1965 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1965 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference SEC 4 1 9–1–1 6–1–1 Bear Bryant 8th Howard Schnellenberger 5th Steve Sloan Paul Crane Denny StadiumLegion FieldLadd Stadium AP poll national championFWAA co-national championSEC championOrange Bowl champion Orange Bowl (NCG) W Won 39–28 vs. Nebraska The 1965 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1965 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 71st overall and 32nd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his eighth 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, one loss and one tie (9–1–1 overall, 6–1–1 in the SEC), as SEC champions and with a victory over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. Alabama was also recognized as national champions by the AP Poll after their Orange Bowl win. Alabama opened the season ranked No. 5, but were upset by Georgia 18–17 in the first game of the season. They rebounded with their first win of the season over Tulane and followed that with a 17–16 win over Ole Miss in a game in which Alabama had to rally from a nine-point fourth quarter deficit for the victory. The next week, the Crimson Tide defeated Vanderbilt in Nashville before they returned home for their rivalry game against Tennessee. Against the Volunteers, the score was deadlocked 7–7 in the closing seconds, but Alabama had driven to the Tennessee four-yard line. Ken Stabler believing that it was third down, threw the ball out of bounds with six seconds left to stop the clock. However, it was actually fourth down, possession went to Tennessee, and the game ended in a tie. After the tie, the Crimson Tide won five in a row over Florida State, Mississippi State, LSU, South Carolina and Auburn en route to Bryant's fourth SEC title at Alabama. Because the Associated Press was holding its vote until after the bowl games instead of before for the first time, No. 4 Alabama still had a chance to win the national championship when they played No. 3 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. On New Year's Day, No. 1 Michigan State lost in the Rose Bowl and No. 2 Arkansas lost in the Cotton Bowl Classic, and Alabama defeated Nebraska 39–28 in the Orange Bowl and captured its third AP National Championship in five years. Schedule 1965 AP September 18 l y 5 Georgia Sanford Stadium Athens, GA NBC rivalry 17–18 42,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-explosive-georgia-upset/133737853/ The Arizona Republic Explosive Georgia upsets Alabamans, 18–17 September 19, 1965 October 20, 2023 Newspapers.com September 25 w Tulane Ladd Stadium Mobile, AL 27–0 33,321 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-sloans-passes-spark-a/133797299/ The Wichita Eagle Sloan's passes spark Alabama September 26, 1965 October 20, 2023 Newspapers.com October 2 w Ole Miss Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 17–16 65,677 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-berserk-bama-v/133795033/ The Montgomery Advertiser Berserk Bama victor at wire October 3, 1965 October 20, 2023 Newspapers.com October 9 w y Vanderbilt Dudley Field Nashville, TN 22–7 29,268 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-bama-fight-back-roars-past-va/133736570/ The Shreveport Times Bama fight back, roars past Vandy October 10, 1965 October 20, 2023 Newspapers.com October 16 t Tennessee Legion Field Birmingham, AL Third Saturday in October 7–7 65,680 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101282431/vols-knot-tide-77/ Tallahassee Democrat Vols knot Tide 7–7 October 17, 1965 October 20, 2023 Newspapers.com October 23 w y y Florida State Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 21–0 43,066 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-alabama-soundly-whips/133797451/ The Tampa Tribune Alabama soundly whips Florida State 21–0 October 24, 1965 October 20, 2023 Newspapers.com October 30 w y 10 Mississippi State Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS rivalry 10–7 45,876 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-tide-holds-back-la/133686404/ The News and Observer Tide holds back late rally, 10–7 October 31, 1965 October 20, 2023 Newspapers.com November 6 w y 5 LSU rivalry Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA NBC 31–7 58,953 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-alabama-rips-ls/133741136/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Alabama rips LSU by 31–7 November 7, 1965 October 20, 2023 Newspapers.com November 13 w y 5 South Carolina Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 35–14 38,776 https://www.newspapers.com/article/rocky-mount-telegram-alabama-shells-sout/133797562/ Rocky Mount Telegram Alabama