The 1932 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1932 Southern Conference football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 39th overall and 11th and final 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 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 Saint Mary's at San Francisco.
In the first game of the 1932 season, Alabama defeated the Southwestern Lynx (now the RhodesLynx), 45–6 before 6,000 fans at Denny Stadium.[12] 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.[12] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Southwestern Presbyterian to 2–0.[13]
Against their long-time rival, the Mississippi StateMaroons, Alabama was victorious in their conference opener 53–0 at the Cramton Bowl.[14] 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.[14] The Maroons only crossed midfield one in the game.[14] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State 15–4–2.[15]
In what was the first road game of the season, Alabama defeated the George WashingtonColonials 28–6 at Griffith Stadium.[16] 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.[16] Clarence McCarver scored the only points of the game for the Colonials with his second-quarter touchdown run.[16] The 26,000 fans that attended the game marked the largest to attend a football game in Washington.[17]
Against the rivalTennessee, Alabama was defeated by the Volunteers, 7–3 at Legion Field in rainy conditions.[18][19] 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.[18] 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.[18] 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.[18] 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.[20] As a result, Feathers punted 21 times for Tennessee, and Cain punted 19 times for Alabama.[20] Cain's 19 punts and 914 total yards still stand as the single game school records for punts and punting yardage.[21] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee 9–5–1.[22]
Against the rivalOle Miss, Alabama defeated the Rebels, 24–13 at Denny Stadium.[19][23] Alabama scored first on a seven-yard Larry Hughes touchdown run in the second quarter to take a 6–0 lead.[23]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.[23] 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.[23] Alabama then scored on a Don Hutson touchdown run to make the final score 24–13.[23] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss 16–2–1.[24]
In their first conference road game of the season, Alabama defeated the KentuckyWildcats, 12–7 at McLean Stadium.[19][25] Alabama scored first on a six-yard Hillman Holley touchdown run to cap a drive that included a 60-yard Holley run.[25] 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.[25]Ellis T. Johnson scored on the ensuing drive and with his extra point, Kentucky took a 7–6 lead.[25] 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.[25] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky 11–1.[26]
Against the Fighting Gobblers of VPI (now known as the Virginia TechHokies), Alabama won 9–6 on homecoming at Denny Field.[19][27] 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.[27] In the third, the score was cut to 6–2 after a bad snap to Casey from the center resulted in a safety.[27] 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.[27] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against VPI 1–0.[28]
Against the Georgia TechGolden Tornado, Alabama lost 6–0 at Grant Field.[19][29] 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.[29] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 6–10–2.[30] 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.[31] 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 $4.74[32] in the present day) was charged for entry to the broadcast.[31]
In the days that led up to their game against Vanderbilt, many sportswriters did not give Alabama a chance against a favored Commodores squad.[34] However, Alabama went on and defeated Vanderbilt on Thanksgiving Day 20–0 at Legion Field before 18,000 spectators.[19][33] 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.[33] 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.[33] Howell then scored the final points of the game in the fourth quarter with his 81-yard interception returned for a touchdown.[33] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 5–8.[35]
In their final game of the 1932 season, Alabama defeated the Saint Mary'sGaels 6–0 before 20,000 fans at San Francisco's Kezar Stadium.[19][36] On their second offensive possession, Johnny Cain scored the only points of the game with his 71-yard touchdown run.[19][36] 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.[36]Dixie Howell also starred for Alabama with his average of 45 yards for his total of 16 punts he kicked in the game.[36] The contest was the only ever played between the two schools.[37]
"1932 Season Recap"(PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2012-06-04. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
^ abRichard, Scott (2004). Legends of Alabama Football. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing, LLC. p. 9. ISBN9781582612775. Retrieved March 27, 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.
