Georgia Tech: 0
Alabama: 7

In mid-November, 1937, Georgia Tech would pin its 5-2 record against the undefeated, 3rd-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide at Legion Field in Birmingham. The Tide had won its first seven meetings while surrendering just thirteen points and shutting out five of its opponents. Alabama had won the previous four meetings in the series, leaving the Jackets seeking their first win since a 6-0 victory in Atlanta in 1932.

The Jackets made a noble attempt at a score in the opening period after Marion “Dutch” Konemann returned a punt 32 yards to the Alabama 30 yard line. Fletcher Sims first hooked up with Ed Jones for 16 yards to the 14 before he combined with Harry Appleby for 7 yards to the Crimson Tide 7. Tech then attempted some trickery, faking a run up the middle and attempting a double lateral around the left end. The play looked like a sure touchdown, but on the second pitch Bill Jordan tripped over the referee J.D. Thomason and the Jackets lost the ball on a fumble to the Tide.

Throughout the first half, the Georgia Tech defense completely stifled her opponent. Alabama managed just one first down in the first two quarters, and threatened to score just once when it pushed to the Ramblin’ Wreck 17 yard line.

Late in the second quarter, the Yellow Jacket offense began a drive at its own 47 yard line. Sims went deep to Konemann for 32 yards before going back to the Dutchman for 4 more yards to the 18. Sims returned to the air on the next play and connected with Ed Jones at the goal line for an apparent touchdown. The officials ruled, however, that Jones’s knee hit short of the goal, and Tech was given a first down at the one foot line. Following a timeout, the Ramblin’ Wreck was penalized five yards for excessive time and then had a pass intercepted to half the drive as the half came to a close.

After the break, a stalemate ensured with neither team threatening to score as time ticked away. But then, late in the fourth quarter, Alabama began at the Yellow Jacket 43 following a punt and began a march for the winning score. Joe Kilgrow hit George Zivich for 4 yards before adding 5 yards on the ground. Kilgrow followed with a sneak for the first down and then broke free for an apparent touchdown before being downed by Konemann at the 3 yard line. Three runs netted 0 yards before Kilgrow shot a pass to Erin “Tut” Warren at the goal line on fourth down. The Tech defense looked to have stopped the play short of the goal line, but the officials signaled a touchdown to give the Crimson Tide a 7-0 lead and the eventual victory.

Alabama went on to defeat Vanderbilt 9-7 in their final regular season game to capture the outright SEC championship and earn a berth in the Rose Bowl to face 2nd-ranked California Golden Bears. The Tide would eventually fall 13-0 to the Bears on New Year’s Day, 1938 to finish the year at 9-1, overall.

Statistics:

First downs:
GT – 8
ALA – 4

Rushing:
GT – 85
ALA – 38

Passing (Comp-Att-Yds):
GT – 7-24-77
ALA – 9-13-63

Interceptions thrown:
GT – 3
ALA – 1

Fumbles lost:
GT – 1
ALA – 1

Penalty yards:
GT – 10
ALA – 40

References:
Blake, Morgan. “Kilgrow passes to Warren for Tide’s Only Touchdown.” The Atlanta Journal. 1937 Nov. 14