shells South Carolina behind QB Sloan November 14, 1965 October 20, 2023 Newspapers.com November 27 w y 5 Auburn Legion Field Birmingham, AL Iron Bowl 30–3 66,333 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dothan-eagle-bama-displays-aerial-mi/133797742/ The Dothan Eagle Bama displays aerial might to sink Auburn November 28, 1965 October 20, 2023 Newspapers.com January 1, 1966 w y y 4 Nebraska 3 Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL Orange Bowl NBC 39–28 72,214 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-1966-orange-bowl-chitri/53263607/ Chicago Tribune Nebraska battered, 39 to 28, by Alabama January 2, 1966 October 20, 2023 Newspapers.com http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html#1965 1965 Alabama football schedule RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics May 13, 2013 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 Georgia 1965 Georgia Bulldogs football team #5 Alabama 0 3 7 7 Georgia 0 10 0 8 September 18 Sanford StadiumAthens, GA 42,500 Sources:Charles Land Battling Bulldogs nip Tide, 18–17 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BhUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DZsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7146%2C2798309 The Tuscaloosa News September 19, 1965 11 May 13, 2013Hap Halbrooks Bulldogs outfight Tide in 18 to 17 upset win https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FQQsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=o8cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1236%2C2447147 The Florence Times September 19, 1965 29 May 13, 2013 To open the 1965 season, the No. 5 Crimson Tide were upset by the Georgia Bulldogs 18–17 at Athens.1965 Season Recap After a scoreless first quarter, Georgia took a 10–0 lead on a 37-yard Bob Etter field goal and when George Patton intercepted a Steve Sloan pass and returned it 55-yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Alabama then made the halftime score 10–3 with a 26-yard David Ray field goal. The Crimson Tide then tied the game in the third on an eight-yard Steve Bowman run and took their only lead of the game in the fourth on a two-yard Sloan touchdown run. The Bulldogs then scored their second touchdown late in the fourth quarter when Pat Hodgson lateraled a Kirby Moore pass to Bob Taylor who took it 73-yards for a touchdown. Georgia then successfully made a two-point conversion that gave them an 18–17 victory. Tulane 1965 Tulane Green Wave football team Tulane 0 0 0 0 Alabama 10 7 7 3 September 25 Ladd StadiumMobile, AL 31,920 Sources:Charles Land Tide on its way after 27–0 rout of Tulane https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DRUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DZsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7074%2C4038114 The Tuscaloosa News September 26, 1965 9 June 15, 2013Stan Atkins Associated Press Tide batters Greenies 27–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SAQsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=o8cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2385%2C3282938 The Florence Times September 26, 1965 29 June 15, 2013 After their loss to Georgia in the season opener, the Crimson Tide dropped out of the rankings prior to their game against Tulane.Hal Bock Associated Press Notre Dame takes lead in AP Poll https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CBUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DZsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1394%2C3185806 The Tuscaloosa News September 21, 1965 5 June 15, 2013 At Mobile, the Crimson Tide shutout the Green Wave 27–0 in their annual Ladd Stadium game of the season. The Crimson Tide took a 10–0 first quarter lead on a 37-yard David Ray field goal followed by a one-yard Leslie Kelley touchdown run, and then extended it to 17–0 at halftime with a 29-yard Steve Sloan touchdown pass to Tommy Tolleson in the second. Alabama then closed the game with a 15-yard Sloan touchdown pass to Richard Thompson in the third and a 25-yard Ray field goal in the fourth for the 27–0 win. Ole Miss 1965 Ole Miss Rebels football team Ole Miss 3 6 0 7 Alabama 0 7 0 10 October 2 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 65,677 Sources:Paul Meloun Tide comes in late, wins 17–16 The Gadsden Times October 3, 1965 17 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HxEpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BdcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=860%2C195578 June 15, 2013Hap Halbrooks Sloan brings Alabama back in another famous scramble 11 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NgQsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=o8cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=729%2C4087146 