1978 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Last updated

1978 Alabama Crimson Tide football
AP Poll national champion
FWAA national champion
NFF national champion
SEC champion
Sugar Bowl champion
Sugar Bowl, W 14–7 vs. Penn State
Conference Southeastern Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 2
APNo. 1
Record11–1 (6–0 SEC)
Head coach
Captains
Home stadium Bryant–Denny Stadium
Legion Field
Seasons
  1977
1979  
1978 Southeastern Conference football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 1 Alabama $ 6 0 011 1 0
No. 16 Georgia 5 0 19 2 1
Auburn 3 2 16 4 1
LSU 3 3 08 4 0
Tennessee 3 3 05 5 1
Florida 3 3 04 7 0
Mississippi State 2 4 06 5 0
Ole Miss 2 4 05 6 0
Kentucky 2 4 04 6 1
Vanderbilt 0 6 02 9 0
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1978 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 84th overall and 45th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 21st year, and played their home games at Bryant–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 as national champions after a victory over Penn State in the Sugar Bowl. Alabama's costumed "Big Al" mascot officially debuted this season, appearing at the Sugar Bowl.

Contents

Schedule

DateOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 2No. 10 Nebraska *No. 1 ABC W 20–377,023 [1]
September 16at No. 11 Missouri *No. 1W 38–2073,655 [2]
September 23No. 7 USC *No. 1
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL
ABCL 14–2477,313 [3]
September 30 Vanderbilt No. 7W 51–2856,910 [4]
October 7at Washington *No. 8W 20–1760,975 [5]
October 14 Florida No. 7
  • Bryant-Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
W 23–1260,210 [6]
October 21at Tennessee No. 4W 30–1785,436 [7]
October 28 Virginia Tech *Dagger-14-plain.pngNo. 3
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL
W 35–060,210 [8]
November 4 Mississippi State No. 3
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL (rivalry)
W 35–1474,217 [9]
November 11No. 10 LSU No. 3
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL (rivalry)
ABCW 31–1076,831 [10]
December 2vs. Auburn No. 2
W 34–1679,218 [11]
January 1, 1979vs. No. 1 Penn State *No. 2ABCW 14–776,824 [12]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[13]

Personnel

1978 Alabama Crimson Tide football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
OT 78 Buddy Aydelette Jr
WR Bruce Bolton
OL Vince Boothe
OL Mike Brock
OL Jim Bunch
WR Tim Clark
RB James Haney
RB John Hill
RB Lou Ikner
RB Billy Jackson
RB Joe Jones
QB Kevin Jones
WR Alan Krout
RB 22 Tony Nathan Sr
WR Rick Neal
RB Major Ogilvie
WR Keith Pugh
QB 11 Jeff Rutledge Sr
QB Steadman Shealy
C 57 Dwight Stephenson Jr
TE 88Tim TravisJr
RB John Turpin
FB 45Steve WhitmanJr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DL Byron Braggs
DB Allen Crumbley
DL Gary DeNiro
LB Eddie McGeorge
DL Wayne Hamilton
DB Jim Bob Harris
DE 39 E. J. Junior So
LB Barry Krause
DB Murray Legg
DL Warren Lyles
DL Marty Lyons
DT 96 Curtis McGriff Jr
DB 28 Don McNeal Jr
LB 50 Randy Scott So
DB Bobby Smith
DB Ricky Tucker
LB 36 Rich Wingo Sr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
P Don Jacobs
P Woody Umphrey
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Before the season

Alabama ended the 1977 season with the disappointment of a #2 finish, an 11-point voting margin behind national champion Notre Dame.

On April 13, 1978, Paul Bryant was one of several coaches quoted in an AP interview that focused on efforts to rid college football of cheating. Bryant advocated a rule requiring coaches notify the NCAA of suspected infractions immediately and getting it over with rather than complaining after losing a game.

On April 20, nearly a dozen players with injuries were held out of the annual A-Day game that ended in a colorless 7–7 tie. The biggest concern was a knee injury to second-string QB Steadman Shealy. Bryant, in the post A-Day game press conference, declared his 1978 team would have "a questionable offense, an average kicking game, and a good defense" in the post-A-Day game press conference. Lastly a newcomer who was recruited four years ago but decided to pursue other athletics adventures started as outside linebacker from Richmond Virginia, Eddie McGeorge.

Bear Bryant felt his team was not prepared enough for their week-1 game against Nebraska and did not feel his team deserved their #1 rating. [14]

Sugar Bowl

The 1979 Sugar Bowl against Penn State would go down as a classic. [15] Alabama scored in the second quarter, then Penn State answered in the third, then Alabama took a 14–7 lead on a touchdown set up by a 62-yard punt return. Penn State had a chance to tie in the fourth, but quarterback Chuck Fusina threw an interception into the Alabama end zone. [16] Then Alabama had a chance to put the game away, but fumbled the football back to Penn State at the Nittany Lion 19-yard-line with four minutes to go. [15] Penn State drove to a first and goal at the Alabama eight. On third and goal from the one, Fusina asked Bama defensive lineman Marty Lyons "What do you think we should do?", and Lyons answered "You'd better pass." [17] On third down, Penn State was stopped inches short of the goal line. On fourth down, Penn State was stopped again, Barry Krauss meeting Mike Guman and throwing him back for no gain. Alabama held on for a 14–7 victory. The Crimson Tide split the national championship, winning the AP poll while Southern California won the UPI Coaches' poll, this despite the Trojans' 24–14 victory over the Crimson Tide on September 23. It was Alabama's fifth wire service national championship.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 85th overall and 46th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 22nd year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season undefeated and with a victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. For their collective efforts, the Crimson Tide were recognized as unanimous national champions for the 1979 season.

