1985 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Last updated

1985 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Aloha Bowl champion
Aloha Bowl, W 24–3 vs. USC
Conference Southeastern Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 14
APNo. 13
Record9–2–1 (4–1–1 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator George Henshaw (3rd season)
Defensive coordinator Joe Kines (1st season)
Captains
Home stadium Bryant–Denny Stadium
(Capacity: 60,210)
Legion Field
(Capacity: 75,808)
Seasons
←  1984
1986  →
1985 Southeastern Conference football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 4 Tennessee $ 5 –1 –09 –1 –2
No. 5 Florida 5 –1 –09 –1 –1
No. 13 Alabama 4 –1 –19 –2 –1
No. 20 LSU 4 –1 –19 –2 –1
Georgia 3 –2 –17 –3 –2
Auburn 3 –3 –08 –4 –0
Ole Miss 2 –4 –04 –6 –1
Vanderbilt 1 –4 –13 –7 –1
Kentucky 1 –5 –05 –6 –0
Mississippi State 0 –6 –05 –6 –0
  • $ – Conference champion
  • Florida ineligible for SEC championship due to NCAA probation.
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1985 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA", "Bama" or "The Tide") 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 (9–2–1 overall, 4–1–1 in the SEC) and with a victory in the Aloha Bowl over USC.

Contents

Highlights of the 1985 season included a last-second, 20–16 comeback victory on Labor Day over Georgia to open the season. [1] The 1985 edition of the Iron Bowl against Auburn is regarded as one of Alabama's most dramatic victories in the history of the series. In the game, Alabama led 16–10 after three quarters, but saw four lead changes in the fourth quarter, including two in the final minute. [2] It ended with Van Tiffin's 52-yard field goal as time expired to give Alabama a 25–23 victory. [2] Tiffin's field goal is remembered simply as "The Kick" in Alabama lore. [3] [4]

Due to NCAA sanctions that led to the forfeit of Alabama's 1993 17–17 tie with Tennessee, and college football's adoption of an overtime that does not allow ties, the 14–14 tie with LSU remains the last official tie in school history. [5] [6]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 27:00 p.m.at Georgia
ABC W 20–1681,277 [7]
September 146:45 p.m. Texas A&M *No. 20
 ESPN W 23–1074,697 [8]
September 211:30 p.m. Cincinnati *No. 16
 PPV W 45–1058,714 [9]
September 2811:30 a.m.at Vanderbilt No. 15
 WTBS W 40–2041,186 [10]
October 122:30 p.m.at No. 8 Penn State *No. 10
ABCL 17–1985,444 [11]
October 1911:30 a.m.No. 20 Tennessee No. 15
WTBSL 14–1675,808 [12]
October 261:30 p.m.at Memphis State *
PPVW 28–937,609 [13]
November 21:30 p.m. Mississippi State Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
W 44–2860,210 [14]
November 92:30 p.m.at No. 15 LSU No. 20
ABCT 14–1476,772 [15]
November 161:30 p.m. Southern Miss *No. 20
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
W 24–1358,714 [16]
November 302:30 p.m.vs. No. 7 Auburn
ABCW 25–2375,808 [17]
December 287:00 p.m.vs. USC *No. 13
ISNW 24–335,183 [18]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[19]

Roster

1985 Alabama Crimson Tide football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 1 Albert Bell Jr
TE 85 Howard Cross Fr
RB 26 Bobby Humphrey Fr
RB 22Gene JelksFr
WR 17 Bennie Magee Fr
QB 11 Mike Shula Jr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
LB 97 Cornelius Bennett Jr
CB 36 Chris Goode So
LB 55 Derrick Thomas Fr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
P 5 Chris Mohr Fr
K 3 Van Tiffin Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
AP ——201615121015——2020——151513
Coaches —1612108814—2020———141414

[20]

Game summaries

Texas A&M

1234Total
Aggies037010
•No. 20 Crimson Tide7301323
  • Date: September 14
  • Location: Legion Field
  • Game attendance: 74,697
  • Television network: ESPN
   
Scoring summary
1ALAChester Braggs 2-yard run (Van Tiffin kick)ALA 7–0
22:46A&MEric Franklin 20-yard field goalALA 7–3
ALAVan Tiffin 57-yard field goalALA 10–3
3A&MAnthony Toney 1-yard run (kick)Tied 10–10
411:15ALAVan Kiffin 40-yard field goalALA 13–10
ALAVan Kiffin 51-yard field goalALA 16–10
1:07ALACraig Turner 32-yard run (Tiffin kick)ALA 23–10

[21]

At LSU

Alabama at LSU
1234Total
No. 20 Crimson Tide700714
No. 15 Tigers0014014
Scoring summary
17:57BAMAGene Jelks 34-yard run (Van Tiffin kick)Alabama 7–0
314:06LSU Garry James 49-yard run (Ron Lewis kick)Tied 7–7
310:12LSU Wendell Davis 67-yard pass from Jeff Wickersham (Lewis kick)LSU 14–7
41:23Gene Jelks 3-yard pass to Mike Shula (Tiffin kick)Tied 14–14

