1941 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

1941 Alabama Crimson Tide football
National champion (Houlgate) Cotton Bowl champion
Cotton Bowl Classic, W 29–21 vs. Texas A&M
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Ranking
AP	No. 20
Record	9–2 (5–2 SEC)
Head coach	Frank Thomas (11th season)
Captain	John Wyhonic
Home stadium	Denny Stadium Legion Field
Seasons ←  1940 1942  →

1941 Southeastern Conference football standings
v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 16 Mississippi State $	4	–	0	–	1			8	–	1	–	1
No. 18 Tennessee	3	–	1	–	0			8	–	2	–	0
No. 20 Alabama	5	–	2	–	0			9	–	2	–	0
No. 14 Georgia	3	–	1	–	1			9	–	1	–	1
No. 17 Ole Miss	2	–	1	–	1			6	–	2	–	1
Vanderbilt	3	–	2	–	0			8	–	2	–	0
LSU	2	–	2	–	2			4	–	4	–	2
Tulane	2	–	3	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Georgia Tech	2	–	4	–	0			3	–	6	–	0
Florida	1	–	3	–	0			4	–	6	–	0
Kentucky	0	–	4	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Auburn	0	–	4	–	1			4	–	5	–	1
$ – Conference champion Rankings from AP Poll

The 1941 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1941 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 48th overall and 9th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his 11th 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 nine wins and two losses (9–2 overall, 5–2 in the SEC) and with a victory in the Cotton Bowl Classic over Texas A&M. Alabama also claims a share of the 1941 national championship due to its selection as national champion by the Houlgate System. ^[1]

The Crimson Tide opened the 1941 season with a non-conference victory over Southwestern Louisiana but lost to Mississippi State in the second game of the season. Alabama rebounded with six consecutive victories over Howard, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Tulane and Georgia Tech. As they entered their game against Vanderbilt, the Crimson Tide was ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll, but were upset 7–0 in Nashville. Alabama then closed the regular season with a road victory over Miami and defeated Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Alabama was ranked at No. 6 (out of 681 teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System for 1941. ^[2]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	Result	Attendance
September 27	Southwestern Louisiana *		Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	W 47–6	6,000
October 4	Mississippi State		Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)	L 0–14	18,000
October 11	Howard (AL) *		Legion Field Birmingham, AL	W 61–0	6,000
October 18	at Tennessee		Shields-Watkins Field Knoxville, TN (Third Saturday in October)	W 9–2	35,000
October 25	Georgia		Legion Field Birmingham, AL (rivalry)	W 27–14	23,000
November 1	Kentucky	No. 15	Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	W 30–0	11,000
November 8	at No. 14 Tulane	No. 13	Tulane Stadium New Orleans, LA	W 19–14	50,000
November 15	Georgia Tech	No. 9	Legion Field Birmingham, AL	W 20–0	25,000
November 22	at Vanderbilt	No. 7	Dudley Field Nashville, TN	L 0–7	12,000
November 28	at Miami (FL) *	No. 18	Burdine Stadium Miami, FL	W 21–7	26,000
January 1, 1942	vs. No. 9 Texas A&M *	No. 20	Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX (Cotton Bowl Classic)	W 29–21	38,000
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

^[3]

Game summaries

Southwestern Louisiana

See also: 1941 Southwestern Louisiana Bulldogs football team

1 2 3 4 Total SW Louisiana 0 6 0 0 6 •Alabama 13 7 14 13 47 Date: September 27 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 6,000 Source: [4]

