1959 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1959 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference SEC 13 10 7–2–2 4–1–2 Bear Bryant 2nd Marlin Dyess Jim Blevins Denny StadiumLegion FieldLadd Stadium Liberty Bowl L Lost 0–7 vs. Penn State The 1959 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") 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 (7–2–2 overall, 4–1–2 in the SEC) and with a loss against Penn State in the inaugural Liberty Bowl. The Crimson Tide opened the 1959 season with three consecutive games on the road. After they dropped the opener at Georgia, they rebounded with a victory at Houston and then played Vanderbilt to a 7–7 tie at Dudley Field. Alabama then defeated 1959 Chattanooga Mocs Chattanooga in the first Denny Stadium game of the season and tied Tennessee 7–7 at Legion Field. On homecoming, the Crimson Tide defeated Mississippi State and then one week later defeated Tulane at Ladd Stadium. The win over Tulane was both the 100th Southeastern Conference victory in the history of the Alabama program and the 100th all-time victory for Bryant as a head coach. Alabama then went on to upset Georgia Tech and as a result entered the polls the following week for the first time since the 1954 season. The Crimson Tide then closed the regular season with a wins over Memphis State and Auburn that snapped what was then a school record five-game Iron Bowl losing streak. Alabama next accepted an invitation to compete in the inaugural Liberty Bowl where they were upset by Penn State in the final game of the season. Schedule 1959 AP September 19 l y Georgia Sanford Stadium Athens, GA rivalry 3–17 40,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-georgia-slams-alabam/133125489/ Georgia slams Alabama, 17–3 The Macon Telegraph & News September 20, 1959 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com September 26 w y y Houston Rice Stadium Houston, TX 3–0 27,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-singtons-field-go/133129669/ Sington's field goal puts Alabama over Houston, 3–0 The Commercial Appeal September 27, 1959 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com October 3 t y Vanderbilt Dudley Field Nashville, TN 7–7 27,967 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-selma-times-journal-tide-and-vandy-d/133129788/ Tide and Vandy deadlock third straight time, 7–7 The Selma Times-Journal October 4, 1959 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com October 10 w y Chattanooga 6 (small) Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 13–0 20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83997594/crimson-tide-defense-defeats-chattanooga/ The Selma Times-Journal Crimson Tide defense defeats Chattanooga, 13–0 October 11, 1959 August 23, 2021 Newspapers.com October 17 t Tennessee 14 Legion Field Birmingham, AL Third Saturday in October 7–7 42,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98807898/alabama-tennessee-tie/ The Huntsville Times Alabama, Tennessee tie October 18, 1959 March 31, 2022 Newspapers.com October 31 w y Mississippi State Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 10–0 19,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-alabama-thrott/133129951/ Alabama throttles Maroons, 10 to 0 The Montgomery Advertiser November 1, 1959 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com November 7 w Tulane Ladd Stadium Mobile, AL 19–7 29,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85644416/red-tide-bests-green-wave-in-kilowatt-co/ The Selma Times-Journal Red Tide bests Green Wave in kilowatt contest, 19–7 November 8, 1959 September 19, 2021 Newspapers.com November 14 w Georgia Tech 15 Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 9–7 43,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-bama-stuns-georgia/133130071/ 'Bama stuns Georgia Tech Kingsport Times-News November 15, 1959 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com November 21 w y 17 Memphis State 8 (small) Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 14–7 30,200 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-tide-edges-msu-14/133130289/ Tide edges MSU 14–7 in second half attack The Commercial Appeal November 22, 1959 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com November 28 w y 19 Auburn 11 Legion Field Birmingham, AL Iron Bowl 10–0 44,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-decatur-daily-tide-rolls-over-auburn/133130467/ Tide rolls over Auburn 10–0 The Decatur Daily November 29, 1959 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com December 19 l y y 10 Penn State 12 Philadelphia Municipal Stadium Philadelphia, PA Liberty Bowl, rivalry NBC 0–7 36,211 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-penn-state-win/133130591/ Penn State wins on sub's pass The Philadelphia Inquirer December 20, 1959 October 8, 