1974 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

1974 Alabama Crimson Tide football
SEC champion
Orange Bowl, L 11–13 vs. Notre Dame
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 2
AP	No. 5
Record	11–1 (6–0 SEC)
Head coach	Bear Bryant (17th season)
Captains	Sylvester Croom Ricky Davis
Home stadium	Denny Stadium Legion Field
Seasons ←  1973 1975  →

1974 Southeastern Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 5 Alabama $	6	–	0	–	0			11	–	1	–	0
No. 8 Auburn	4	–	2	–	0			10	–	2	–	0
Georgia	4	–	2	–	0			6	–	6	–	0
No. 17 Mississippi State	3	–	3	–	0			9	–	3	–	0
No. 15 Florida	3	–	3	–	0			8	–	4	–	0
Kentucky	3	–	3	–	0			6	–	5	–	0
No. 20 Tennessee	2	–	3	–	1			7	–	3	–	2
Vanderbilt	2	–	3	–	1			7	–	3	–	2
LSU	2	–	4	–	0			5	–	5	–	1
Ole Miss	0	–	6	–	0			3	–	8	–	0
$ – Conference champion Rankings from AP Poll

The 1974 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1974 NCAA Division I football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 80th overall and 41st season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 17th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with eleven wins and one loss (11–1 overall, 6–0 in the SEC), as SEC champions and with a loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.

As they entered the 1974 season, the Crimson Tide were one of the favorites to compete for the national championship. In their first game of the season, Alabama narrowly escaped with a win at Maryland in what was Bryant's first visit to College Park since he resigned as the Terrapins' head coach after their 1945 season. They followed with victories over Southern Miss, Vanderbilt and Ole Miss before they played in their closest game of the season against Florida State. Although the Crimson Tide entered their contest against the 0-4 Seminoles as a heavy favorite, they trailed for nearly the entire game until Bucky Berrey connected on the game-winning field goal from 36-yards out with only 0:33 left in the game. It was the closest Florida State would come to victory until scoring their only win at Miami in their ninth game to break a 20-game losing streak dating back to 1972.

In their next game, Alabama defeated rival Tennessee. After the Vols scored on a second quarter touchdown run, the Crimson Tide defense did not surrender another for 17 consecutive quarters against TCU, Mississippi State, LSU, and Miami. Alabama then closed the season with an Iron Bowl victory over Auburn, but then failed to capture the national championship after they lost to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. The loss extended their winless streak in bowl games to eight (0–7–1), which ended the following year.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 14	at No. 14 Maryland *	No. 3	Byrd Stadium College Park, MD		W 21–16	54,412
September 21	Southern Miss *	No. 5	Legion Field Birmingham, AL		W 52–0	65,181
September 28	Vanderbilt	No. 4	Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL		W 23–10	58,419
October 5	at Ole Miss	No. 3	Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS (rivalry)	ABC	W 35–21	45,500
October 12	Florida State *	No. 3	Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL		W 8–7	58,394
October 19	at Tennessee	No. 4	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (Third Saturday in October)		W 28–6	74,286
October 26	TCU *	No. 4	Legion Field Birmingham, AL		W 41–3	63,191
November 2	No. 17 Mississippi State	No. 4	Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)		W 35–0	59,069
November 9	LSU	No. 3	Legion Field Birmingham, AL (rivalry)	ABC	W 30–0	70,364
November 16	at Miami *	No. 2	Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL		W 28–7	26,265
November 29	vs. No. 7 Auburn	No. 2	Legion Field Birmingham, AL (Iron Bowl)	ABC	W 17–13	71,224
January 1, 1975	vs. No. 9 Notre Dame *	No. 2	Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL (Orange Bowl)	NBC	L 11–13	71,801
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

^[1]

Game summaries

Maryland

See also: 1974 Maryland Terrapins football team

1 2 3 4 Total •#3 Alabama 7 7 7 0 21 #14 Maryland 0 6 3 7 16 Date: September 14 Location: Byrd Stadium College Park, Maryland Game attendance: 54,412 Sources: [2] [3]