To open the 1941 season, Alabama defeated the Southwestern Louisiana Institute Bulldogs (now known as the Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns) 47–6 at Denny Stadium. ^{[4] [5]} Alabama took a 13–0 first quarter lead after touchdowns were scored on a short Paul Spencer run and on a 9-yard Jimmy Nelson run. ^[4] The Bulldogs then responded early in the second quarter with their only points on an 11-yard Bobby Voitier touchdown pass to William Bernhard. The Crimson Tide then played their second line and Don Salls scored their third touchdown of the afternoon on a 6-yard run to give Alabama a 20–6 halftime lead. ^[4] In the second half, Louisiana was shut out and the Crimson Tide added two touchdowns in each of the final two quarters for the 47–6 win. Third-quarter touchdowns were scored by Dave Brown on a 6-yard run and by Spencer on a 7-yard run; fourth-quarter touchdowns were scored after Wheeler Leeth blocked a Bulldogs punt that was returned 15-yards by Joe Chorba and on a short Louie Scales run. ^[4] The victory was Alabama's first against the Bulldogs and also marked the return of former Crimson Tide All-American Johnny Cain to Tuscaloosa as head coach of Southwestern Louisiana. ^{[6] [7]}

Mississippi State

See also: 1941 Mississippi State Maroons football team

1 2 3 4 Total •Mississippi State 0 0 7 7 14 Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 Date: October 4 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 18,000 Source: [8]

In the first conference game of the season, Alabama was shut out 14–0 by the Mississippi State Maroons on homecoming at Denny Stadium for the second consecutive year. ^{[5] [8]} After a scoreless first half, the Maroons scored a touchdown in each of the final two quarters. Touchdowns were scored on a 19-yard Bill Murphy pass to Robert Patterson in the third and on a short Bruce run in the fourth. ^[8] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 19–7–2. ^[9]

Howard

See also: 1941 Howard Bulldogs football team

1 2 3 4 Total Howard 0 0 0 0 0 •Alabama 6 7 14 34 61 Date: October 11 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 6,000 Source: [10]

In the first Legion Field game of the season, Alabama defeated Howard (now Samford University) 61–0. ^{[5] [10]} The Crimson Tide took a 13–0 halftime lead after touchdowns were scored on a 1-yard Don Salls run in the first and on an 8-yard reverse by Dave Brown in the second. ^[10] Alabama extended their lead further to 27–0 in the third with touchdowns by Jimmy Nelson on a 95-yard kickoff return and then on a 13-yard run. ^[10] The Crimson Tide then closed the game with five fourth-quarter touchdowns for the 61–0 win. Touchdowns in the fourth were scored by Carl Mims on runs of 26, 6 and 18-yards, Ted McKosky on a 37-yard run and on a Ted Cook touchdown reception. ^[10] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Howard to 19–0–1. ^[11]

Tennessee

See also: 1941 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Third Saturday in October

1 2 3 4 Total •Alabama 3 6 0 0 9 Tennessee 0 0 2 0 2 Date: October 18 Location: Shields-Watkins Field Knoxville, TN Game attendance: 35,000 Source: [12]

At Knoxville, Alabama defeated rival Tennessee 9–2 to end a three-game losing streak against the Volunteers. ^{[5] [12]} Alabama scored all of their points in the first half for a 9–0 lead on a 21-yard George Hecht field goal in the first and on a 2-yard Don Salls touchdown run in the second. ^[12] Tennessee scored their only points in the third quarter on a safety to prevent a shutout. ^[12] Jimmy Nelson starred on defense with his three interceptions during the game. ^[12] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 14–8–2. ^[13]

Georgia

See also: 1941 Georgia Bulldogs football team

1 2 3 4 Total Georgia 0 7 0 7 14 •Alabama 13 7 7 0 27 Date: October 25 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 23,000 Source: [14]

At Legion Field, Alabama defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 27–14 in what was their first meeting since the 1935 season. ^{[5] [14]} The Crimson Tide took a 13–0 first quarter lead on a Jimmy Nelson touchdown pass to Holt Rast and on a 1-yard Nelson run. ^[14] The Bulldogs responded in the first two minutes of the second quarter with a Heyward Allen to Lamar Davis touchdown pass. However, Alabama responded to make the halftime lead 20–7 after Paul Spencer scored on a 1-yard run late in the second quarter. ^[14] Alabama then scored their final points late in the third when Nelson intercepted a Frank Sinkwich pass and returned it 54 yards for a 27–7 lead. ^[14] A late Allen to Jerry Nunnally touchdown pass made the final score 27–14. ^[14] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 14–11–3. ^[15]

