1971 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1971 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference SEC 2 4 11–1 7–0 Bear Bryant 14th Wishbone 5–2 Johnny Musso Robin Parkhouse Denny StadiumLegion Field SEC champion Orange Bowl L Lost 6–38 vs. Nebraska The 1971 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 77th overall and 38th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 14th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with eleven wins and one loss (11–1 overall, 7–0 in the SEC), as SEC champions and with a loss to Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. The 1971 squad was notable for a pair of firsts in Alabama football history. This was the first team that African Americans contributed as members of the Alabama varsity squad, with John Mitchell being the first to actually see playing time. 1971 also marked the first season the Crimson Tide utilized the wishbone offense that Alabama became noted for throughout the remainder of Bryant's tenure as head coach at Alabama. Alabama opened the season with an upset victory at USC. This was the first game that the wishbone was utilized by the Crimson Tide offense, and their victory was attributed in part to surprising the Trojans with its introduction. They then won their next four games over 1971 Southern Miss Golden Eagles Southern Miss, Florida, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt and set up a top 20 match-up against Tennessee. In their rival game, the Crimson Tide ended a four-game losing streak to the Vols with their 32–15 victory. After a hard-fought win over Houston and victory over Mississippi State at Jackson, Alabama defeated LSU for their third win over a ranked team on the season. The Crimson Tide next defeated Miami on homecoming and set up a match-up between undefeated teams for the first time in the history of the Iron Bowl to close the regular season. With both teams ranked in the top five, Alabama defeated Auburn 31–7 and captured the outright SEC football championship. However, they were unable to capture a national championship as they were defeated by No. 1 Nebraska 38–6 to close the season in the Orange Bowl. Schedule 1971 AP September 10 w y y 16 USC 5 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 17–10 67,781 September 18 w y 9 Southern Miss Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 42–6 52,701 September 25 w y 8 Florida Florida Field Gainesville, FL rivalry 38–0 61,832 October 2 w 7 Ole Miss Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 40–6 72,871 October 9 w y 6 Vanderbilt Dudley Field Nashville, TN 42–0 34,000 October 16 w 4 Tennessee 14 Legion Field Birmingham, AL Third Saturday in October 32–15 73,828 October 23 w y 4 Houston Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 34–20 56,939 October 30 w y 4 Mississippi State Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS rivalry 41–10 40,500 November 6 w y 4 LSU 18 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA rivalry ABC 14–7 64,892 November 13 w y y 4 Miami (FL) Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 31–3 57,313 November 27 w y 3 Auburn 5 Legion Field Birmingham, AL Iron Bowl ABC 31–7 68,861 January 1, 1972 l y y 2 Nebraska 1 Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL Orange Bowl NBC 6–38 78,151 http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html#1971 1971 Alabama football schedule RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics January 26, 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111125000700/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html November 25, 2011 Integration Although several African American students competed during spring practice in 1967, Wilbur Jackson became the first African American awarded a scholarship to play for Alabama, and he competed as a member of the freshman squad in 1970 and played for the varsity team in 1971.Zac Al-Khateeb Jackson, Mitchell paved the way https://cw.ua.edu/2011/02/27/jackson-mitchell-paved-the-way/ CW.UA.edu The Crimson White February 27, 2011 February 4, 2014Alabama Sports Hall of Fame – Wilbur Jackson http://ashof.org/index.php?src=directory&view=company&srctype=detail&refno=379&category=Football Alabama Sports Hall of Fame February 4, 2014 For the 1971 season, John Mitchell became the first African American to play on the varsity squad for the Crimson Tide during the regular season after he transferred from Eastern Arizona College.Kevin Scarbinsky Walk-ons played a role, too, in integrating Alabama and Auburn football http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/10/walk-ons_played_a_role_in_inte.html AL.com October 30, 2013 February 4, 2014Sean D. Hamill Football pioneer builds big men for Steelers https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/24/sports/football/24steelers.