1932 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

1932 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Conference	Southern Conference
1932 record	8–2 (5–2 SoCon)
Head coach	Frank Thomas
Captain	Johnny Cain
Home stadium	Denny Stadium Legion Field Cramton Bowl

1932 Southern Conference football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Tennessee §	7	–	0	–	1			9	–	0	–	1
Auburn §	6	–	0	–	1			9	–	0	–	1
LSU §	4	–	0	–	0			6	–	3	–	1
Virginia Tech	6	–	1	–	0			8	–	1	–	0
Alabama	5	–	2	–	0			8	–	2	–	0
Vanderbilt	4	–	1	–	2			6	–	1	–	2
NC State	3	–	1	–	1			6	–	1	–	2
Tulane	5	–	2	–	1			6	–	2	–	1
Duke	5	–	3	–	0			7	–	3	–	0
Georgia Tech	4	–	4	–	1			4	–	5	–	1
South Carolina	2	–	2	–	2			5	–	4	–	2
Kentucky	4	–	5	–	0			4	–	5	–	0
Virginia	2	–	3	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Ole Miss	2	–	3	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
Georgia	2	–	4	–	2			2	–	5	–	2
Maryland	2	–	4	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
North Carolina	2	–	5	–	1			3	–	5	–	2
VMI	1	–	4	–	0			2	–	8	–	0
Washington & Lee	1	–	4	–	0			1	–	9	–	0
Florida	1	–	6	–	0			3	–	6	–	0
Clemson	0	–	4	–	0			3	–	5	–	1
Mississippi State	0	–	4	–	0			3	–	5	–	0
Sewanee	0	–	6	–	0			2	–	7	–	1
§ – Conference co-champions

The 1932 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1932 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 39th overall and 11th season as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his second year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, at Legion Field in Birmingham and at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of eight wins and two losses (8–2 overall, 5–2 in the SoCon).

After opening the season with consecutive home victories over Southwestern Presbyterian and Mississippi State, Alabama traveled to George Washington and defeated the Colonials before the largest crowd to ever witness a football game in Washington, D. C. to that point. After a loss to Tennessee, Alabama rebounded with victories over Ole Miss, Kentucky and VPI (Virginia Tech) on homecoming. Following their second loss against Georgia Tech, the Crimson Tide completed their season with an upset victory over Vanderbilt and an intersectional win over St. Mary's at San Francisco.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance
September 24	Southwestern Presbyterian*	Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL	W 45–6	6,000
October 1	Mississippi State	Cramton Bowl • Montgomery, AL (Rivalry)	W 53–0
October 8	at George Washington*	Griffith Stadium • Washington, DC	W 28–6	26,000
October 15	Tennessee	Legion Field • Birmingham, AL (Third Saturday in October)	L 3–7	20,000
October 22	Ole Miss	Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL (Rivalry)	W 24–13
October 29	at Kentucky	McLean Stadium • Lexington, KY	W 12–7
November 5	VPI	Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL	W 9–6	11,000
November 12	at Georgia Tech	Grant Field • Atlanta, GA	L 0–6
November 24	Vanderbilt	Legion Field • Birmingham, AL	W 20–0	18,000
December 3	at St. Mary's*	Kezar Stadium • San Francisco, CA	W 6–0	20,000
*Non-conference game. Homecoming.

• Source: Rolltide.com: 1932 Alabama football schedule^[1]

Game notes

Southwestern Presbyterian

1 2 3 4 Total Southwestern Presbyterian 0 0 0 6 6 • Alabama 7 6 12 20 45 Date: September 24 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 6,000 Source:[2]

In the first game of the 1932 season, Alabama defeated the Southwestern Presbyterian Lynx (now the Rhodes Lynx), 45–6 before 6,000 fans at Denny Stadium.^[2] In the game, Johnny Cain scored two touchdowns and Foy Leach, Larry Hughes, Bob Seawall, Dixie Howell and McDaniel each scored one touchdown in the victory.^[2] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Southwestern Presbyterian to 2–0.^[3]

Mississippi State

1 2 3 4 Total Mississippi State 0 0 0 0 0 • Alabama 7 14 19 13 53 Date: October 1 Location: Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL Source:[4]

Against their long-time rival, the Mississippi State Maroons, Alabama was victorious in their conference opener 53–0 at the Cramton Bowl.^[4] In the game, Johnny Cain scored three touchdowns and Hillman Holley, Howard Chappell, Erskine Walker, Larry Hughes and Bob Turner each scored one touchdown in the victory.^[4] The Maroons only crossed midfield one in the game.^[4] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State 15–4–2.^[5]

George Washington

1 2 3 4 Total • Alabama 7 7 7 7 28 George Washington 0 6 0 0 6 Date: October 8 Location: Griffith Stadium Washington, DC Game attendance: 26,000 Source:[6]

