1938 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

The 1938 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1938 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 45th overall and 6th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his eighth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of seven wins, one loss and one tie (7–1–1 overall, 4–1–1 in the SEC).

1938 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Ranking
AP	No. 13
1938 record	7–1–1 (4–1–1 SEC)
Head coach	Frank Thomas (8th season)
Captain	Lew Bostick
Home stadium	Denny Stadium Legion Field

1938 Southeastern Conference football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 2 Tennessee $	7	–	0	–	0			11	–	0	–	0
No. 13 Alabama	4	–	1	–	1			7	–	1	–	1
No. 19 Tulane	4	–	1	–	1			7	–	2	–	1
Ole Miss	3	–	2	–	0			9	–	2	–	0
Georgia Tech	2	–	1	–	3			3	–	4	–	3
Vanderbilt	4	–	3	–	0			6	–	3	–	0
Florida	2	–	2	–	1			4	–	6	–	1
Auburn	3	–	3	–	1			4	–	5	–	1
Georgia	1	–	2	–	1			5	–	4	–	1
LSU	2	–	4	–	0			6	–	4	–	0
Mississippi State	1	–	4	–	0			4	–	6	–	0
Kentucky	0	–	4	–	0			2	–	7	–	0
Sewanee	0	–	6	–	0			1	–	8	–	0
$ – Conference champion Rankings from AP Poll

The Crimson Tide opened the season with a 19–7 victory in an intersectional contest against USC at Los Angeles. They then followed up the win with consecutive shutouts, home victories over non-conference opponents Howard and NC State on homecoming. However, Alabama then was shut out 13–0 by Tennessee, their first loss against the Volunteers since 1932. The Crimson Tide then rebounded with victories against Sewanee, Kentucky and Tulane. After a 14–14 tie against Georgia Tech, Alabama defeated Vanderbilt in their season finale.

With a final record of 7–1–1, Alabama was ranked No. 13 in the final AP Poll of the season. Additionally, after the season the Associated Press recognized Alabama as 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 defense was one of the most dominant in school history and still holds numerous defense records.

Schedule

On December 5, 1937, Frank Thomas announced the 1938 schedule.[1] The intersectional game against USC was announced in August 1937 and was the first between the two football powers.[2] The remaining schedule included road games at Kentucky and Georgia Tech with the remaining three games split evenly between Denny Stadium and Legion Field.[1]

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	Result	Attendance
September 24	at USC*		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA	W 19–7	70,000
October 1	Howard (AL)*		Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	W 34–0	8,000
October 8	NC State*		Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	W 14–0	10,000
October 15	Tennessee		Legion Field Birmingham, AL (Third Saturday in October)	L 0–13	25,000
October 22	Sewanee	No. 15	Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	W 32–0	5,000
October 29	at Kentucky	No. 18	McLean Stadium Lexington, KY	W 26–6	15,000
November 5	Tulane	No. 15	Legion Field Birmingham, AL	W 3–0	19,000
November 12	at Georgia Tech	No. 16	Grant Field Atlanta, GA	T 14–14	35,000
November 24	Vanderbilt		Legion Field Birmingham, AL	W 7–0	25,000
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

• Source: Rolltide.com: 1938 Alabama football schedule[3]

Game summaries

USC

1 2 3 4 Total • Alabama 0 13 0 6 19 USC 0 0 0 7 7 Date: September 24 Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, California Game attendance: 70,000 Source:[4]

In August 1937, university officials announced Alabama would open the 1938 season in Los Angeles against the University of Southern California (USC).[2] 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.[4][5][6] 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.[4] 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.[7] However, the Alabama defense held, and USC failed to score after they turned the ball over on downs at the Alabama 13-yard line.[7]

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.[4] 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.[7] The victory was their first all-time against USC.[8] 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.[9]

Howard

1 2 3 4 Total Howard 0 0 0 0 0 • Alabama 7 13 7 7 34 Date: October 1 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama Game attendance: 8,000 Source:[10]