Scoring summary 1 Alabama Calvin Culliver 7-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 7–0 2 Alabama Calvin Culliver 73-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 14–0 2 Maryland Steve Mike-Mayer 32-yard field goal Alabama 14–3 2 Maryland Steve Mike-Mayer 35-yard field goal Alabama 14–6 3 Maryland Steve Mike-Mayer 40-yard field goal Alabama 14–9 3 Alabama Richard Todd 1-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 21–9 4 Maryland Louis Carter 1-yard run (Steve Mike-Mayer kick) Alabama 21–16

As they entered their first game of the 1974 season, Alabama was ranked as the USA's No. 3 team and Maryland as the No. 14 team in the AP Poll. ^[4] Before what was then the largest crowd to ever attend a college football game in the state of Maryland, the Crimson Tide entered the game as a two-touchdown favorite, but struggled to a 21–16 win over the Terrapins. ^{[2] [3] [5]} Alabama took a 14–0 lead in the second quarter behind a pair of Calvin Culliver touchdown runs. He scored one in each of the first two quarter with the first from seven and the second from 73-yards. ^{[2] [3]} The Terrapins responded with a pair of Steve Mike-Mayer field goals from 32 and 35-yards in the second and one from 40-yards in the third that cut the lead to 14–9. ^{[2] [3]}

After Richard Todd extended the Crimson Tide lead to 21–9 with his one-yard touchdown run in the third, Louis Carter made the final score 21–16 with his one-yard touchdown run for Maryland in the fourth. ^{[2] [3]} This game also marked the first for coach Bryant at College Park since he resigned as the Terrapins' head coach after their 1945 season. ^[2] For his two touchdown, 169 yard performance, Culliver was recognized as the AP Southeastern Back of the Week. ^[6] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Maryland to 2–1. ^[7]

Southern Miss

See also: 1974 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team

1 2 3 4 Total Southern Miss 0 0 0 0 0 •#5 Alabama 7 14 7 24 52 Date: September 21 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama Game attendance: 65,181 Sources: [8] [9]

Scoring summary 1 Alabama Richard Todd 11-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 7–0 2 Alabama Russ Schamun 42-yard pass from Richard Todd (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 14–0 2 Alabama Randy Billingsley 5-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 21–0 3 Alabama Jack O'Rear 30-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 28–0 4 Alabama Danny Ridgeway 27-yard field goal Alabama 31–0 4 Alabama Ralph Stokes 25-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 38–0 4 Alabama Rick Watson 11-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 45–0 4 Alabama John Boles 50-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 52–0

After their closer than expected victory over Maryland, Alabama dropped into the No. 5 position of the AP Poll prior to their game against Southern Miss. ^[10] Against the Golden Eagles the Crimson Tide amassed 643 yards of total offense en route to this 52–0 victory at Legion Field. ^{[5] [8] [9]} Alabama took a 7–0 first quarter lead on an 11-yard Richard Todd touchdown run. They then extended it to 21–0 at halftime behind a 42-yard Todd touchdown pass to Russ Schamun and a five-yard Randy Billingsley touchdown run. ^{[8] [9]}

A 30-yard Jack O'Rear touchdown run in the third made the score 28–0 as they entered the fourth quarter. In the final period, Danny Ridgeway connected on a 27-yard field goal and touchdowns were scored on runs of 25, 11 and 50-yards by Ralph Stokes, Rick Watson and John Boles respectively. ^{[8] [9]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Southern Miss to 14–2–1. ^[11]

Vanderbilt

See also: 1974 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

1 2 3 4 Total Vanderbilt 3 0 0 7 10 •#4 Alabama 7 3 10 3 23 Date: September 28 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama Game attendance: 58,419 Sources: [12] [13]

Scoring summary 1 Alabama Calvin Culliver 85-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 7–0 1 Vanderbilt Mark Adams 20-yard field goal Alabama 7–3 2 Alabama Bucky Berrey 36-yard field goal Alabama 10–3 3 Alabama Russ Schamun 14-yard pass from Richard Todd (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 17–3 3 Alabama Bucky Berrey 42-yard field goal Alabama 20–3 4 Alabama Danny Ridgeway 27-yard field goal Alabama 23–3 4 Vanderbilt Walter Overton 26-yard pass from Fred Fisher (Mark Adams kick) Alabama 23–10