The 1977 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 83rd overall and 44th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 20th year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with eleven wins and one loss, as SEC champions and with a victory over Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.

The 1975 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1975 NCAA Division I football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 81st overall and 42nd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 18th 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, as SEC champions and with a victory over Penn State in the Sugar Bowl.

The 1960 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1960 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 66th overall and 27th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his third year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished with a record of eight wins, one loss and two ties and with a tie against Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl.

The 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 67th overall and 28th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his fourth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished season undefeated with eleven wins, with a victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl and as consensus national champions. The 1961 national championship was the first of the six that Bear Bryant would win as head coach of the Crimson Tide.

The 1963 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1963 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 69th overall and 30th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his sixth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished season with nine wins and two losses and with a victory over Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.

The 1980 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 86th overall and 47th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 23rd year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with ten wins and two losses and with a victory over Baylor in the Cotton Bowl.

The 1981 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 87th overall and 48th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 24th year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with nine wins, two losses and one tie, as SEC co-champions with Georgia and with a loss against Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

The 1982 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 88th overall and 49th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 25th and final year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with eight wins and four losses and with a victory over Illinois in the Liberty Bowl.

The 1983 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1983 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 89th overall and 50th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Ray Perkins, in his first year, and played their home games at both Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of eight wins and four losses. Ray Perkins, who played as a wide receiver for Bear Bryant in the 1960s, was named as the new head coach at Alabama on December 14, 1982, to succeed Bryant after his 26-year tenure as Alabama's head coach.

The 1984 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1984 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 90th overall and 51st season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Ray Perkins, in his second year, and played its home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Alabama finished the season with a record of five wins and six losses. This marked Alabama's first losing season since the Tide went 2–3–1 in 1957 under Jennings B. Whitworth, and ended its streak of 26 straight bowl appearances.

The 1985 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 93rd overall and 52nd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Ray Perkins, in his third year, and played their home games at both Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of nine wins, two losses and one tie and with a victory in the Aloha Bowl over USC.

The 1986 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 94th overall and 53rd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Ray Perkins, in his fourth year, and played their home games at both Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of ten wins and three losses and with a victory in the Sun Bowl over Washington.

The 1987 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1987 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 95th overall and 54th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bill Curry, in his first year, and played their home games at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of seven wins and five losses and with a loss in the Hall of Fame Bowl to Michigan.

The 1988 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 96th overall and 55th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bill Curry, in his second year, and played their home games at both Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of nine wins and three losses and with a victory in the Sun Bowl over Army.

The 1989 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 97th overall and 56th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bill Curry, in his third year, and played their home games at both Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of ten wins and two losses, as SEC co-champions and with a loss in the Sugar Bowl against national championship winner Miami.

The 1958 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1958 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 64th overall and 25th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his first 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 five wins, four losses and one tie. As they finished the season above .500, Alabama secured its first winning season since 1953, and their five victories gave Bryant more wins games in one season than former head coach Jennings B. Whitworth did in previous three.

The 1959 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1959 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 65th overall and 26th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his second 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 seven wins, two losses and two ties and with a loss against Penn State in the inaugural Liberty Bowl.

The 1936 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1936 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 43rd overall and 4th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his sixth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of eight wins, zero losses, and one tie.

The Alabama Crimson Tide football team represents the University of Alabama in American football.

References

General

Specific

  1. "Huskers drop 20–3 battle". The Sioux City Sunday Journal. September 3, 1978. Retrieved October 29, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  2. "MU fails to ride Crimson Tide 38–20". The Kansas City Star. September 17, 1978. Retrieved October 29, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  3. "USC has No. 1 'Bama on the run, 24–14". The Los Angeles Times. September 24, 1978. Retrieved October 29, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Tide buries Vandy". The Selma Times-Journal. October 1, 1978. Retrieved October 29, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Nerves of Steele fail Huskies 20–17". The News Tribune. October 8, 1978. Retrieved October 29, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Bryant unhappy after beating Florida". The Pensacola News-Journal. October 15, 1978. Retrieved October 29, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Vols fall prey to Tide 30–17". The Tennessean. October 22, 1978. Retrieved October 29, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Alabama romps to homecoming victory". The Selma Times-Journal. October 29, 1978. Retrieved October 29, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Tide chains MSU". The Shreveport Times. November 5, 1978. Retrieved October 29, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Tide swamps LSU". The Buffalo News. November 12, 1978. Retrieved October 29, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Alabama crushes Auburn". The Pensacola News-Journal. December 3, 1978. Retrieved October 29, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Hard-hitting defense keys Bama victory". Birmingham Post-Herald. January 2, 1979. Retrieved October 29, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  13. "1978 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  14. Bryant:Tide Not No. 1 after Spring's Discontent, web: The Sacramento Bee, 1978, retrieved March 13, 2023
  15. 1 2 Greatest Bowl Games
  16. "Penn State Daily Collegian, 3 January 1979". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  17. "Sugar Bowl Memories", Tuscaloosa News