2023 Newspapers.com http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html#1959 1959 Alabama football schedule RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics January 15, 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 1959 Georgia Bulldogs football team Alabama 0 0 3 0 Georgia 3 7 0 7 September 19 Sanford StadiumAthens, Georgia 40,000 Sources:Charles Land Bulldog passes do trick as Tide falls, 17–3 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OYkfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=85kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6542%2C2413739 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News September 20, 1959 11 January 16, 2013Mercer Bailey Associated Press Tarkenton sparks Georgia over Alabama's Tide, 17–3 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MH5JAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mwsNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1080%2C3540797 Google News Archives The News and Courier September 20, 1959 3D January 16, 2013 To open the 1959 season, Fran Tarkenton led the Georgia Bulldogs to a 17–3 victory over the Crimson Tide at Athens.1959 Season Recap The Bulldogs took an early 3–0 lead after Durward Pennington connected on a 35-yard field goal in the first quarter. Georgia then extended their lead further to 10–0 at halftime on a 40-yard Bill Godfrey touchdown run in the second quarter. After Alabama responded with their only points in the third on a 23-yard Fred Sington Jr. field goal, Tarkenton scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that made the final score 17–3. The 17 points scored were the most allowed by a Bryant led defense to that point, and the Georgia win marked their first in an opening game since their 1954 season. Houston 1959 Houston Cougars football team Alabama 0 0 3 0 Houston 0 0 0 0 September 26 Rice StadiumHouston, Texas 27,000 Source:Charles Land Alabama downs Houston on field goal, 3–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QIkfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=85kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6578%2C3343286 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News September 27, 1959 11 January 16, 2013 A week after they opened the season with a loss at Georgia, the Crimson Tide shutout the Houston Cougars 3–0 in the first all-time meeting between the schools. On a rainy evening, the only points scored came in the third quarter on a 25-yard Fred Sington Jr. field goal. In the game, the Crimson Tide defense had three interceptions, but was also penalized eight times for 99-yards in the victory. Vanderbilt 1959 Vanderbilt Commodores football team Alabama 0 0 0 7 Vanderbilt 0 7 0 0 October 3 Dudley Field Nashville, Tennessee 27,967 Sources:Barney Ballard Associated Press Bama, Vandy play to 7–7 tie https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s48oAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5dUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1159%2C286038 Google News Archives The Gadsden Times October 4, 1959 9 January 16, 2013Charles Land Bama and Vandy battle to third straight deadlock https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QhUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-pkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6899%2C374888 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 4, 1959 9 January 16, 2013 For the third time in as many seasons, the Crimson Tide played the Vanderbilt Commodores to a tie, this time by a 7–7 margin in Nashville. After a scoreless first quarter, the Commodores took a 7–0 halftime lead after Tom Moore scored on a short touchdown run in the second quarter. Alabama tied the game early in the fourth quarter on a short Pat Trammell touchdown run, Russell Morris missed a 37-yard field goal attempt later in the quarter and the game ended tied 7–7. Chattanooga 1959 Chattanooga Moccasins football team Chattanooga 0 0 0 0 Alabama 7 0 6 0 October 10 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama 20,000 Sources:Associated Press Crimson Tide gets past Chattanooga https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ehosAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4MYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2533%2C4700948 Google News Archives The Florence Times October 11, 1959 4D January 16, 2013Norman Bassett Umbrella defense prevails as Bama downs Mocs, 13–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SBUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-pkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5375%2C1367617 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 11, 1959 1 January 16, 2013 In rainy conditions for the first home game of the 1959 season, the Crimson Tide shutout the Chattanooga Mocs 13–0 in Tuscaloosa. Alabama took a 7–0 