Alabama Football: The 30 Greatest Games in Alabama Football History

Oct 10, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide mascot Big Al is hoisted to the top of the stands during the game against Arkansas Razorbacks at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

1931 Rose Bowl – Remember the Name, Jimmy Moore

In 1931 Alabama and Wallace Wade were returning to the Rose Bowl once again, and once again they were facing a team from Washington, but this time it was the Washington State Cougars.

Washington State dressed in all red: shoes, socks, pants, jerseys, and helmets. This might be the first example of a team trying to beat Alabama with a stunt of this kind. It didn’t work for Washington State then any better than it did for Georgia in 2008.

You don’t think of big pass plays being a part of the early years of Alabama football, but this game started off with a doozy. John “Flash” Suther caught a 61 yard bomb… though it wasn’t thrown by the “quarterback” of the team but by an end, Jimmy Moore.

Moore has one of the saddest stories in Alabama football history. After throwing a huge touchdown to help Alabama win a Rose Bowl and the 1930 National Championship Moore contracted spinal meningitis and tragically died in June of 1931.

So the next time you talk about Alabama Football National Championships remember the 1931 Rose Bowl and remember Jimmy Moore.

The 1931 Rose Bowl is important because it marks Alabama’s second Rose Bowl win and their second National Championship. Two wasn’t a tradition yet, but it was a trend.

Next: 1935 Rose Bowl