After their victory over Southern Miss, Alabama moved into the No. 4 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt. ^[14] Against the Commodores, Vanderbilt kept it close, but ultimately fell to the Crimson Tide 23–10 in the first Tuscaloosa game of the season. ^{[5] [12] [13]} After Calvin Culliver gave Alabama a 7–0 lead with his 85-yard touchdown run, Mark Adams connected on a 20-yard field goal for Vanderbilt that made the score 7–3 at the end of the first quarter. A 36-yard Bucky Berrey field goal in the second quarter gave the Crimson Tide a 10–3 halftime lead. ^{[12] [13]}

In the third, Richard Todd threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Russ Schamun and Berrey connected on a 42-yard field goal that made the score 20–3 as the teams entered the final quarter. In the fourth, Danny Ridgeway connected on a 27-yard field goal for Alabama and Fred Fisher threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Walter Overton for the Commodores that made the final score 23–10. ^{[12] [13]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 31–17–4. ^[15]

Ole Miss

See also: 1974 Ole Miss Rebels football team

1 2 3 4 Total •#3 Alabama 7 7 14 7 35 Ole Miss 0 7 14 0 21 Date: October 5 Location: Memorial Stadium Jackson, Mississippi Game attendance: 45,500 Sources: [16] [17]

Scoring summary 1 Alabama James Taylor 3-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 7–0 2 Ole Miss Kenneth Lyons 9-yard run (Stephen Lavinghouze kick) 7–7 2 Alabama Willie Shelby 3-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 14–7 3 Ole Miss Kenneth Lyons 1-yard run (Stephen Lavinghouze kick) 14–14 3 Ole Miss Gary Turner 42-yard interception return (Stephen Lavinghouze kick) Ole Miss 21–14 3 Alabama Willie Shelby 58-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) 21–21 3 Alabama Rick Watson 8-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 28–21 4 Alabama Richard Todd 1-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 35–21

After their victory over Vanderbilt, Alabama moved into the No. 3 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Ole Miss. ^[18] Playing before a televised audience, the Crimson Tide defeated the Rebels 35–21 at Jackson. ^{[5] [16] [17]} Alabama took an early 7–0 lead on a three-yard James Taylor run in the first quarter. After the Rebels tied the game 7–7 on a nine-yard Kenneth Lyons touchdown run in the second, the Crimson Tide responded with a three-yard Willie Shelby touchdown run for a 14–7 halftime lead. ^{[16] [17]}

In the third, Ole Miss briefly took a 21–14 lead after touchdowns were scored on a one-yard Lyons run and a 42-yard Gary Turner interception return. ^{[16] [17]} Alabama responded with a pair of third quarter touchdowns of their own on runs of 58-yards by Shelby and eight-yards by Rick Watson. A one-yard Richard Todd touchdown run in the fourth quarter made the final score 35–21. ^{[16] [17]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss to 23–5–2. ^[19]

Florida State

See also: 1974 Florida State Seminoles football team

1 2 3 4 Total Florida State 7 0 0 0 7 •#3 Alabama 0 0 3 5 8 Date: October 12 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama Game attendance: 58,394 Sources: [20] [21]

Scoring summary 1 Florida State Larry Key 6-yard run (Ahmet Askin kick) Florida State 7–0 3 Alabama Bucky Berrey 44-yard field goal Florida State 7–3 4 Alabama Joe Downey ran out of the back of the end zone for safety Florida State 7–5 4 Alabama Bucky Berrey 36-yard field goal Alabama 8–7

After their victory over Ole Miss, Alabama retained their No. 3 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Florida State. ^[22] Against the Seminoles, the Crimson Tide trailed until the final minute of regulation when Bucky Berrey converted the game-winning field goal for the 8–7 victory. ^{[5] [20] [21]} The Seminoles took the opening kickoff and drove 78-yards on nine plays for a 7–0 lead behind a six-yard Larry Key touchdown run. ^{[20] [21]}

Florida State continued to hold their touchdown lead through the third quarter when the Crimson Tide scored their first points on a 44-yard Berrey field goal. With just 1:27 left in the game, Seminoles head coach Darrell Mudra elected to take an intentional safety instead of attempting a punt out of the endzone. He made this decision as Alabama had been close on a couple of previous attempts to block punts during the game, and did not want a block to occur in the endzone. ^[20] Down now 7–5, the Crimson Tide drove into field goal territory and Berrey hit the game winner from 36-yards out with only 0:33 left in the game. ^[21] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Florida State to 2–0–1. ^[23]