The Florence Times October 3, 1965 June 15, 2013 For their third game of the season, Alabama met rival Ole Miss during the regular season for the first time since the 1944 season.Charles Land Alabama, Ole Miss battle for big stakes tonight 8 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8A4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=D5sEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7264%2C165623 The Tuscaloosa News October 2, 1965 June 15, 2013 In a night game at Legion Field, a nine-yard Steve Sloan touchdown run with just over a minute left in the game gave Alabama a 17–16 victory over the Rebels. Ole Miss took an early 3–0 lead on a 34-yard Jimmy Keyes field goal in the first quarter and then extended it to 9–0 in the second on an eight-yard James Heidel touchdown pass to Donald Street. Sloan then got Alabama on the scoreboard near the end of the second quarter on a five-yard touchdown run that made the halftime score 9–7. After a scoreless third, the Rebels extended their lead to 16–7 on a one-yard Heidel touchdown run before the Crimson Tide rallied for the victory. David Ray scored first with his 37-yard field goal that made the score 16–10 in favor of Ole Miss, and then with 1:19 left in the game Sloan scored the game-tying touchdown on a nine-yard run. On the next play, Ray successfully converted the extra point and gave Alabama a 17–16 lead. The Crimson Tide then secured the victory on the next play when the Rebels' Stan Moss fumbled kickoff that was recovered by Alabama who then ran out the clock and won the game. Vanderbilt 1965 Vanderbilt Commodores football team Alabama 0 0 0 22 Vanderbilt 0 7 0 0 October 9 Dudley FieldNashville, TN 30,066 Sources:Associated Press Tide wins 22–7 The Gadsden Times October 10, 1965 21 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JREpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BdcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=942%2C920809 June 16, 2013Pete Kelley Another typical Tide win 15 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UAQsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=o8cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1180%2C5034361 The Florence Times October 10, 1965 June 16, 2013 After they trailed for the majority of the game, Alabama rallied with 22 fourth quarter points and defeated the Commodores 22–7 at Nashville. After a scoreless first quarter, the Commodores took a 7–0 lead after Charles Boyd returned a punt 69-yards for a touchdown in the second. Vanderbilt remained in the lead through the fourth quarter when Alabama scored a trio of touchdowns. Steve Bowman scored first on a two-yard run, followed by a 35-yard John Reitz interception return and then on a 57-yard Bowman run late in the game. Tennessee 1965 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October Tennessee 0 7 0 0 Alabama 0 7 0 0 October 16 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 65,680 Sources:Charles Land Tide, Vols tie The Tuscaloosa News October 17, 1965 9 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-Q4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=D5sEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7356%2C2506747 June 16, 2013Jimmy Smothers Tide flows out, Vols happy at 7–7 21 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LBEpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BdcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1127%2C1771101 The Gadsden Times October 17, 1965 June 16, 2013 In a game that saw multiple turnovers result in failed touchdown opportunities, Alabama tied the rival Tennessee Volunteers 7–7 at Legion Field. After a scoreless first quarter, both teams scored their only touchdown in the second. Stan Mitchell scored first for the Vols on a one-yard run and Steve Sloan followed for Alabama with his one-yard run. The Crimson Tide had a chance to win the game in the final minute of the game. With only 0:36 remaining in the game, Alabama had possession at the Tennessee six-yard line.Bear takes blame for costly miscue 15 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HQQsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=o8cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3235%2C6026596 The Florence Times October 17, 1965 June 16, 2013 However, Alabama quarterback Ken Stabler thought the Tide gained a first down on the previous play and threw the ball out-of-bounds on a fourth down play and turned the ball over on downs back to the Vols. Tennessee then ran out the clock for the tie. Florida State 1965 Florida State Seminoles football team Florida State 0 0 0 0 Alabama 7 6 0 8 October 23 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 43,066 Sources:Charles Land