1997 Alabama Crimson Tide football team explained
The 1997 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the college football season of 1997–98. The team's head coach was Mike DuBose, who was entering his first year at Alabama. They played their home games at both Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, and competed in the West Division of the Southeastern Conference. Alabama would finish with a record of 4–7 record in suffering the program's first losing season since the 1984 season. The loss against Kentucky (their first to the Wildcats since 1922) marked Alabama's first ever overtime game, as overtime rules for college football had gone into effect the previous season.
Schedule
[1]
Rankings
See also: 1997 NCAA Division I-A football rankings.
Coaching staff
| Name | Position | Consecutive seasons at Alabama |
|---|
| | 1st |
| Offensive coordinator/Quarterback coach | 1st |
| | 5th |
| Offensive line coach | 1st |
| Woody McCorvey | Wide receivers coach | 8th |
| Ivy Williams | | 4th |
| Defensive coordinator/Defensive line | 1st |
| Secondary coach | 2nd |
| Jeff Rouzie | Linebackers coach | 7th |
| Special teams coordinator | 7th |
| Graduate Assistant | 2nd |
| Reference:[2] | |
Game summaries
Houston
See also: 1997 Houston Cougars football team. A sell-out crowd filled Legion Field as the Mike Dubose era got off to a great start with the Crimson Tide rolling to a big win over Houston. Alabama's 42 points was the most any Alabama team had put up in a game since the season opener in 1994.
| Statistics | style=" | Houston! | Alabama |
|---|
| First downs | 15 | 25 |
| Total yards | 384 | 466 |
| Rushing yards | 114 | 213 |
| Passing yards | 270 | 253 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 28:01 | 31:59 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Houston | Passing | | 7–14, 143 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | | 12 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Robbie Wheeler | 6 receptions, 107 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | | 12–19, 168 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | | 11 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Curtis Alexander
Chad Goss | 2 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD
2 receptions, 50 yards |
|
Vanderbilt
See also: 1997 Vanderbilt Commodores football team. Alabama defense would hold Vanderbilt offense to 124 yards as the Crimson Tide won its first road and conference game of the year in shutout fashion.
| Statistics | Alabama | Vanderbilt |
|---|
| First downs | 9 | 9 |
| Total yards | 238 | 124 |
| Rushing yards | 75 | 66 |
| Passing yards | 163 | 58 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 30:16 | 29:44 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Alabama | Passing | | 10–18, 124 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's |
| Rushing | Dennis Riddle | 13 carries, 31 yards |
| Receiving | | 3 receptions, 67 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Damian Allen | 6–22, 58 yards |
| Rushing | | 10 carries, 43 yards |
| Receiving | | 3 receptions, 41 yards | |
Arkansas
See also: 1997 Arkansas Razorbacks football team. For the second time in a row, Arkansas would come to Bryant-Denny Stadium and upset a ranked Alabama team by one point. Alabama held a 16-10 lead late in the game but, an Anthony Eubanks touchdown grab of 29 yards from Clint Stoerner gave Arkansas a one-point win.
| Statistics | style=" | Arkansas ! | Alabama |
|---|
| First downs | 14 | 15 |
| Total yards | 270 | 247 |
| Rushing yards | 70 | 106 |
| Passing yards | 200 | 141 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 29:02 | 30:58 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Arkansas | Passing | | 16–21, 200 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | | 12 carries, 65 yards |
| Receiving | Anthony Eubanks | 7 receptions, 104 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | | 10–17, 84 yards |
| Rushing | Dennis Riddle | 12 carries, 49 yards |
| Receiving | Calvin Hall | 4 receptions, 48 yards |
|
Southern Miss
See also: 1997 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team. After being tied at halftime, Alabama would outscore Southern Miss 17-3 in the second half, led by Alabama defense forcing three Southern Miss turnovers.
| Statistics | style=" | Southern Miss ! | Alabama |
|---|
| First downs | 19 | 12 |
| Total yards | 293 | 275 |
| Rushing yards | 67 | 105 |
| Passing yards | 226 | 170 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 29:34 | 30:26 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Southern Miss | Passing | Lee Roberts | 21–40, 226 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's |
| Rushing | | 20 carries, 79 yards |
| Receiving | | 7 receptions, 132 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | | 11–18, 167 yards, 2 TD's |
| Rushing | | 16 carries, 66 yards |
| Receiving | | 2 receptions, 58 yards |
|
Kentucky
See also: 1997 Kentucky Wildcats football team. A back and forth shootout ended with a 26-yard game-winning touchdown pass from Kentucky QB Tim Couch to give Kentucky its first win over Alabama since 1922. Alabama had the ball first in overtime but, a Chad Goss fumble gave Kentucky an opportunity to score and win with their possession. This would mark the first overtime game ever for both teams.
| Statistics | Alabama | Kentucky |
|---|
| First downs | 20 | 23 |
| Total yards | 410 | 457 |
| Rushing yards | 239 | 102 |
| Passing yards | 171 | 355 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 35:04 | 24:56 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Alabama | Passing | | 13–24, 125 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT |
| Rushing | | 15 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Chad Goss | 3 receptions, 59 yards, 1 TD |
| Kentucky | Passing | | 32–49, 355 yards, 4 TD's 3 INT's |
| Rushing | Anthony White | 15 carries, 117 yards |
| Receiving | Derek Homer | 3 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD | |
Tennessee
See also: 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team. For the third straight year, Tennessee would beat Alabama. Alabama would kick two early field goals to have a 6-0 lead but Tennessee would score the next 28 points to put the game out of reach for Alabama. This game would be the last Third Saturday in October game to be played at Legion Field.