first quarter lead when Robert Skelton scored on an 18-yard touchdown run. Pat Trammell then scored the second touchdown of the game in the third on a 54-yard run that made the score 13–0. For the game, Trammell rushed for 106 yards on 17 carries to lead the Crimson Tide. Tennessee 1959 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October #14 Tennessee 7 0 0 0 Alabama 0 7 0 0 October 17 Legion FieldBirmingham, Alabama 42,000 Sources:Charles Land Alabama battles Vols to 7–7 tie https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TxUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-pkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7412%2C2405510 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 18, 1959 11 January 17, 2013Ton Dygard Associated Press Underdog Alabama gains 7–7 tie with Tennessee https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=j4BJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sQsNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1275%2C3197949 Google News Archives The News and Courier October 18, 1959 4D January 17, 2013 In their annual rivalry game against Tennessee, Alabama played the No. 14 Volunteers to a 7–7 tie in Birmingham. Tennessee took an early 7–0 lead in the first quarter. Bill Majors scored on a two-yard touchdown run that capped a nine-play, 45-yard drive. The Crimson Tide responded in the second quarter when Pat Trammell threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Stanley Bell that tied the score 7–7. The only other scoring opportunity came late in the fourth quarter, and after Frank Sington Jr. missed an eight-yard field goal for Alabama, the game ended in a 7–7 tie. Mississippi State 1959 Mississippi State Maroons football team Mississippi State 0 0 0 0 Alabama 0 3 7 0 October 31 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama 19,000 Sources:Charles Land Bama gains homecoming victory https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LfocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6895%2C56257 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 1, 1959 9 January 17, 2013Associated Press Bama whips Miss State https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=K2QzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=y-oFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5954%2C257423 Google News Archives The Miami News November 1, 1959 4C January 17, 2013 On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, Alabama shutout the Mississippi State Maroons 10–0 and secured their first conference victory of the 1959 season. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 3–0 halftime lead after Fred Sington Jr. connected on a 25-yard field goal. They then extended their lead to 10–0 in the third quarter when Bobby Skelton threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Stanley Bell. The Crimson Tide defense was dominant in the victory as they had four interceptions for the game. Tulane 1959 Tulane Green Wave football team Tulane 0 7 0 0 Alabama 0 7 6 6 November 7 Ladd StadiumMobile, Alabama 29,000 Sources:Charles Land Bama finds punch, runs over Tulane, 19–7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NPocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7224%2C1018077 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 8, 1959 9 January 17, 2013UPI Crimson Tide hands Tulane 19–7 licking https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gPQlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C3cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7024%2C3569002 Google News Archives St. Petersburg Times November 8, 1959 4C January 17, 2013 In their annual home game at Ladd Stadium in Mobile, the Crimson Tide overcame five turnovers and defeated the Tulane Green Wave 19–7. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 7–0 lead after Marlin Dyess scored on a four-yard touchdown run. The Greenies responded later in the quarter with a 10-yard Phil Nugent touchdown pass to Pete Abadie that tied the game 7–7 at halftime. The Crimson Tide then scored a pair of second half touchdowns. The first came in the third quarter on a 22-yard Bobby Skelton pass to Tommy Brooker and the second in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard W. E. Richardson run. The win was both the 100th Southeastern Conference victory in the history of the Alabama program and the 100th victory for Bryant as a head coach. Georgia Tech 1959 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team #15 Georgia Tech 7 0 0 0 Alabama 6 3 0 0 November 14 Legion FieldBirmingham, Alabama 43,500 Sources:Jimmy Bryan Sington's field goal lifts Tide over Tech https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JwkpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3NUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=816%2C1542219 Google