Fighting Tide turns back Seminoles, 21–0 The Tuscaloosa News October 24, 1965 13 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_g4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=D5sEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7334%2C3663968 June 16, 2013Gene Pollen Tide heads off Seminoles at crossroads by 21 to 0 17 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uV9IAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-QQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3205%2C1776781 Ocala Star-Banner October 24, 1965 June 16, 2013 In what was their first all-time game against Florida State, the Crimson Tide shutout the Seminoles 21–0 on homecoming in Tuscaloosa. Alabama took a 13–0 halftime lead after Leslie Kelley scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the first and Steve Sloan scored on a two-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. After a scoreless third, the Crimson Tide closed the game with a second one-yard Kelley touchdown run in the fourth quarter coupled with a Ken Stabler two-point conversion that made the final score 21–0. Mississippi State 1965 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team #10 Alabama 7 0 3 0 Mississippi State 0 0 7 0 October 30 Mississippi Veterans Memorial StadiumJackson, MS 45,876 Sources:Associated Press Tide defense kills Bulldogs The Gadsden Times October 31, 1965 21 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OREpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BdcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=858%2C3255269 June 16, 2013Hap Halbrooks Bama defense impresses in 10–7 win over State 15 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IQQsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=o8cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1149%2C8025324 The Florence Times October 31, 1965 June 16, 2013 At the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, a pair of Bobby Johns turnovers in the fourth quarter preserved a 10–7 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Crimson Tide took an early 7–0 lead after Steve Sloan threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Dennis Homan in the first quarter. They then extended their lead to 10–0 in the third quarter on a 27-yard David Ray field goal before the Bulldogs scored their only points on an eleven-yard Ashby Cook touchdown pass to Marcus Rhoden later in the quarter. In the fourth, Johns preserved the Crimson Tide win with his blocked field goal and interception late in the game. LSU 1965 LSU Tigers football team #5 Alabama 7 17 7 0 LSU 0 0 0 7 November 6 Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA 58,953 Sources:Ben Thomas Associated Press Cagy Tide stuns LSU in savage 31–7 win The Gadsden Times November 7, 1965 22 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yRApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FNcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3397%2C693875 June 16, 2013Charles Land Tide's little giants cage burly Tigers 11 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=XUmZziu-z7kC&dat=19651107&printsec=frontpage&hl=en The Tuscaloosa News November 7, 1965 June 16, 2013 After their victory over Mississippi State, Alabama moved into the No. 5 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against LSU.Will Grimsley Associated Press Tide climbs to No. 5 spot 5 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-v0cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EZsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6089%2C121938 The Tuscaloosa News November 2, 1965 June 16, 2013 Against the Tigers, the Crimson Tide won 31–7 at Tiger Stadium. Alabama scored their first touchdown early on a 45-yard Steve Sloan pass to Dennis Homan for a 7–0 first quarter lead. 17 second quarter points scored on a two-yard Steve Bowman run, a six-yard Sloan pass to David Ray and a 41-yard Ray field goal made the halftime score 24–0 in favor of the visitors. After Bowman scored on a 35-yard run in the third, LSU scored their only points in the fourth on a 53-yard Pat Screen touchdown pass to Joe Labruzzo that made the final score 31–7. South Carolina 1965 South Carolina Gamecocks football team South Carolina 0 0 7 7 #5 Alabama 7 0 14 14 November 13 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 38,776 Sources:Charles Land Sloan pitches, Tide wins 9 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Bf4cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EZsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7303%2C1993107 The Tuscaloosa News November 14, 1965 June 16, 2013Jimmy Smothers Sloan brings Tide in for 35–14 win 21 