Kentucky

See also: 1941 Kentucky Wildcats football team

1 2 3 4 Total Kentucky 0 0 0 0 0 • #15 Alabama 6 6 6 12 30 Date: November 1 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 11,000 Source: [16]

After their victory over Georgia, Alabama entered the polls for the first time of the season at the No. 15 position. ^[17] On what was homecoming in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide shutout Kentucky 30–0, and scored at least one touchdown in all four quarters. ^{[5] [16]} First half touchdowns were scored by Jimmy Nelson on a 20-yard run in the first and on a 22-yard pass from Russ Mosley to George Weeks in the second. ^[16] Second half touchdowns were scored on a Nelson to Holt Rast reception in the third and on both a 25-yard Howard Hughes to Carl Mims pass and on a 23-yard Frank Martin run. ^[16] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky 19–1–1. ^[18]

Tulane

See also: 1941 Tulane Green Wave football team

1 2 3 4 Total • #13 Alabama 6 0 7 6 19 #14 Tulane 7 7 0 0 14 Date: November 8 Location: Tulane Stadium New Orleans, LA Game attendance: 50,000 Source: [19]

The Crimson Tide defeated the Green Wave 19–14 with a fourth-quarter touchdown to take the lead before a crowd of 50,000 at Tulane Stadium. ^{[5] [19]} Alabama scored first when Jimmy Nelson took a Bob Glass punt and then handed it to Dave Brown who returned it 60 yards for a touchdown. ^[19] Tulane then took a 7–6 lead later in the first on a 25-yard Lou Thomas touchdown pass to Gordon English, and extended it to 14–6 at halftime when Thomas threw his second touchdown of the afternoon to Bob Grush. ^[19] Alabama responded in the third with a 3-yard Nelson to Holt Rast touchdown pass and with the game-winning points on a 2-yard Don Salls touchdown run in the fourth. ^[19] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tulane to 14–4–1. ^[20]

Georgia Tech

See also: 1941 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team

1 2 3 4 Total Georgia Tech 0 0 0 0 0 • #9 Alabama 0 6 7 7 20 Date: November 15 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 25,000 Source: [21]

Prior to their final home game of the season against Georgia Tech, Alabama moved up from the No. 13 position to the No. 9 position in the AP Poll. ^[22] Against the Yellow Jackets, the Crimson Tide won with a 20–0 shutout at Legion Field. ^{[5] [21]} After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama scored one touchdown in each of the three remaining quarters in the victory. Howard Hughes scored in the second on a 2-yard run, Jimmy Nelson scored on a 68-yard punt return in the third and Nelson threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Russ Craft in the fourth. ^[21] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 13–11–3. ^[23]

Vanderbilt

See also: 1941 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

1 2 3 4 Total #7 Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 •Vanderbilt 0 0 7 0 7 Date: November 22 Location: Dudley Field Nashville, TN Game attendance: 12,000 Source: [24]

After their victory over Georgia Tech, Alabama moved up two spots to the No. 7 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt. ^[25] In their game against the Commodores, Alabama lost 7–0 in rainy and muddy conditions on the road at Dudley Field. ^{[5] [24]} The only points of the game came in the third quarter when Art Rebrovich threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jack Jenkins. ^[24] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 13–10. ^[26]

Miami

See also: 1941 Miami Hurricanes football team

1 2 3 4 Total • #18 Alabama 7 7 7 0 21 Miami 7 0 0 0 7 Date: November 28 Location: Burdine Stadium Miami, FL Game attendance: 26,000 Source: [27]

