1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Last updated

1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football
SEC Western Division co-champion
Outback Bowl champion
SEC Championship Game, L 30–45 vs. Florida
Outback Bowl, W 17–14 vs. Michigan
Conference Southeastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 11
APNo. 11
Record10–3 (6–2 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Woody McCorvey (1st season)
Defensive coordinator Mike DuBose (1st season)
Home stadium Bryant–Denny Stadium
Legion Field
Seasons
  1995
1997  
1996 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Eastern Division
No. 1 Florida x$  8 0   12 1  
No. 9 Tennessee  7 1   10 2  
South Carolina  4 4   6 5  
Kentucky  3 5   4 7  
Georgia  3 5   5 6  
Vanderbilt  0 8   2 9  
Western Division
No. 11 Alabama xy  6 2   10 3  
No. 12 LSU x  6 2   10 2  
No. 24 Auburn  4 4   8 4  
Mississippi State  3 5   5 6  
Ole Miss  2 6   5 6  
Arkansas  2 6   4 7  
Championship: Florida 45, Alabama 30
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by Gene Stallings in his seventh and final season as head coach, the Crimson Tide compiled an overall record of 10–3 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, SEC's Western Division title with LSU. By virtue of a head-to-head win over Tigers, Alabama advanced to the SEC Championship Game, where the Crimson Tide lost to the eventual national champion Florida. Alabama was then invited to the Outback Bowl, defeating Michigan in the game. The team played home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.

Contents

Alabama's loss to Mississippi State on November 16 broke a 15-game winning streak Alabama had in the series, and was the Crimon Tide's first loss to the Bulldogs since a dramatic upset that Bulldogs posted over the top-ranked Tide in 1980. Following a victory in the annual Iron Bowl on November 23, Stallings announced his retirement, effective at the end of the season. [1]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
August 312:00 p.m. Bowling Green *No. 13 PPV W 21–776,878 [2]
September 711:30 a.m. Southern Miss *No. 14
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL
JPS W 20–1082,338 [3]
September 145:00 p.m. Vanderbilt No. 13 ESPN2 W 36–2670,123 [4]
September 2111:30 a.m.at Arkansas No. 13JPSW 17–754,827 [5]
October 51:00 p.m. Kentucky Dagger-14-plain.pngNo. 13
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL
PPVW 35–770,123 [6]
October 122:30 p.m.at NC State *No. 8 ABC W 24–1950,750 [7]
October 195:00 p.m. Ole Miss No. 7
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
ESPN2W 37–070,123 [8]
October 262:30 p.m.at No. 6 Tennessee No. 7 CBS L 13–20106,700 [9]
November 96:30 p.m.at No. 11 LSU No. 10ESPNW 26–080,290 [10]
November 168:00 p.m.at Mississippi State No. 8ESPNL 16–1740,050 [11]
November 236:30 p.m. Auburn No. 15
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL (Iron Bowl, College GameDay)
ESPNW 24–2383,091 [12]
December 78:00 p.m.vs. No. 4 Florida No. 11ABCL 30–4574,132 [13]
January 1, 199710:00 a.m.vs. No. 15 Michigan *No. 16ESPNW 17–1453,161 [14]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[15]

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
т = Tied with team above or below
Week
PollPre12345678910111213141516Final
AP 1513141313т1413877101081515111611
Coaches 141312111010876111081212111511

Game summaries

Bowling Green

1234Total
Falcons00077
No. 13 Crimson Tide777021

Alabama kicked off the season with a commanding 21–7 victory over newly reclassified Division I opponent Bowling Green, extending their streak to six straight season-opening wins. The Crimson Tide’s balanced attack and stout defense set the tone early, with key plays that stifled Bowling Green’s offense and secured a confident start to the campaign.

