1936 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

1936 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Ranking
AP	No. 4
Record	8–0–1 (5–0–1 SEC)
Head coach	Frank Thomas (6th season)
Captain	James Nesbit
Home stadium	Denny Stadium Legion Field
Seasons ←  1935 1937  →

1936 Southeastern Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 2 LSU $	6	–	0	–	0			9	–	1	–	1
No. 4 Alabama	5	–	0	–	1			8	–	0	–	1
Auburn	4	–	1	–	1			7	–	2	–	2
No. 17 Tennessee	3	–	1	–	2			6	–	2	–	2
Mississippi State	3	–	2	–	0			7	–	3	–	1
Georgia	3	–	3	–	0			5	–	4	–	1
Georgia Tech	3	–	3	–	1			5	–	5	–	1
Tulane	2	–	3	–	1			6	–	3	–	1
Vanderbilt	1	–	3	–	1			3	–	5	–	1
Kentucky	1	–	3	–	0			6	–	4	–	0
Florida	1	–	5	–	0			4	–	6	–	0
Ole Miss	0	–	3	–	1			5	–	5	–	2
Sewanee	0	–	5	–	0			0	–	6	–	1
$ – Conference champion

The 1936 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1936 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 43rd overall and 4th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his sixth 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 eight wins, zero losses, and one tie (8–0–1 overall, 5–0–1 in the SEC).

After Alabama opened the season with three consecutive shutouts against Howard, Clemson and Mississippi State, they suffered their only blemish of the season, a scoreless tie against Tennessee. The Crimson Tide rebounded to win their final five games against Loyola, Kentucky, Tulane, Georgia Tech, and Vanderbilt. Although they finished undefeated and ranked No. 4 in the final AP Poll, Alabama did not receive an invitation to participate in a postseason bowl game.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 26	Howard (AL) *		Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	W 34–0	8,000	[1]
October 3	Clemson *		Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)	W 32–0	6,000	[2]
October 10	Mississippi State		Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)	W 7–0	17,000	[3]
October 17	Tennessee		Legion Field Birmingham, AL (rivalry)	T 0–0	15,000	[4]
October 23	at Loyola (LA) *		Loyola University Stadium New Orleans, LA	W 13–6	6,000	[5]
October 31	at Kentucky		McLean Stadium Lexington, KY	W 14–0	18,000	[6]
November 7	No. 10 Tulane	No. 14	Legion Field Birmingham, AL	W 34–7	18,000	[7]
November 14	at Georgia Tech	No. 4	Grant Field Atlanta, GA (rivalry)	W 20–16	20,000	[8]
November 26	Vanderbilt	No. 3	Legion Field Birmingham, AL	W 14–6	25,000	[9]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

^[10]

Game summaries

Howard

See also: 1936 Howard Bulldogs football team

1 2 3 4 Total Howard 0 0 0 0 0 •Alabama 0 6 14 14 34 Date: September 26 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 8,000 Source: [11]

To open the 1936 season, Alabama outgained Howard (now Samford University) in total yards, 294 to 12, and defeated the Bulldogs 34–0 at Denny Stadium. ^{[11] [12]} After a scoreless first, Joe Kilgrow scored on a four-yard touchdown run to give the Crimson Tide a 6–0 lead. Alabama then scored two touchdowns in each of the final two quarters to secure the 34–0 victory. Joe Riley scored both third-quarter touchdowns, the first on a 27-yard run and the second on a 26-yard run. Kilgrow then scored both of the fourth-quarter touchdowns on a pair of one-yard runs. ^[11] The victory improved Alabama's all-tim record against Howard to 14–0–1. ^[13]

Clemson

See also: 1936 Clemson Tigers football team

1 2 3 4 Total Clemson 0 0 0 0 0 •Alabama 12 7 7 6 32 Date: October 3 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 6,000 Source: [14]

For the second week in a row Alabama shutout their opponent, and this time it was the Clemson Tigers of the Southern Conference 32–0 in Tuscaloosa. ^{[12] [14]} The Crimson Tide took a 12–0 lead in the first quarter on touchdown runs of 15 yards by Gene Blackwell and of five-yards by Herman Caldwell. ^[14] They would then score a touchdown in each of the three remaining quarters for the 32–0 margin. The touchdown runs were scored by Charlie Holm in the second on a three-yard run, by Young Boozer in the third on a 39-yard run and finally by Joe Kilgrow in the fourth on a five-yard run. ^[14] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Clemson to 6–3. ^[15]

Mississippi State

See also: 1936 Mississippi State Maroons football team

1 2 3 4 Total Mississippi State 0 0 0 0 0 •Alabama 0 7 0 0 7 Date: October 10 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 17,000 Source: [16]