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0BApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FNcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1095%2C1444808 The Gadsden Times November 14, 1965 June 16, 2013 In their second non-conference game of the season, Alabama defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 35–14 at Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide took an early 7–0 lead after Steve Sloan scored on a two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. After they extended their lead on a two-yard Steve Bowman touchdown run, the Gamecocks responded with their first touchdown on a seven-yard Michael L. Fair pass to J. R. Wilburn that made the score 14–7. Alabama then scored a pair of touchdowns on Sloan passes to Dennis Homan, the first from 50 and the second from 39 yards. South Carolina answered with a two-yard Phil Branson touchdown run and then Alabama with a two-yard Ken Stabler touchdown run that made the final score 35–14. In the game, Sloan eclipsed the previous team records for both pass completions and yardage in a single season formerly held by Joe Namath. Auburn 1965 Auburn Tigers football team Iron Bowl Auburn 0 3 0 0 #5 Alabama 6 9 8 7 November 27 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 66,333 Sources:Hap Halbrooks Sloan shines as Alabama tramples Auburn 30–3 for conference crown 17 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8QwsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=L8gEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1175%2C3905986 The Florence Times November 28, 1965 June 16, 2013Jimmy Smothers Bama SEC champ after 30–3 romp 33 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3hApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FNcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1399%2C3300376 The Gadsden Times November 28, 1965 June 16, 2013 In the annual Iron Bowl game, Alabama defeated the Auburn Tigers 30–3 and secured their second consecutive SEC championship. Alabama took a 15–0 lead late into the second quarter with Steve Sloan touchdown passes of 11-yards to Tommy Tolleson, 33-yards to Ray Perkins and a 27-yard David Ray field goal. Auburn then ended the shutout bid just before halftime on a 44-yard Don Lewis field goal that made the score 15–3. The Crimson Tide then closed the game with a two-yard Leslie Kelley touchdown in the third and a 29-yard Sloan touchdown pass to Don Shankles in the fourth that made the final score 30–3. Nebraska 1965 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team 1966 Orange Bowl Orange Bowl #4 Alabama 7 17 8 7 #3 Nebraska 0 7 6 15 January 1, 1966 Miami Orange BowlMiami, FL 72,214 Sources:John Crittenden 'No. 1' Alabama rolls in, 39–28 The Miami News January 2, 1966 1C https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pNgzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WOsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2303%2C287392 June 16, 2013Jimmy Smothers Bama shoots for No. 1 spot The Gadsden Times January 2, 1966 21 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pq8fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=J9cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1304%2C163749 June 16, 2013 For the second year in a row, Alabama played in the Orange Bowl. In the 1966 edition of the game, the Crimson Tide defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 39–28 and finished the season 9–1–1 and as AP national champions. National championship claim College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS The NCAA recognizes consensus national champions as the teams that have captured a championship by way of one of the major polls since the 1950 NCAA University Division football season.http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2012/FBS.pdf National Poll Champions 73 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2012 NCAA Division I Football Records NCAA.org June 15, 2013 Got 12? Here's how Alabama bumped up its claim to a dozen national titles http://blog.al.com/solomon/2010/01/got_12.html Jon Solomon The Birmingham News January 6, 2010 AL.com June 15, 2013 As they entered the Orange Bowl, the Crimson Tide was ranked fourth by the AP behind Michigan State, Arkansas and Nebraska.Bob Green Associated Press Tide keeps AP title trophy https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YOshAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DJsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5120%2C472175 The Tuscaloosa News January 4, 1966 7 June 15, 2013 After losses by the Spartans and Razorbacks in their bowl game coupled with an Alabama victory over Nebraska in their contest, the AP, voting after the bowls for the first time, vaulted the Crimson Tide into the No. 1 position in the final poll of