A week after their intersectional victory over USC to open the season, Alabama hosted Howard (now Samford University) in their home opener.[11] In the game, the Crimson Tide outgained the Bulldogs in rushing yards 354 to 8 in their 34–0 shutout at Denny Stadium.[6][10][12] Alabama scored their first touchdown on a 15-yard Billy Slemons run to take a 7–0 first quarter lead.[12] 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.[12] 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.[12] Davis starred for Alabama in the game with his 153 yards rushing on 15 attempts with a pair of touchdowns.[12] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Howard to 16–0–1.[13]

NC State

1 2 3 4 Total NC State 0 0 0 0 0 • Alabama 0 14 0 0 14 Date: October 8 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama Game attendance: 10,000 Source:[14]

In their third and final non-conference game of the season, Alabama hosted North Carolina State University (NC State) in their annual homecoming contest.[15] 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.[6][14] After they were held without a first down in the opening quarter, Alabama scored the only points of the game with their two second-quarter touchdowns.[14] The first was on a 28-yard Herschel Mosley pass to Erin Warren and the second on a seven-yard Mosley touchdown run.[14] The Alabama defense dominated the Wolfpack offense and allowed negative rushing yardage (minus four) and zero yards passing.[16] On offense, Mosley starred for the Crimson Tide with his 123 rushing yards on 15 attempts and one passing and rushing touchdown.[16] The victory was their first all-time against NC State.[17]

Tennessee

Third Saturday in October

1 2 3 4 Total • Tennessee 6 0 7 0 13 Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 Date: October 15 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama Game attendance: 25,000 Source:[18]

In Birmingham, Alabama was upset by rival Tennessee 13–0 at Legion Field.[6][18] Leonard Coffman scored both of the Volunteers' touchdowns on one-yard runs in the first and third quarters.[18] George Cafego also starred for Tennessee with his 120 rushing yards on 17 attempts that included separate runs of 48 and 33 yards.[18] The loss was Alabama's first against Tennessee since the 1932 season, and brought Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 13–6–2.[19][20]

Sewanee

1 2 3 4 Total Sewanee 0 0 0 0 0 • #15 Alabama 0 7 6 19 32 Date: October 22 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama Game attendance: 5,000 Source:[21]

A week after their loss to Tennessee, Alabama defeated the Sewanee Tigers 32–0 at Denny Stadium.[6][21] After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 7–0 lead in the second after Vic Bradford scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak. Later in the quarter, a 51-yard Alvin Davis touchdown run was called back due to a holding penalty, and he Crimson Tide led 7–0 at the half. After Dallas Wicke scored on a one-yard run in the third, Alabama scored 19 fourth quarter points for the 32–0 win. In the fourth, Charley Boswell had a pair of rushing touchdowns and threw a third to Erin Warren in the win.[21] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Sewanee to 17–10–3, in what was their last all-time meeting as Sewanee withdrew from SEC following the 1940 season and de-emphasized athletics.[22][23]

Kentucky

1 2 3 4 Total • #18 Alabama 14 0 6 6 26 Kentucky 0 6 0 0 6 Date: October 29 Location: McLean Stadium Lexington, Kentucky Game attendance: 15,000 Source:[24]

As Alabama entered their contest against Kentucky, they entered the rankings at No. 18 in the weekly AP Poll.[25] In the game, the Crimson Tide defeated the Wildcats 26–6 on homecoming at McLean Stadium.[6][24] Alabama opened the game with a pair of touchdowns to take a 14–0 lead in the first quarter. Charlie Holm scored first on a one-yard run and Vic Bradford scored the second on a 31-yard touchdown reception from Herschel Mosley.[24] Kentucky responded in the second with their only points on a 71-yard Dave Zoeller touchdown run to cut the Alabama lead to 14–6 at the half.[24] The Crimson Tide then scored on a pair of Mosley touchdown passes in the second half. The first came on a six-yard pass to Bradford in the third and the second on a nine-yard pass to Erin Warren in the fourth.[24] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky 17–1.[26]

