1957 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

1957 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Record	2–7–1 (1–6–1 SEC)
Head coach	Jennings B. Whitworth (3rd season)
Captains	Jim Loftin Clay Walls
Home stadium	Denny Stadium Legion Field Ladd Stadium
Seasons ←  1956 1958  →

1957 Southeastern Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 1 Auburn $	7	–	0	–	0			10	–	0	–	0
No. 7 Ole Miss	5	–	0	–	1			9	–	1	–	1
No. 14 Mississippi State	4	–	2	–	1			6	–	2	–	1
No. 17 Florida	4	–	2	–	1			6	–	2	–	1
No. 13 Tennessee	4	–	3	–	0			8	–	3	–	0
Vanderbilt	3	–	3	–	1			5	–	3	–	2
LSU	4	–	4	–	0			5	–	5	–	0
Georgia Tech	3	–	4	–	1			4	–	4	–	2
Georgia	3	–	4	–	0			3	–	7	–	0
Tulane	1	–	5	–	0			2	–	8	–	0
Alabama	1	–	6	–	1			2	–	7	–	1
Kentucky	1	–	7	–	0			3	–	7	–	0
$ – Conference champion Rankings from AP Poll

The 1957 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1957 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 63rd overall and 24th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Jennings B. Whitworth, in his third year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and at Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished with a record of two wins, seven losses and one tie (2–7–1 overall, 1–6–1 in the SEC).

Alabama opened the season by going winless over their first five games. After a loss at LSU, the Crimson Tide played Vanderbilt to a tie at Nashville. They then lost to TCU, Tennessee and Mississippi State before they won their first game at Georgia. The Crimson Tide then lost consecutive home games to Tulane and Georgia Tech before they won their second game of the season against Mississippi Southern. Alabama then closed the season with a 40–0 loss in the Iron Bowl against eventual national champion Auburn.

On October 24, University officials announced the contract of head coach Whitworth would not be renewed when it expired December 1 at the conclusion of the season. On December 3, former Maryland, Kentucky and then Texas A&M head coach and former Alabama player Bear Bryant was hired as both the head coach of the football team and athletic director at Alabama.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 28	at LSU	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry)	L 0–28	33,728	[1]
October 5	at No. 20 Vanderbilt	Dudley Field Nashville, TN	T 6–6	24,500	[2]
October 12	at TCU *	Amon G. Carter Stadium Fort Worth, TX	L 0–28	20,000	[3]
October 19	Tennessee	Legion Field Birmingham, AL (Third Saturday in October)	L 0–14	32,000	[4]
October 26	Mississippi State	Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)	L 13–25	28,000	[5]
November 2	at Georgia	Sanford Stadium Athens, GA (rivalry)	W 14–13	30,000	[6]
November 9	Tulane	Ladd Stadium Mobile, AL	L 0–7	15,000	[7]
November 16	Georgia Tech	Legion Field Birmingham, AL (rivalry)	L 7–10	30,000	[8]
November 23	Mississippi Southern *	Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	W 29–2	18,500	[9]
November 30	vs. No. 1 Auburn	Legion Field Birmingham, AL (Iron Bowl)	L 0–40	45,000	[10]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

^[11]

Game summaries

LSU

See also: 1957 LSU Tigers football team

1 2 3 4 Total Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 •LSU 7 0 14 7 28 Date: September 28 Location: Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA Game attendance: 33,728 Source: [12] [13]

To open the 1957 season, Alabama was shutout by LSU 28–0 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. ^{[12] [13] [14]} LSU took the opening kickoff and drove 67-yards for a one-yard Jim Taylor touchdown run that gave the Tigers a 7–0 lead at halftime after a scoreless second quarter. ^{[12] [13]} In the third quarter, Win Turner intercepted an Alabama pass that gave LSU possession at their 40-yard line. Six plays later, Turner then threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to J. W. Brodnax for a 14–0 lead. ^{[12] [13]} Billy Cannon then scored the final two Tigers' touchdowns for the 28–0 victory. The first came on a 53-yard run in the third quarter and the second on a 73-yard run in the fourth quarter that followed a fake punt. ^{[12] [13]} The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against LSU to 15–7–4. ^[15]