the season and won the national championship. Michigan State was also recognized as national champions by various other selectors for the 1965 season, including the UPI Coaches Poll. NFL/AFL Draft Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1965 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL) between the 1966 and 1968 drafts. These players included the following: Year Round Overall Player name Position NFL/AFL team1966 NFL draftNational Football League http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?abbr=A&collegeName=Alabama&abbrFlag=0&type=school Draft History by School–Alabama June 15, 2013 July 15, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140715084011/http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?abbr=A&collegeName=Alabama&abbrFlag=0&type=school dead 11 156 Steve Sloan Quarterback Atlanta Falcons 15 216 Tom Tolleson 1 Wide receiver Atlanta Falcons 15 226 Steve Bowman 1 Running back New York Giants1966 AFL drafthttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1966_AFL/draft.htm 1966 AFL Draft Sports Reference, LLC Pro-Football-Reference.com June 15, 2013 17 150 Tom Tolleson 1 Wide receiver New York Jets 20 179 Steve Bowman 1 Halfback Oakland Raiders1967 NFL/AFL draft 1 26 Leslie Kelley Running backLinebacker New Orleans Saints 4 82 Louis Thompson 1 Defensive tackle New York Giants 4 91 Wayne Trimble 1 Wide receiver San Francisco 49ers 9 230 Cecil Dowdy Linebacker Cleveland Browns1968 NFL/AFL draft 1 20 Dennis Homan Wide receiver Dallas Cowboys 2 52 Ken Stabler Quarterback Oakland Raiders 12 320 Bobby Johns Bobby Johns (American football) Defensive back Kansas City Chiefs Freshman squad Prior to the 1972 NCAA University Division football season, NCAA rules prohibited freshmen from participating on the varsity team, and as such many schools fielded freshmen teams.Kersey Jason NCAA's decision to allow freshman eligibility changed football landscape http://newsok.com/ncaas-decision-to-allow-freshman-eligibility-changed-football-landscape/article/3704386 June 15, 2013 The Oklahoman August 27, 2012Delbert Reed Unanimous vote makes SEC frosh eligible https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7RAdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KZwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7410%2C4178967 The Tuscaloosa News January 21, 1972 6 June 15, 2013 The Alabama freshmen squad finished the 1965 season with a record of three wins and one loss (3–1).Associated Press Tide frosh roll by Auburn, 30–6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C_4cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EZsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2722%2C3276217 The Tuscaloosa News November 21, 1965 11 June 15, 2013 The Baby Tide opened their season with a 7–6 loss at Mississippi State.Charles Land State staves off Baby Tide, 7–6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8g4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=D5sEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4566%2C742732 The Tuscaloosa News October 5, 1965 6 June 15, 2013 After a scoreless first quarter, the Bulldogs took a 7–0 lead in the second when Ronnie Coleman threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Harry Ivey. Although the Alabama defense only allowed State only two first downs for the remainder of the game, the Baby Tide lost 7–6 after a failed two-point conversion attempt that followed a 26-yard Joe Kelley touchdown pass to Donnie Sutton. Alabama then won their first game of the season at Denny Stadium with a 27–14 victory over Ole Miss.Tide frosh top Rebels, 27–14 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=XUmZziu-z7kC&dat=19651015&printsec=frontpage&hl=en The Tuscaloosa News October 16, 1965 6 June 15, 2013 Ole Miss took an early 7–0 lead on a 12-yard Jimmy Wallis touchdown pass to Glenn Cannon. Alabama responded with the next four touchdowns and took a 27–7 lead. Touchdowns were scored on runs of 19-yards by Dave Beddingfield, 25-yards by Mickey Lee, three-yards by Frank Chambers run and on a 61-yard Kelley pass to Conrad Fowler. The Rebels then scored their final points as time expired on a 73-yard Terry Collier touchdown pass to Cannon. In their third game, Alabama defeated Tennessee 19–8 at Neyland Stadium.Associated Press Bama frosh turn errors to 19–8 win https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AP4cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EZsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3105%2C1261629 The Tuscaloosa News November 9, 1965 6 June 15, 2013 Alabama took an early 7–0 lead after Donnie Johnston scored on a two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. After a pair of Myles Prestige field goals, the Baby