Tennessee

See also: 1974 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Third Saturday in October

1 2 3 4 Total •#4 Alabama 0 7 14 7 28 Tennessee 0 6 0 0 6 Date: October 19 Location: Neyland Stadium Knoxville, Tennessee Game attendance: 74,286 Sources: [24] [25]

Scoring summary 2 Alabama Willie Shelby 13-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 7–0 2 Tennessee Stanley Morgan 64-yard run (Ricky Townsend kick failed) Alabama 7–6 3 Alabama Willie Shelby 19-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 14–6 3 Alabama Calvin Culliver 30-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 21–6 4 Alabama Calvin Culliver 6-yard run (Bill Davis kick) Alabama 28–6

After their closer than expected victory over Florida State, Alabama dropped into the No. 4 position prior to their game at Tennessee. ^[26] Both Willie Shelby and Calvin Culliver each scored a pair of touchdowns for the Crimson Tide in this 28–6 victory over the Volunteers. ^{[5] [24] [25]} After a scoreless first, Alabama took a 7–0 on a 13-yard touchdown run by Willie Shelby in the second quarter. Tennessee responded with their only points on a 64-yard Stanley Morgan touchdown run and made the halftime score 7–6. ^{[24] [25]}

The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 21–6 at the end of the third behind touchdown runs of 19-yards by Shelby and 30-yards by Calvin Culliver. Culliver then scored the final points of the game with his six-yard touchdown run that made the final score 28–6. ^{[24] [25]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 27–23–7. ^[27]

TCU

See also: 1974 TCU Horned Frogs football team

1 2 3 4 Total TCU 0 3 0 0 3 •#4 Alabama 14 7 7 13 41 Date: October 26 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama Game attendance: 63,191 Sources: [28] [29]

Scoring summary 1 Alabama Robert Fraley 4-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 7–0 1 Alabama Rick Watson 1-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 14–0 2 TCU Tony Biasatti 30-yard field goal Alabama 14–3 2 Alabama George Pugh 5-yard pass from Robert Fraley (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 21–3 3 Alabama Ozzie Newsome 15-yard pass from Robert Fraley (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 28–3 4 Alabama Jerry Brown 15-yard pass from Jack O'Rear (Run failed) Alabama 34–3 4 Alabama Jack O'Rear 21-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 41–3

After their victory over Tennessee, Alabama retained their No. 4 position prior to their out of conference match-up against Texas Christian University (TCU) at Legion Field. ^[30] Against the Horned Frogs of the Southwest Conference, Alabama won 41–3 for their first all-time victory over TCU. ^{[5] [28] [29]} The Crimson Tide took a 14–0 lead in the first quarter behind touchdown runs of four and one-yard by Robert Fraley and Rick Watson before TCU scored their only points on a 30-yard Tony Biasatti field goal in the second. Alabama responded with a five-yard Robert Fraley touchdown pass to George Pugh just prior to the break that made the score 21–3 at halftime. ^{[28] [29]}

The Crimson Tide continued their scoring with three second half touchdowns en route to their 41–3 victory. Ozzie Newsome scored on a 15-yard Fraley pass in the third and Jack O'Rear threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Brown and scored on a 21-yard run in the fourth. ^{[28] [29]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against TCU to 1–3. ^[31]

Mississippi State

See also: 1974 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team

1 2 3 4 Total #17 Mississippi State 0 0 0 0 0 •#4 Alabama 6 13 0 16 35 Date: November 2 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama Game attendance: 59,069 Sources: [32] [33]

Scoring summary 1 Alabama Robert Fraley 1-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick failed) Alabama 6–0 2 Alabama Calvin Culliver 1-yard run (2-point run failed) Alabama 12–0 2 Alabama Richard Todd 2-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 19–0 4 Alabama Randy Billingsley 7-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick failed) Alabama 25–0 4 Alabama Bucky Berrey 42-yard field goal Alabama 28–0 4 Alabama Ray Sewell 5-yard run (Ron DiChiara kick) Alabama 35–0

As they entered their game against Mississippi State, Alabama retained their No. 4 position in the AP Poll and the Bulldogs were in the No. 17 position. ^[34] On homecoming and before what was then the largest crowd in the history of Denny Stadium, the Crimson Tide shutout Mississippi State 35–0 for the second consecutive season. ^{[5] [32] [33]} Alabama took a 6–0 first quarter lead behind a one-yard Robert Fraley touchdown run. They then extended it to 19–0 at halftime behind touchdown runs of one-yard by Calvin Culliver and two-yards by Richard Todd. ^{[32] [33]}

