Union (TN) •
Source: Alabama opened their 1923 season against
Union University at Denny Field, and defeated the
Bulldogs 12–0 in what was Wallace Wade's first game as head coach of the Crimson Tide. In a game dominated by both defenses, Alabama did not score any points until the fourth quarter.
Pooley Hubert scored first on a one-yard run and was followed by a six-yard Allen Graham MacCartee touchdown pass to Ben Hudson with only 00:15 left in the game. Alabama opened conference play against
Ole Miss, and defeated the
Rebels 56–0 at Denny Field. For their third game, Alabama played an intersectional contest at
Syracuse University, and were defeated by the Orangemen 23–0 at Archbold Stadium. A week after their first loss of the season, Alabama defeated the
Sewanee Tigers 7–0 at Rickwood Field. In the Game Alabama touchdowns were made by Hubert (3), Barnes (2), Hudson, Baty, Gillis, and Cohen. Tech had 18 first downs to none for Alabama, and the Tide never advanced the ball beyond its own 27-yard line. Sixteen punts from Grant Gillis helped Bama to hold Tech scoreless, and Tech drives stalled on the Alabama 2, 8, and 11-yard lines. The starting lineup was Al Clemens (left end), Bill Buckler (left tackle), Bruce Jones (left guard), Clyde Propst (center), Pete Camp (right guard), Ben E. Compton (right tackle), Hulet Whitaker (right end), Grant Gillis (quarterback), Red Barnes (left halfback), William Baty (right halfback), Pooley Hubert (fullback).
Pooley Hubert bucked over for a touchdown later in the first period after a 30-yard, end run by
Grant Gillis that made the score 9–0. LSU scored their only points on a first quarter, 27-yard
field goal from William Pitcher. Alabama responded with a 20-yard Ben Compton field goal on the drive that ensured and tied the game 3–3. Later in the quarter, a Pitcher
fumble was recovered by Ben Compton for a touchdown and 9–3 Crimson Tide lead. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama scored their first points on a 50-yard Allen McCartee touchdown pass to
Grant Gillis for a 7–0 lead. They extended their halftime lead to 10–0 behind a 25-yard Ben Compton
field goal. the Tide with a comeback, 16–6 victory on
Thanksgiving Day, putting the Florida program in the national spotlight for the first time. The upset gave Wade's previous school of Vanderbilt the SoCon title. In an attempt to drum up publicity,
Champ Pickens photographed a stuffed alligator and drew tiny Crimsons swarming around it. The punting of
Ark Newton and the
line play of
captain Robbie Robinson (in his final game) and
Goldy Goldstein also helped the Gators get the victory. The Gators eschewed their stockings in the second half, due to the rain and mud, and waited until the last minute to come out for the kickoff, while Alabama was already lined up. Because of this maneuver, Wade never spoke to coach Van Fleet again. A few minutes into the second half, Newton complete a 12-yard pass to Dick Brown, down at Alabama's 20-yard line. Brown went around left end for 9 yards; then Jones went around right end for 10 yards and the tying touchdown. Newton missed the extra point. Moments later Newton kicked a punt of 60 yards, from his own 20-yard line to the same of Alabama's. Gillis botched the ensuing Alabama punt.
Bill Middlekauff ran behind left guard twice, and Newton ran behind right tackle once, netting 8 yards in three plays. From the 12-yard line, Jones converted a placekick. Newton continued to punt well, and attempted a 53-yard field goal which barely missed. He also tried a 60-yard field goal which was blocked, recovered by Florida's Joe Merrin on Alabama's 20-yard line. Runs at the line failed, and Jones went around right end for 20 yards and the final touchdown. ==Postseason==