Tulane

1 2 3 4 Total Tulane 0 0 0 0 0 • #15 Alabama 0 0 0 3 3 Date: November 5 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama Game attendance: 19,000 Source:[27]

After their victory over Kentucky, the Crimson Tide moved up three positions to the No. 15 spot in the weekly poll.[28] 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.[6][27] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tulane to 12–3–1.[29]

Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total #16 Alabama 0 0 7 7 14 Georgia Tech 14 0 0 0 14 Date: November 12 Location: Grant Field Atlanta Game attendance: 35,000 Source:[30]

After their close victory over Tulane, the Crimson Tide dropped one position to the No. 16 spot in the weekly poll.[31] 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.[6][30] Georgia Tech took an early 14–0 lead after W. C. Gibson threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to George Smith and W. H. Ector scored on a two-yard run.[32] 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.[30] 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.[30] 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.[30] The tie brought Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 11–10–3.[33]

Vanderbilt

1 2 3 4 Total Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 0 • Alabama 0 0 0 7 7 Date: November 24 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama Game attendance: 25,000 Source:[34]

In their season finale against the Vanderbilt Commodores, Alabama won 7–0 at Legion Field on Thanksgiving Day.[6][34] The only scoring drive began in the third and ended early in the fourth with a two-yard Vic Bradford touchdown run.[34] Bradford's extra point was then blocked, but George Zivich recovered it and took it in for the point to give Alabama the 7–0 lead.[34] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 11–9.[35]

After the season

After all of the regular season games were completed, the final AP Poll was released in early December.[36] In the final poll, Alabama held the No. 13 position.[36] 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.[37][38]

Statistically, the 1938 defense was one of the best in school history. The 1938 squad still holds numerous defensive records that include:[39]

• 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.[40][41] These players included the following:

Year	Round	Overall	Player name	Position	NFL team
1939	3	23	Charlie Holm	Back	Washington Redskins
	9	73	Lew Bostick	Guard	Cleveland Rams
1940	4	30	Bobby Wood	Tackle	Cleveland Rams
	5	34	Walt Merrill	Tackle	Brooklyn Dodgers
	11	93	Cary Cox	Center	Pittsburgh Steelers
	11	138	Hayward Sanford	End	Washington Redskins
1941	3	25	Fred Davis	Tackle	Washington Redskins
	7	58	Hal Newman	End	Brooklyn Dodgers
	10	90	Ed Hickerson	Guard	Washington Redskins

Personnel

Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Warren Averitte Greenville, Mississippi Center Silas Beard Guntersville, Alabama Halfback Gene Blackwell Blytheville, Arkansas End Lewis Bostick Birmingham, Alabama Guard Charley Boswell Birmingham, Alabama Halfback Vic Bradford Memphis, Tennessee Quarterback Carey Cox Bainbridge, Georgia Center Alvin Davis Green Forest, Arkansas Fullback Fred Davis Louisville, Kentucky Tackle Jess Foshee Clanton, Alabama Guard Jack Gornto Valdosta, Georgia End Grover Harkins Gadsden, Alabama Guard Ed Hickerson Ventura, California Guard Charlie Holm Birmingham, Alabama Halfback Hal Hughes Pine Bluff, Arkansas Quarterback Walter Merrill Andalusia, Alabama Tackle Herschel Mosley Blytheville, Arkansas Halfback Hal Newman Birmingham, Alabama End Jake Redden Vernon, Alabama Guard Perron Shoemaker Birmingham, Alabama End Billy Slemons Orlando, Florida Halfback Joseph Sugg Russellville, Alabama Guard W. L. Waites Tuscaloosa, Alabama Halfback Erin Warren Montgomery, Alabama End Dallas Wicke Pensacola, Florida Quarterback Bobby Wood McComb, Mississippi Tackle George Zivich East Chicago, Indiana Halfback Reference:[42]

Coaching staff Name Position Seasons at Alabama Alma Mater Frank Thomas Head coach 8 Notre Dame (1923) Bear Bryant Assistant coach 3 Alabama (1935) Paul Burnum Assistant coach 9 Alabama (1922) Tilden Campbell Assistant coach 3 Alabama (1935) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 18 VPI (1920) Harold Drew Assistant coach 8 Bates (1916) Joe Kilgrow Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1937) Reference:[43]

References

General

• "1938 Season Recap" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-06-04. Retrieved April 12, 2012.

