1976 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

1976 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Liberty Bowl champion
Liberty Bowl, W 36–6 vs. UCLA
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 9
AP	No. 11
Record	9–3 (5–2 SEC)
Head coach	Bear Bryant (19th season)
Captains	Thad Flanagan Charley Hannah
Home stadium	Bryant–Denny Stadium Legion Field
Seasons ←  1975 1977  →

1976 Southeastern Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 10 Georgia $	5	–	1	–	0			10	–	2	–	0
No. 11 Alabama	5	–	2	–	0			9	–	3	–	0
No. 20 Mississippi State	4	–	2	–	0			9	–	2	–	0
Florida	4	–	2	–	0			8	–	4	–	0
No. 18 Kentucky	4	–	2	–	0			8	–	4	–	0
LSU	3	–	3	–	0			6	–	4	–	1
Auburn	3	–	3	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
Ole Miss	3	–	4	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
Tennessee	2	–	4	–	0			6	–	5	–	0
Vanderbilt	0	–	6	–	0			2	–	9	–	0
$ – Conference champion Mississippi State later forfeited all 1976 wins due to NCAA violations. Rankings from AP Poll

The 1976 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 82nd overall and 43rd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 19th year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with nine wins and three losses (9–3 overall, 5–2 in the SEC) and with a victory over UCLA in the Liberty Bowl.

The Crimson Tide opened the season with an upset loss against Ole Miss. The loss ended a 20-game conference winning streak that dated back to their 1972 season. They rebounded from the loss with wins over both SMU and Vanderbilt, but then were shutout by Georgia in their fourth game. The shutout was the first for the Crimson Tide since their 1970 season, and with the loss Alabama also dropped out of the polls for the first time since 1970.

The Crimson Tide again bounced back from the loss and won their next five games. These wins included victories over Southern Miss, Tennessee, Louisville, Mississippi State and LSU. Alabama next lost their third game of the season in a much anticipated match-up at Notre Dame. They then closed the season with a victory over rival Auburn and UCLA in the Liberty Bowl.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 11	at Ole Miss	No. 6	Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS (rivalry)		L 7–10	48,500
September 18	SMU *	No. 14	Legion Field Birmingham, AL		W 56–3	63,203
September 25	Vanderbilt	No. 13	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL		W 42–14	58,414
October 2	at No. 6 Georgia	No. 10	Sanford Stadium Athens, GA (rivalry)		L 0–21	60,200
October 9	Southern Miss *		Legion Field Birmingham, AL (rivalry)		W 24–8	45,202
October 16	at Tennessee	No. 20	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (Third Saturday in October)	ABC	W 20–13	82,417
October 23	Louisville *	No. 18	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL		W 24–3	58,414
October 30	No. 18 Mississippi State	No. 17	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)		W 34–17	53,617
November 6	LSU	No. 15	Legion Field Birmingham, AL (rivalry)		W 28–17	71,018
November 13	at No. 18 Notre Dame *	No. 10	Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN	ABC	L 18–21	59,075
November 27	vs. Auburn	No. 18	Legion Field Birmingham, AL (Iron Bowl)		W 38–7	70,303
December 20	vs. No. 7 UCLA *	No. 16	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN (Liberty Bowl)	ABC	W 36–6	52,736
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

^[1]

Stadium renaming

In September 1975, a bill sponsored by Alabama State Senator Bert Bank was passed by a margin of 88–0 to rename Denny Stadium to Bryant–Denny Stadium in honor of then head coach Bear Bryant. ^[2] The stadium was then officially renamed as part of the halftime ceremonies during the 1976 A-Day game. ^[3] At the time of its re-dedication, Bryant was quoted as saying "this is a tremendous honor and I am proud and humble." ^[3]

Game summaries

Ole Miss

See also: 1976 Ole Miss Rebels football team

1 2 3 4 Total #6 Alabama 0 0 7 0 7 •Ole Miss 7 0 0 3 10 Date: September 11 Location: Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS Game attendance: 48,500 Sources: [4] [5]

Scoring summary 1 Ole Miss George Stuart 24-yard interception return (Carl Langley kick) Ole Miss 7–0 3 Alabama Calvin Culliver 3-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) 7–7 4 Ole Miss Carl Langley 34-yard field goal Ole Miss 10–7