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 The New York Times January 23, 2009 February 9, 2014Allen Barra The integration of college football didn't happen in one game https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/11/the-integration-of-college-football-didnt-happen-in-one-game/281557/ The Atlantic TheAtlantic.com November 13, 2013 February 9, 2014Mike Puma Bear Bryant 'simply the best there ever was' https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Bryant_Bear.html ESPN.com February 9, 2014 While the Crimson Tide finally fielded Black Players, they lost the National Championship to a well Integrated Nebraska team.https://huskers.com/news/2013/01/13/was-nebraska-a-catalyst-in-bama-dynasty Was Nebraska a Catalyst?Bama Dynasty huskies.com May 20, 2020 February 28, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210228164547/https://huskers.com/news/2013/1/13/205934460.aspx live Nebraska's best players who made the difference in the blowout victory were African Americans including Outland Trophy Winner Rich Glover, future Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers and bowl game MVP Willie Harper amongst others. Nebraska's victory played a part in causing the SEC as a whole to integrate their teams https://www.tigerrag.com/engster-lsu-fully-integrated-45-years-after-last-all-white-team/ LSU fully integrated 45 years after last All-White team tigerrag.com August 2016 and that integration would help Alabama reinvigorate their team creating a new dynasty winning National Championships in the years to come. Wishbone offense In 1968, Texas head coach Darrell Royal and his offensive coordinator Emory Bellard introduced what would become known as the wishbone offense.Jim Atkinson Texas Primer: The Wishbone Offense http://www.texasmonthly.com/content/texas-primer-wishbone-offense Texas Monthly October 1985 February 4, 2014 The wishbone was derived from the Split-T offense run at Oklahoma under Bud Wilkinson. In the formation, the quarterback lines up with a fullback and two tailbacks behind him, and on any play may keep the ball, hand off to the fullback, or pitch to a tailback. From the time Bryant arrived at Alabama through the 1970 season, the Crimson Tide ran a pro-style offense.Pat Putnam Pride in the red jersey http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1085387/index.htm Sports Illustrated SI.com October 11, 1971 February 4, 2014 February 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222003531/http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1085387/index.htm dead By 1969, Bryant began to recruit larger linemen and tailbacks, and after a pair of six win seasons in 1969 and 1970, Bryant saw the success of the wishbone for the Longhorns and decided to implement the offense for the 1971 season.Tommy Deas Bryant's 100th birthday: The wishbone September 10, 2013 The Tuscaloosa News September 10, 2013 In spring 1971, Alabama assistants Mal Moore and Jimmy Sharpe traveled to Austin where they saw first hand how the wishbone operated during Texas' final week of spring practice. During the second summer session at the University, both Moore and Sharpe began to work with players on the offensive change, and in August Royal and Bellard traveled to Tuscaloosa and led a coaching clinic for the Alabama staff on the wishbone. In order to keep the change a secret, Bryant closed all of the Crimson Tide's practices closed from the public, screened the practice field from view with a canvas and hired security to keep people away. The change to the wishbone was kept under such secrecy that when the media would visit practice, Bryant had the team practice the pro-style system that was phased out. Alabama later opened the season with an upset victory over USC that was credited to the surprise switch to the wishbone that caught the Trojans off-guard. Game summaries USC 1971 USC Trojans football team #16 Alabama 10 7 0 0 #5 USC 0 10 0 0 September 10 Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA 67,781 Sources:Delbert Reed Terrific Tide topples Trojans, 17–10 1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Hg0dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IpwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7283%2C2107056 The Tuscaloosa News September 11, 1971 January 30, 2014Associated Press Musso's 2 touchdowns lead Alabama to upset over USC B1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PIYlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9_MFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6397%2C77837 The Miami News September 11, 1971 January 30, 2014 After the NCAA enacted a rule that allowed its member institutions to schedule an eleventh regular season game, in January 1970 the Crimson Tide agreed to a home-and-home series with the University of Southern California (USC).Charles Land Tide to open against Southern Cal next fall 13 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SioeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FJwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6890%2C72738 The Tuscaloosa News February 1, 1970 January 30, 2014 At the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Alabama upset the No. 5 Trojans 17–10 on a Friday night to open the 1971 season.1971 Season Recap The Crimson Tide took a 10–0 lead in the first quarter behind a 13-yard Johnny Musso touchdown run and a 37-yard Bill Davis field goal. They extended it further to 17–0 early in the second quarter on an eight-yard Musso touchdown run. USC responds with ten unanswered points and made the halftime score 17–10. They scored first on a seven-yard Charles Young touchdown run and next on a 37-yard Mike Rae field goal. Neither