For the 1894 season, Eli Abbott returned as head coach and the team sought to improve upon their winless record of 1893. In October 1894, the Birmingham Age-Herald noted the squad was considerably heavier and more conditioned for the season than in the previous year, and as such predicted Alabama would have a successful season. At that time, the initial schedule was also announced and included games against both Vanderbilt on November 5 and North Carolina on November 19, but neither game was ever played.
Schedule
Source: Rolltide.com: 1894 Alabama football schedule
Game summaries
Ole Miss
In what was the first ever game played outside the state of Alabama, in their first all-time game against long-time rival Ole Miss, Alabama lost 6–0 at Jackson, Mississippi. In a game dominated by both defenses, the only points of the game came on an Ole Miss touchdown run by William Cook in the first half. This game was notable for also being the first college football game played at Jackson.
Tulane
After a loss against Mississippi to open the season, Alabama made their first trip to Louisiana and played future conference rival Tulane for the first time and won the game at Sportsmen's Park in New Orleans 18–6. Eli Abbott scored for Alabama first and gave the Crimsons a 4–0 at the end of the first half. Tulane then took a 6–4 lead early in the second half when James Buchanan scored on a touchdown run and Edward Nelson kicked the point after attempt. Alabama responded with three more Abbott touchdown runs and a single conversion from William Walker and won the game 18–6. The first score came on a 30-yard punt return, the second on a 10-yard run and the third on a five-yard run.
Sewanee
After losing to in their previous contest, Alabama won 24–4 in the rematch. After Sewanee took an early 4–0 lead, Alabama tied the game later in the first half when Samuel Slone scored on a 40-yard touchdown run. After Eli Abbott scored on a touchdown run early in the second half to give Alabama their first lead 8–4, Slone scored again on a 25-yard run. M. H. Bankhead and C. C. Nesmith each scored touchdowns late and Allen McCants converted both PATs for the Alabama 24–4 victory.
Auburn
At Riverside Park in Montgomery, Alabama defeated the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Alabama 18–0 for their first victory in the Iron Bowl. After a defensive struggle early in the game, Alabama scored their first touchdown on a J. E. Shelly run and Allen McCants kicked the PAT to give the Crimsons a 6–0 halftime lead. Eli Abbott then scored both second half touchdowns on runs of three and 75-yards and McCants converted both PATs to give Alabama the 18–0 win. Played on Thanksgiving, over 4,000 people were in attendance at the game.
Players
The following players were members of the 1894 football team according to the roster published in the 1895 edition of The Corolla, the University of Alabama yearbook.