Vanderbilt

See also: 1957 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

1 2 3 4 Total Alabama 6 0 0 0 6 #20 Vanderbilt 0 6 0 0 6 Date: October 5 Location: Dudley Field Nashville, TN Game attendance: 24,000 Sources: [16] [17]

In their second consecutive road game to open the 1957 season, the Crimson Tide played the Vanderbilt Commodores to a 6–6 tie at Dudley Field. ^{[14] [16] [17]} Alabama took an early 6–0 lead on a short James Loftin touchdown run that capped their first offensive possession. ^{[16] [17]} The Commodores then tied the game 6–6 in the second quarter on a four-yard William Smith touchdown run. ^{[16] [17]} The Crimson Tide nearly pulled off the upset late in the fourth quarter after a 58-yard Jerry Daniel punt return gave Alabama possession at the Vandy eight-yard line. However, Alabama was unable to score as time expired just prior to a fourth down play from inside the five-yard line. ^{[16] [17]} The tie brought Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 18–16–2. ^[18]

TCU

See also: 1957 TCU Horned Frogs football team

1 2 3 4 Total Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 •TCU 0 14 7 7 28 Date: October 12 Location: Carter Stadium Fort Worth, TX Sources: [19] [20]

For the third consecutive season, Alabama played the Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs of the Southwest Conference, and for the third time in as many years the Crimson Tide lost 28–0. ^{[14] [19] [20]} After a scoreless first quarter, TCU took a 14–0 halftime lead after they scored a pair short second-quarter touchdown runs by Buddy Dike and Marvin Lasater. ^[19] The Frogs then closed the game with a 49-yard Dick Finney quarterback sneak for a touchdown in the third and on a short Jim Shofner touchdown run in the fourth to win 28–0. ^[19] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against TCU to 0–3. ^[21]

Tennessee

See also: 1957 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Third Saturday in October

1 2 3 4 Total •Tennessee 0 0 0 14 14 Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 Date: October 19 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Sources: [22] [23]

In their annual rivalry game against Tennessee, the score was tied at zero as the teams entered the fourth quarter. However, a pair of touchdowns by the Volunteers in the final quarter gave Tennessee the 14–0 victory in Birmingham. ^{[14] [22] [23]} The Vols touchdowns were scored on a nine-yard Bobby Gordon touchdown pass to Tommy Potts and then on a four-yard Gordon run in the win. ^{[22] [23]} The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 18–17–5. ^[24]

Mississippi State

See also: 1957 Mississippi State Maroons football team

1 2 3 4 Total •Mississippi State 6 6 0 13 25 Alabama 6 0 0 7 13 Date: October 26 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 28,000 Sources: [25] [26]

One year after the Crimson Tide defeated Mississippi State to end their 17-game losing streak, the Maroons were victorious on homecoming at Denny Stadium by a final score of 25–13. ^{[14] [25] [26]} Alabama took a 6–0 lead on the second play of the game when Jim Loftin scored on a 65-yard touchdown run. ^{[25] [26]} The lead was short lived as on the Maroons possession that ensued, Billy Stacy threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Charles Weatherly that tied the game 6–6. ^{[25] [26]} State then took a 12–6 halftime lead on a 21-yard Gil Peterson touchdown run in the second quarter. ^{[25] [26]}

After a scoreless third quarter, the Maroons extended their lead to 25–6 in the fourth quarter on short touchdown runs by Molly Halbert and Robert Collins. ^{[25] [26]} The Crimson Tide then made the final score 25–13 on a 62-yard Bobby Jackson touchdown pass to Marlin Dyess late in the final period. ^{[25] [26]} The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 29–10–3. ^[27]

Georgia

See also: 1957 Georgia Bulldogs football team

1 2 3 4 Total •Alabama 0 14 0 0 14 Georgia 6 0 7 0 13 Date: November 2 Location: Sanford Stadium Athens, GA Game attendance: 30,000 Sources: [28] [29]