team scored in the second half as both defenses created several turnovers and Alabama won 17–10. The victory was also the 200th career win for Alabama head coach Bear Bryant. Southern Miss 1971 Southern Miss Southerners football team Southern Miss 0 0 0 6 #9 Alabama 7 14 14 7 September 18 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 52,701 Sources:Delbert Reed Tide trots to victory here, 42–6 1B https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JA0dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IpwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6759%2C3606317 The Tuscaloosa News September 19, 1971 January 30, 2014Harold Stout Bama fires past Southerners, 42–6 13 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lh0sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=w8cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=943%2C3655674 The Florence Times September 19, 1971 January 30, 2014 After their victory over USC, Alabama moved into the No. 9 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Southern Miss.Ben Thomas Associated Press Poll rated Tide ninth https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=XUmZziu-z7kC&dat=19710914&printsec=frontpage&hl=en The Tuscaloosa News September 14, 1971 6 January 30, 2014 In their home opener, Alabama played 62 different players and defeated the Southerners 42–6 at Denny Stadium. Johnny Musso gave the Crimson Tide a 14–0 lead with touchdown runs of one-yard in the first and 16-yards in the second quarter. Ellis Beck then extended their lead to 21–0 with his one-yard touchdown run prior to halftime. The Crimson Tide extended their lead further to 35–0 with third quarter touchdowns scored on a four-yard Joe LaBue run and a 25-yard Benny Rippetoe pass to William Wood. Southern Miss ended the shutout attempt with a nine-yard Doyle Orange touchdown run in the fourth, and Alabama closed with an 18-yard Steve Bisceglia touchdown run that made the final score 42–6. Florida 1971 Florida Gators football team #8 Alabama 10 14 7 7 Florida 0 0 0 0 September 25 Florida FieldGainesville, FL 61,832 Sources:Delbert Reed High Tide in Florida 1B https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Kg0dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IpwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6852%2C5015443 The Tuscaloosa News September 26, 1971 January 30, 2014Tommy Tucker Musso leads Alabama romp by hapless Florida, 38–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=H2UpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Q8kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3453%2C6692583 Daytona Beach Morning Journal September 26, 1971 1C January 30, 2014 After their victory over Southern Miss, Alabama moved into the No. 8 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Florida.Herschel Nissenson Associated Press Bama rated eighth https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Jg0dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IpwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7463%2C4134489 The Tuscaloosa News September 21, 1971 6 January 30, 2014 Against the Gators, Johnny Musso scored four rushing touchdowns en route to a 38–0 shutout at Florida Field. After Bill Davis gave the Crimson Tide a 3–0 lead with his first quarter field goal, Musso scored Alabama's next four touchdowns and extended their lead to 31–0. All four came on the ground with a pair from one-yard out, a three-yard run and a five-yard run. Alabama then closed the game with an 11-yard Billy Sexton touchdown pass to Dexter Wood that made the final score 38–0. The four touchdowns scored by Musso on the ground set a new school record for rushing touchdowns. Additionally, the shutout was the first for the Crimson Tide defense since their 17–0 victory in 1967 over South Carolina. Ole Miss 1971 Ole Miss Rebels football team Ole Miss 0 6 0 0 #7 Alabama 3 10 14 13 October 2 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 72,871 Sources:Delbert Reed Hot Tide swamps Ole Miss, 40–6 The Tuscaloosa News October 3, 1971 B1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Qw4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I5wEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5684%2C286681 February 2, 2014Associated Press Alabama crushes Ole Miss, 40–6 B4 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bYAsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ps0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=5069%2C311605 Spartanburg Herald-Journal October 3, 1971 February 2, 2014 After their victory over Florida, Alabama moved into the No. 7 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Ole Miss.Associated Press Tide 7th, AU 5th in poll https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LA0dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IpwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4650%2C5688664 The Tuscaloosa News September 28, 1971 6 February 2, 2014 Looking to avenge the 48–23 loss from the previous season, the Crimson Tide defeated the Rebels 40–6 at Legion Field. After Bill Davis gave the Crimson Tide a 6–0 with field goals of 25 and 42-yards, Ole Miss tied the game 6–6 with what was their only points of the game. The score came on a 48-yard