Vs. Auburn

1234Total
•Crimson Tide1060925
No. 7 Tigers01001323
  • Date: November 30
  • Location: Legion Field
  • Game attendance: 75,808
Scoring summary
Q1ALATurner 1-yard run (Tiffin kick)ALA 7–0
Q1ALATiffin 26-yard field goalALA 10–0
Q2ALATiffin 32-yard field goalALA 13–0
Q2AUB Jackson 7-yard run (Johnson kick)ALA 13–7
Q2ALATiffin 42-yard field goalALA 16–7
Q2AUBJohnson 49-yard field goalALA 16–10
Q4AUBJackson 1-yard run (Johnson kick)AUB 17–16
Q4ALAJelks 74-yard run (pass failed)ALA 22–17
Q4:57AUBWare 1-yard run (run failed)AUB 23–22
Q4:00ALATiffin 52-yard field goalALA 25–23

Van Tiffin kicked his fourth field goal of the game, from 52 yards out, as time expired to give Alabama the Iron Bowl victory. [22]

Vs. USC (Aloha Bowl)

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The 1998 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the college football season of 1998–99. The team's head coach was Mike DuBose, who was entering his second year at Alabama. They played their home games at both Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama and competed in the West Division of the Southeastern Conference. They improved upon a 4–7 record from the 1997 season by finishing the 1998 campaign with a 7–5 record and an appearance in the Music City Bowl. The win against Ole Miss during the season marked Alabama's first ever overtime victory.

The 1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1996–97 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference. Gene Stallings led the Crimson Tide to a 10–3 record in his final year with the program. The team played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.

The 1993 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1993 NCAA Division I-A football season, competing in the Southeastern Conference Western Division. The team was led by head coach Gene Stallings, who was in his fourth season at the position.

The 1960 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1960 college 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 1991 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was led by head coach Gene Stallings who was in his second season at Alabama. The team played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. The team competed in the Southeastern Conference.

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 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 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 the 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 1990 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Crimson Tide was led by first-year head coach Gene Stallings, replacing Bill Curry who left for the University of Kentucky.

The 1959 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1959 college 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 1922 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1922 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 29th overall and first season as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon). The team was led by head coach Xen C. Scott, in his fourth year, and played their home games at Denny Field in Tuscaloosa, Rickwood Field in Birmingham and the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of six wins, three losses and one tie.

The 1937 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1937 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 44th overall and 5th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Frank Thomas, in his seventh 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 nine wins and one loss, as SEC champions and with a loss against California in the 1938 Rose Bowl.

References

General

Specific

  1. ↑ Hersch, Hank (September 8, 1986). "The Tide Rolls with a Shula named Mike". Sports Illustrated. SI.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2009. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  2. 1 2 1985 Game Recaps, Game No. 11
  3. ↑ Rappaport, Ken; Barry Wilmer (2007). Football Feuds: The Greatest College Football Rivalries. Guilford, Connecticut: The Lyons Press. pp. 85–86. ISBN   978-1-59921-014-8.
  4. ↑ Hersch, Hank (December 9, 1985). "The Week". Sports Illustrated. SI.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2009. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  5. ↑ Deas, Tommy (August 4, 1995). "1993 will be lost season for Tide". The Gadsden Times. Google News. NYT Regional Newspapers. p. D4. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  6. ↑ Whiteside, Kelly (August 25, 2006). "Overtime system still excites coaches". USA Today. McLean, Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Tide turns on Dogs". The Atlanta Constitution. September 3, 1985. Retrieved February 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Alabama drops A&M". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 15, 1985. Retrieved February 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "'Bama overwhelms Bearcats". The Cincinnati Enquirer. September 22, 1985. Retrieved February 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "VU errors help Tide roll, 40–20". The Tennessean. September 29, 1985. Retrieved February 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Penn State rolls, 19–17, over Bama". The Pittsburgh Press. October 13, 1985. Retrieved February 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Ground, kicking games propel Vols past Tide". The Montgomery Advertiser. October 20, 1985. Retrieved February 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Alabama claims a comedy of errors". The Anniston Star. October 27, 1985. Retrieved February 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Alabama whets SEC taste in romp over State". The Clarion-Ledger. November 3, 1985. Retrieved February 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "LSU Tigers, Crimson Tide struggle to 14–14 stalemate". The Daily Advertiser. November 10, 1985. Retrieved February 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "USM's upset bid 'officially' doused". Hattiesburg American. November 17, 1985. Retrieved February 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Game-winning field goal is new experience for Tiffin". The Montgomery Advertiser. December 1, 1985. Retrieved February 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "Crimson Tide washes over USC, 24–3". The Honolulu Advertiser. December 29, 1985. Retrieved February 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "1985 Alabama football archives". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Alabama 1985 AP Football Rankings". collegepollarchive.com. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  21. ↑ "ALABAMA 23, TEXAS A&M 10". UPI Archives . September 15, 1985. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  22. ↑ Eugene Register-Guard. 1985 Dec 1. Retrieved 2015-Sep-18.
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