After their loss to Vanderbilt, Alabama moved down eleven spots to the No. 18 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Miami. ^[28] In their game against the Hurricanes on a Friday evening, Alabama won 21–7 in what was the first all-time meeting between the schools. ^{[5] [27] [29]} After an 85-yard punt return by Jimmy Nelson brought the ball to the Miami 5-yard line, Russ Craft scored on a 5-yard reverse for a 7–0 Alabama lead. ^[27] Howard Plasman tied the game at 7–7 on the ensuing possession with his 2-yard touchdown run. ^[27] The Crimson Tide retook the lead in the second on a 28-yard Dave Brown touchdown run and then scored again in the third quarter on a Nelson run for the 21–7 victory. ^[27]

Texas A&M

See also: 1941 Texas A&M Aggies football team and 1942 Cotton Bowl Classic

Cotton Bowl Classic

1 2 3 4 Total • #20 Alabama 0 7 13 9 29 #9 Texas A&M 0 7 0 14 21 Date: January 1, 1942 Location: Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX Game attendance: 38,000 Source: [30]

In the 1942 Cotton Bowl Classic against Texas A&M, Alabama was outgained 309 yards to 75 and earned just one official first down, but were able to win the game 29–21. ^[30] In the game, Alabama's defense forced 12 turnovers (seven interceptions and five fumbles). The Crimson Tide scored a touchdown on a 72-yard punt return, a 12-yard interception return, scored two touchdowns after recovering A&M fumbles on the A&M 21 and 24-yard lines and kicked a field goal after they intercepted a pass on the Texas A&M 17. ^[30]

National championship claim

In the 1980s, Alabama claimed the 1941 championship as one of its claimed/recognized national championships. ^{[1] [31]} As such, Alabama claims a share of the 1941 national championship, with Minnesota, due to each school being selected national champion by at least one selector. ^[1] Specifically, Alabama was selected national champion in 1941 by the Houlgate System. ^{[1] [31]} The Houlgate System was a mathematical ranking system devised by Dale Houlgate that was syndicated in newspapers between 1927 and 1958 to determine the national champion ^[32] and is recognized by the NCAA as a "major selector" of national championships. Alabama lost 2 games and finished 3rd in the SEC below Tennessee and conference champion Mississippi State (8-1) who defeated Alabama 14-0 that season.

Personnel

Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Sumpter Blackmon Columbus, Georgia Quarterback Dave Brown Birmingham, Alabama Halfback Russ Craft Beach Bottom, West Virginia Halfback Joe Domnanovich South Bend, Indiana Center Leon Fichman Los Angeles, California Tackle George Gammon Cullman, Alabama Halfback Cliff Hansen Gary, Indiana Tackle George Hecht Chicago Heights, Illinois Guard Howard Hughes Little Rock, Arkansas Tackle Morton Kimball South Bend, Indiana Guard Noah Langdale Valdosta, Georgia Tackle Wheeler Leeth Boaz, Alabama End Tony Leon Follansbee, West Virginia Guard Jack McKewen Birmingham, Alabama Tackle Ted McKosky Monessen, Pennsylvania Guard Carl Mims Sylacauga, Alabama Halfback Russ Mosley Blytheville, Arkansas Halfback Jimmy Nelson Live Oak, Florida Halfback Julius Papias Hammond, Indiana Halfback Holt Rast Birmingham, Alabama End Al Sabo Los Angeles, California Quarterback Don Salls White Plains, New York Fullback Lou Scales Glencoe, Alabama Fullback Sam Sharpe Birmingham, Alabama End Vaughn Stewart Anniston, Alabama Center George Weeks Dothan, Alabama End Don Whitmire Decatur, Alabama Guard John Wyhonic Connorville, Ohio Guard Reference: [33]

Coaching staff Name Position Seasons at Alabama Alma Mater Frank Thomas Head coach 11 Notre Dame (1923) Paul Burnum Assistant coach 12 Alabama (1922) Tilden Campbell Assistant coach 6 Alabama (1935) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 21 VPI (1920) Harold Drew Assistant coach 11 Bates (1916) Reference: [34]