As they entered the 1976 season, the Crimson Tide were in the No. 6 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Ole Miss at Jackson. Against the Rebels, the Crimson Tide were upset by a final score of 10–7 that ended an overall eleven game winning streak and a 20-game conference winning streak that dated back to their 1972 season. ^{[4] [5] [6]} Ole Miss scored their first points early in the game when George Stuart intercepted a Jeff Rutledge pass that was tipped by Gary Turner and returned it 24-yards for a 7–0 lead. The Rebels held their lead through the third quarter when Alabama tied the game 7–7 on a three-yard Calvin Culliver touchdown run. ^{[4] [5]}

Ole Miss then responded early in the fourth with what was a 34-yard, game-winning field goal from Carl Langley that made the final score 10–7. ^{[4] [5]} For leading his team to the upset, Ole Miss head coach Ken Cooper was recognized by United Press International as the UPI National Coach of the Week. ^[7] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss to 24–6–2. ^[8]

SMU

See also: 1976 SMU Mustangs football team

1 2 3 4 Total SMU 3 0 0 0 3 •#14 Alabama 0 28 14 14 56 Date: September 18 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 63,203 Sources: [9] [10]

Scoring summary 1 SMU John Dunlop 40-yard field goal SMU 3–0 2 Alabama Jack O'Rear 7-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 7–3 2 Alabama Jack O'Rear 19-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 14–3 2 Alabama Tony Nathan 6-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 21–3 2 Alabama Ozzie Newsome 45-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 28–3 3 Alabama Johnny Davis 17-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 35–3 3 Alabama Tony Nathan 7-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 42–3 4 Alabama Lou Ikner 11-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 49–3 4 Alabama Donald Faust 3-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 56–3

After their loss against Ole Miss, the Crimson Tide dropped into the No. 14 team prior to their game against Southern Methodist University (SMU). ^[11] At Legion Field, Alabama ran for 419 yards and eight touchdowns in this 56–3 victory over the Mustangs in what was the first all-time meeting between the schools. ^{[6] [9] [10] [12]} The Crimson Tide had a slow start to the game offensively, and trailed 3–0 at the end of the first quarter behind a 40-yard John Dunlop field goal for SMU. However, they responded with four touchdowns in the second quarter en route to a 28–3 halftime lead after backup quarterback Jack O'Rear took over for Jeff Rutledge after the Crimson Tide offense had three turnovers on their first three possessions. ^{[9] [10]} O'Rear scored first on runs of seven and 19-yards, followed by Tony Nathan on a six-yard run and finally by Rutledge on a 45-yard pass to Ozzie Newsome. ^{[9] [10]}

Their scoring continued into the second half with a pair of touchdowns scored in each the third and fourth quarters. In the third, Johnny Davis scored on a 17-yard run and Nathan followed with his second touchdown of the game on a seven-yard run. ^{[9] [10]} In the fourth Lou Ikner scored first on an 11-yard run and Donald Faust made the final score 56–3 with his three-yard run late in the game. ^{[9] [10]} For the game, 65 players saw action on the field and Nathan led all runners with his 101 yards rushing. ^[10]

Vanderbilt

See also: 1976 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

1 2 3 4 Total Vanderbilt 0 7 7 0 14 •#13 Alabama 21 7 7 7 42 Date: September 25 Location: Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 58,414 Sources: [13] [14]

Scoring summary 1 Alabama Jack O'Rear 52-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 7–0 1 Alabama Johnny Davis 8-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 14–0 1 Alabama Johnny Davis 8-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 21–0 2 Alabama Ozzie Newsome 27-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 28–0 2 Vanderbilt Jerry Hampton 5-yard run (Gregory Martin kick) Alabama 28–7 3 Alabama Calvin Culliver 2-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 35–7 3 Vanderbilt James Cox 43-yard pass from Jerry Hampton (Gregory Martin kick) Alabama 35–14 4 Alabama Peter Cavan 9-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 42–14