| Statistics | style=" | Tennessee ! | Alabama |
|---|
| First downs | 23 | 13 |
| Total yards | 393 | 225 |
| Rushing yards | 89 | 72 |
| Passing yards | 304 | 153 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 31:35 | 28:25 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Tennessee | Passing | | 23–37, 304 yards, 3 TD's |
| Rushing | | 17 carries, 67 yards |
| Receiving | | 4 receptions, 78 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Passing | | 13–39, 153 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | | 16 carries, 38 yards |
| Receiving | | 6 receptions, 66 yards |
|
Ole Miss
See also: 1997 Ole Miss Rebels football team. Mike DuBose would get his first win against a ranked team as the Crimson Tide ended their two-game losing streak with a win against Ole Miss.
| Statistics | Alabama | Ole Miss |
|---|
| First downs | 22 | 19 |
| Total yards | 526 | 420 |
| Rushing yards | 297 | 163 |
| Passing yards | 229 | 257 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 36:37 | 23:23 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Alabama | Passing | | 15–22, 229 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | | 16 carries, 141 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 5 receptions, 119 yards |
| Ole Miss | Passing | | 22–37, 257 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | | 15 carries, 148 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Andre Rone | 4 receptions, 67 yards | |
Louisiana Tech
See also: 1997 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team. For the first time since the 1990 season, Alabama would lose a non-conference game. This was also the first homecoming loss for Alabama since 1990, and the first time Louisiana Tech had ever defeated Alabama. Coming into the game, the Bulldogs had the third-ranked passing offense in college football.
| Statistics | style=" | Louisiana Tech! | Alabama |
|---|
| First downs | 23 | 23 |
| Total yards | 522 | 389 |
| Rushing yards | 161 | 127 |
| Passing yards | 361 | 262 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 33:50 | 26:10 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Louisiana Tech | Passing | | 29–48, 361 yards, 3 TD's |
| Rushing | Bobby Ray Tell | 17 carries, 98 yards |
| Receiving | | 9 receptions, 126 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Passing | | 14–32, 228 yards, 2 TD's |
| Rushing | | 18 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 4 receptions, 55 yards |
|
LSU
See also: 1997 LSU Tigers football team. LSU returned the favor after Alabama shutout LSU in Tiger Stadium in 1996 by shutting out Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium. This was the first time Alabama had been shutout since 1991.
| Statistics | style=" | LSU! | Alabama |
|---|
| First downs | 17 | 15 |
| Total yards | 370 | 250 |
| Rushing yards | 265 | 157 |
| Passing yards | 105 | 93 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 30:22 | 29:38 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| LSU | Passing | | 7–13, 105 yards |
| Rushing | | 27 carries, 168 yards, 2 TD's |
| Receiving | Abram Booty | 3 receptions, 66 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | | 8–24, 93 yards |
| Rushing | | 24 carries, 95 yards |
| Receiving | | 1 reception, 22 yards |
|
Mississippi State
See also: 1997 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team. For the first time since 1957, Mississippi State would win in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The loss also meant Alabama would not win a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time since 1955. The loss also guaranteed Alabama its first losing season since 1984.
| Statistics | style=" | Mississippi State! | Alabama |
|---|
| First downs | 23 | 13 |
| Total yards | 500 | 247 |
| Rushing yards | 347 | 113 |
| Passing yards | 153 | 134 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 31:02 | 28:58 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Mississippi State | Passing | Matt Wyatt | 10–20, 153 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | | 23 carries, 198 yards, 2 TD's |
| Receiving | Lamont Woodberry | 4 receptions, 45 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | Lance Tucker | 7–11, 81 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Dennis Riddle | 13 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 3 receptions, 63 yards |
|
Auburn
See also: 1997 Auburn Tigers football team. Despite being an underdog, Alabama would lead for most of the game and be in a position to put the game away but an Ed Scissum fumble recovered by Auburn put them in field goal range to take the lead and ultimately give them the win. Alabama would try a 57-yard field goal with A.J. Diaz as time expired but it fell short. Alabama seven losses was the most Alabama had had in a season since 1957.
| Statistics | Alabama | Auburn |
|---|
| First downs | 15 | 19 |
| Total yards | 299 | 275 |
| Rushing yards | 156 | 62 |
| Passing yards | 143 | 213 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 31:39 | 28:21 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Alabama | Passing | | 12–18, 134 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | | 13 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 7 receptions, 79 yards |
| Auburn | Passing | | 14–34, 213 yards, 2 INT's |
| Rushing | Rusty Williams | 6 carries, 27 yards |
| Receiving | Hicks Poor | 5 receptions, 55 yards |
|
[3] Notes and References
- Web site: 1997 Alabama football archives . RollTide.com . University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics . February 20, 2021.
- 1997 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide, p. 2
- Web site: 1997 Alabama Crimson Tide Football . October 18, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120326073023/http://www.rolltide.com/datadump/fls_files/files/football/1997/1997stats.pdf . March 26, 2012 . dead .