StatisticsBowling GreenAlabama
First downs716
Total yards177316
Rushing yards80154
Passing yards97162
Turnovers33
Time of possession27:4232:18
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Bowling GreenPassingBob Niemet9–19, 59 yards, 1 INT
RushingCourtney Davis13 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJacque Rogers4 receptions, 44 yards
AlabamaPassing Freddie Kitchens 10–16, 156 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Curtis Alexander 6 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMichael Vaughn5 receptions, 73 yards

Southern Miss

1234Total
Golden Eagles0100010
No. 14 Crimson Tide1073020

Alabama’s defense dominated once again, holding Southern Miss to just 109 yards of offense as the Crimson Tide secured their sixth consecutive victory over the Golden Eagles.

StatisticsSouthern MissAlabama
First downs820
Total yards109304
Rushing yards11115
Passing yards98189
Turnovers31
Time of possession19:3740:21
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern MissPassingHeath Graham8–26, 98 yards, 2 INT's
RushingEric Booth5 carries, 46 yards
Receiving Sherrod Gideon 2 receptions, 59 yards
AlabamaPassing Freddie Kitchens 15–23, 180 yards, 2 TD's
Rushing Curtis Alexander 20 carries, 73 yards
ReceivingMichael Vaughn5 receptions, 70 yards

Vanderbilt

1234Total
Commodores7811026
No. 13 Crimson Tide31221036

In the first home game of the 1996 season at Bryant-Denny Stadium, a fierce shootout erupted as the Crimson Tide unleashed a relentless 21-point surge in the third quarter, overwhelming the Commodores and thrilling the crowd en route to a 36–26 victory

StatisticsVanderbiltAlabama
First downs1123
Total yards255367
Rushing yards116160
Passing yards139207
Turnovers53
Time of possession23:4736:13
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
VanderbiltPassingDamian Allen11–21, 139 yards, 3 INT's
RushingBill Marinangel1 carry, 81 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingBilly Miller1 reception, 38 yards
AlabamaPassing Freddie Kitchens 16–27, 209 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT's
Rushing Curtis Alexander 19 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMarcell West3 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD

Arkansas

1234Total
No. 13 Crimson Tide0701017
Razorbacks00077

A defensive struggle goes the Crimson Tide way as they avenge their loss of a year ago to Arkansas.

StatisticsAlabamaArkansas
First downs1413
Total yards288206
Rushing yards105130
Passing yards18376
Turnovers13
Time of possession33:0826:52
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassing Freddie Kitchens 14–28, 183 yards, 1 TD
RushingDennis Riddle20 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingCalvin Hall3 receptions, 78 yards
ArkansasPassingPete Burks11–24, 76 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingOscar Malone
Chrys Chukwuma
14 carries, 72 yards
9 carries, 72 yards
ReceivingAnthony Eubanks3 receptions, 37 yards, 1 TD

Kentucky

1234Total
Wildcats07007
No. 13 Crimson Tide7028035

Former Alabama coach Bill Curry returned to Tuscaloosa for the first time since leaving Alabama for Kentucky in 1989. Despite being heavy underdogs, Curry's Wildcats forced a 7-7 tie at halftime which brought a chorus of boos from the homecoming crowd. The Crimson Tide then would use a 28 point third quarter to beat Kentucky.

StatisticsKentuckyAlabama
First downs417
Total yards124358
Rushing yards75168
Passing yards49190
Turnovers35
Time of possession27:1032:50
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KentuckyPassing Billy Jack Haskins 5–14, 49 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Billy Jack Haskins 15 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Craig Yeast 1 reception, 22 yards
AlabamaPassing Freddie Kitchens 9–16, 152 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Shaun Alexander 9 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingCalvin Hall2 receptions, 52 yards

NC State

1234Total
No. 8 Crimson Tide7071024
Wolfpack3031319

Despite giving up a season high 418 yards of offense, The Crimson Tide survived on the road to stay undefeated.