After their victory over SMU, Alabama moved into the No. 13 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt. ^[15] In their first Bryant–Denny game of the season, the Crimson Tide scored 21 first quarter points en route to a 42–14 victory over the Commodores at Tuscaloosa. ^{[6] [13] [14]} Jack O'Rear scored first for Alabama with this 52-yard run. Johnny Davis followed with a pair of eight-yard touchdown runs that gave Alabama a 21–0 lead at the end of the first quarter. ^{[13] [14]} After Jeff Rutledge extended the Crimson Tide lead to 28–0 with his 27-yard touchdown pass to Ozzie Newsome, Vanderbilt made the halftime score 28–7 on a five-yard Jerry Hampton touchdown run. ^{[13] [14]}

In the third, the Crimson Tide scored first on a two-yard Calvin Culliver touchdown run. However, the Commodores responded with their longest offensive play of the game when Hampton connected with James Cox on a 43-yard touchdown pass and made the score 35–14. ^{[13] [14]} Alabama then made the final score 42–14 with a nine-yard Peter Cavan touchdown reception from Rutledge in the fourth quarter. ^{[13] [14]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 33–17–4. ^[16]

Georgia

See also: 1976 Georgia Bulldogs football team

1 2 3 4 Total #10 Alabama 0 0 0 0 0 •#6 Georgia 0 7 7 7 21 Date: October 2 Location: Sanford Stadium Athens, GA Game attendance: 60,200 Sources: [17] [18]

Scoring summary 2 Georgia Matt Robinson 3-yard run (Allan Leavitt kick) Georgia 7–0 3 Georgia Rayfield Williams 2-yard run (Allan Leavitt kick) Georgia 14–0 4 Georgia Ulysses Norris 6-yard pass from Matt Robinson (Allan Leavitt kick) Georgia 21–0

After their victory over Vanderbilt, Alabama moved into the No. 10 position and Georgia into the No. 6 position in the AP Poll prior to their game at Athens. ^[19] Playing against the Bulldogs for the first time since their 1973 season, Georgia shut out the Crimson Tide, 21–0, and with the victory prevented Alabama from capturing its sixth consecutive SEC title. ^{[6] [17] [18]} After a scoreless first quarter, Matt Robinson gave Georgia a 7–0 halftime lead with his three-yard touchdown run. ^{[17] [18]} The Bulldogs then closed the game with a two-yard Rayfield Williams touchdown run in the third and a six-yard Robinson touchdown pass to Ulysses Norris in the fourth for the 21–0 victory. ^{[17] [18]}

The shutout was the first suffered by the Crimson Tide since a 24–0 loss against Tennessee in 1970, and was also the first for Alabama since the installation of the wishbone offense starting with their 1971 season. ^[20] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 30–20–4. ^[21]

Southern Miss

See also: 1976 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team

1 2 3 4 Total Southern Miss 0 0 0 8 8 •Alabama 14 7 0 3 24 Date: October 9 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 45,202 Sources: [22] [23]

Scoring summary 1 Alabama Peter Cavan 26-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 7–0 1 Alabama John David Crow, Jr. 6-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 14–0 2 Alabama Ozzie Newsome 4-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 21–0 4 Alabama Bucky Berrey 27-yard field goal Alabama 24–0 4 USM John Pitts 4-yard pass from Charles Clancy (Clancy 2-point pass) Alabama 24–8

After their loss to Georgia, Alabama dropped out of the AP Poll prior to their game against Southern Miss for the first time since their 1970 season. ^[24] Before one of the smaller crowds to attend a Crimson Tide game at Legion Field in many decades, Alabama defeated the Golden Eagles 24–8. ^{[6] [22] [23]} The Crimson Tide took a 14–0 first quarter lead behind touchdown runs of 26 and six-yards by Peter Cavan and John David Crow, Jr. They extended it further to 21–0 at halftime after Jeff Rutledge threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Ozzie Newsome in the second quarter. ^{[22] [23]}

After a scoreless third, Bucky Berrey connected on a 27-yard field goal early in the fourth. Southern Miss then responded with their only points on a four-yard Charles Clancy touchdown pass to John Pitts that made the final score 24–8. ^{[22] [23]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Southern Miss to 16–2–1. ^[25]

Tennessee

See also: 1976 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Third Saturday in October

1 2 3 4 Total •#20 Alabama 6 0 7 7 20 Tennessee 0 6 7 0 13 Date: October 16 Location: Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN Game attendance: 82,417 Sources: [26] [27]