After a scoreless third, the Crimson Tide closed the game with 16 fourth quarter points for the 35–0 win. Touchdowns were scored in the final period on runs of seven-yards by Randy Billingsley and five-yards by Ray Sewell with a 42-yard Bucky Berrey field goal providing for the final margin. ^{[32] [33]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 46–10–3. ^[35]

LSU

See also: 1974 LSU Tigers football team

1 2 3 4 Total LSU 0 0 0 0 0 •#3 Alabama 7 16 0 7 30 Date: November 9 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama Game attendance: 70,364 Television network: ABC Sources: [36] [37]

Scoring summary 1 Alabama Calvin Culliver 1-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 7–0 2 Alabama Danny Ridgeway 20-yard field goal Alabama 10–0 2 Alabama Ricky Davis 29-yard fumble return (2-point pass failed) Alabama 16–0 2 Alabama Richard Todd 3-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 23–0 4 Alabama Jack O'Rear 2-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 30–0

After their victory over Mississippi State, Alabama moved into the No. 3 position in the AP Poll prior to their nationally televised game against LSU. ^[38] With their 30–0 victory over the rival Tigers, the Crimson Tide secured both a share of the 1974 conference championship and a place in the Orange Bowl. ^{[5] [36] [37]}

Alabama took a 7–0 first quarter lead behind a one-yard Calvin Culliver touchdown run. They extended it further to 23–0 at halftime after points were scored on a 20-yard Danny Ridgeway field goal, a 29-yard Ricky Davis fumble return and on a three-yard Richard Todd touchdown run. ^{[36] [37]} After a scoreless third, the Crimson Tide closed with a two-yard Jack O'Rear touchdown run in the fourth for the 30–0 win. ^{[36] [37]} For their performances, Willie Shelby was recognized as the SEC Back of the Week and Leroy Cook was recognized as the SEC Lineman of the Week. ^[39] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against LSU to 24–10–4. ^[40]

Miami (FL)

See also: 1974 Miami Hurricanes football team

1 2 3 4 Total •#2 Alabama 14 7 0 7 28 Miami 0 0 0 7 7 Date: November 16 Location: Orange Bowl Miami, Florida Game attendance: 26,265 Sources: [41] [42]

Scoring summary 1 Alabama George Pugh 8-yard pass from Richard Todd (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 7–0 1 Alabama Jerry Brown 8-yard pass from Richard Todd (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 14–0 2 Alabama Gary Rutledge 12-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 21–0 4 Miami Johnny Williams 1-yard run (Chris Dennis kick) Alabama 21–7 4 Alabama Willie Shelby 62-yard punt return (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 28–7

As they entered their game against Miami, Alabama moved into the No. 2 position in the AP Poll. ^[43] Before a relatively small crowd, Alabama defeated the Hurricanes 28–7 and secured Bryant's 150th victory as head coach of the Crimson Tide. ^{[5] [41] [42]} The Crimson Tide opened the game with a pair of eight-yard Richard Todd touchdown passes to George Pugh and Jerry Brown for a 14–0 lead. They then extended their lead to 21–0 at halftime behind a 12-yard Gary Rutledge touchdown run in the second quarter. ^{[41] [42]}

After a scoreless third, Miami scored their only points on a one-yard Johnny Williams touchdown run in the fourth that marked the first touchdown scored against the Crimson Tide defense in 17 quarters. ^[41] Alabama responded with a 62-yard Willie Shelby punt return late in the fourth that made the final score 28–7. ^{[41] [42]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Miami to 11–2. ^[44]

Auburn

See also: 1974 Auburn Tigers football team

Iron Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total •#2 Alabama 7 3 7 0 17 #7 Auburn 0 7 0 6 13 Date: November 29 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama Game attendance: 71,224 Television network: ABC Sources: [45] [46]

Scoring summary 1 Alabama Willie Shelby 45-yard pass from Richard Todd (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 7–0 2 Alabama Bucky Berrey 36-yard field goal Alabama 10–0 2 Auburn Secdrick McIntyre 1-yard run (Chris Wilson kick) Alabama 10–7 3 Alabama Calvin Culliver 13-yard run (Danny Ridgeway kick) Alabama 17–7 4 Auburn Phil Gargis 2-yard run (2-point pass failed) Alabama 17–13

