To open the 1934 season, Alabama scored touchdowns in all four quarters and defeated Howard College (now Samford University) 24–0 at Denny Stadium.[14][15]Dixie Howell scored in the first on a two-yard run and Joe Riley scored in the second on a three-yard run to give the Crimson Tide a 12–0 halftime lead.[14] Joe Demyanovich then scored both second half touchdowns with his seven-yard run in the third and one-yard run in the fourth for the 24–0 victory.[14] The Howard squad was led by former Alabama player and assistant coach Clyde "Shorty" Propst in his first game against his alma mater.[16] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Howard to 13–0.[17]
In June 1934, coach Thomas announced their game against Sewanee would be moved from Tuscaloosa to the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.[19] In what was their conference opener, Alabama defeated the Tigers, 35–6, at Montgomery.[15][18] Alabama took a 14–0 lead in the first quarter after scoring touchdowns on successive possessions. Dixie Howell scored first with his short run on offense and James Angelich scored a defensive touchdown on the next series after he intercepted a Tigers pass and ran it back 23 yards for the score.[18] Sewanee responded in the second quarter with an 87-yard Ruch interception return for a touchdown to cut the Alabama lead to 14–6 at the half.[18] Alabama then closed the game with three unanswered touchdowns for the 35–6 victory. Touchdowns were scored by Howell on a 61-yard run and by Joe Demyanovich on a short run in the third, and on a 15-yard Young Boozer run in the fourth.[18] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Sewanee to 15–10–3.[20]
This game was originally scheduled to kick off at 8:00 pm on Friday, October 5, and it was to have been the first night game played by Alabama in their history.[18][21] After a mutual agreement was reached between both head coaches, the game was postponed to the following afternoon as a result of a major rain event that made the playing surface at the Cramton Bowl unplayable.[21] The Crimson Tide would not compete in their first night game for another six seasons when they defeated Spring Hill to open the 1940 season.[22]
Against their long-time rival, the Mississippi StateMaroons, Alabama won 41–0 at Denny Stadium.[15][23] The Crimson Tide scored two touchdowns in each of the first two quarters to take a commanding 28–0 lead at halftime. In the first, James Angelich scored on a 48-yard run and Riley Smithintercepted a Charles Armstrong pass and returned it 64-yards for a score.[23] In the second, Bear Bryant scored on a reception and later on an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Young Boozer.[23] After a scoreless third, the Crimson Tide scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns on Boozer runs of 74 and 8-yards for the 41–0 win.[23] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State 17–4–2.[24]
Against rivalTennessee, Alabama defeated the Volunteers, 13–6 at Legion Field.[15][25] After a scoreless first quarter that featured several defensive stops for each team, both scored second-quarter touchdowns to tie the game 6–6 at the half. Joe Demyanovich scored for Alabama first on an eight-yard run and then Tennessee tied the game on a two-yard George Craig run.[25] During the Volunteers scoring drive, Bear Bryant was ejected from the game due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.[15][25] In the third, Don Hutson scored the game-winning touchdown on an end-around run.[25] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee 11–5–1.[26]
Against Georgia, Alabama outgained the Bulldogs 427 to 119 yards in total offense in their 26–6 victory at Legion Field.[27]Dixie Howell scored first for the Crimson Tide with his touchdown run on Alabama's third offensive play of the game. Howell then scored in the second quarter on a three-yard touchdown run to give the Crimson Tide a 13–0 halftime lead. Alabama further extended their lead to 26–0 in the third quarter on a 38-yard James Angelich and two-yard Joe Demyanovich touchdown run. However, the defense was unable to complete the shutout as Maurice Greene scored for the Bulldogs on a seven-yard run in the fourth to make the final score 26–6.[27] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 12–11–3.[28]
In what was their first road game of the season, Alabama defeated the KentuckyWildcats 34–14 on homecoming at McLean Stadium.[15][29][30]Don Hutson scored the first touchdown with his 10-yard run and was followed with a three-yard Tilden Campbell touchdown run to give Alabama a 14–0 lead at the end of the first. Joe Riley then scored on a 16-yard run in the second to give the Crimson Tide a 21–0 halftime lead.[29] Kentucky cut the lead to 21–7 in the third when Bert Johnson scored on a four-yard run.[29] Both teams then traded fourth-quarter touchdowns to make the final score 34–14. Alabama scored first on an 11-yard Bear Bryant run, next was Johnson for the Wildcats with his 69-yard run and then Joe Riley threw a 38-yard pass to Young Boozer for the final score of the afternoon.[29] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky 13–1.[31]