Tide extended their lead to 19–0 with a second half touchdown. Tennessee responded late with their only touchdown on a four-yard Nick Showalter touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Two weeks later, Alabama closed the season with a 30–6 victory over rival Auburn at Cliff Hare Stadium. After Baby Tide took a 7–0 first quarter lead on short Frank Chambers run, Auburn scored their only points on a 96-yard return by Larry Ellis on the kickoff that ensued. The Baby Tide then closed the game with 23 unanswered points scored on a one-yard Kelley run, a 20-yard Prestige field goal, a 52-yard Don Matthews punt return and on a nine-yard Johnston reverse. Personnel Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Tim Bates Tarrant, Alabama Linebacker David Bedwell Cedar Bluff, Alabama Defensive back Steve Bowman Pascagoula, Mississippi Fullback Richard Brewer Sylacauga, Alabama Split end John Calvert Cullman, Alabama Guard Frank Canterbury Birmingham, Alabama Halfback Jimmy Carroll Enterprise, Alabama Center David Chatwood Fairhope, Alabama Fullback Richard Cole Crossville, Alabama Defensive tackle Wayne Cook Montgomery, Alabama Tight end Paul Crane Prichard, Alabama Center Steve Davis Columbus, Georgia Placekicker Cecil Dowdy Cherokee, Alabama Offensive tackle Jerry Duncan Sparta, North Carolina Offensive tackle Jim Fuller Fairfield, Alabama Tackle Creed Gilmer Birmingham, Alabama Defensive end Allen 'Bunk' Harpole Columbus, Mississippi Defensive guard Charles Harris Mobile, Alabama Defensive end Dennis Homan Muscle Shoals, Alabama Split end Bobby Johns Birmingham, Alabama Defensive back Billy Johnson Selma, Alabama Center Leslie Kelley Cullman, Alabama Fullback Terry Killgore Annandale, Virginia Center Ben McLeod Jr. Pensacola, Florida Defensive end Harold Moore Chattanooga, Tennessee Fullback John Mosley Thomaston, Alabama Halfback Stan Moss Birmingham, Alabama Left end Ray Perkins Petal, Mississippi End Gene Raburn Jasper, Alabama Fullback David Ray Phenix City, Alabama Placekicker John Reitz Morristown, Tennessee Defensive end Jackie Sherrill Biloxi, Mississippi Fullback Steve Sloan Cleveland, Tennessee Quarterback Tom Somerville White Station, Tennessee Offensive guard Ken Stabler Foley, Alabama Quarterback Bruce Stephens Thomasville, Alabama Guard Lynwood Strickland Alexander City, Alabama Defensive end Johnny Sullivan Nashville, Tennessee Defensive tackle Louis Thompson Lebanon, Tennessee Defensive tackle Richard Thompson Thomasville, Alabama Halfback Tommy Tolleson Talladega, Alabama End Wayne Trimble Cullman, Alabama Quarterback Frank Whaley Lineville, Alabama Defensive end John Williams Decatur, Alabama GuardReference:2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 187–201 Coaching staff Name Position Seasons atAlabama Alma mater Bear Bryant Head coach/Athletic Director 8 Alabama (1936) Sam Bailey Assistant coach 8 Ouachita Baptist (1949) Ken Donahue Assistant coach 2 Tennessee (1951) Pat Dye Assistant coach 1 Georgia (1962) Ralph Genito Assistant coach 1 Kentucky (1950) Jim Goostree Assistant coach (head athletic trainer) 9 Tennessee (1952) Clem Gryska Assistant coach 6 Alabama (1948) Dude Hennessey Assistant coach 6 Kentucky (1955) Carney Laslie Assistant coach 9 Alabama (1934) Ken Meyer Assistant coach 3 Denison (1950) Mal Moore Assistant coach 2 Alabama (1962) Dee Powell Assistant coach 3 Texas A&M (1957) Hayden Riley Assistant coach 8 Alabama (1948) Howard Schnellenberger Assistant coach 5 Kentucky (1956) Jimmy Sharpe Assistant coach 3 Alabama (1962) Richard Williamson Assistant coach 2 Alabama (1963)Reference:2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 202–203 References General http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/65-m-footbl-recaps.pdf 1965 Season Recaps RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics May 13, 2013 April 25, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140425164652/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/65-m-footbl-recaps.pdf dead http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/alab/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/2012FootballRecordBook.pdf 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2012 University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama May 13, 2013 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130717112227/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/alab/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/2012FootballRecordBook.pdf July 17, 2013 Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Category:College football national champions Category:Southeastern Conference football champion seasons Category:Orange Bowl champion seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football