Against the Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama won their first game of the season 14–13 at Sanford Stadium in Athens. ^{[14] [28] [29]} The Bulldogs took a 6–0 first quarter lead after Theron Sapp scored on a one-yard touchstone run. ^{[28] [29]} The Crimson Tide responded with a pair of second-quarter touchdowns and took a 14–6 halftime lead. Both scores came on a pair of Bobby Smith touchdown passes, the first to Charles Gray from 46-yards and the second to Willie Beck from 16-yards out. ^{[28] [29]} Georgia was able to score a second touchdown in the third quarter on a six-yard Charles Britt pass to Donald Soberdash; however, the blocked extra point from their first score provided the final margin of defeat for the Bulldogs. ^{[28] [29]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 22–17–4. ^[30]

Tulane

See also: 1957 Tulane Green Wave football team

1 2 3 4 Total •Tulane 7 0 0 0 7 Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 Date: November 9 Location: Ladd Stadium Mobile, AL Sources: [31] [32]

In their annual home game played at Ladd Stadium, the Crimson Tide were shutout 7–0 by the Tulane Green Wave at Mobile. ^{[14] [31] [32]} The only points of the game came on a four-yard Richie Petitbon touchdown run in the first quarter. ^{[31] [32]} The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Tulane to 17–9–2. ^[33]

Georgia Tech

See also: 1957 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team

1 2 3 4 Total •Georgia Tech 0 0 0 10 10 Alabama 7 0 0 0 7 Date: November 16 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 30,000 Sources: [34] [35]

Against Georgia Tech, Alabama lost 10–7 to the Yellow Jackets at Legion Field. ^{[14] [34] [35]} The Crimson Tide took a 7–0 first quarter lead after Danny Wilbanks scored on a one-yard touchdown run that capped an 80-yard drive. ^{[34] [35]} Alabama held the lead through the fourth quarter, but Tech scored ten points to win in the final period. Freddie Braselton tied the game 7–7 with his one-yard touchdown run and then Urban Henry scored the game-winning field goal late in the fourth that made the final score 10–7. ^{[34] [35]} The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 18–18–3. ^[36]

Mississippi Southern

See also: Southern Miss Golden Eagles football

1 2 3 4 Total Miss Southern 0 0 0 2 2 •Alabama 0 7 15 7 29 Date: November 23 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 18,500 Sources: [37] [38]

In their final non-conference game of the season, Alabama won their second game of the season against the Mississippi Southern Golden Eagles 29–2 at Denny Stadium. ^{[14] [37] [38]} After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 7–0 halftime lead on a one-yard Danny Wilbanks touchdown run in the second quarter. ^{[37] [38]} After Wilbanks scored his second touchdown in the third quarter, Southern gave up a safety on a bad snap on a punt attempt. ^{[37] [38]} On the free kick that ensued, Clay Walls returned it 66-yards for a touchdown and a 22–0 lead. ^{[37] [38]} After the Crimson Tide took a 29–0 lead in the fourth quarter on a 14-yard Bobby Skelton touchdown pass to Marlin Dyess before the Southerners ended the shutout attempt when Skelton was sacked for a safety. ^{[37] [38]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi Southern to 7–2–1. ^[39]

Auburn

See also: 1957 Auburn Tigers football team

Iron Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total •#1 Auburn 14 20 6 0 40 Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 Date: November 30 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 45,000 Sources: [40] [41]

Against the rival Auburn, the Tigers scored 34 first half points en route to a 40–0 shutout victory at Legion Field in the season finale. ^{[14] [40] [41]} After the Tigers recovered an Alabama fumble on their first possession, Auburn took a 7–0 lead on a one-yard Bill Atkins touchdown run. ^{[40] [41]} Atkins then extended their lead to 14–0 with a six-yard touchdown run later in the first that capped a six-play, 62-yard drive. ^{[40] [41]} Up by 14, three second-quarter touchdowns resulted in a 34–0 halftime lead for Auburn. Points were scored on a two-yard Lloyd Nix run and on interception returns of 21-yards by Tommy Lorino and 66-yards by Jackie Burkett. ^{[40] [41]}

