1957 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1957 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference SEC 2–7–1 1–6–1 Jennings B. Whitworth 3rd Jim Loftin Clay Walls Denny StadiumLegion FieldLadd Stadium The 1957 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1957 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 63rd overall and 24th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Jennings B. Whitworth, in his third 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 two wins, seven losses and one tie (2–7–1 overall, 1–6–1 in the SEC). Alabama opened the season by going winless over their first five games. After a loss at LSU, the Crimson Tide played Vanderbilt to a tie at Nashville. They then lost to TCU, Tennessee and Mississippi State before they won their first game at Georgia. The Crimson Tide then lost consecutive home games to Tulane and Georgia Tech before they won their second game of the season against 1957 Southern Miss Golden Eagles Mississippi Southern. Alabama then closed the season with a 40–0 loss in the Iron Bowl against eventual national champion Auburn. On October 24, university officials announced the contract of head coach Whitworth would not be renewed when it expired December 1 at the conclusion of the season. On December 3, former Maryland, Kentucky and then Texas A&M head coach and former Alabama player Bear Bryant was hired as both the head coach of the football team and athletic director at Alabama. Schedule 1957 AP September 28 l y LSU Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA rivalry 0–28 33,728 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-cannon-paces-t/133106860/ Cannon paces Tigers over Alabama, 28–0 The Montgomery Advertiser September 29, 1957 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com October 5 t y Vanderbilt 20 Dudley Field Nashville, TN 6–6 24,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-bama-gains-upset-t/133105864/ 'Bama gains upset tie, 6–6, with Commodores Kingsport Times-News October 6, 1957 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com October 12 l y y TCU Amon G. Carter Stadium Fort Worth, TX 0–28 20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-tcus-long-gain/133108458/ TCU's long gainers stun 'Bama, 28–0 Fort Worth Star-Telegram October 13, 1957 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com October 19 l Tennessee Legion Field Birmingham, AL Third Saturday in October 0–14 32,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98794449/gordon-led-vols-beat-tide-140/ The Birmingham News Gordon-led Vols beat Tide, 14–0 October 20, 1957 March 31, 2022 Newspapers.com October 26 l y Mississippi State Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 13–25 28,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-state-rolls-to-victory/133108586/ State rolls to victory The Clarion-Ledger October 27, 1957 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com November 2 w y Georgia Sanford Stadium Athens, GA rivalry 14–13 30,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-alabama-finds-winnin/133108680/ Alabama finds winning touch, topples favored Georgia, 14–13 The Macon Telegraph & News November 3, 1957 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com November 9 l Tulane Ladd Stadium Mobile, AL 0–7 15,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85639224/tulane-stops-sputtering-tide/ The Birmingham News Tulane stops sputtering Tide November 10, 1957 September 19, 2021 Newspapers.com November 16 l Georgia Tech Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 7–10 30,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-tide-loses-10-to-7-h/133107753/ Tide loses 10 to 7 heartbreaker to Tech The Birmingham News November 17, 1957 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com November 23 w y Mississippi Southern Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 29–2 18,500 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74691734/tide-rolls-292 The Birmingham News Tide rolls, 29–2 November 24, 1957 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com November 30 l y Auburn 1 Legion Field Birmingham, AL Iron Bowl 0–40 45,000 Auburn Mauls Hapless Alabama, 40-0 To Finish Unbeaten, Untied, Uninvited The Montgomery Advertiser Max Mosley December 1, 1957 1C, 2C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99101945/auburn-mauls-hapless-alabama-40-0-to/ Newspapers.com http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html#1957 1957 Alabama football schedule RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics December 10, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111125000700/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html November 25, 2011 Game summaries LSU 1957 LSU Tigers football team Alabama 0 0 0 0 LSU 7 0 14 7 September 28 Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA 33,728 Source:W. B. Jr. Ragsdale LSU slaps Crimson Tide in opener, 28–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YiMsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ocgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1234%2C6679721 The Florence Times September 29, 1957 10 December 11, 2012Charles Land Bama loses to LSU Tiger in opener, 28–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=XUmZziu-z7kC&dat=19570924&printsec=frontpage&hl=en The Tuscaloosa News September 29, 1957 1 December 11, 2012 To open the 1957 season, Alabama was shutout by LSU 28–0 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.1957 Season Recap