As they entered the annual Iron Bowl, Alabama retained the No. 2 position and Auburn the No. 7 in the AP Poll prior to their match-up at Legion Field. ^[47] Against the Tigers, the Crimson Tide were victorious as they edged out a 17–13 win at Birmingham. ^{[5] [45] [46]} Alabama scored on a 45-yard Richard Todd touchdown pass to Willie Shelby in the first and on a 36-yard Bucky Berrey field goal in the second for a 10–0 lead. Auburn responded with a one-yard Secdrick McIntyre touchdown run late in the second that made the halftime score 10–7. ^{[45] [46]}

The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 17–7 early in the third with their only second half points on a 13-yard Calvin Culliver touchdown run. The Tigers then brought the final margin to 17–13 with a two-yard Phil Gargis touchdown run in the fourth. ^{[45] [46]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 21–17–1. ^[48]

Notre Dame

See also: 1975 Orange Bowl and 1974 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

Orange Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total •#9 Notre Dame 7 6 0 0 13 #2 Alabama 0 3 0 8 11 Date: January 1, 1975 Location: Orange Bowl Miami, Florida Game attendance: 71,801 Television network: NBC Sources: [49] [50]

Scoring summary 1 Notre Dame Wayne Bullock 4-yard run (Dave Reeve kick) Notre Dame 7–0 2 Notre Dame Mark McLane 9-yard run (Dave Reeve kick failed) Notre Dame 13–0 2 Alabama Danny Ridgeway 21-yard field goal Notre Dame 13–3 4 Alabama Russ Schamun 48-yard pass from Richard Todd (2-point pass good) Notre Dame 13–11

Playing for what would have been a second consecutive national championship against Notre Dame, Alabama was upset by the Fighting Irish 13–11 in the Orange Bowl. ^{[49] [50]} Notre Dame took a 13–0 lead behind touchdown runs of four-yards by Wayne Bullock in the first and nine-yards by Mark McLane in the second quarter. A 21-yard Danny Ridgeway field goal for Alabama made the halftime score 13–3. ^{[49] [50]} After a scoreless third, the Crimson Tide scored the final points of the game on a 48-yard Richard Todd touchdown pass to Russ Schamun that made the final score 13–11. ^{[49] [50]} The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Notre Dame to 0–2. ^[51]

