Alabama: 19
Georgia Tech: 54

In mid-November, 1950 Georgia Tech welcomed the Alabama Crimson Tide to the Flats in hopes of avoiding its fourth consecutive loss. The Jackets fell 14-13 to the Virginia Military Institute one week earlier, and would need to muster up a much better performance if they hoped to hang with Red Drew’s 6-2 Elephants. The Tide claimed victory in each of the three previous meetings between the two schools, while Tech’s last victory came 7-0 in 1942.

Alabama set the tone early by scoring four first quarter touchdowns to jump ahead 27-0. The first score came less than two minutes into the game after the Tide blocked a punt near the Tech end zone. Bobby Marlow earned the score on a seven yard run to put the men from Tuscaloosa ahead 7-0.

A few minutes later, Alabama intercepted a Tech pass and took over at the Ramblin’ Wreck 35 yard line. Eddie Salem then found Marlow on two consecutive passes of 11 and 24 yards to increase the ‘Bama lead to 14-0.

Tech’s next drive stalled, but Robby Robinson was able to pin the Tide deep in its own territory with a punt to the 9 yard line. But on the first play to follow, Marlow took the ball 91 yards to the end zone on a dive play that made it 21-0.

Late in the opening period, ‘Bama was on the move again from the Yellow Jacket 48 yard line when Salem heaved a bomb to the end zone. Al Lary was there to make a juggling catch for the score, but Harold Lutz missed on the extra point attempt and the Tide lead stood at 27-0.

Early in the second quarter, Lary hauled in another deep ball to the Yellow Jacket one yard line. This time it was Clarence Avinger who made the 30 yard pitch. Tom Calvin carried for the final yard and the score to make it 34-0.

The Yellow Jacket offense finally stirred before halftime, scoring in two plays from midfield to make it 34-6 at the break. George Humphreys opened the drive with an 11 yard run to the 39 and Bobby North followed with a 39 yard scamper for the score.

Each squad scored once in the third quarter to make it 40-12 with one period to play. Alabama struck first when they hit two consecutive 25 yard passes after driving to midfield after the opening kickoff. It was Salem to Marlow for the touchdown that made it 40-6. The Jackets answered midway through the quarter when Pete Ferris caught a tipped pass from Salome in the end zone to make it 40-12. The play capped off a 67 yard drive.

‘Bama added two fourth quarter touchdowns on runs of 2 and 1 yards to increase its lead to 54-12 before Tech notched one final score on 1 yard run by James Patton to reach the final of 54-19.

The win earned the Tide the 17th spot in the AP on the following Monday. They would go on to defeat Florida and Auburn to finish at 9-2 on the year with the 16th spot in the AP ranking.

Statistics:

First Downs:
ALA – 25
GT – 16

Rushing Yards:
ALA – 369
GT – 146

Passing (Comp-Att-Yds):
ALA – 8-14-190
GT – 12-20-145

Interceptions thrown:
ALA – 1
GT – 2

Fumbles lost:
ALA – 1
GT – 2

Penalty yards:
ALA – 35
GT – 30

References:
Danforth, Ed. “Tide Mauls Tech, 54-19.” The Atlanta Journal Constitution. 1950 Nov. 19