Specific

1. "Three home games on 1938 schedule of Alabama grid team". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. December 5, 1937. p. 6. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
2. Dyer, Braven (August 8, 1937). "Alabama, Troy clash in Coliseum next year". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest Historical Newspapers. p. A9.
3. "1938 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on December 2, 2011. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
4. Thornton, Jay (September 25, 1938). "Valiant Tide pours over Trojans, 19–7". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 1. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
5. Meyers, Robert (September 25, 1938). "Tide enjoys her day of revenge". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 8. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
6. 1938 Season Recap
7. Wagoner, Ronald (September 25, 1938). "Alabama wallops California to avenge Rose Bowl defeat". The News & Courier. Google News Archives. UPI. p. 6. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
8. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Southern California". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
9. "Welcome home accorded Tide". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. September 28, 1938. p. 7. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
10. "Alabama reveals power; Davis paces Crimson Tide in rout of Howard by 34–0". The New York Times. October 1, 1938. Retrieved April 14, 2012 – via The New York Times Archive.
11. "Alabama makes home debut on Saturday". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. September 30, 1938. p. 10. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
12. "Tide wallops Howard in home debut, 34–0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 2, 1938. p. 6. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
13. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Samford". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2011-10-23. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
14. Thornton, Jay (October 9, 1938). "Battling Wolves hold Tide to 14–0 score". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 10. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
15. "Tiders prepared for homecoming tussle". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 7, 1938. p. 7. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
16. "Alabama statistics". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 9, 1938. p. 10. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
17. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs North Carolina State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2011-10-23. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
18. Thornton, Jay (October 16, 1938). "Vol-Cano erupts, buries Alabama's hopes 13–0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 6. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
19. Gregory, Kenneth (October 16, 1937). "Vols crush Tide 13–0". St. Petersburg Times. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
20. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
21. "Tide out-mans Tigers after late start, 32–0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 23, 1938. p. 6. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
22. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Sewanee". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2011-10-23. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
23. Wheeler, Romney (December 13, 1940). "Sewanee quits Southeastern". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 1. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
24. Stiles, S. V. (October 30, 1938). "Crimson Tide swamps Wildcats, 26 to 6". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 10. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
25. "Pitt continues editors choice". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. October 25, 1938. p. 7. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
26. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Kentucky". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
27. "Bradford's 17-yard field goal drops Tulane for Tide, 3 to 0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 6, 1938. p. 6. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
28. "Bears to face Trojan eleven". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. November 1, 1938. p. 7. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
29. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2013-12-27. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
30. "Crimson Tide rises in second half to tie with Tech Tornado, 14–14". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 13, 1938. p. 10. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
31. "Texas Christian places first in A. P. grid poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. November 8, 1938. p. 7. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
32. "Georgia Tech rises up to tie Alabama, 14–14". St. Petersburg Times. Google News Archives. Associated Press. November 13, 1938. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
33. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia Tech". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2011-10-23. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
34. "Crimson Tide subdues Vandy, 7 to 0 in impressive finish". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 25, 1938. p. 9. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
35. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2014-12-31. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
36. Middleton, Drew (December 6, 1938). "T.C.U., Vols place one, two". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 7. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
37. Barker, Herbert W. (December 5, 1938). "Alabama leads nation in five-year grid record". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 7. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
38. "Alabama Crimson Tide leads nation's major grid teams in survey of five-year record". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Google News Archives. Associated Press. December 5, 1938. p. 11. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
39. "Season Team Records – Defense". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book (PDF). Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. p. 5. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
40. "Alabama Drafted Players/Alumni". Sports Reference, LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
41. "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
42. "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.
43. "All-Time Assistant Coaches". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. pp. 142–143.