LSU took the opening kickoff and drove 67-yards for a one-yard Jim Taylor touchdown run that gave the Tigers a 7–0 lead at halftime after a scoreless second quarter. In the third quarter, Win Turner intercepted an Alabama pass that gave LSU possession at their 40-yard line. Six plays later, Turner then threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to J. W. Brodnax for a 14–0 lead. Billy Cannon then scored the final two Tigers' touchdowns for the 28–0 victory. The first came on a 53-yard run in the third quarter and the second on a 73-yard run in the fourth quarter that followed a fake punt. Vanderbilt 1957 Vanderbilt Commodores football team Alabama 6 0 0 0 #20 Vanderbilt 0 6 0 0 October 5 Dudley Field Nashville, TN 24,000 Sources:Ben Davis Tide battles Vandy to 6–6 tie as final drive halted https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NvkcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AZoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6433%2C454054 The Tuscaloosa News October 6, 1957 1 December 11, 2012Underdog Bama gets 6–6 tie in Vandy tilt https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GrkfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zNcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2606%2C454457 The Gadsden Times October 6, 1957 1 December 11, 2012 In their second consecutive road game to open the 1957 season, the Crimson Tide played the Vanderbilt Commodores to a 6–6 tie at Dudley Field. Alabama took an early 6–0 lead on a short James Loftin touchdown run that capped their first offensive possession. The Commodores then tied the game 6–6 in the second quarter on a four-yard William Smith touchdown run. The Crimson Tide nearly pulled off the upset late in the fourth quarter after a 58-yard Jerry Daniel punt return gave Alabama possession at the Vandy eight-yard line. However, Alabama was unable to score as time expired just prior to a fourth down play from inside the five-yard line. TCU 1957 TCU Horned Frogs football team Alabama 0 0 0 0 TCU 0 14 7 7 October 12 Carter StadiumFort Worth, TX Sources:Charles Land TCU crosses goal 4 times to whip Bama https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PPkcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AZoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4951%2C1378284 The Tuscaloosa News October 13, 1957 1 December 11, 2012Robert E. Ford TCU batters 'Bama by 28 to 0 margin https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WBcsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=isgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4565%2C1365270 The Florence Times October 13, 1957 11 December 11, 2012 For the third consecutive season, Alabama played the Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs of the Southwest Conference, and for the third time in as many years the Crimson Tide lost 28–0. After a scoreless first quarter, TCU took a 14–0 halftime lead after they scored a pair short second-quarter touchdown runs by Buddy Dike and Marvin Lasater. The Frogs then closed the game with a 49-yard Dick Finney quarterback sneak for a touchdown in the third and on a short Jim Shofner touchdown run in the fourth to win 28–0. Tennessee 1957 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October Tennessee 0 0 0 14 Alabama 0 0 0 0 October 19 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL Sources:Charles Land Tennessee thumps Tide in last period, 14 to 0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Q_kcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AZoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7181%2C2406792 The Tuscaloosa News October 20, 1957 12 December 11, 2012James W. Smith Tide bows 14–0 after Tennessee unleashes drive https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IbkfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zNcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1472%2C2074137 The Gadsden Times October 20, 1957 1 December 11, 2012 In their annual rivalry game against Tennessee, the score was tied at zero as the teams entered the fourth quarter. However, a pair of touchdowns by the Volunteers in the final quarter gave Tennessee the 14–0 victory in Birmingham. The Vols touchdowns were scored on a nine-yard Bobby Gordon touchdown pass to Tommy Potts and then on a four-yard Gordon run in the win. Mississippi State 1957 Mississippi State Maroons football team Mississippi State 6 6 0 13 Alabama 6 0 0 7 October 26 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 28,000 Sources:Charles Land Stunned State steams by Crimson Tide, 25 to 13 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SfkcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AZoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6890%2C3384525 The Tuscaloosa News October 27, 1957 10 December 12, 2012Don Cox Maroons subdue Bama, 25 to 13, nip homecoming https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JLkfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zNcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2477%2C2881203 The Gadsden Times October 27, 1957 1 December 12, 2012 One year after the Crimson Tide defeated Mississippi State to end their 17-game losing streak, the Maroons were victorious on homecoming at Denny Stadium by a final score of 25–13. Alabama took a 6–0 lead on the second play of the game when Jim Loftin scored on a 65-yard touchdown run. The lead was short lived as on the Maroons possession that ensued, Billy Stacy threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Charles