Scoring summary 1 Alabama Tony Nathan 11-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick failed) Alabama 6–0 2 Tennessee Jim Gaylor 24-yard field goal Alabama 6–3 2 Tennessee Jim Gaylor 40-yard field goal 6–6 3 Alabama Jack O'Rear 14-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 13–6 3 Tennessee Bobby Emmons 2-yard run (Jim Gaylor kick) 13–13 4 Alabama Calvin Culliver 7-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 20–13

After their victory over Southern Miss, Alabama reentered the AP Poll at the No. 20 position prior to their game against Tennessee. ^[28] Before a nationally televised audience, the Crimson Tide defeated the heated rival Volunteers 20–13 at Neyland Stadium. ^{[6] [26] [27]} Alabama took a 6–0 first quarter lead behind an 11-yard Tony Nathan touchdown run. Tennessee responded and tied the game 6–6 at halftime behind Jim Gaylor field goals of 24 and 40-yards in the second quarter. ^{[26] [27]}

In the third, both teams traded touchdowns on runs of 14 yards by Jack O'Rear for Alabama and 2 yards by Bobby Emmons for Tennessee that made the score as they entered the fourth tied 13–13. In the fourth, Calvin Culliver scored the game-winning points with this seven-yard touchdown run that made the final score 20–13. ^{[26] [27]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 29–23–7. ^[29]

Louisville

See also: 1976 Louisville Cardinals football team

1 2 3 4 Total Louisville 0 3 0 0 3 •#18 Alabama 0 14 10 0 24 Date: October 23 Location: Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 58,414 Sources: [30] [31]

Scoring summary 2 Alabama Tony Nathan 10-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 7–0 2 Alabama Johnny Davis 12-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 14–0 2 Louisville Pedro Posadas 46-yard field goal Alabama 14–3 3 Alabama Jack O'Rear 14-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 21–3 3 Alabama Bucky Berrey 27-yard field goal Alabama 24–3

After their win over Tennessee, Alabama moved into the No. 18 position of the AP Poll prior to their game against Louisville. ^[32] On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, Alabama defeated the Cardinals 24–3 in what was the first all-time meeting between the schools. ^{[6] [30] [31] [33]} After a scoreless first, Alabama took a 14–0 lead behind touchdown runs of ten-yards by Tony Nathan and 12-yards by Johnny Davis. Louisville responded late in the quarter with their only points of the game on a 46-yard Pedro Posadas field goal that made the halftime score 14–3. ^{[30] [31]} The Crimson Tide then concluded their scoring in the third on a 14-yard Jack O'Rear touchdown run and a 27-yard Bucky Berrey field goal. ^{[30] [31]}

Mississippi State

See also: 1976 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team

1 2 3 4 Total #18 Mississippi State 14 3 0 0 17 •#17 Alabama 0 12 15 7 34 Date: October 30 Location: Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 53,617 Sources: [34] [35]

Scoring summary 1 MS State Duncan McKenzie 16-yard pass from Bruce Threadgill (Kinney Jordan kick) MS State 7–0 1 MS State Bruce Threadgill 12-yard run (Kinney Jordan kick) MS State 14–0 2 Alabama Ozzie Newsome 62-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (2-point pass failed) MS State 14–6 2 MS State Kinney Jordan 22-yard field goal MS State 17–6 2 Alabama Bucky Berrey 43-yard field goal MS State 17–9 2 Alabama Bucky Berrey 25-yard field goal MS State 17–12 3 Alabama Johnny Davis 27-yard run (2-point run) Alabama 20–17 3 Alabama Pete Cavan 25-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 27–17 4 Alabama Tony Nathan 4-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 34–17

As they entered their game against Mississippi State, Alabama moved into the No. 17 position and the Bulldogs into the No. 18 position in the AP Poll. ^[36] At Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide overcame a 14–0 deficit, came-from-behind and defeated Mississippi State 34–17. ^{[6] [34] [35]} Behind quarterback Bruce Threadgill, the Bulldogs took a 14–0 first quarter lead over the Crimson Tide. Threadgill first threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Duncan McKenzie and later scored himself on a 12-yard touchdown run. ^{[34] [35]}

Alabama scored their first points early in the second quarter on a 62-yard Jeff Rutledge touchdown pass to Ozzie Newsome. Both teams then traded field goals to close the half with Kinney Jordan connecting from 22-yards for the Bulldogs and Bucky Berrey connecting from 43 and 25-yards for the Crimson Tide to make the halftime score 17–12 in favor of Mississippi State. ^{[34] [35]}

