1905 record 6–4 (4–4 SIAA) | Captain Auxford Burks | |
Conference Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association Head coach Jack Leavenworth (1st year) Home stadium The Quad
Birmingham Fairgrounds | ||
The 1905 Alabama Crimson White football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1905 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. It was Alabama's 13th overall and 10th season as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA). The team was led by head coach Jack Leavenworth, in his first year, and played their home games at both the University of Alabama Quad in Tuscaloosa and the Birmingham Fairgrounds in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of six wins and four losses (6–4 overall, 4–4 in the SIAA).
Contents
Before the season
For the 1905 season, point values were different from those used in contemporary games. In 1905 a touchdown was worth five points, a field goal was worth four points and an conversion (PAT) was worth one point.
The team was captained by Auxford Burks, the school's "first running back hero" who would "carry whole teams on his back."
Schedule
Maryville
Burks starred in the opening win of 17 to 0 over Maryville. A number of Alabama turnovers kept the game scoreless through halftime. T. S. Sims scored the first touchdown and Burks added a 95-yard return for a touchdown.
Vanderbilt
Alabama was no match for Vanderbilt, losing 34–0. Honus Craig was the star of the game. Quarterback Frank Kyle was severely injured, knocked unconscious and taken to the hospital.
The starting lineup was Lanier (left end), Neb (left tackle), McDaniel (left guard), Moody (center), Sims (right guard), Sartain (right tackle), Patton (right end), Smith (quarterback), Burks (left halfback), Ware (right halfback), Peavy (fullback).
Georgia Tech
"The overworked Burks, who appeared to bear the entire brunt of Alabama's offense," collapsed on the field during the second half of a 12 to 5 loss to Georgia Tech.
Clemson
Alabama lost to Clemson for the last time until the 2016 national championship 25–0.
Auburn
Burks scored in the 30 to 0 victory over Auburn in what was then the largest crowd ever to see a game in Birmingham (4,000).