In what was the first road game of the season, Alabama defeated the George Washington Colonials 28–6 at Griffith Stadium.^[6] In the game, Johnny Cain scored a rushing touchdown in each of the four quarters, with Hillman Holley successfully converting all four extra point attempts.^[6] Clarence McCarver scored the only points of the game for the Colonials with his second-quarter touchdown run.^[6] The 26,000 fans that attended the game marked the largest to attend a football game in Washington.^[7]

Tennessee

Third Saturday in October

1 2 3 4 Total • Tennessee 0 0 0 7 7 Alabama 0 3 0 0 3 Date: October 15 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 20,000 Source:[8]

Against the rival Tennessee, Alabama was defeated by the Volunteers, 7–3 at Legion Field in rainy conditions.^[8][9] Alabama scored its only points of the game when Hillman Holley connected on a 12-yard field goal in the second quarter to take a 3–0 lead.^[8] Alabama held their lead through the fourth quarter when Johnny Cain had a punt of only 12-yards from his own endzone to give Tennessee the ball at the 12-yard line.^[8] Three plays later, Beattie Feathers scored on a seven-yard touchdown run and with the extra point, the Volunteers took a 7–3 lead that they would not relinquish.^[8] Due to the poor weather conditions, the game was noted for both Alabama head coach Thomas and Tennessee head coach Robert Neyland calling for punt after punt, often on first and second down, in an attempt to gain field position advantage.^[10] As a result, Feathers punted 21 times for Tennessee, and Cain punted 19 times for Alabama.^[10] Cain's 19 punts and 914 total yards still stand as the single game school records for punts and punting yardage.^[11] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee 9–5–1.^[12]

Ole Miss

1 2 3 4 Total Ole Miss 0 0 7 6 13 • Alabama 0 6 12 6 24 Date: October 22 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Source:[13]

Against the rival Ole Miss, Alabama defeated the Rebels, 24–13 at Denny Stadium.^[9][13] Alabama scored first on a seven-yard Larry Hughes touchdown run in the second quarter to take a 6–0 lead.^[13] Johnny Cain extended the Alabama lead to 12–0 in the third with his 51-yard touchdown run only to have Ole Miss respond with an Earl Hudson touchdown run to cut the score to 12–7.^[13] Alabama then scored touchdowns on a 53-yard Erskine Walker touchdown run before Ole Miss scored on a one-yard Larry Hughes touchdown run to give the Crimson Tide an 18–13 lead.^[13] Alabama then scored on a Don Hutson touchdown run to make the final score 24–13.^[13] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss 16–2–1.^[14]

Kentucky

1 2 3 4 Total • Alabama 6 0 0 6 12 Kentucky 7 0 0 0 7 Date: October 29 Location: McLean Stadium Lexington, KY Source:[15]

In their first conference road game of the season, Alabama defeated the Kentucky Wildcats, 12–7 at McLean Stadium.^[9][15] Alabama scored first on a six-yard Hillman Holley touchdown run to cap a drive that included a 60-yard Holley run.^[15] However, Holley then missed the extra point and Alabama took a 6–0 lead. Later in the quarter, Howard Chappell fumbled a Kentucky punt that was recovered by O. L. Davidson at the Wildcats 19-yard line.^[15] Ellis T. Johnson scored on the ensuing drive and with his extra point, Kentucky took a 7–6 lead.^[15] The Wildcats maintained their lead through the fourth quarter when Holley scored the game winning touchdown on a 10-yard run for the 12–7 Alabama win.^[15] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky 11–1.^[16]

VPI

1 2 3 4 Total VPI 0 6 0 0 6 • Alabama 0 0 9 0 9 Date: November 5 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 11,000 Source:[17]

Against the Fighting Gobblers of VPI (now known as the Virginia Tech Hokies), Alabama won 9–6 on homecoming at Denny Field.^[9][17] After a scoreless first quarter, the Gobblers took a 6–0 lead in the second after Ray Mills threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Al Casey.^[17] In the third, the score was cut to 6–2 after a bad snap to Casey from the center resulted in a safety.^[17] Later in the quarter Alabama took a 9–6 lead that it held to the end of the game when Dixie Howell scored a touchdown on a nine-yard run.^[17] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against VPI 1–0.^[18]

Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 • Georgia Tech 6 0 0 0 6 Date: November 12 Location: Grant Field Atlanta, GA Source:[19]