Alabama took their first lead early in the third quarter on a 27-yard Johnny Davis touchdown run and extended it further to 27–17 later in the quarter on a 25-yard Pete Cavan touchdown run. ^{[34] [35]} Tony Nathan then concluded the scoring for the Crimson Tide with his four-yard touchdown run in the fourth that made the final score 34–17. ^{[34] [35]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 48–10–3. ^[37]

LSU

See also: 1976 LSU Tigers football team

1 2 3 4 Total LSU 0 3 7 7 17 •#15 Alabama 0 14 7 7 28 Date: November 6 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 71,018 Sources: [38] [39]

Scoring summary 2 LSU Mike Conway 48-yard field goal LSU 3–0 2 Alabama Pete Cavan 7-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 7–3 2 Alabama Jeff Rutledge 9-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 14–3 3 Alabama Johnny Davis 13-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 21–3 3 LSU Pat Lyons 1-yard run (Mike Conway kick) Alabama 21–10 4 Alabama Johnny Davis 58-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 28–10 4 LSU Terry Robiskie 6-yard run (Mike Conway kick) Alabama 28–17

After their victory over Mississippi State, Alabama moved into the No. 15 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against LSU. ^[40] Against the rival Tigers, Alabama won 28–17 behind a 130-yard, two touchdown performance by fullback Johnny Davis. ^{[6] [38] [39]} After a scoreless first quarter, LSU took a 3–0 lead in the second on a 48-yard Mike Conway field goal. Alabama responded with a pair of touchdowns on runs of seven-yards by Pete Cavan and nine-yards by Jeff Rutledge en route to a 14–3 halftime lead. ^{[38] [39]}

The Crimson Tide then maintained their lead through the second half as the teams traded touchdowns. In the third, Johnny Davis scored for the Crimson Tide with his 13-yard run and Pat Lyons scored for the Tigers with this one-yard run. In the fourth Davis scored again for Alabama on a 58-yard run and Terry Robiskie scored on a six-yard run that made the final score 28–17 in favor of the Crimson Tide. ^{[38] [39]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against LSU to 26–10–4. ^[41]

Notre Dame

See also: 1976 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

1 2 3 4 Total #10 Alabama 0 7 3 8 18 •#18 Notre Dame 0 21 0 0 21 Date: November 13 Location: Notre Dame Stadium South Bend, IN Game attendance: 59,075 Sources: [42] [43]

Scoring summary 2 Notre Dame Dan Kelleher 56-yard pass from Rick Slager (Dave Reeve kick) Notre Dame 7–0 2 Notre Dame Al Hunter 2-yard run (Dave Reeve kick) Notre Dame 14–0 2 Alabama Jack O'Rear 1-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Notre Dame 14–7 2 Notre Dame Vagas Ferguson 17-yard run (Dave Reeve kick) Notre Dame 21–7 3 Alabama Bucky Berrey 38-yard field goal Notre Dame 21–10 4 Alabama Ozzie Newsome 30-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (2-point run good) Notre Dame 21–18

After their victory over LSU, Alabama moved into the No. 10 position and Notre Dame into the No. 18 position in the AP Poll prior to their game at South Bend. ^[44] In what was their first regular-season game against the Fighting Irish, Alabama was upset 21–18 after Notre Dame scored three second quarter touchdowns. ^{[6] [42] [43]} The first quarter was scoreless, although Notre Dame missed on two golden scoring opportunities—one on a missed field goal, the other when freshman running back Vagas Ferguson's fumble in the end zone was recovered by Alabama for a touchback. The Irish took a 14–0 lead in the second quarter behind a 56-yard Rick Slager touchdown pass to Dan Kelleher and a two-yard Al Hunter touchdown run. Alabama responded with a one-yard Jack O'Rear touchdown run, but that was followed with a 17-yard Ferguson touchdown run that made the halftime score 21–7 in favor of Notre Dame. The Irish gained a stunning 366 yards in the first half, to 166 for Alabama. ^{[42] [43]}

