were later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.[47][48] Brown capitalized on his Rose Bowl exposure in southern California by signing a motion picture contract with MGM and beginning a 40-year career in the movies.[49]

    Personnel

    Varsity letter winners

    Line

    Number Player Hometown Position Games
    started     		Prep school Height Weight Age
    Bill Buckler Saint Paul, Minnesota
    Guard
    		 8
    Joseph "Pete" Camp Manchester, Alabama
    Tackle
    		 8
    Ben E. Compton Greensboro, Alabama Guard
    Gordon Holmes Springville, Alabama
    Center
    		 6
    Ben A. Hudson Montgomery, Alabama
    End
    		 4
    Bruce Jones Jasper, Alabama Guard 6
    Leslie Payne Bay Minette, Alabama Tackle
    Claude Perry Jasper, Alabama Tackle 8
    Hulet Whitaker Guntersville, Alabama End
    58 Hoyt "Wu" Winslett Dadeville, Alabama End 8 172 21
    Johnny Mack Brown in 1925

    Backfield

    Number Player Hometown Position Games
    started     		Prep school Height Weight Age
    Red Barnes Grove Hill, Alabama Halfback 7 172 20
    17 Johnny Mack Brown Dothan, Alabama Halfback 8 Dothan High 5'11" 160 21
    Herschel Caldwell Blytheville, Arkansas Halfback 5 22
    Grant Gillis Grove Hill, Alabama Quarterback 5 5'10" 165 24
    Robert Lee Hamner Fayette, Alabama Back
    10
    Allison "Pooley" Hubert
    		 Meridian, Mississippi
    Fullback
    		 9 Meridian High 5'10" 190 24
    James Johnson Tuscaloosa, Alabama Halfback 1
    W. S. Oliver Panola, Alabama Back/Tackle
    David Rosenfeld Birmingham, Alabama Halfback 1

    [50]

    Other

    Name Hometown Position
    Ed Bruce Birmingham Manager

    Coaching staff

    Name Position Seasons at
    Alabama     		Alma mater
    Wallace Wade Head coach 3 Brown (1917)
    Hank Crisp Assistant coach 5 VPI (1920)
    Russell Cohen Assistant coach 3 Vanderbilt (1916)
    Clyde "Shorty" Propst Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1924)
    William T. Van de Graaff Assistant coach 5 Alabama (1916)

    [51]

    References

    General

    • "1925 Season Recap" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 19, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2016.

    Specific

    1. ^ a b "NCAA History", Retroactive Poll Champions Archived 2008-12-15 at the Wayback Machine
    2. ^ a b "Football Bowl Subdivision Records" (PDF). NCAA Football. 2009. p. 79.
    3. ^ National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "National Poll Champions" (PDF). 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA.org. p. 73. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
    4. ^
      ISBN 9780815608868
      .
    5. Newspapers.com
      .
    6. ^
      Newspapers.com
      .
    7. Newspapers.com
      .
    8. Newspapers.com
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    9. Newspapers.com
      .
    10. Newspapers.com
      .
    11. Newspapers.com
      .
    12. Newspapers.com
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    13. Newspapers.com
      .
    14. Newspapers.com
      .
    15. ^ "1925 Alabama football archive". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
    16. ^ a b c d "Bama has easy time with Union". The Times-Picayune. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers. Associated Press. September 27, 1925. p. 6.1.
    17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 1925 Season Recap
    18. ^ "Tide beats Union". The Augusta Chronicle. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers. September 28, 1925. p. 3.
    19. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Union (TN)". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    20. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Birmingham–Southern (AL)". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    21. ^ a b Snee, Jimmy (October 11, 1925). "Alabama smothers helpless Louisiana Staters by 42 to 0". The Times-Picayune. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers. p. 6.1.
    22. ^ a b c d e f "Alabama sweeps over Tigers 42–0". The Advocate. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers. October 11, 1925. p. 1.
    23. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs LSU". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    24. ^ "The game in figures". The Advocate. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers. October 11, 1925. p. 1.
    25. ^ a b c d e f g "Alabama Tide sweeps over Sewanee 27–0; Hubert is big star". The Times-Picayune. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers. October 18, 1925. p. 6.1.
    26. ^ a b "Alabama sweeps over Sewanee by score of 27 to 0". The Advocate. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers. Associated Press. October 18, 1925. p. 17.
    27. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Sewanee (TN)". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    28. ^
      Newspapers.com. Open access icon
    29. ^ a b "Alabama checks Golden Tornado". The State. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers. Associated Press. October 25, 1925. p. 11.
    30. ^ a b "Alabama sweeps to 7–0 victory over Tech". The Augusta Chronicle. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers. Associated Press. October 25, 1925. p. 3.
    31. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia Tech". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    32. ^ a b c d "Aggies surprise 'Bama: Aggies hold Alabama U. to 6–0 score". The Times-Picayune. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers. Associated Press. November 1, 1925. p. 6.1.
    33. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    34. ^ a b c d "Great Crimson Tide Continues To Flow, Unhalted, in South". Kentucky Kernel. November 13, 1925.
    35. ^ a b c d "Bama Tide sweep over 'Tucky 31–0". The Times-Picayune. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers. Associated Press. November 8, 1925. p. 6.1.
    36. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Kentucky". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    37. ^
      Newspapers.com. Open access icon
    38. Newspapers.com. Open access icon
    39. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Florida". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    40. Newspapers.com. Open access icon
    41. ^ a b c d e "Crimson tide outclasses Bulldogs at all angles of the game". The Times-Picayune. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers. Associated Press. November 27, 1925. p. 14.
    42. Newspapers.com. Open access icon
    43. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
    44. ISBN 978-1-4259-6018-6
      p. 3
    45. ^ "A Bunch Of Farmers Upset Football Tradition", Sports Illustrated, Dec. 24, 1962
    46. Newspapers.com
      .
    47. ^ Hall of Fame bio for Brown
    48. ^ Hall of Fame bio for Hubert
    49. ^ IMDb entry for Johnny Mack Brown
    50. ^ "All-Time Tide Football Lettermen". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. pp. 127–141.
    51. ^ "All-Time Assistant Coaches". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. pp. 142–143.

    External links

    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1925_Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football_team&oldid=1216984877"