StatisticsAlabamaNC State
First downs2022
Total yards353418
Rushing yards172158
Passing yards181260
Turnovers02
Time of possession30:4029:20
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassing Freddie Kitchens 13–24, 181 yards
RushingDennis Riddle33 carries, 154 yards, 3 TD's
ReceivingMichael Vaughn6 receptions, 102 yards
NC StatePassing Jamie Barnette 14–25, 260 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Tremayne Stephens 22 carries, 105 yards
ReceivingChris Coleman1 reception, 72 yards, 1 TD

Ole Miss

1234Total
Rebels00000
No. 7 Crimson Tide37141337

The Crimson Tide put its most complete game together to date in 1996 to roll to a shutout win of Ole Miss.

StatisticsOle MissAlabama
First downs928
Total yards158489
Rushing yards26273
Passing yards132216
Turnovers03
Time of possession25:5334:07
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ole MissPassing Stewart Patridge 10–22, 132 yards
RushingTony Cannion9 carries, 37 yards
ReceivingTa'Boris Fisher4 receptions, 49 yards
AlabamaPassing Freddie Kitchens 13–33, 216 yards, 2 TD's, 2 INT's
RushingDennis Riddle31 carries, 140 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMichael Vaughn3 receptions, 89 yards, 2 TD's

Tennessee

1234Total
No. 7 Crimson Tide0310013
No. 6 Volunteers0061420

Tennessee used 14 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to beat Alabama for the second year in a row and for the first time in Knoxville since 1984.

StatisticsAlabamaTennessee
First downs1510
Total yards326296
Rushing yards189120
Passing yards137176
Turnovers43
Time of possession36:2823:22
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassing Freddie Kitchens 8–21, 137 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT's
RushingDennis Riddle38 carries, 184 yards
ReceivingMichael Vaughn2 receptions, 65 yards
TennesseePassing Peyton Manning 12–25, 176 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Jay Graham 14 carries, 128 yards, 2 TD's
Receiving Joey Kent 6 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD

LSU

1234Total
No. 10 Crimson Tide0712726
No. 11 Tigers00000

For the second time in three games, Alabama defense would shut out its opponent. The Crimson tide offense went through one man Redshirt Freshman Shaun Alexander rushed for a School record 291 yards and all four Alabama touchdowns.

StatisticsAlabamaLSU
First downs199
Total yards412248
Rushing yards35152
Passing yards61196
Turnovers13
Time of possession35:5824:02
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassing Freddie Kitchens 6–18, 61 yards
Rushing Shaun Alexander 20 carries, 291 yards, 4 TD's
ReceivingMichael Vaughn1 reception, 19 yards
LSUPassingBryan Sparacino8–35, 133 yards, 2 INT's
Rushing Kevin Faulk 14 carries, 45 yards
Receiving Larry Foster 3 receptions, 56 yards

Mississippi State

1234Total
No. 8 Crimson Tide0130316
Bulldogs770317

For the first time since 1980, Alabama would lose to Mississippi State in one of the biggest upset of the Gene Stallings era.

StatisticsAlabamaMississippi State
First downs1616
Total yards334309
Rushing yards229157
Passing yards105152
Turnovers21
Time of possession27:5532:05
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassing Freddie Kitchens 9–18, 93 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Shaun Alexander 15 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingCalvin Hall3 receptions, 27 yards
Mississippi StatePassingDerrick Taite8–20, 152 yards, 1 TD
RushingRobert Isaac21 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Reggie Kelly 1 reception, 69 yards

Auburn

1234Total
Tigers3173023
No. 15 Crimson Tide 1700724

Alabama would pounce on Auburn early with 17 straight points to begin the game. Auburn would respond with 23 unanswered to lead by 6 late in the fourth quarter. Alabama would drive 74 yards to score on a 6-yard swing pass from Freddie Kitchens to Dennis Riddle to tie the game. Jon Brock extra point would give Alabama the one-point lead and eventual win to clinch the SEC West. After the game, Gene Stallings officially announced his retirement as Alabama head coach at the end of the season.