Although the Crimson Tide defense shutout the Irish in the second half, the offense was only able to score 11 points and lost 21–18. Alabama points were scored in the third on a 38-yard Bucky Berrey field goal and in the fourth on a 30-yard Jeff Rutledge touchdown pass to Ozzie Newsome. ^{[42] [43]} The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Notre Dame to 0–3. ^[45]

Auburn

See also: 1976 Auburn Tigers football team

Iron Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total Auburn 0 0 0 7 7 •#18 Alabama 0 14 21 3 38 Date: November 27 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 70,303 Sources: [46] [47]

Scoring summary 2 Alabama Rick Watson 1-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 7–0 2 Alabama Tony Nathan 14-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 14–0 3 Alabama Ozzie Newsome 42-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 21–0 3 Alabama Tony Nathan 10-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 28–0 3 Alabama Jeff Rutledge 11-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 35–0 4 Alabama Bucky Berrey 47-yard field goal Alabama 38–0 4 Auburn Foster Christy 1-yard run (Neil O'Donoghue kick) Alabama 38–7

As they entered the annual Iron Bowl, Alabama dropped into the No. 18 position in the AP Poll prior to their match-up at Legion Field against Auburn. ^[48] In what was the first game coached by Doug Barfield as the head coach of the Tigers, the Crimson Tide were victorious with this 38–7 win at Birmingham. ^{[6] [46] [47]} After a scoreless first, Alabama took a 14–0 lead into halftime after second quarter touchdowns were scored on runs of one-yard by Rick Watson and 14-yard by Tony Nathan. ^{[46] [47]}

The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 35–0 with a trio of touchdowns in the third quarter. They were scored on a 42-yard Jeff Rutledge pass to Ozzie Newsome, a 14-yard Nathan run and on an 11-yard Rutledge run. A 47-yard Bucky Berrey field goal in the fourth extended the Alabama lead to 38–0. ^{[46] [47]} Auburn did manage to score late an prevent the shutout on a one-yard Foster Christy touchdown run late in the game. ^{[46] [47]} The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 23–17–1. ^[49]

UCLA

See also: 1976 Liberty Bowl and UCLA Bruins football

Liberty Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total •#16 Alabama 17 7 3 9 36 #7 UCLA 0 0 0 6 6 Date: December 20 Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN Game attendance: 52,736 Television network: ABC Sources: [50] [51]

Scoring summary 1 Alabama Bucky Berrey 37-yard field goal Alabama 3–0 1 Alabama Barry Krauss 44-yard interception return (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 10–0 1 Alabama Johnny Davis 2-yard run (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 17–0 2 Alabama Jack O'Rear 20-yard pass from Tony Nathan (Bucky Berrey kick) Alabama 24–0 3 Alabama Bucky Berrey 25-yard field goal Alabama 27–0 4 Alabama Bucky Berrey 28-yard field goal Alabama 30–0 4 UCLA Jim Brown 61-yard run (Kick failed) Alabama 30–6 4 Alabama Rick Watson 1-yard run (2-point pass failed) Alabama 36–6

Playing before the then-largest crowd to ever attend the Liberty Bowl, Alabama stunned the once-beaten UCLA Bruins 36–6 at Memphis in the first all-time meeting between the schools. ^{[50] [51] [52]} Alabama took a 17–0 first quarter lead on a 37-yard Bucky Berrey field goal, a 44-yard Barry Krauss interception return and a two-yard Johnny Davis touchdown run. They then extended their lead to 24–0 at halftime on a second quarter halfback option play of 20-yards from Tony Nathan to Jack O'Rear. ^{[50] [51]} After a pair of Berrey field goals extended the Crimson Tide lead to 30–0, UCLA scored their only points in a 61-yard Jim Brown run in the fourth. Rick Watson then scored the final points of the game for Alabama with his one-yard touchdown run that made the final score 36–6. ^{[50] [51]}

NFL Draft

Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1976 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) in the 1977, 1978 and 1979 drafts. These players included:

Year	Round	Overall	Player name	Position	NFL team
1977 NFL Draft [53]	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
1978 NFL Draft [53]	1	18	Bob Cryder	Guard	New England Patriots
	1	23	Ozzie Newsome	Tight end	Cleveland Browns
	2	30	Johnny Davis	Running back	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	11	284	Terry Jones	Nose tackle	Green Bay Packers
1979 NFL Draft [53]	1	6	Barry Krauss	Linebacker	Baltimore Colts
	1	14	Marty Lyons	Defensive tackle	New York Jets
	3	61	Tony Nathan	Running back	Miami Dolphins
	7	184	Rich Wingo	Linebacker	Green Bay Packers
	9	246	Jeff Rutledge	Quarterback	Los Angeles Rams