Kenneth Lyons touchdown pass to Elmer Allen in the second quarter. Alabama responded with an 11-yard Terry Davis touchdown pass to David Bailey that made the halftime score 13–6. Alabama extended their lead to 27–6 in the third quarter behind touchdown runs of 29-yards by Joe LaBue and seven-yards by Johnny Musso. The Crimson Tide then closed the game with touchdown runs of 15-yards by Steve Bisceglia and 14-yards by Butch Hobson that made the final score 40–6. The 531 rushing yards made by Alabama were the most allowed by the Rebels' defense in school history.Delbert Reed Tide plays havoc with Rebel records The Tuscaloosa News October 3, 1971 B4 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Qw4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I5wEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3680%2C296904 February 2, 2014 Vanderbilt 1971 Vanderbilt Commodores football team #6 Alabama 7 6 15 14 Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 October 9 Dudley FieldNashville, TN 34,000 Sources:Delbert Reed Tide keeps scoreboard busy, 42–0 The Tuscaloosa News October 10, 1971 B1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=XUmZziu-z7kC&dat=19711008&printsec=frontpage&hl=en February 2, 2014Associated Press Tide trounces Vanderbilt, 42–0 E8 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MYoyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YrYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2434%2C4550487 The Palm Beach Post-Times October 10, 1971 February 2, 2014 After their victory over Ole Miss, Alabama moved into the No. 6 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt.Herschel Nissenson Associated Press Tide, AU climb in grid ranking 7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RA4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I5wEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2181%2C870784 The Tuscaloosa News October 5, 1971 February 2, 2014 Against the Commodores, the Alabama defense forced their second shutout of the season win this 42–0 victory at Dudley Field. Johnny Musso gave the Crimson Tide a 7–0 lead with his 17-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Their lead was then stretched to 13–0 at halftime behind field goals of 33-yards by Bill Davis and 26-yards by Greg Gantt. Alabama closed the game with a pair of touchdowns in each of the final two quarters and won 42–0. Ellis Beck scored on a one-yard run and Terry Davis threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jim Simmons in the third quarter. In the fourth, Bob McKinney scored on a 55-yard punt return and Johnny Sharpless scored on an 11-yard touchdown run. Tennessee 1971 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October #14 Tennessee 7 0 0 8 #4 Alabama 6 9 7 10 October 16 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 73,828 Sources:Delbert Reed Tidesmen KO Vols The Tuscaloosa News October 17, 1971 B1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=XUmZziu-z7kC&dat=19711016&printsec=frontpage&hl=en February 9, 2014Associated Press Alabama ends drought against Tennessee 32–15 6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3vtLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=juwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4909%2C931944 The Spokesman-Review October 17, 1971 February 9, 2014 After their victory at Vanderbilt, Alabama moved into the No. 4 position and Tennessee into the No. 14 position in the AP Poll prior to their game at Legion Field.Associated Press Alabama fourth; Auburn No. 5 6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SQ4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I5wEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5689%2C2337137 The Tuscaloosa News October 12, 1971 February 2, 2014 Against the Volunteers, Alabama ended a four-game losing streak that dated back to their 1967 season with this 32–15 in their annual rivalry game. After the Crimson Tide took an early 6–0 lead on a 20-yard Terry Davis touchdown pass to David Bailey, the Vols responded with a four-yard Curt Watson touchdown run that made the score 7–6 at the end of the first quarter. Alabama then took a 15–6 halftime lead after a 27-yard Bill Davis field goal and six-yard Terry Davis touchdown run in the second quarter. Early in the third, the Crimson Tide extended their lead to 22–7 behind a 16-yard Terry Davis touchdown pass to Bailey. Tennessee responded in the fourth with a nine-yard Watson touchdown run that cut the Alabama lead to 22–15. However, the Crimson Tide closed the game with a 39-yard Bill Davis field goal and five-yard Johnny Musso touchdown run for the 32–15 victory. The 73,828 in attendance set a new record for largest crowd in the history of Legion Field to date.Delbert Reed Record crowd watched tilt The Tuscaloosa News October 17, 1971 B3 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=XUmZziu-z7kC&dat=19711016&printsec=frontpage&hl=en February 9, 2014 Houston 1971 Houston Cougars football team Houston 0 7 7 6 #4 Alabama 7 13 6 8 October 23 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 56,939 Sources:Delbert Reed Tiders cage touch Cougars https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UA4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I5wEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5141%2C4485074 