The Crimson Tide entered their annual game against their long-time rival, Mississippi State as a slight underdog that sought redemption against the Maroons after their 20–7 loss the previous year. ^[17] In what was Alabama's annual homecoming game, they defeated the Maroons 7–0 at Denny Stadium. ^{[12] [16]} In a game dominated by both defenses, the only points of the game came in the second quarter. The touchdown was scored by Joe Kilgrow after he received a lateral pass from Joe Riley on a fake punt and returned it 83-yards for the score. The Alabama defense also starred and made eight interceptions of State passes in the game. ^[16] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 18–5–2. ^[18]

Tennessee

See also: 1936 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Third Saturday in October

1 2 3 4 Total Tennessee 0 0 0 0 0 Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 Date: October 17 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 15,000 Source: [19]

Against rival Tennessee, Alabama battled the Volunteers to a 0–0 tie at Legion Field. ^{[12] [19]} In a game once again dominated by both defenses, the closest either team came to a score was at the end of the second quarter when Alabama was in position for a touchdown at the Tennessee one-yard line. However, the official call time for the end of the period before Alabama could get another play off. ^[19] The tie brought Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 12–5–2. ^[20]

Loyola

See also: 1936 Loyola Wolf Pack football team

1 2 3 4 Total •Alabama 6 0 7 0 13 Loyola 6 0 0 0 6 Date: October 23 Location: Loyola Stadium New Orleans, LA Game attendance: 6,000 Source: [21]

In what was the first road game of the season, Alabama made their first trip to New Orleans since the 1921 season and defeated the Loyola Wolfpack of the Dixie Conference 13–6 on a Friday evening. ^{[12] [21] [22]} After each team traded punts to start the game, Loyola scored first on a one-yard touchdown run by Clay Calhoun to take a 6–0 lead. Alabama responded on the third play of the drive that ensued when Joe Kilgrow threw a 20-yard pass to Erin Warren that was run an additional 42-yards for a 62-yard touchdown and tied the game at 6–6. After a scoreless second, Alabama scored the game-winning touchdown in the third after they received the ball at the Wolfpack 36-yard line due to a short punt. ^[21] On this drive, Joe Riley threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to James Nesbit to secure the win in what was Alabama's only all-time game against Loyola. ^{[21] [23]}

Kentucky

See also: 1936 Kentucky Wildcats football team

1 2 3 4 Total •Alabama 0 0 7 7 14 Kentucky 0 0 0 0 0 Date: October 31 Location: McLean Stadium Lexington, KY Game attendance: 18,000 Source: [24]

On what was their homecoming game, Alabama defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 14–0 at McLean Stadium. ^{[12] [24]} After a scoreless first half that saw the Kentucky defense hold Alabama out of the endzone on four occasions from within their own ten-yard line, the Crimson Tide scored two second half touchdowns to win the game. ^[24] Joe Riley scored both Alabama touchdowns on a 27-yard run in the third and on a 21-yard reverse in the fourth. ^[24] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky 15–1. ^[25]

Tulane

See also: 1936 Tulane Green Wave football team

1 2 3 4 Total #10 Tulane 7 0 0 0 7 • #14 Alabama 14 7 7 6 34 Date: November 7 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 18,000 Source: [26]

In what was the first game Alabama was ranked and played against a ranked opponent, the Crimson Tide defeated the Tulane Green Wave 34–7 at Legion Field. ^{[12] [26]} The Greenies scored first on a 42-yard, Bill Mathis touchdown run in the first quarter to take an early 7–0 lead. However, Alabama responded with five unanswered touchdowns to win the game 34–7. In the first quarter, the Crimson Tide scored on a 54-yard Joe Riley touchdown run and followed that with a 17-yard Joe Kilgrow touchdown pass to Perron Shoemaker to give Alabama a 14–7 lead after one. After Kilgrow threw his second touchdown pass of the game to Erin Warren in the second, James Nesbit scored on a two-yard run to give the Crimson Tide a 28–7 lead as they entered the fourth quarter. In the fourth, Alabama's final points were scored when Leroy Monsky intercepted a Tulane pass and returned it 25-yards for a touchdown. ^[26] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tulane to 10–3–1. ^[27]

This game was noted for being the first regular season Alabama game that was broadcast nationally on two major radio networks. ^[28] It was broadcast by CBS with Ted Husing as the announcer and by NBC with Bill Slater as the announcer. ^[28] The national broadcasts were made due to both teams being undefeated and ranked in the AP Poll as they entered the game. ^[28] The game was also the first in which the Crimson Tide defeated a ranked opponent. ^[29]

