By Darin In this episode, we talk about the history of College Football in 1934. The Football History Rewind Series, Part 74, covers the rule revisions, the big games, the star players, and the season's top teams.
The 1934 Season
1934 ushered in the 66th college football season in the United States. Groups from other areas initiated two New Year's Day bowl games to rival the Rose Bowl Game. On February 15, Warren V. Miller and Joseph M. Cousins organized the New Orleans Mid-Winter Sports Association, and by October, the group had enough funds to sponsor the Sugar Bowl. Meanwhile, W. Keith Phillips and the Greater Miami Athletic Club worked in November at a January 1 game for Florida, and the Orange Bowl was created.
The 1934 season was also notable for the emergence of two new powerhouse programs: Alabama and Minnesota. Alabama went undefeated and won the Sugar Bowl, while Minnesota went 9-0 and won the Rose Bowl. Both teams were led by future Hall of Fame coaches: Frank Thomas for Alabama and Bernie Bierman for Minnesota.
Other notable teams from the 1934 season included Ohio State, Columbia, and Tulane. Ohio State finished the season with an 8-1 record and was ranked No. 2 in the final AP Poll. Columbia went 7-1 and was ranked No. 3 in the final AP Poll. Tulane went 10-1 and won the SEC championship.
The 1934 college football season was marked by great change and innovation. The introduction of two new bowl games helped expand college football's reach and make it a more national sport. The emergence of Alabama and Minnesota as powerhouse programs signaled the beginning of a new era in college football.
Here are some of the most notable games from the 1934 college football season:
- Alabama vs. Georgia Tech: Alabama defeated Georgia Tech 40-0 in the Sugar Bowl.
- Minnesota vs. USC: Minnesota defeated USC 14-0 in the Rose Bowl.
- Ohio State vs. Columbia: Ohio State defeated Columbia 14-13.
- Tulane vs. Kentucky: Tulane defeated Kentucky 20-7.
- Colgate vs. Syracuse: Colgate defeated Syracuse 13-2.
- Rice vs. Texas A&M: Rice defeated Texas A&M 25-6.
The 1934 college football season was a great year for the sport. There were many memorable games and exciting moments. It was a year that helped to shape the future of college football.
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