The Tuscaloosa News October 24, 1971 B1 February 9, 2014Barry Allen http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/100507aaa.html?siteList= Friday football flashback: Alabama 34, Houston 20 (1971) October 6, 2007 RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics February 9, 2014 With their over the Vols, Alabama retained their No. 4 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Houston.Associated Press Top five hold positions 7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Tw4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I5wEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4757%2C3600596 The Tuscaloosa News October 19, 1971 February 2, 2014 Although the Cougars outgained the Crimson Tide by over 100 total yards, Alabama won 34–20 at Denny Stadium. Alabama took a 7–0 first quarter lead on a two-yard Johnny Musso touchdown run, but Houston then scored on a three-yard Tom Mozisek touchdown run that tied the game 7–7 early in the second. The Crimson Tide responded with a pair of Terry Davis touchdown passes to David Bailey from 10 and 25-yards that gave Alabama a 20–7 halftime lead. Both teams then traded touchdowns in the second half en route to the 34–20 Crimson Tide victory. In the third quarter, Musso scored for Alabama first with his nine-yard run and Houston followed with a three-yard Gary Mullins touchdown pass to Riley Odoms; in the fourth Joe LaBue scored for the Crimson tide on a 10-yard run and Mullins threw a second, three-yard pass to Odoms that made the final score 34–20. In the game, Musso had 132 yards rushing for Alabama and both Robert Newhouse and Tom Mozisek each had over 100 yards rushing for Houston with 182 and 105 respectively. Mississippi State 1971 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team #4 Alabama 3 14 0 24 Mississippi State 0 3 7 0 October 30 Memorial StadiumJackson, MS 40,500 Sources:Delbert Reed State spooky, but Tide gets eighth treat The Tuscaloosa News October 31, 1971 B1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VA4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I5wEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6756%2C5922945 February 9, 2014Associated Press Alabama crushes Mississippi State 3C https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T5scAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dGYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7451%2C5151739 Sarasota Herald-Tribune October 31, 1971 February 9, 2014 As they entered their game against Mississippi State, Alabama retained their No. 4 position in the AP Poll.Associated Press Sooners getting closer 8 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ug4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I5wEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6327%2C5088030 The Tuscaloosa News October 26, 1971 February 2, 2014 At Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, the visiting Crimson Tide did not allow an offensive touchdown and defeated the Bulldogs 41–10. After Alabama took a 3–0 first quarter lead behind a 20-yard Bill Davis field goal, they scored a pair of touchdowns in the second. The first came on a 31-yard Terry Davis pass to Wayne Wheeler and the second on a 30-yard Steve Higginbotham interception return. The Bulldogs then made the halftime score 17–3 behind a 41-yard Glenn Ellis field goal at the end of the second. State cut the Alabama lead to 17–10 on an 88-yard Frank Dowsing punt return in the third. However, the Crimson Tide closed the game with 24 unanswered points for the 41–10 win. Fourth quarter points were scored on a 33-yard Bill Davis field goal, touchdowns on runs of one-yard by Johnny Musso and 16-yards by David Knapp and on a one-yard Terry Davis pass to Glenn Woodruff. The win was Bryant's 116th win at Alabama and broke Frank Thomas' record of 115 wins as the head coach of the Crimson Tide. LSU 1971 LSU Tigers football team #4 Alabama 3 3 8 0 #18 LSU 0 0 7 0 November 6 Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA 64,892 Sources:Delbert Reed Terrific defense does job for Tide B1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VwcdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GZwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6780%2C998572 The Tuscaloosa News November 7, 1971 February 9, 2014Associated Press Alabama shaded Louisiana State 14–0 1C https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Kz0gAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fmYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3549%2C2275709 Sarasota Herald-Tribune November 7, 1971 February 9, 2014 After their victory over Mississippi State, Alabama retained their No. 4 position and LSU was in the No. 18 position in the AP Poll prior to their match-up at Baton Rouge.Associated Press Top seven teams still unchanged https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=XUmZziu-z7kC&dat=19711102&printsec=frontpage&hl=en The Tuscaloosa News November 2, 1971 6 February 9, 2014 Playing in a regionally televised game on ABC, Alabama defeated the Tigers 14–7 at Tiger Stadium. Bill Davis scored all of the first half points with his field goals of 29 and 38-yards that gave