StatisticsAuburnAlabama
First downs1321
Total yards296434
Rushing yards116142
Passing yards180292
Turnovers25
Time of possession28:3531:25
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AuburnPassing Dameyune Craig 11–39, 180 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's
RushingRusty Williams17 carries, 89 yards
Receiving Karsten Bailey 5 receptions, 92 yards, 1 TD
AlabamaPassing Freddie Kitchens 20–33, 292 yards, 3 TD's, 3 INT's
RushingDennis Riddle21 carries, 131 yards
Receiving Curtis Alexander 1 reception, 63 yards, 1 TD

Florida

1234Total
No. 11 Crimson Tide7714230
No. 4 Gators61814745

Alabama would be in its fourth SEC Championship game in five seasons and once again would face Florida, as they had the previous three meetings. The Gators would use nearly 500 yards of offense to win its fourth straight SEC title, a record that still holds to this day.

StatisticsAlabamaFlorida
First downs1322
Total yards296470
Rushing yards2769
Passing yards269401
Turnovers13
Time of possession30:1229:48
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassing Freddie Kitchens 19–45, 264 yards, 3 TD's, 1 INT
RushingDennis Riddle17 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMichael Vaughn5 receptions, 142 yards, 2 TD's
FloridaPassing Danny Wuerffel 20–35, 401 yards, 6 TD's, 2 INT's
Rushing Fred Taylor 23 carries, 83 yards
Receiving Reidel Anthony 11 receptions, 171 yards, 3 TD's

Michigan

1234Total
No. 16 Crimson Tide3001417
No. 15 Wolverines060814

Two 4th quarter touchdowns proved to be enough as Alabama would win its 10th game of the season and the 70th and final for Gene Stallings as head coach.

StatisticsAlabamaMichigan
First downs1322
Total yards247415
Rushing yards182124
Passing yards65291
Turnovers21
Time of possession25:2834:32
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassing Freddie Kitchens 9–18, 65 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Shaun Alexander 9 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMichael Vaughn2 receptions, 27 yards
MichiganPassing Brian Griese 21–37, 287 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Clarence Williams 12 carries, 58 yards
Receiving Clarence Williams 5 receptions, 113 yards

Coaching staff

NamePositionConsecutive seasons at Alabama
Gene Stallings Head coach 7th
Woody McCorveyOffensive coordinator7th
Dabo Swinney Wide receivers and Tight end coach4th
Danny Pearman Offensive tackles coach/Special teams coordinator6th
Jim Fuller Offensive line Coach13th
Randy Ross Quarterbacks coach/recruiting coordinator7th
Ivy Williams Running backs coach 3rd
Mike DuBose Defensive coordinator/defensive line 7th
Curley Hallman Secondary coach1st
Jeff Rouzie Linebackers coach6th
Mickey Conn Graduate assistant1st
Reference: [16]

References

  1. "Tide prevails; Stallings retires: Auburn Bama both blow leads". The Atlanta Journal. November 24, 1996. pp. F1.
  2. "Not pretty, but a 'W'". The Anniston Star. August 31, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  3. "No offense: Alabama 20, USM 10". Hattiesburg American. September 8, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Vanderbilt chances go out with the Tide". The Tennessean. September 15, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  5. "No repeat of nightmare". The Montgomery Advertiser. September 22, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  6. "UK no mystery to Riddle as Alabama erupts 35–7". The Courier-Journal. October 6, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Pack can't turn the Tide". The News and Observer. October 13, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Alabama just too much". The Clarion-Ledger. October 20, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Two in a row? It's a miracle". The Tennessean. October 27, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Alabama blanks LSU". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. November 10, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  11. "State stuns Bama!". The Clarion-Ledger. November 17, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Tide wins a classic". The Montgomery Advertiser. November 24, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  13. "SECond chance Gators?". The Tampa Tribune. December 8, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Alabama's big plays leave U-M ruing missed chances, 17–14". Detroit Free Press. January 2, 1997. Retrieved February 20, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  15. "1996 Alabama football archives". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  16. 1997 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide, p. 2