The final Auburn touchdown was scored in the third on a 27-yard Nix pass to Jim Phillips that made the final score 40–0. ^{[40] [41]} The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 9–12–1. ^[42] Three days after their victory over the Crimson Tide, Auburn was recognized as the 1957 national champions by the Associated Press in their final poll of the season. ^[43]

After the season

In the week that followed their loss to Tennessee, the University of Alabama Faculty Committee on Physical Education and Athletics announced the University would not renew coach Whitworth's contract effective December 1 at the conclusion of the season. ^[44] On December 3, the University formally introduced then Texas A&M head coach and former Crimson Tide player Bear Bryant as the new head coach of the Crimson Tide. ^[45] At the time of the announcement, Bryant also became athletic director as the replacement for Hank Crisp and signed a ten-year contract to serve as Alabama's head coach. ^[45]

Personnel

Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Charles Allen Athens, Alabama End Willie Beck Northport, Alabama End Ralph Blalock Cullman, Alabama End Jim Blevins Moulton, Alabama Tackle Baxter Booth Athens, Alabama End Jerre Brannen Anniston, Alabama End Marshall Brown Ladysmith, Wisconsin Fullback Donald Cochran Birmingham, Alabama Guard Marlin Dyess Elba, Alabama Halfback Charles Gray Pell City, Alabama End William Hannah Indianapolis, Indiana Tackle Bobby Jackson Mobile, Alabama Quarterback William Knight Homewood, Alabama Halfback James Loftin Dothan, Alabama Halfback Sidney Neighbors Northport, Alabama Tackle Robert O'Steen Anniston, Alabama Fullback Donald Owen Memphis, Tennessee End Billy Raines Moulton, Alabama Guard Kenneth Roberts Anniston, Alabama Center Authur Scott Jasper, Alabama Tackle Dave Sington Birmingham, Alabama Tackle Robert Skelton Pell City, Alabama Quarterback Bobby Smith Brewton, Alabama Quarterback Sammy Smith Talladega, Alabama Guard Ravis Stickney Key West, Florida Fullback Richard Strum Biloxi, Mississippi Halfback Carl Valletto Oakmont, Pennsylvania End Bland Walker, Jr. Eutaw, Alabama Center Clay Walls Bessemer, Alabama Halfback Danny Wilbanks Tallassee, Alabama Fullback William Wood Guntersville, Alabama End Reference: [46]

Coaching staff Name Position Seasons at Alabama Alma Mater Jennings B. Whitworth Head coach 3 Alabama (1932) Lew Bostick Assistant coach 14 Alabama (1939) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 30 VPI (1920) Dorsey Gibson Assistant coach 2 Oklahoma A&M (1953) Jim Goostree Assistant coach 1 Tennessee (1952) Howard "Moose" Johnson Assistant coach 3 Georgia (1948) Joe Kilgrow Assistant coach 14 Alabama (1937) Malcolm Laney Assistant coach 14 Alabama (1932) Barney Poole Assistant coach 2 Ole Miss (1948) Joe Thomas Assistant coach 3 Oklahoma A&M (1947) Reference: [47]

References

General

• "1957 Season Recaps" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 25, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2012.