On homecoming at Denny Stadium, Alabama defeated the ClemsonTigers of the Southern Conference 40–0 in Tuscaloosa.[15][32][33] In the game, Alabama scored a touchdown in each of the first three quarters before doubling the score with three fourth-quarter touchdowns. Dixie Howell threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Don Hutson in the first quarter, Riley Smith scored in the second on a one-yard quarterback sneak and then Howell connected again with Hutson, this time from 26-yards, to give Alabama a 20–0 lead as they entered the fourth quarter.[32][33] In the fourth, Young Boozer scored on a 27-yard run, Howell on an eight-yard run and Smith on an 18-yard run for the 40–0 win.[32][33] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Clemson to 4–3.[34]
Against the Georgia Tech, Alabama shutout the Yellow Jackets 40–0 at Grant Field.[15][35] Joe Demyanovich started the scoring for Alabama in the first with his four-yard touchdown run.[35] In the second, Dixie Howell scored a touchdown on 65-yard punt return and then he threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Don Hutson to give the Crimson Tide a 20–0 halftime lead.[35] After Riley Smith scored on a six-yard run and Howell on a five-yard run in the third, Joe Riley threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Ralph Gandy in the fourth quarter and made the final score 40–0.[35] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 8–10–2.[36]
In the regular season finale on Thanksgiving Day, Alabama defeated the VanderbiltCommodores 34–0 to capture their second consecutive SEC championship and secure a place in the Rose Bowl Game.[1][15][37] James Angelich scored on a four-yard run and Dixie Howell on a 21-yard run to give the Crimson Tide a 13–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.[1] Alabama then scored one touchdown in each of the final three quarters to make the final score 34–0. Joe Demyanovich scored on a short run in the second, on a 70-yard Angelich interception return in the third and on a 15-yard Howell run in the fourth.[1] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 7–8.[38]
Immediately after their victory over Vanderbilt in the season finale, University president George Denny accepted an invitation to play in the 1935 Rose Bowl against the StanfordIndians.[37] In the game, which was a rematch of their draw in the 1927 Rose Bowl, the Crimson Tide overwhelmed the Indians with their 29–13 victory before 84,474 fans at Pasadena.[39] The Stanford defense shined in the first quarter, as Alabama had only four yards total offense. The Indians then took a 7–0 lead later in the quarter after Bobby Grayson scored on a short run to complete a drive set up after Keith Topping recovered a Joe Demyanovich fumble.[39] Early in the second, Dixie Howell scored on a five-yard run, but Riley Smith missed the extra point and Stanford still led 7–6.[39]
After the Alabama touchdown, Stanford chose to kickoff rather than receive the ball after the score. On the resulting Alabama possession, the Crimson Tide took a 9–7 lead after Smith connected on a 27-yard field goal.[39] For the second time, Stanford again chose to kickoff rather than receive the ball, and two plays later Howell scored on a 67-yard touchdown run and made the score 16–7.[39] Then Alabama intercepted a Stanford pass, and took the ball at the 46-yard line with only eight seconds left. Joe Riley then threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Don Hutson to put Alabama up 22–7 at halftime.[39] Stanford scored in the third on a 12-yard Elzo Van Dellen touchdown run but could get no closer to the lead. Alabama finished the game with a 59-yard Howell to Hutson touchdown pass in the fourth and made final score 29–13.[39]
The NCAA recognizes consensus national champions as the teams that have captured a championship by way of one of the major polls since the 1950 college football season. Prior to 1950, national championships were chosen by a variety of selectors, and in the 1980s, Alabama claimed the 1934 championship as one of its now 18 national championships.[2][41] As such, Alabama claims a share of the 1934 national championship, with Minnesota, due to each school being selected national champion by various major selectors.[2] Specifically, Alabama was selected national champion in 1934 by Dunkel, Houlgate, Poling System and Williamson.[2]
"1934 Season Recap"(PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original(PDF) on June 4, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
↑ 2.02.12.22.3National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "National Poll Champions"(PDF). 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA.org. p. 73. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
↑"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.
↑"All-Time Assistant Coaches". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. pp. 142–143.
