1922 'BAMA WIN OVER PENN SET THE STAGE FOR THE PROMINENCE OF SOUTHERN FOOTBALL

   There is something almost spiritual about the University of Alabama sports. It is the one place where the problems of America are left at the door. Once you proclaim yourself as a Tide fan it carries with it certain expectations. Alabama has given a poor state national acclaim. Southern football in the early days was considered to be an after thought. It was with that belief took with them to Philadelphia to play Ivy League power Penn.


When the Alabama Crimson Tide went to Philadelphia to play national power Penn, the hopes of an entire state road the train with the team. Alabama beat the Penn Quakers 9-7. It was a major upset and gave Alabama a taste of national recognition. It was the beginning of a love affair the Tide has never relinquished. The game featured Alabama coach Xen Scott. The Quakers had a coach named  John Heisman. That is Heisman as in the Heisman Trophy. Alabama was a huge underdog. Sports writer Grantland Rice thought the final score would be 21-0 in favor of Penn.

 

When the teams took the field the Tide was 2-2-1. Penn was 5-0. The Quakers were playing their home games at famed Franklin field. The inaugural game was Penn's victory over Navy. Alabama was playing their first intersectional game. Most thought there was no way for the Tide to prevail. With 20,000 fans (sellout) expecting to see Penn thoroughly whip the Tide. It didn't happen. The Tide had watched Penn play Washington on their way to Philadelphia. One thing was clear to the Tide players. Penn might have the national fanfare, but the Quakers were human.

    Alabama took an early three-point lead on 27-yard field goal. Penn fought back and took a 7-3 lead after a long run. The crowd assumed the rout would now begin. It didn't, and the Tide scored another touchdown on a fumble recovery after Pooley Hubert was tackled near the goal line. Alabama's Shorty Price recovered the ball in the end-zone. The scoring was over and Alabama has just recorded the most important win the Deep South had recorded. Most Alabama fans remember the first Rose Bowl. The 'Swamp Rats' would win over Washington the South was firmly entrenched as a football power. That Rose Bowl game would never have happened if 'Bama hadn't beaten Penn. The win gave credence to football in the Deep South. One Philadelphia sports page said, "Those Southern Boys sure can Play".  Many in the South view the game as retribution for Gettysburg.  Some southerners might have believed that. It turned out to be more important than that.