Specific

1. "Cannon paces Tigers over Alabama, 28–0". The Montgomery Advertiser. September 29, 1957. Retrieved October 8, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
2. "'Bama gains upset tie, 6–6, with Commodores". Kingsport Times-News. October 6, 1957. Retrieved October 8, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
3. "TCU's long gainers stun 'Bama, 28–0". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 13, 1957. Retrieved October 8, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
4. "Gordon-led Vols beat Tide, 14–0". The Birmingham News. October 20, 1957. Retrieved March 31, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
5. "State rolls to victory". The Clarion-Ledger. October 27, 1957. Retrieved October 8, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
6. "Alabama finds winning touch, topples favored Georgia, 14–13". The Macon Telegraph & News. November 3, 1957. Retrieved October 8, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
7. "Tulane stops sputtering Tide". The Birmingham News. November 10, 1957. Retrieved September 19, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
8. "Tide loses 10 to 7 heartbreaker to Tech". The Birmingham News. November 17, 1957. Retrieved October 8, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
9. "Tide rolls, 29–2". The Birmingham News. November 24, 1957. Retrieved October 8, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
10. Max Mosley (December 1, 1957). "Auburn Mauls Hapless Alabama, 40-0 To Finish Unbeaten, Untied, Uninvited". The Montgomery Advertiser. pp. 1C, 2C – via Newspapers.com.
11. "1957 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
12. Ragsdale, W. B. Jr. (September 29, 1957). "LSU slaps Crimson Tide in opener, 28–0". The Florence Times. p. 10. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
13. Land, Charles (September 29, 1957). "Bama loses to LSU Tiger in opener, 28–0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
14. 1957 Season Recap
15. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Louisiana State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
16. Davis, Ben (October 6, 1957). "Tide battles Vandy to 6–6 tie as final drive halted". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
17. "Underdog Bama gets 6–6 tie in Vandy tilt". The Gadsden Times. October 6, 1957. p. 1. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
18. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
19. Land, Charles (October 13, 1957). "TCU crosses goal 4 times to whip Bama". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
20. Ford, Robert E. (October 13, 1957). "TCU batters 'Bama by 28 to 0 margin". The Florence Times. p. 11. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
21. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Texas Christian". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
22. Land, Charles (October 20, 1957). "Tennessee thumps Tide in last period, 14 to 0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 12. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
23. Smith, James W. (October 20, 1957). "Tide bows 14–0 after Tennessee unleashes drive". The Gadsden Times. p. 1. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
24. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
25. Land, Charles (October 27, 1957). "Stunned State steams by Crimson Tide, 25 to 13". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 10. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
26. Cox, Don (October 27, 1957). "Maroons subdue Bama, 25 to 13, nip homecoming". The Gadsden Times. p. 1. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
27. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
28. Bolton, Clyde (November 3, 1957). "Crimson Tide rolls, 14–13". The Gadsden Times. p. 1. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
29. Butler, Vernon (November 3, 1957). "Tide beats Georgia for first win". The Miami News. Associated Press. p. 11. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
30. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
31. Land, Charles (November 10, 1957). "Tulane topples Tide with first quarter score, 7–0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 14. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
32. Atkins, Stan (November 10, 1957). "Tulane nips Bama in close tilt, 7–0". The Florence Times. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
33. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
34. Land, Charles (November 17, 1957). "Tide fails in stretch as Tech wins, 10 to 7". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
35. Simms, Leroy (November 17, 1957). "Georgia Tech wins close contest from 'Bama, 10–7". The Florence Times. Associated Press. p. 10. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
36. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia Tech". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
37. Land, Charles (November 24, 1957). "Crimson Tide breaks jinx, blasts Southerners 29–2". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
38. Simms, Leroy (November 24, 1957). "Bama blasts Southern". The Florence Times. Associated Press. p. 11. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
39. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Southern Mississippi". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
40. Bassett, Norman (December 1, 1957). "Upset plans go awry as Tigers whip Tide". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
41. Griffin, John Chandler (2001). "1957: 10–0 Tigers win SEC championship". Alabama vs. Auburn: Gridiron Grudge Since 1893. Athens, Georgia: Hill Street Press. pp. 154–156. ISBN   1-58818-044-1.
42. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Auburn". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
43. Wilks, Ed (December 3, 1957). "Auburn ruled national champ, Buckeyes second". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 10. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
44. Land, Charles (October 24, 1957). "Whit's departure official". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 21. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
45. Land, Charles (December 3, 1957). "Bryant signs 10-year pact as coach of Crimson Tide". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
46. "All-Time Tide Football Lettermen". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. pp. 127–141.
47. "All-Time Assistant Coaches". 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2011. pp. 142–143.