After the season

NFL draft

Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1941 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) between the 1942 and 1944 drafts. ^{[35] [36]} These players included the following:

Year	Round	Overall	Player name	Position	NFL team
1942	9	79	Noah Langdale	Tackle	Green Bay Packers
	14	123	John Wyhonic	Guard	Philadelphia Eagles
	18	170	Holt Rast	End	Chicago Bears
	19	174	Jimmy Nelson	Back	Chicago Cardinals
1943	4	28	Joe Domnanovich	Center	Brooklyn Dodgers
	5	33	George Hecht	Guard	Chicago Cardinals
	8	70	Tony Leon	Guard	Washington Redskins
	14	122	George Weeks	End	Philadelphia Eagles
	14	125	Sam Sharpe	End	Cleveland Rams
	15	132	Russ Craft	Back	Philadelphia Eagles
	25	236	Dave Brown	Back	New York Giants
	29	274	Al Sabo	Back	Brooklyn Dodgers
1944	9	82	Don Whitmire	Tackle	Green Bay Packers
	13	126	Bill Baughman	Center	Green Bay Packers

References

General

• "1941 Season Recap" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved June 9, 2012.

Specific

1. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "National Poll Champions" (PDF). 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA.org. p. 73. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
2. Dr. E. E. Litkenhous (December 26, 1941). "Gophers Grid Kings Over 6-Year Span: Tennessee 2d, Pitt 3d Over Period Litkenhous Ratins Are Published". The Courier-Journal. p. Sports 4 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "1941 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
4. "Tide shows running form in 47–6 triumph over Louisiana Bulldogs". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. September 28, 1941. p. 6. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
5. 1941 Season Recap
6. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Louisiana–Lafayette". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2011-10-23. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
7. "Bulldogs sweep into city, set to test Alabama's Tide Saturday". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. September 26, 1941. p. 11. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
8. "Fast Maroon eleven out-plays Alabama Tide for 14–0 victory". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 5, 1941. p. 6. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
9. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
10. "Alabama rolls over Howard in display of power, 61–0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 12, 1941. p. 6. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
11. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Samford". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2011-10-23. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
12. "Tide pounds out 9–2 victory over Vols". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 19, 1941. p. 10. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
13. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
14. "Crimson Tide drops Georgia with air attack, 27 to 14". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. October 26, 1941. p. 10. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
15. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
16. "Tide strides through Wildcats in offensive display, 30 to 0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 2, 1941. p. 6. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
17. Boni, Bill (October 28, 1941). "Two teams tie in ranking poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
18. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Kentucky". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
19. "Tide outwits Tulane, 19–14 with last half comeback". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 9, 1941. p. 7. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
20. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2013-12-27. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
21. "Tide throttles Tech Tornado with 3-touchdown parade". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 16, 1941. p. 6. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
22. Boni, Bill (November 11, 1941). "Tide advances in AP Poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 7. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
23. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia Tech". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2011-10-23. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
24. "Commodores best Tide for muddy 7 to 0 victory". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 23, 1941. p. 6. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
25. "Tide rated 7th in nation". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. November 18, 1941. p. 10. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
26. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2014-12-31. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
27. Butler, Guy (November 29, 1941). "Hurricane gives Tide battle but great Nelson nets margin". The Miami Daily News. Google News Archives. p. 9. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
28. "Gophers voted top in nation". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. November 25, 1941. p. 7. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
29. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Miami (FL)". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2015-02-14. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
30. "Alabama outscores Texas Aggies in touchdown race, 29 to 21". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. January 2, 1942. p. 7. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
31. Solomon, Jon (January 6, 2010). "Got 12? Here's how Alabama bumped up its claim to a dozen national titles". The Birmingham News. AL.com. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
32. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "Poll systems history" (PDF). 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA.org. p. 71. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
33. "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.
34. "All-Time Assistant Coaches". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. pp. 142–143.
35. "Alabama Drafted Players/Alumni". Sports Reference, LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
36. "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2013.