Roster

1976 Alabama Crimson Tide football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class TE Buddy Aydelette So HB Jeff Barnes So OT Wiley Barnes So G Bo Batey Sr SE 32 Bruce Bolton So HB Randy Bonner So G 63 Vince Booth So OT Jim Bradford Jr FB Woody Buchanan Jr HB Pete Cavan Jr HB John David Crowe, Jr. Jr G Bob Cryder Jr FB 33 Calvin Culliver Sr FB 38 Johnny Davis Jr G Fred Dawson Jr FB Donnie Faust Jr SE 87 Thad Flanagan Sr G David Gerasimchuk Sr G Louis Green Jr HB John Gunnels Jr OT David Hannah So TE Bill Henderson Jr SE Steve Higgins So C Marty Hudson So C 55 Tom Hufstetler So OT Tim Hurst Jr HB 30 Lou Ikner So QB 12 Kevin Jones So C 59 Terry Jones Jr HB John LaBue Sr G Buford Lambert Sr TE Jeff Lamon So OT K. J. Lazenby Sr TE Sam Maddox Jr TE Jimmy McArthur Jr OT Ralph McElreath Sr G David McIntyre Sr SE 82 Ozzie Newsome Jr QB 15 Jack O'Rear Jr C Gary Oser Jr G Tom Parkerson So QB Skip Ramsey So QB 11 Jeff Rutledge So SE Russ Schamun Sr OT 71 Mike Sebastian So C Sid Smith Sr HB 26 Mike Sutton Jr OT Chip Tillman Sr HB John Turpin So G Russ Waddell Jr QB Bob Walker So FB Rick Watson Sr QB Marty White So	Defense Pos. # Name Class DB 34 Phil Allman So DT 91 Bob Baumhower Sr LB Dale Bragan Sr LB Neil Callaway Sr DE 85 Danny Collins Jr DB Kelvin Croom So DB Allen Crumbley So DT Jack Perdue So LB Mike Dottorey So S Robert Durkee So S Les Fowler Jr DE Robert Gartman So DE 92 Rickey Gilliand So DB Andy Gothard Sr DT Charley Hannah Sr DE Paul Harris Sr DT Bill Harrison Sr DE Bruce Hodges Jr LB Colenzo Hubbard Sr DE Doug Johnson So DT Larry Knighton So NG Freddy Knighton So DB 23 Mike Kramer Jr LB 77 Barry Krauss So S Joe Latham So S 19 Murray Legg So DT 93 Marty Lyons So DE Bobby Mikel So LB Dale Palmer So DE 89 Calvin Parker So DB Scott Price So S 4 Keith Pugh So DT Roger Roberts So NG 62 David Sadler Jr DB Eric Schamun Jr LB 65 Jack Smalley Jr S 52 Barry Smith So DB 21 Mike Tucker Sr LB Gus White Sr DE 45 Steve Whitman So LB 36 Rich Wingo So	Special teams Pos. # Name Class PK 7 Bucky Berrey Sr PK 6 Alan McElroy So	Head coach Bear Bryant (19th year, Alabama) Coordinators/assistant coaches Paul Crane (3rd year, Alabama) Sylvester Croom (1st year, Alabama) Ken Donahue (13th year, Tennessee) Clem Gryska (17th year, Alabama) Curley Hallman (4th year, Texas A&M) Dude Hennessey (17th year, Kentucky) Bobby Marks (5th year, Texas A&M) John Mitchell (4th year, Alabama) Mal Moore (13th year, Alabama) Bill Oliver (6th year, Alabama) Dee Powell (13th year, Texas ) Jeff Rouzie (1st year, Alabama) Jack Rutledge (11th year, Alabama) George White (2nd year, Jacksonville State) References: [54] [55] Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: September 1, 2014

References

General

• "1976 Season Recaps" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 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 March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2014.