Alabama a 6–0 halftime lead. Scoring concluded in the third quarter behind a 16-yard Terry Davis touchdown run for the Crimson Tide and a seven-yard Paul Lyons touchdown pass to Andy Hamilton that made the final score 14–7. Miami (FL) 1971 Miami Hurricanes football team Miami 3 0 0 0 #4 Alabama 13 3 8 7 November 13 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL 57,313 Sources:Delbert Reed Crippled Tide can stand pain https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XAcdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GZwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6723%2C2145677 The Tuscaloosa News November 14, 1971 B1 February 9, 2014Harold Stout Bama chalks up new records in 31–3 trashing of Miami https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JyEsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2p0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4522%2C2290071 The Florence Times November 14, 1971 25 February 9, 2014 As they entered their game against Miami, Alabama retained their No. 4 position in the AP Poll for a fifth consecutive week. On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, Alabama defeated Hurricanes 31–3 at Denny Stadium. Mike Burke scored the only Miami points with his 42-yard field goal in the first and gave the Hurricanes their only lead at 3–0. The Crimson Tide responded with a pair of touchdowns later in the first on runs of 22-yards by Terry Davis and 67-yards by Wilbur Jackson. A 27-yard Bill Davis field goal in the second gave Alabama a 16–3 halftime lead. The Crimson Tide closed the game with a six-yard Terry Davis touchdown run in the third and a 10-yard Butch Hobson touchdown run in the fourth for the 31–3 Alabama win. With their 345 offensive yards in the game, Alabama surpassed the previous SEC season record for total offense of 3,068 yards set by Tennessee in 1951. Auburn 1971 Auburn Tigers football team Iron Bowl #5 Auburn 0 7 0 0 #3 Alabama 14 0 0 17 November 27 Legion FieldBirmingham, AL 68,861 Sources:Charles Land Super Sullivan puts down Tide 1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YSUeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=orcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5846%2C5856927 The Tuscaloosa News November 29, 1970 February 9, 2014Jimmy Smothers The Tigers come back to beat Bama, 33–28 11 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X6ofAAAAIBAJ&sjid=l9YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=914%2C3550805 The Gadsden Times November 29, 1970 February 9, 2014 As they entered their annual rivalry game against Auburn, Alabama moved into the No. 3 position and the Tigers were in the No. 5 position in the AP Poll prior to the first top five match-up in the Iron Bowl.Associated Press Bama climbs to No. 3 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZQcdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GZwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7523%2C4368137 The Tuscaloosa News November 23, 1971 10 February 9, 2014 In what was the first Alabama–Auburn game that featured two undefeated teams, the Crimson Tide defeated their rival 31–7 and captured the outright SEC championship for the 1971 season. Alabama took a 14–0 lead behind first quarter touchdown runs of six and 11-yards by Terry Davis. Auburn responded with a 31-yard Harry Unger touchdown pass to Terry Beasley in the second quarter that made the halftime score 14–7. After a scoreless third, the Crimson Tide scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and won 31–7. After Bill Davis connected on a 41-yard field goal, Johnny Musso scored on touchdown runs of 12 and six-yards in the victory. Nebraska 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team 1972 Orange Bowl Orange Bowl #2 Alabama 0 0 6 0 #1 Nebraska 14 14 3 7 January 1 Orange BowlMiami, FL 78,151 Source:Delbert Reed Cornhuskers kill Crimson Tide dream, 38–6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2xAdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KZwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6976%2C160328 The Tuscaloosa News 1B January 2, 1972 February 9, 2014Dan Jenkins All yours, Nebraska http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1085677/index.htm Sports Illustrated SI.com January 10, 1972 February 9, 2014 February 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222003534/http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1085677/index.htm dead In what was a No. 1 versus No. 2 matchup for the national championship, Alabama was dominated by the Nebraska Cornhuskers 38–6 in the Orange Bowl. Nebraska stormed out to a 28–0 halftime lead after they scored a pair of touchdowns in the first two quarters. Jeff Kinney scored on a two-yard run and Johnny Rodgers on a 77-yard punt return in the first; Jerry Tagge scored on a one-yard run and Gary Dixon on a two-yard run in the second quarter. Alabama then scored their only points on a three-yard Terry Davis touchdown run in the third and made the score 28–6. However, the Cornhuskers closed the game with a 21-yard Rich Sanger field goal in the third and a one-yard Van Brownson touchdown run in the fourth that made the final score 38–6. NFL draft Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1971 