Roster

1974 Alabama Crimson Tide football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class G Bo Batey So RB 26 Randy Billingsley Sr RB 38 Duffy Boles Jr RB Joey Bolton So OT Jim Bradford So TE Jerry Brown Jr OT Woody Buchanan So C 59 Sylvester Croom Sr FB 33 Calvin Culliver So OT Bobby Davis So RB Bobby Duke So RB Donnie Faust So QB Les Fowler So QB 12 Robert Fraley Jr G David Gerasimchuk So HB Dennis Gramann So HB John Gunnels So G Gary Hanrahan Jr RB 84 Joe Dale Harris Jr FB Bob Haught So FB Ronnie Kuykendall So HB John LaBue So C 58 Rand Lambert Sr C K. J. Lazenby So OT Ralph McElreath So OT Barry McGee Jr C David McIntyre So TE Rick McLain So G Ray Maxwell Jr TE 28 Tom Nelson Jr QB Jack O'Rear So OT Gary Oser So G 71 Steve Patterson Sr HB Lefty Perry Jr OT Buddy Pope Jr TE 88 George Pugh Jr G Mark Reese So QB 15 Danny Ridgeway Jr G 61 John Rogers Sr G Larry Ruffin Jr QB 11 Gary Rutledge Sr SE 25 Russ Schamun So RB 30 Willie Shelby Jr HB Jimbo Smith Jr C Sid Smith So RB Mike Stock Jr RB 42 Ralph Stokes Sr WR Sam Tate Jr RB 27 James Taylor Jr OT Chip Tillman So QB 14 Richard Todd Jr HB Jim Ward So OT Jerry Washco Jr FB Rick Watson So G 72 Richard Whitley Sr WR Darrell Owen Sr	Defense Pos. # Name Class SS Tom Baggett So DT Ronnie Joe Barnes Jr DT 91 Bob Baumhower So S 17 Ray Bolden Jr LB Tom Bouck So LB Neil Callaway So DB Pete Cavan So DE Mike Christian So DE Danny Collins So DE 98 Leroy Cook Jr S John Crowe So DB 19 Ricky Davis Sr LB 54 Mike DuBose Sr LB Conley Duncan Jr DB Thad Flanagan So DB Steve Ford Jr DT 62 Randy Hall Sr DT Charles Hannah So DE Paul Harris So DT Bill Harrison So DT Bill Henderson So DE Bruce Hodges So LB Colenzo Hubbard So DT Tim Hurst So DB Chuck Justice So J Tyrone King So DT 66 Steve Kulback Jr LB Mark Lipari So LB Woodrow Lowe Jr DE James McArthur So DE Sam Maddox So J Greg Montgomery So LB Danny Neal So DE John Niehaus So S Alan Pizzitola Jr SS Mark Prudhomme Jr DB Wayne Rhodes Jr DB 23 Mike Riley Sr LB 55 Ronnie Robertson Sr LB John Sheehan So LB Jack Smalley So DE Dick Turpin Jr DB 34 Mike Washington Sr DT Gus White So	Special teams Pos. # Name Class PK Bucky Berrey So PK Mike Davis So PK Ron Dichiara Jr WR 82 Darrell Owen Sr PK Rod Nelson So	Head coach Bear Bryant (17th year, Alabama) Coordinators/assistant coaches Paul Crane (1st year, Alabama) Ken Donahue (11th year, Tennessee) Jim Goostree (18th year, Tennessee) Clem Gryska (15th year, Alabama) Curley Hallman (2nd year, Texas A&M) Dude Hennessey (15th year, Kentucky) Al Kincaid (1st year, Virginia Tech) Bobby Marks (3rd year, Texas A&M) Ken Martin (4th year, Alabama) John Mitchell (2nd year, Alabama) Bud Moore (3rd year, Alabama) Mal Moore (11th year, Alabama) Bill Oliver (4th year, Alabama) Dee Powell (11th year, Texas A&M) Jack Rutledge (9th year, Alabama) References: [52] [53] Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: February 24, 2024

NFL Draft

Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1974 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) in the 1975, 1976 and 1977 drafts. These players included:

Year	Round	Overall	Player name	Position	NFL team
1975 NFL draft [54]	3	53	Mike Washington	Defensive back	Baltimore Colts
	8	195	Ricky Davis	Defensive back	Cincinnati Bengals
1976 NFL draft [54]	1	6	Richard Todd	Quarterback	New York Jets
	4	108	Wayne Rhodes	Defensive back	Chicago Bears
	5	131	Woodrow Lowe	Linebacker	San Diego Chargers
	5	138	Willie Shelby	Running back	Cincinnati Bengals
	10	290	Leroy Cook	Defensive end	Dallas Cowboys
	12	341	Joe Dale Harris	Wide receiver	Cincinnati Bengals
1977 NFL draft [54]	2	40	Bob Baumhower	Nose tackle	Miami Dolphins
	3	57	Charley Hannah	Offensive guard	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	6	159	Paul Harris	Linebacker	Pittsburgh Steelers
	8	212	Calvin Culliver	Running back	Denver Broncos

References

General

• "1974 Season Recaps" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 26, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
• "2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book" (PDF). Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 17, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2014.