Georgia Tech

See also: 1936 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team

1 2 3 4 Total • #4 Alabama 7 13 0 0 20 Georgia Tech 0 0 9 7 16 Date: November 14 Location: Grant Field Atlanta, GA Source: [30]

Although outgained in total yardage against Georgia Tech, Alabama defeated the Yellow Jackets 20–16 at Grant Field. ^{[12] [30]} After the Crimson Tide scored on a Joe Kilgrow touchdown pass to Herman Caldwell in the first, Alabama scored two second-quarter touchdowns to take a 20–0 halftime lead. In the second, James Nesbit scored on a two-yard run and Kilgrow threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Perron Shoemaker. The Yellow Jackets scored their first points early in the third after Hal Hughes was tackled for a safety on a punt attempt. On the possession that ensued, T. F. Sims threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to M. J. Konemann to cut the Crimson Tide lead to 20–9. H. H. Appleby then scored the final points of the game with his short touchdown run in the fourth on a drive that featured a 71-yard run by Konemann. ^[30] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 10–10–2. ^[31]

Vanderbilt

See also: 1936 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

1 2 3 4 Total Vanderbilt 6 0 0 0 6 • #3 Alabama 0 0 7 7 14 Date: November 26 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 25,000 Source: [32]

In the season finale on Thanksgiving Day, Alabama defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 14–6 defeat at Legion Field. ^{[12] [32]} Vanderbilt scored first after the received the opening kickoff when Herbert Plasman scored on a ten-yard touchdown on their opening drive. ^[32] With the score still 6–0 in favor of the Commodores after halftime, the Crimson Tide scored a pair of second half touchdowns to win the game 14–6. In the third, Joe Kilgrow threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Ben McLeod, and in the fourth a 12-yard Joe Riley touchdown pass to Kilgrow. ^[32] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 8–9. ^[33]

After the season

Following their victory over Vanderbilt in the season finale, Alabama was in contention (along with Pittsburgh and LSU) for a place in the 1937 Rose Bowl opposite Washington. ^[34] In addition to the Rose, Alabama was also under consideration to compete in the 1937 Sugar Bowl along with the aforementioned Pittsburgh, LSU and Santa Clara. ^[35] However, on December 3, Rose Bowl officials announced the selection of Pittsburgh and Sugar Bowl officials announced their matchup of LSU and Santa Clara. ^[36] This resulted in Alabama not playing in a bowl game despite an undefeated record of 8–0–1 and a final poll ranking of No. 4.

Awards

After the season, James Nesbit and Arthur "Tarzan" White selected to various 1936 College Football All-America Teams. ^[37]

NFL draft

Several players who were varsity lettermen from the 1936 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) between the 1937 and 1939 drafts. ^{[38] [39]} These players included the following:

Year	Round	Overall	Player name	Position	NFL team
1937	2	14	Arthur White	Back	New York Giants
1938	2	13	Joe Kilgrow	Back	Brooklyn Dodgers
	7	53	Leroy Monsky	Guard	Brooklyn Dodgers
1939	9	73	Lew Bostick	Guard	Cleveland Rams

Personnel

The 1936 coaching staff included former player Bear Bryant in his first year in a coaching position. ^{[40] [41]} Bryant came back to Alabama after serving as an assistant coach at Union for their spring practices in early 1936. ^[42] He later went on to serve as head coach at Maryland, Kentucky, Texas A&M and at Alabama. During his career Bryant won 323 games, appeared in 29 bowl games, won 15 conference championships and six national championships. ^[43]

Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Young Boozer Dothan, Alabama Halfback Lewis Bostick Birmingham, Alabama Guard Vic Bradford Memphis, Tennessee Quarterback Herman Caldwell Tallassee, Alabama Back Joe Kilgrow Montgomery, Alabama Halfback Ben McLeod Leeksville, Mississippi Halfback Leroy Monsky Montgomery, Alabama Guard Lamar Moyle Decatur, Alabama Center James Nisbet Bainbridge, Georgia Fullback William Peters Hammond, Indiana Guard James Radford Hartford, Alabama Tackle Joe Riley Dothan, Alabama Halfback Hayward Sanford Plainview, Arkansas End Joe Shepherd Tuscaloosa, Alabama Guard Jim Tipton Blytheville, Arkansas Tackle Hilmon Walker Hattiesburg, Mississippi End Arthur "Tarzan" White Atmore, Alabama Guard Bill Young Pine Bluff, Arkansas Tackle Reference: [44]

Coaching staff Name Position Seasons at Alabama Alma Mater Frank Thomas Head coach 6 Notre Dame (1923) Bear Bryant Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1935) Paul Burnum Assistant coach 7 Alabama (1922) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 16 VPI (1920) Tilden Campbell Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1935) Jim Dildy Assistant coach 2 Alabama (1934) Harold Drew Assistant coach 6 Bates (1916) Reference: [40]

References

General

• "1936 Season Recap" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 4, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2012.