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) in the 1972, 1973 and 1974 drafts. These players included: Year Round Overall Player name Position NFL team1972 NFL draftNational Football League http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?abbr=A&collegeName=Alabama&abbrFlag=0&type=school Draft History by School–Alabama February 2, 2014 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 3 62 Johnny Musso Running back Chicago Bears 11 266 David Bailey 1 Wide receiver Green Bay Packers 15 386 Robin Parkhouse 1 Linebacker Baltimore Colts 16 411 Steve Higginbotham 1 Defensive back Washington Redskins1973 NFL draft 1 4 John Hannah John Hannah (American football) Offensive guard New England Patriots 7 174 John Mitchell John Mitchell (American football coach) Defensive end San Francisco 49ers 12 309 Jim Krapf 1 Guard Oakland Raiders1974 NFL draft 1 9 Wilbur Jackson Running back San Francisco 49ers 3 54 Wayne Wheeler 1 Wide receiver Chicago Bears 6 138 Mike Raines Defensive tackle San Francisco 49ers 8 187 Greg Gantt 1 Punter New York Jets 16 2 Buddy Brown Buddy Brown (offensive guard) Guard New York Giants 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 February 2, 2014 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 February 2, 2014 The Alabama freshmen squad was led by coach Clem Gryska for the 1971 season and finished with a record of four wins and one loss (4–1).Tom Couchman Bama frosh win wild one https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YwcdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GZwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7411%2C3657672 The Tuscaloosa News November 21, 1971 B2 February 2, 2014 The Baby Tide opened the season with a 28–23 victory over Navy at Annapolis.Kirk McNair Bama frosh bounce Navy 28–23 in opener https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Rw4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I5wEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7374%2C1905767 The Tuscaloosa News October 10, 1971 B4 February 2, 2014 After Randy Billingsley gave Alabama an early 7–0 lead with his nine-yard touchdown run, Navy responded with a trick play that saw Jim O'Brien throw a 33-yard touchdown pass to John Brodhead. In the second quarter, Billingsley scored on a one-yard touchdown run, and again the Midshipmen responded with a 20-yard Brodhead touchdown pass to Rhett Bray that made the halftime score 14–13. The Baby Tide extended their lead to 21–13 after Bob Holmes scored on a three-yard run on the first drive of the third quarter. However, Navy responded with a 46-yard Brodhead touchdown pass to Ward Hill and next with a safety and took a 23–21 lead. Ralph Stokes then went on and scored the game-winning touchdown for Alabama in the fourth quarter on a 38-yard run that made the final score 28–23. In their only home game of the season, the Baby Tide ran for 359 yards and six touchdowns en route to a 41–7 win over Vanderbilt on a Friday afternoon.Tom Couchman UA frosh run rampant in 41–7 win over Vandy https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=XUmZziu-z7kC&dat=19711016&printsec=frontpage&hl=en The Tuscaloosa News October 16, 1971 4 February 2, 2014 The next week, Alabama rallied from a 15-point deficit and defeated Tulane 23–22 at New Orleans.Tide freshmen rally late for 23–22 win at Tulane https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UA4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I5wEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4192%2C4348096 The Tuscaloosa News October 23, 1971 4 February 2, 2014 After Danny Ridgeway gave the Baby Tide an early 7–0 lead, Tulane responded with the next 22 points and opened a 22–7 lead. Green Wave points were scored on a 43-yard Steve Foley touchdown pass to Robert Johnson, a one-yard Foley touchdown run, a 50-yard John Washington punt return and on a 31-yard David Falgue field goal. Alabama then rallied for the 23–22 victory behind a pair of Bob Holmes touchdown runs and a pair of Ralph Stokes two-point conversions in the fourth quarter. At Knoxville, a 36–13 loss to the Volunteers ended an eight-game winning streak for the Baby Tide.Tennessee yearlings rip Baby Tide, 36–13 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VgcdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GZwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3466%2C877160 The Tuscaloosa News November 6, 1971 4 February 2, 2014 Alabama took an early 7–0 lead after Duffy Boles scored on a one-yard run that was set up after the Baby Tide recovered a Tennessee fumble at their one-yard line. The Vols tied the game 7–7 early in the second quarter on a 35-yard Condredge Holloway touchdown pass to John Yarbrough. They then took a 10–7 lead later in the second on a 32-yard Ricky Townsend field goal, and then extended their lead to 16–7 at halftime behind a five-yard halfback pass from Neil Clabo to Holloway. Tennessee further extended their lead to 29–7 with a pair of touchdown runs from John Sapp and one from Kent Fullington in the third quarter. In the fourth, Jim Turley recovered a Tennessee fumble for a touchdown and Carl Stinson scored on a one-yard run for the Vols and made the final score 36–13. In their final game of