Weatherly that tied the game 6–6. State then took a 12–6 halftime lead on a 21-yard Gil Peterson touchdown run in the second quarter. After a scoreless third quarter, the Maroons extended their lead to 25–6 in the fourth quarter on short touchdown runs by Molly Halbert and Robert Collins. The Crimson Tide then made the final score 25–13 on a 62-yard Bobby Jackson touchdown pass to Marlin Dyess late in the final period. Georgia 1957 Georgia Bulldogs football team Alabama 0 14 0 0 Georgia 6 0 7 0 November 2 Sanford StadiumAthens, GA 30,000 Sources:Clyde Bolton Crimson Tide rolls, 14–13 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6bkfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ydcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2256%2C121722 The Gadsden Times November 3, 1957 1 December 12, 2012Vernon Butler Associated Press Tide beats Georgia for first win https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TxcsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=isgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1019%2C3668103 The Miami News November 3, 1957 11 December 12, 2012 Against the Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama won their first game of the season 14–13 at Sanford Stadium in Athens. The Bulldogs took a 6–0 first quarter lead after Theron Sapp scored on a one-yard touchstone run. The Crimson Tide responded with a pair of second-quarter touchdowns and took a 14–6 halftime lead. Both scores came on a pair of Bobby Smith touchdown passes, the first to Charles Gray from 46-yards and the second to Willie Beck from 16-yards out. Georgia was able to score a second touchdown in the third quarter on a six-yard Charles Britt pass to Donald Soberdash; however, the blocked extra point from their first score provided the final margin of defeat for the Bulldogs. Tulane 1957 Tulane Green Wave football team Tulane 7 0 0 0 Alabama 0 0 0 0 November 9 Ladd StadiumMobile, AL Sources:Charles Land Tulane topples Tide with first quarter score, 7–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bxcfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_5kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7295%2C1093175 The Tuscaloosa News November 10, 1957 14 December 17, 2012Stan Atkins Associated Press Tulane nips Bama in close tilt, 7–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KxcsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=isgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3176%2C4420567 The Florence Times November 10, 1957 9 December 17, 2012 In their annual home game played at Ladd Stadium, the Crimson Tide were shutout 7–0 by the Tulane Green Wave at Mobile. The only points of the game came on a four-yard Richie Petitbon touchdown run in the first quarter. Georgia Tech 1957 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team Georgia Tech 0 0 0 10 Alabama 7 0 0 0 November 16 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 30,000 Sources:Charles Land Tide fails in stretch as Tech wins, 10 to 7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=XUmZziu-z7kC&dat=19571116&printsec=frontpage&hl=en The Tuscaloosa News November 17, 1957 11 December 17, 2012Leroy Simms Associated Press Georgia Tech wins close contest from 'Bama, 10–7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UBcsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=isgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3722%2C5216143 The Florence Times November 17, 1957 10 December 17, 2012 Against Georgia Tech, Alabama lost 10–7 to the Yellow Jackets at Legion Field. The Crimson Tide took a 7–0 first quarter lead after Danny Wilbanks scored on a one-yard touchdown run that capped an 80-yard drive. Alabama held the lead through the fourth quarter, but Tech scored ten points to win in the final period. Freddie Braselton tied the game 7–7 with his one-yard touchdown run and then Urban Henry scored the game-winning field goal late in the fourth that made the final score 10–7. Mississippi Southern 1957 Southern Miss Golden Eagles Miss Southern 0 0 0 2 Alabama 0 7 15 7 November 23 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 18,500 Sources:Charles Land Crimson Tide breaks jinx, blasts Southerners 29–2 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dxcfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_5kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6761%2C2933110 The Tuscaloosa News November 24, 1957 1 December 17, 2012Leroy Simms Associated Press Bama blasts Southern https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IhcsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=isgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4712%2C5974169 The Florence Times November 24, 1957 11 December 17, 2012 In their final non-conference game of the season, Alabama won their second game of the season against the Mississippi Southern Golden Eagles 29–2 at Denny Stadium. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 7–0 halftime lead on a one-yard Danny Wilbanks touchdown run in the second quarter. After Wilbanks scored his second touchdown in the third quarter, Southern gave up a safety on a bad snap on a punt attempt. On the free kick that ensued, Clay Walls returned it 66-yards for a touchdown and a 22–0 lead. After the Crimson Tide took a 29–0 lead in the fourth quarter on a 14-yard Bobby Skelton touchdown pass to Marlin Dyess before the Southerners ended the shutout attempt when Skelton was sacked for a safety. Auburn 1957 Auburn Tigers football team Iron Bowl #1 Auburn 14 20 6 0 Alabama 0 0 0 0 November 30 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 45,000 Sources:Norman Bassett Upset plans go awry as Tigers whip Tide https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d2UeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5JkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7496%2C65827 The Tuscaloosa News December 1, 1957 11 December 17, 2012Griffin John Chandler Alabama vs. Auburn: Gridiron Grudge Since 1893 2001 Hill Street Press Athens, Georgia 1-58818-044-1 154–156 1957: 10–0 Tigers win SEC championship Against the rival Auburn, the Tigers scored 34 first half points en route to a 40–0 shutout victory at Legion Field in the season finale. After the Tigers recovered an Alabama fumble on their first possession, Auburn took a 7–0 lead on a one-yard Bill Atkins touchdown run. Atkins then extended their lead to 14–0 with a six-yard touchdown run later in the first that capped a six-play, 62-yard drive. Up by 14, three second-quarter touchdowns resulted in a 34–0 halftime lead for Auburn. Points were scored on a two-yard Lloyd Nix run and on interception returns of 21-yards by Tommy Lorino and 66-yards by Jackie Burkett. The final Auburn touchdown was scored in the third on a 27-yard Nix pass to Jim Phillips that made the final score 40–0. Three days after their victory over the Crimson Tide, Auburn was recognized as the 1957 national champions by the final AP poll of the season.Ed Wilks Auburn ruled national champ, Buckeyes second https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eWUeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5JkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7228%2C574600 The Tuscaloosa News December 3, 1957 10 December 17, 2012 After the season In the week that followed their loss to Tennessee, the University of Alabama Faculty Committee on Physical Education and Athletics announced the university would not renew coach Whitworth's contract effective December 1 at the conclusion of the season.Charles Land Whit's departure official https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R_kcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AZoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7217%2C3165747 The Tuscaloosa News October 24, 1957 21 December 17, 2012 On December 3, the university formally introduced then Texas A&M head coach and former Crimson Tide player Bear Bryant as the new head coach of the Crimson Tide.Charles Land Bryant signs 10-year pact as coach of Crimson Tide https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eWUeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5JkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6621%2C521227 The Tuscaloosa News December 3, 1957 1 December 17, 2012 At the time of the announcement, Bryant also became athletic director as the replacement for Hank Crisp and signed a ten-year contract to serve as Alabama's head coach. Personnel Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Charles Allen Athens, Alabama End Willie Beck Northport, Alabama End Ralph Blalock Cullman, Alabama End Jim Blevins Moulton, Alabama Tackle Baxter Booth Athens, Alabama End Jerre Brannen Anniston, Alabama End Marshall Brown Ladysmith, Wisconsin Fullback Donald Cochran Birmingham, Alabama Guard Marlin Dyess Elba, Alabama Halfback Charles Gray Pell City, Alabama End William Hannah Indianapolis, Indiana Tackle Bobby Jackson Mobile, Alabama Quarterback William Knight Homewood, Alabama Halfback James Loftin Dothan, Alabama Halfback Sidney Neighbors Northport, Alabama Tackle Robert O'Steen Anniston, Alabama Fullback Donald Owen Memphis, Tennessee End Billy Raines Moulton, Alabama Guard Kenneth Roberts Anniston, Alabama Center Authur Scott Jasper, Alabama Tackle Dave Sington Birmingham, Alabama Tackle Robert Skelton Pell City, Alabama Quarterback Bobby Smith Brewton, Alabama Quarterback Sammy Smith Talladega, Alabama Guard Ravis Stickney Key West, Florida Fullback Richard Strum Biloxi, Mississippi Halfback Carl Valletto Oakmont, Pennsylvania End Bland Walker Jr. Eutaw, Alabama Center Clay Walls Bessemer, Alabama Halfback Danny Wilbanks Tallassee, Alabama Fullback William Wood Guntersville, Alabama EndReference:2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2011 All-Time Tide Football Lettermen University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama 127–141 Coaching staff Name Position Seasons atAlabama Alma mater Jennings B. Whitworth Head coach 3 Alabama (1932) Lew Bostick Assistant coach 14 Alabama (1939) Hank Crisp Assistant coach 30 VPI (1920) Dorsey Gibson Assistant coach 2 Oklahoma A&M (1953) Jim Goostree Assistant coach 1 Tennessee (1952) Howard "Moose" Johnson Assistant coach 3 Georgia (1948) Joe Kilgrow Assistant coach 14 Alabama (1937) Malcolm Laney Assistant coach 14 Alabama (1932) Barney Poole Assistant coach 2 Ole Miss (1948) Joe Thomas Assistant coach 3 Oklahoma A&M (1947)Reference:2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2011 All-Time Assistant Coaches University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama 142–143 References General http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/57-m-footbl-recaps.pdf 1957 Season Recaps RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics December 10, 2012 April 25, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140425164233/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/57-m-footbl-recaps.pdf dead Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football