News Archives The Gadsden Times November 15, 1959 8 January 17, 2013Associated Press Alabama wins on field goal https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VaMhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qJkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5283%2C6320344 Google News Archives Reading Eagle November 15, 1959 29 January 17, 2013 Behind a 43-yard game-winning Fred Sington Jr. field goal, the Crimson Tide upset the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 9–7 at Legion Field. Tech took an early 7–0 after Gary O'Steen fumbled the opening kickoff that gave the Yellow Jackets possession at the Alabama 27-yard line. Six plays later Marvin Tibbetts scored on a two-yard run. Alabama's only touchdown drive was set up on their next possession after Tech fumbled a punt that was recovered by W. E. Richardson at their 49-yard line. Eight plays later, Marlin Dyess scored on a 10-yard run, but Bryant then elected to go for a two-point conversion that was unsuccessful and the Jackets led 7–6. What proved to be the game-winning field goal came on a 43-yard Sington kick in the second quarter that made the score 9–7. Memphis State 1959 Memphis State Tigers football team Memphis State 0 7 0 0 #17 Alabama 0 0 8 6 November 21 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama 30,200 Sources:Arthur Ray Shaw Tide overcomes deficit to trip Memphis State https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LgkpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3NUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=638%2C2259097 Google News Archives The Gadsden Times November 22, 1959 9 January 17, 2013UPI Alabama fights back to win over Memphis State https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lektAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WzEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1743%2C2379201 Google News Archives Rome News-Tribune November 22, 1959 8 January 17, 2013 After their upset victory over Georgia Tech, the Crimson Tide entered the polls for the first time since the 1954 season in the No. 17 position.Charles Land Alabama, Memphis State meet tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PvocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7174%2C2773308 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 20, 1959 8 January 17, 2013 Down 7–0 at halftime to underdog Memphis State, the Crimson Tide rallied with a pair of second half touchdowns and defeated the Tigers 14–7 at Denny Stadium. After a scoreless first quarter, Memphis took a 7–0 lead after Jimmy Wright scored on a one-yard touchdown run that capped an 84-yard drive. Alabama then took an 8–7 lead in the third quarter when W. E. Richardson scored on a fourth-and-three touchdown run followed it with a successful two-point conversion. Mal Moore then threw a four-yard touchdown pass to William Rice in the fourth quarter that made the final score 14–7. Auburn 1959 Auburn Tigers football team Iron Bowl #11 Auburn 0 0 0 0 #19 Alabama 0 3 7 0 November 28 Legion FieldBirmingham, Alabama 44,000 Sources:Charles Land Tide tame Tigers, 10–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RfocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6144%2C3847310 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 29, 1959 1 January 17, 2013Griffin John Chandler Alabama vs. Auburn: Gridiron Grudge Since 1893 2001 Hill Street Press Athens, Georgia 1-58818-044-1 160–162 1959: Bear guides Bama to big bowl game As they entered their season finale against No. 11 Auburn, the Crimson Tide dropped two spots to the No. 19 position after their closer than expected game against Memphis State.Jack Hand Associated Press Alabama drops to No. 19 in national football poll https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QfocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6938%2C3394030 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 24, 1959 10 January 17, 2013 At Legion Field in the annual Iron Bowl game, Alabama shutout the Tigers 10–0 and won their first game against their rival since the 1953 season. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 3–0 halftime lead on a 27-yard Tommy Brooker field goal. They extended their lead further to 10–0 in the third quarter on a 39-yard Bobby Skelton touchdown pass to Marlin Dyess. Penn State 1959 Penn State Nittany Lions football team 1959 Liberty Bowl Liberty Bowl #10 Alabama 0 0 0 0 #12 Penn State 0 7 0 0 December 19 Philadelphia Municipal StadiumPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 36,211 Sources:Penn State outplays Crimson Tide, 7–0 Charles Land The Tuscaloosa News December 20, 1959 1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FB8fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7076%2C2919090 January 17, 2013Penn State wins, 7–0, on fake field