Against the Georgia Tech Golden Tornado, Alabama lost 6–0 at Grant Field.^[9][19] The only points of the game were scored in the first quarter when Tech's C. M. Galloway scored on a 75-yard touchdown run.^[19] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 6–10–2.^[20] The game is also notable for being the first Alabama football game that was broadcast live by way of telephonic broadcast to an audience at the University Gymnasium.^[21] The broadcast was thought to be the first of its type ever made in the Southern United States, and a $.25 admission fee (equivalent to $
{Inflation} - Amount must not have "." prefix: .25.  4.32^[22] in the present day) was charged for entry to the broadcast.^[21]

Vanderbilt

1 2 3 4 Total Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 0 • Alabama 0 13 0 7 20 Date: November 24 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 18,000 Source:[23]

In the days that led up to their game against Vanderbilt, many sportswriters did not give Alabama a chance against a favored Commodores squad.^[24] However, Alabama went on and defeated Vanderbilt on Thanksgiving Day 20–0 at Legion Field before 18,000 spectators.^[9][23] After a scoreless first quarter, Jim Dildy recovered a Vanderbilt fumble at their 16-yard line. Alabama then scored a touchdown on the possession that ensued on a short run by Johnny Cain.^[23] Later in the quarter, the Crimson Tide extended their lead to 13–0 after Dixie Howell threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Ralph Gandy.^[23] Howell then scored the final points of the game in the fourth quarter with his 81-yard interception returned for a touchdown.^[23] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 5–8.^[25]

St. Mary's

1 2 3 4 Total • Alabama 6 0 0 0 6 St. Mary's 0 0 0 0 0 Date: December 3 Location: Kezar Stadium San Francisco, CA Game attendance: 20,000 Source:[26]

In their final game of the 1932 season, Alabama defeated the St. Mary's Gaels 6–0 before 20,000 fans at San Francisco's Kezar Stadium.^[9][26] On their second offensive possession, Johnny Cain scored the only points of the game with his 71-yard touchdown run.^[9][26] With the exception of Cain's long run, both defenses were dominant with both the Crimson Tide and Gaels only having allowed 113 yards of total offense.^[26] Dixie Howell also starred for Alabama with his average of 45 yards for his total of 16 punts he kicked in the game.^[26] The contest was the only ever played between the two schools.^[27]

Personnel

Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Troy Barker Lineville, Alabama Guard Johnny Cain Montgomery, Alabama Fullback Howard Chappell Sylacauga, Alabama Back Joe Demyanovich Bayonne, New Jersey Fullback Jim Dildy Nashville, Arkansas Tackle Calvin Frey Arkadelphia, Arkansas Tackle Ralph Gandy Birmingham, Alabama End Newton Godfree Alexander City, Alabama Tackle Willis Hewes Russellville, Arkansas Center Hillman Holley Tuscaloosa, Alabama Back Ellis "Red" Houston Bessemer, Alabama Center Dixie Howell Hartford, Alabama Halfback Larry Hughes Tuscaloosa, Alabama Back Tom Huke East Chicago, Indiana Guard Don Hutson Pine Bluff, Arkansas End B'Ho Kirkland Columbia, Alabama Guard Carney Laslie Charlotte, North Carolina Tackle Foy Leach Siloam Springs, Arkansas End Bill Lee Eutaw, Alabama Tackle Frank Moseley Montgomery, Alabama Back Donald Sanford Parrish, Alabama Guard Williams Comer Sims Searight, Alabama Guard M. M. Swaim Tuscaloosa, Alabama Guard Erskine Walker Birmingham, Alabama Halfback Reference:[28]

Coaching staff Name Position Seasons at Alabama Alma Mater Frank Thomas Head coach 2 Notre Dame (1923) Paul Burnum Assistant coach 3 Alabama (1922) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 12 VPI (1920) Harold Drew Assistant coach 2 Bates (1916) Clyde "Shorty" Propst Assistant coach 8 Alabama (1924) Jennings B. Whitworth Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1931) Reference:[29]

References

General

Specific

Alabama Crimson Tide football Venues University of Alabama Quad (1893–1914) Denny Field (1915–1928) Bryant–Denny Stadium (1929–present) Rickwood Field (alternate, 1912–1927) Cramton Bowl (alternate, 1922–1954) Ernest F. Ladd Stadium (alternate, 1948–1968) Legion Field (alternate, 1927–2003) Bowls & rivalries Bowl games Auburn: Iron Bowl (James E. Foy, V-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy) LSU Mississippi State Ole Miss Penn State Tennessee: Third Saturday in October Culture & lore Series records Saban era Traditions Big Al "Yea Alabama" A-Day Million Dollar Band Walk of Fame Paul W. Bryant Museum The Bear The Bear Bryant Show 1922 Alabama vs. Penn football game People Head coaches All-Americans College Football Hall of Fame inductees NFL draftees Starting quarterbacks Statistical leaders Seasons 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 National championship seasons in bold