Specific

1. "Tide turns on Howard, 34 to 0". The Birmingham News. September 27, 1936. p. 8. Retrieved February 21, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
2. "Alabama elephants trample Tigers, 32–0". The Greenville News. October 4, 1936. p. 8. Retrieved February 21, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
3. "Joe Kilgrow brings Tide 7–0 victory". The Huntsville Times. October 11, 1936. p. 8. Retrieved February 21, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
4. "Vols battle Crimson Tide to scoreless tie". The Knoxville Journal. October 18, 1936. p. 8. Retrieved February 21, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
5. "Loyola tough for Crimsons, scoring first". The Birmingham News. October 24, 1936. p. 8. Retrieved February 21, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
6. "Cats fall before Tide after gallant stand". Lexington Herald-Leader. November 1, 1936. p. 8. Retrieved February 21, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
7. "Alabama completely outclasses Tulane to hand Green Wave first defeat of season". The Shreveport Times. November 8, 1936. p. 8. Retrieved February 21, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
8. "Tide rolls on with first score". The Atlanta Constitution. November 15, 1936. p. 8. Retrieved February 21, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
9. "Alabama survives mighty scare to defeat Vanderbilt by score of 14–6". Chattanooga Daily Times. November 27, 1936. p. 8. Retrieved February 21, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
10. "1936 Alabama football archives". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
11. Thornton, Jay (September 27, 1936). "Bama gains momentum after uneventful start to whip Howard". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 6. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
12. 1936 Season Recap
13. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Samford". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
14. Thornton, Jay (October 4, 1936). "Improved Crimson Tide swamps Clemson under wraps, 32–0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 8. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
15. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Clemson". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
16. Thornton, Jay (October 11, 1936). "Crimson Tide subdues Maroons, 7–0, before crowd of 17,000". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 6. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
17. "Capacity crowd expected for homecoming grid classic Saturday". The Tuscaloosa News. October 9, 1936. p. 6. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
18. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
19. Thornton, Jay (October 18, 1936). "Vols tumble Tide from untied, unbeaten ranks in 0–0 draw". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 6. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
20. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
21. Thornton, Jay (October 25, 1936). "Crimson Tide scored on passes to subdue Loyola threat, 13–6". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 8. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
22. "Crimson Tide squad entrains tonight for Friday Loyola tilt". The Tuscaloosa News. October 22, 1936. p. 9. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
23. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Loyola (LA)". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
24. "Joe Riley sparkles as Alabama turns back Kentucky, 14 to 0". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 1, 1936. p. 6. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
25. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Kentucky". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
26. Thornton, Jay (November 8, 1936). "Crimson Tide reaches season's peak in Tulane romp, 34 to 7". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 7. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
27. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
28. "Two chains to broadcast Tide game on national hook-up". The Tuscaloosa News. November 3, 1936. p. 7. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
29. "Alabama vs. Ranked Teams". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. p. 128.
30. Green, Ben (November 15, 1936). "Tide weathers late spree to sweep past Georgia Tech 20–16". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 8. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
31. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia Tech". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
32. Thornton, Jay (November 27, 1936). "Crimson Tide ends unbeaten season, submerging Vandy 14–6". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
33. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
34. "Eastern Rose Bowl selection delayed till late in the week". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 29, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
35. "Alabama included in Sugar Bowl prospects". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 29, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
36. "Santa Clara and L.S.U. will clash in New Orleans". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. December 4, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
37. "First-Team All-America". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. pp. 163–172.
38. "Alabama Drafted Players/Alumni". Sports Reference, LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
39. "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
40. "All-Time Assistant Coaches". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. pp. 142–143.
41. Dunnavant, Keith (2005). Coach: The Life of Paul "Bear" Bryant. New York, New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 50. ISBN   9780312348762 . Retrieved April 8, 2012.
42. Shepard, David (2002). The Titan of Tuscaloosa: The Tie Games and Career of Paul Bear Bryant. Bloomington, Indiana: iUniverse. pp. 7–9. ISBN   9780595243259 . Retrieved April 9, 2012.
43. Puma, Mike (2007). "Bear Bryant 'simply the best there ever was'". ESPN Internet Ventures. ESPN. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
44. "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.