goal Associated Press The Miami News December 20, 1959 C1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A0I0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=yOoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3390%2C1594954 January 17, 2013 After their victory over Auburn in their season finale, Bryant turned down an invitation to play in the Bluegrass Bowl.Bowl declined The Tuscaloosa News November 29, 1959 1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RfocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5315%2C3847301 January 17, 2013 However, two days later they accepted an invitation to compete in the inaugural Liberty Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first all-time meeting between the schools.Tide going to Liberty Bowl Charles Land The Tuscaloosa News December 1, 1959 1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CB8fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6762%2C9929 January 17, 2013 As they entered their contest against Penn State, Alabama finished the season with the No. 10 ranking and the Nittany Lions with the No. 12 ranking.Alabama finished No. 10 John Chandler Associated Press The Tuscaloosa News December 8, 1959 6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DB8fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6767%2C1160109 January 17, 2013 At Municipal Stadium, Alabama was upset 7–0 by Penn State with the only touchdown scored in the second quarter on a 17-yard touchdown reception by Roger Kochman from Galen Hall on a fake field goal attempt. This bowl game marked the beginning of a school record 25 consecutive bowl appearances.Mitchell Billy Reality of a losing record stuns the Tide https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RDUdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pqUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4083%2C2642965 1B The Tuscaloosa News Google News November 11, 1984 January 17, 2013 Personnel Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Charles Allen Athens, Alabama Tackle Stanley Bell Anniston, Alabama End Jim Blevins Moulton, Alabama Tackle Bobby Boylston Atlanta Tackle Tommy Brooker Demopolis, Alabama End James Cain Pensacola, Florida tackle Donald Cochran Birmingham, Alabama Guard Marlin Dyess Elba, Alabama Halfback Milton Frank Huntsville, Alabama Guard Leon Fuller Nederland, Texas Halfback William Hannah Indianapolis, Indiana Tackle Roy Holsomback West Blocton, Alabama Guard Connell Johnson High Point, North Carolina Halfback Bud Moore Birmingham, Alabama End Duff Morrison Memphis, Tennessee Halfback Billy Neighbors Northport, Alabama Tackle Richard O’Dell Lincoln, Alabama End John O’Linger Scottsboro, Alabama Center Robert O'Steen Anniston, Alabama Fullback James Patton Tuscumbia, Alabama End Gary Phillips Dothan, Alabama Guard John Paul Poole Florence, Alabama End William Rice Troy, Alabama Guard Jerry Rich Attalla, Alabama Halfback W. E. Richardson Jasper, Alabama Halfback Norbie Ronsonet Biloxi, Mississippi End Jack Rutledge Birmingham, Alabama Guard Wayne Sims Columbiana, Alabama Guard Fred Sington Jr. Birmingham, Alabama Tackle Bobby Skelton Pell City, Alabama Quarterback Laurien "Goobie" Stapp Birmingham, Alabama Quarterback/Placekicker Ravis Stickney Key West, Florida Fullback Pat Trammell Scottsboro, Alabama Quarterback William "Buddy" Wesley Talladega, Alabama Fullback Tommy White West Blocton, Alabama FullbackReference:2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2012 All-Time Tide Football Lettermen University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama 187–201 Coaching staff Name Position Seasons atAlabama Alma mater Bear Bryant Head coach 2 Alabama (1936) Sam Bailey Assistant coach 2 Ouachita Baptist (1949) Charlie Bradshaw Assistant coach 1 Kentucky (1950) Jerry Claiborne Assistant coach 2 Kentucky (1950) Phil Cutchin Assistant coach 2 Kentucky (1943) Bob Ford Assistant coach 1 Memphis State (1955) Jim Goostree Assistant coach 3 Tennessee (1952) Pat James Assistant coach 2 Kentucky (1951) Bobby Drake Keith Assistant coach 2 Texas A&M (1957) Carney Laslie Assistant coach 3 Alabama (1934) Hayden Riley Assistant coach 2 Alabama (1948) Gene Stallings Assistant coach 2 Texas A&M (1957)Reference:2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book 2012 All-Time Assistant Coaches University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office Tuscaloosa, Alabama 202–203 References General http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/59-m-footbl-recaps.pdf 1959 Season Recaps RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics January 15, 2013 PDF April 25, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140425164910/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/59-m-footbl-recaps.pdf dead Specific Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football