the season, before 15,000 fans at Cliff Hare Stadium, Alabama defeated Auburn 13–6. After a scoreless first half, Auburn scored their only points on a 48-yard Mike Fuller touchdown reception in the third quarter. Bob Holmes tied the game 6–6 late in the third with his one-yard run, and Randy Billingsley followed in the fourth quarter with his game-winning, two-yard touchdown run. In the game, the Tigers had seven turnovers and both teams missed several scoring opportunities. Freshman "Baby Tide" roster: Danny Ridgeway/QB/#10, Mark Prudhomme/QB/#11, Duffy Boles/HB/#20, Ricky Davis/HB/#21, Mike Washington/HB/#24, James Taylor/FLK/#25, Bob Holmes/FB/#30, Randy Billingsley/HB/#31, Steve Ford/HB/#40, Mike Riley/HB/#41, Ralph Stokes/HB/#42, Gary Yelvington/HB/#43, Drew Cook/HB/#44, Ray Maxwell/LB/#45, Dwight Brown/LB/#46, Dennis Durrance/LB/#48, Mike Dubose/LB/#50, Dudley Sheppard/C/#51, Robert Brophy/E/#53, James Braasch/LB/#57, Steve Kulback/G/#60, Richard Whitley/G/#62, John Lewis/G/#63, Rodney Brown/G/#64, Rudy Wooten/T/#70, Barry McGee/T/#71, David Hagan/T/#72, John Hollis/T/#73, David Capan/T/#74, Lamar Langley/T/#75, Randy Hall/T/#76, Bob Bryan/T/#77, Rick Meadows/T/#78, Ronnie Barnes/E/#80, Terry Mager/E/#81, Joe Dale Harris/E/#82, Gene Lunceford/E/#83, Tom Nelson/E/#84, Glenn Turley/E/#85, Sylvester Croom/C/#87. Roster 1971 Alabama Crimson Tide y David Bailey 84 WR S n Marvin Barron 53 OG J n Ellis Beck 35 RB J n Steve Bisceglia 44 RB J n Buddy Brown 65 OT SO y Buddy Brown (offensive guard) Richard Bryan 43 TE SO n Chip Burke 59 C SO n Jerry Cash 46 WR S n Joe Cochran OG SO n Don Cokely 70 OT S n Wayne Cotton 47 TE J n Allen Cox 75 OT J n Terry Davis 10 QB J y Terry Davis (American football) Steve Dean 39 RB J n Mike Denson 91 OT SO n Warren Dyar 31 WR J n Mike Eckenrod 69 C J n Tommy Ford 62 OG J n Jimmy Grammer 55 C S n John Hannah 73 OT J y John Hannah (American football) Butch Hobson 17 QB J y Jimmy Horton 86 TE J n Morris Hunt 60 OG J n Wilbur Jackson 80 WR SO y Pat Keever 19 WR SO n Joe LaBue 30 RB J n Rand Lambert 58 C SO n Fred Marshall 51 C S n Randy Moore 87 TE J n Phil Murphy 20 RB SO n Johnny Musso 22 RB S y Pete Pappas 6 WR SO n Steve Patterson 71 OG SO n Pat Raines 53 C J n Gary Reynolds 79 OG SO n Ron Richardson 16 RB S n Benny Rippetoe 15 QB S n John Rogers 61 OG SO n Rick Rogers 68 OG SO n Jimmy Rosser 72 OT S n Gary Rutledge 11 QB SO n Bubba Sawyer 27 WR S n Billy Sexton 14 QB J n Jim Simmons 85 TE S n Paul Spivey 24 RB SO n Steve Sprayberry 78 OT SO n Tommy Steakley 34 WR S n Danny Taylor 88 WR J n Wayne Wheeler 82 WR J n Jack White 66 OG S n Dexter Wood 92 WR J n Glenn Woodruff 7 TE S n Wayne Atkinson 21 DB J n Jeff Beard 77 DL S n Jeff Blitz 25 DB J n Robin Cary 48 DB SO n Andy Cross 52 LB J n John Croyle 83 DE J n Jimmy Dawson 37 DB SO n Joe Doughty 41 DB SO n Woody Flowers DT SO n Don Groves DE SO n Wayne Hall 50 LB J n Steve Higginbotham 49 DB S n Ed Hines 89 DE S n Skip Kubelius 95 DT SO n Jim Krapf 54 LB J n Frank Lary 98 DE SO n Darrell Owen 81 WR SO n Greg Mantooth 99 DT SO n Bob McKinney 26 DB J n David McMakin 18 DB SO n Noah Miller 94 LB SO n John Mitchell 97 DE J y John Mitchell (American football coach) Lanny Norris 40 DB J n Robin Parkhouse 90 DE S n Jim Patterson 96 DL S n Max Raines 74 DT SO n Mike Riley 23 DB Fr y Mike Riley (American football) Ronnie Robertson 38 LB SO n Steve Root 67 LB S n Jeff Rouzie 56 LB J n Robby Rowan 29 DB J n Terry Rowell 57 DL S n Johnny Sharpless 23 DB SO n Chuck Strickland 36 LB SO n Tom Surlas 42 LB S n Carl Tayloe 33 DB J n Steve Wade 32 DB J n David Watkins 93 DE SO n Mitchell Weaver 76 DL J n Steve Williams 28 DB S n Bill Davis 1 PK SO n Greg Gantt 8 PK SO y John Dorough 9 PK SO n http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/79-m-footbl-roster.pdf October 15, 2013 Bear Bryant (14th year, Alabama) John David Crow (3rd year, Texas A&M) Ken Donahue (8th year, Tennessee) Pat Dye (7th year, Georgia) Jim Goostree (15th year, Tennessee) Clem Gryska (12th year, Alabama) Dude Hennessey (12th year, Kentucky) Ken Martin (1st year, Alabama) Mal Moore (8th year, Alabama) Bill Oliver (1st year, Alabama) Dee Powell (8th year, Texas A&M) Jack Rutledge (6th year, Alabama) Jimmy Sharpe (9th year, Alabama) Bob Tyler (1st year, Ole Miss) Richard Williamson (8th year, Alabama) References:http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/71-m-footbl-roster.pdf 1971 Season Roster RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics January 26, 2014 February 21, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140221190655/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/71-m-footbl-roster.pdf dead 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 202–203 References General http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/71-m-footbl-recaps.pdf 1971 Season Recaps RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics January 26, 2014 February 21, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140221190653/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/71-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 January 26, 2014 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:Southeastern Conference football champion seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football