The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-28
Ala. Closes Successful
 Grid Season
By JACK FREEMAN

OiilNeTSlIy, NOV6IlDeI Ai.- Especially - Concluding on Thanksgiving Day her twenty eighth year of gridiron history, Alabama brought to a close one of the most successful sea- sons she has experienced.
 Entering the 1920 season amid skeptic- ism and lack of confidence on all sides the Crimson tide of 1920 has acquitted itself with more than commendable meri- torious service. The Alabama back field was considered at the beginning of the season to be the peer of any charging ma chine in the south, but there was con siderable doubt as to the ability of the Crimson line to stand up under the stren- ucus service it was to be put to. But that doubt was removed ere Alabama had barely entered upon her heavy schedule. The unusual stamina demonstrated by the thin red line in holding off the angry back field of Sewanee and Wander bilt removed all fear as to how it would acquit itself in the succeeding engage ments. The result of this unexpected staunchness on the part of Alabama s line was that only one touchdown in the entire season was made over it.
 Vanderbilt succeeded in counting one touchdown against Alabama, but that was made on a forward pass which land- ed behind the goal line. Georgia piled up three counters and a victory over the Crimson warriors, but not one of these touchdowns was made oveS the armored Crimson line. Each of them was made on fluke, and when Alabama was in possession of the ball. Following Georgia, came the lone counter registered against the Crimson tide by the Mississippi Az gies. This touchdown, and this only, was made over the Crimson line. Such a record for dine which entered the sea- son amid most discouraging circum- stances is indeed an unusual and an en- yiable one It proved that Alabama $ line was the most underrated one in the south.
 The Crimson back field acquitted itself in the fashion it was doped out to at the beginning of the season. namely by rushing madly over opposing territory and cinching for Alabama the distinction of having one of the most powerful offen- sive machines in the entire southland.
 STEPHENSON STARRED
 The nucleus of this powerful charging apparatus was Stephenson, one of the most, versatile and most brilliant full backs the south has witnessed in long time. Stephenson was the mainstay or the crimson back field and was called on necessarily when good gains were needed. and he rarely failed to push the oval up for whatever ground was wanted. Stephenson has melted more comment in the press and on the side lines than any other southern fullback. and "ex- perts' who have seen him aver that he should be the souths one fullback choice for the mythical all-American eleven. Not only has Stephenson demonstrated phe- ,I Ok f,r .y,f7 rlyrl rir1 r1u through seeming impenetrahle lines, but he has also proven exceptional ability in forward passing, bunting and in now ing down enemy backs when on the de- fense. One could hardly say he is better on offense than on defense The fact is, his offense is more spectacular, and then' too, his quickness on the defense has enabled his team to maintain the or fense during the major portion of every game it has played. Mighty is stephen son.
 Other Alabama back-fielders who toed the mark absolutely, and fell hardly short of the great record of Stephenson were Muflie Lenoir@ sand Talty O'Connor. The former scored more touchdowns in the 1919 season than any other played 1T Dixie, and this year he even eclipsed hls record of the former season.
 Talty O'Connor showed up better and better as the season progressed, and cui- minated his brilliant career with long looked for field goal in the Mississippi A. & M. game last Thursday
 Walter Hovator, the field marshal or the Crimson forces. played all-southern ball from start to finish Goodness, deliber- ateness and accurateness characterized his generalship throughout; on the de- fense he was one of the safety men or the Crimson tribe.
 Batey, Kirby, Nichols and Bartlett all showed up in splendid form. The first three are wholly new to southern col legiate football circles, while Bartlett participated in several struggles last year. All these men will be exceptional ma terial for next year.
 CLEMENS A FIND
 Undoubtedly the find of the season was Albert H. Clemens the alert left end who starred in every engagement or the Crimson squad this year. He will no doubt be picked by large number or writers for all-southern. and he will be looked forward to as one of the strong est assets of the 1921 squad. Tram Ses- sions. Sid Johnston and Red Brown all came up to what was expected of thefl, and that was a lot. Sessions will prob ably return for another years service with the 1921 tide"
 New men in the line who have been developing into powerful assets for next wear are F1Orettl, IlSnt Slo, SooPSA, right tackle; Hunt right guard; Mont gomery, substitute left guard. With fond hopes of a 1921 championship ruthlessly blasted on Ponce de Leon a week ago, Ala bama immediately turned her face to the more golden future, and 1t will be with glowing expectancy that she impatiently awaits the return of gridiron activities next fall.
 Alabama is gratified, immensely grati- fed with this seasons outcome. The seasons record follows:
 Alabama 59, Southern Military acad- en1y o.
 Alabama 4e, Marion institute 0.
 Alabama 45, Birmingham-Southern 0.
 Alabama 57, Mississippi college c.
 Alabama 33. Howard college 0.
 Alabama 21, Sewanee o.
 Alabama IA, Vanderbilt T.
 Alabama 21, Louisiana State univer> sity O.
 Alabama IA, Georgia 21.
 Alabama 24, Mississippi A. X M '.
 Alabama 4o Case college o.
 Cured His Rupture