Specific

1. "1974 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
2. Browning, Al (September 15, 1974). "Terps pull plug, Alabama seals a leak". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved July 5, 2014– via Google News Archives.
3. Kennedy, Ray (September 23, 1974). "Rare scare for the Bear". Sports Illustrated. SI.com. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
4. "Notre Dame rises, Alabama sits at No. 3". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. September 11, 1974. p. 13. Retrieved July 4, 2014– via Google News Archives.
5. 1974 Season Recap
6. McKenzie, Mike (September 17, 1974). "Calvin Culliver carries the ball to SE back honors". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved July 5, 2014– via Google News Archives.
7. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Maryland". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
8. McKenzie, Mike (September 22, 1974). "52 to zero: What more can anybody say?". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1B. Retrieved July 5, 2014– via Google News Archives.
9. "Alabama rolls to 52–0 win". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Press. September 22, 1974. p. B2. Retrieved July 5, 2014– via Google News Archives.
10. "Tide drops two spots; ND is No. 1". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. September 17, 1974. p. 9. Retrieved July 4, 2014– via Google News Archives.
11. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Southern Mississippi". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
12. Martin, Steve (September 29, 1974). "Vandy proves it can play too". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1A. Retrieved July 5, 2014– via Google News Archives.
13. Johnson, Randy (September 29, 1974). "Alabama passing is key factor in 23–10 victory over Vandy". The Gadsden Times. p. 37. Retrieved July 5, 2014– via Google News Archives.
14. "Winning Irish take drop, Alabama moves to fourth". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. September 24, 1974. p. 11. Retrieved July 5, 2014– via Google News Archives.
15. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
16. Browning, Al (October 6, 1974). "Willie Shelby has the last laugh in Tide win". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved July 5, 2014– via Google News Archives.
17. "Alabama gains victory over Ole Miss, 35–21". Daily News. Associated Press. October 6, 1974. p. 12. Retrieved July 5, 2014– via Google News Archives.
18. "Tide third in college..." The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 1, 1974. p. 10. Retrieved July 5, 2014– via Google News Archives.
19. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
20. Browning, Al (October 13, 1974). "Prayer vs. The Bear". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved July 5, 2014– via Google News Archives.
21. "1974 Flashback: Alabama 8, Florida State 7". RollTide.com. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
22. "Alabama remains third". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 8, 1974. p. 11. Retrieved July 5, 2014– via Google News Archives.
23. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Florida State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
24. Browning, Al (October 20, 1974). "Tide answers some dissenters' questions". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B-1. Retrieved August 2, 2014– via Google News Archives.
25. "Shelby, Culliver lead Alabama on 28–6 route". Rome News-Tribune. UPI. October 20, 1974. p. 2C. Retrieved August 2, 2014– via Google News Archives.
26. "Alabama drops a notch". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 15, 1974. p. 11. Retrieved August 2, 2014– via Google News Archives.
27. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
28. Martin, Steve (October 27, 1974). "Frogs flunk it, 41–3". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1A. Retrieved August 2, 2014– via Google News Archives.
29. Furlong, Jim (October 27, 1974). "Alabama carves Frogs, 41–3". The Gadsden Times. p. 37. Retrieved August 2, 2014– via Google News Archives.
30. "Alabama remains fourth". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 22, 1974. p. 8. Retrieved August 2, 2014– via Google News Archives.
31. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Texas Christian". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
32. Browning, Al (November 3, 1974). "Tide dunks 'Dogs". The Florence Times. p. 1. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
33. Smothers, Jimmy (November 3, 1974). "Defense shines in Tide romp". The Gadsden Times. p. 37. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
34. "Alabama remains fourth, Ohio State remains on top". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 29, 1974. p. 8. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
35. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
36. Browning, Al (November 10, 1974). "Cook gets a nice birthday present". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
37. "Alabama clinches tie for SEC title". Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal. Associated Press. November 10, 1974. p. 2C. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
38. "Crimson Tide up to third in AP Poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 5, 1974. p. 11. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
39. McKenzie, Mike (November 12, 1974). "Tide's Cook, Shelby sweep AP honors". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
40. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Louisiana State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
41. McKenzie, Mike (November 17, 1974). "50,000 who stayed away made Tide win". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
42. "Tide stifles Miami, 28–7". Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal. Associated Press. November 17, 1974. p. B1. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
43. "Tide is second, Sooners No. 1". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 12, 1974. p. 9. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
44. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Miami (FL)". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
45. Browning, Al (November 30, 1974). "Tide douses fired-up Auburn, 17–13". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
46. Stout, Harold (November 30, 1974). "Alabama tips Auburn, 17–13". The Florence Times-Daily. p. 2. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
47. "Alabama remains in second spot". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 26, 1974. p. 11. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
48. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Auburn". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
49. McKenzie, Mike (January 2, 1975). "Mistakes spell defeat for Tide". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 13. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
50. "Notre Dame ends Alabama's dream of championship with 13–11 victory". The Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. January 2, 1975. p. 17. Retrieved August 22, 2014– via Google News Archives.
51. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Notre Dame". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
52. "1974 Season Roster" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 26, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
53. 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 202–203
54. "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.