Specific

1. "1976 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
2. Watkins, Ed (September 5, 1975). "University's stadium going to be renamed". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
3. Browning, Al (April 11, 1976). "The "man" receives new honor". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1B. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
4. McKenzie, Mike (September 12, 1976). "Ole Miss upsets Bama, 10–7". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1A. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
5. "Alabama is shocked by Mississippi, 10–7". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Press. September 12, 1976. p. B2. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
6. 1976 Season Recap
7. "Upset of Alabama earns Cooper coaching honors". Sarasota Journal. United Press International. September 15, 1976. p. 2C. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
8. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
9. Martin, Steve (September 19, 1976). "Tide steamrolls Mustangs, 56–3". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1A. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
10. Shaw, Arthur (September 19, 1973). "Alabama finds the answer in O'Rear". The Gadsden Times. p. 27. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
11. "Michigan No. 1; Tide falls to 14th". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. September 14, 1976. p. 8. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
12. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Southern Methodist". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
13. Martin, Steve (September 26, 1976). "How Alabama scored in 42–14 victory". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 2B. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
14. Stephens, Glenn (September 26, 1976). "Alabama turns off Vandy; Applies 42–14 shellacking". The Florence Times. United Press International. p. 25. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
15. "Michigan widens lead, Tide is 13th". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. September 21, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
16. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
17. Martin, Steve (October 3, 1976). "Dogs junk Bama's title hopes". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1A. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
18. "Georgia shuts out Alabama". Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal. Associated Press. October 3, 1976. p. 1B. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
19. "Alabama moves up to No. 10". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. September 28, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
20. "First scoreless game for Alabama wishbone". The Tuscaloosa News. October 3, 1976. p. 4B. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
21. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
22. Furlong, Jim (October 10, 1976). "Tide "uninspired" in 24–8 victory". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1A. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
23. "Alabama sluggish but gets past Southern Miss". Rome News-Tribune. Associated Press. October 10, 1976. p. 2C. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
24. "Alabama out of top 20 for first time since 1970". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 5, 1976. p. 6. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
25. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Southern Mississippi". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
26. Martin, Steve (October 17, 1976). "Tide trips Volunteers, 20–13". The Tuscaloosa News. p. A1. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
27. "O'Rear leads Alabama by Tennessee". Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal. Associated Press. October 17, 1976. p. 3B. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
28. "Michigan remains atop poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 12, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
29. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
30. Furlong, Jim (October 24, 1976). "Tide shoots down Cards, 24–3". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1A. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
31. "Davis' running leads Alabama over Louisville". Palm Beach Post-Times. United Press International. October 24, 1976. p. E2. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
32. "Alabama gains to 18th spot; Bulldogs 10th". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 19, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
33. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Louisville". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
34. Martin, Steve (October 31, 1976). "Tide blows Bulldogs out, 34–17". The Tuscaloosa News. p. A1. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
35. "Tide rolls past Mississippi St". The Ledger. Associated Press. October 31, 1976. p. 5C. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
36. "Big 8 coached frustrated". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 26, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
37. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
38. Furlong, Jim (November 7, 1976). "Surging Tide rolls past Tigers". The Tuscaloosa News. p. A1. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
39. Smothers, Jimmy (November 7, 1976). "Davis has greatest game; Alabama whips LSU 28–17". The Gadsden Times. p. 28. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
40. "Crimson Tide climbs in poll to 15th place". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 2, 1976. p. 13. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
41. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Louisiana State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
42. Martin, Steve (November 13, 1976). "Tide rally falls short, Irish win". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1A. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
43. "Notre Dame air attack too much for Alabama". The Ledger. Associated Press. November 13, 1976. p. 5C. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
44. "Pitt takes No. 1". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 9, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
45. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Notre Dame". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
46. Martin, Steve (November 28, 1976). "Alabama belts Auburn, 38–7". The Tuscaloosa News. p. A1. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
47. "Alabama stomps by Auburn 38–7". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Press. November 28, 1976. p. B3. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
48. "Michigan gains, but not Trojans". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 23, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
49. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Auburn". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
50. Martin, Steve (December 21, 1976). "Scoreboard tell Tide story, 36–6". The Tuscaloosa News. p. A1. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
51. "Alabama crushes UCLA, 36–6". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. December 21, 1976. p. 14. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
52. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs UCLA". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
53. "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
54. "1976 Season Roster" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 3, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
55. 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 202–203