2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football Alabama_Athletics_logo.svg Southeastern Conference Western Division SEC 11 10–3 6–2 Dennis Franchione 2nd Les Koenning 2nd Multiple Carl Torbush 2nd 4–3 Jarret Johnson Kenny King Kindal Moorehead Tyler Watts Ahmaad Galloway Lane Bearden Bryant–Denny StadiumLegion Field The 2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by Dennis Franchione in his second and final season as head coach, the Crimson Tide compiled an overall record of 10–3 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, placing first in the SEC's Western Division. However, Alabama was ineligible to compete in the 2002 SEC Championship Game or a bowl game due to a two-year postseason ban imposed as part of the penalty for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) violations. The team played home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Alabama began the season with a 4–1 record, only losing a close game at No. 8 Oklahoma. On October 5, the Crimson Tide lost another hard-fought game to the No. 4 Georgia, 27–25, at home. The team then defeated their next five opponents by an average of 24.4 points. In the Iron Bowl, Alabama lost to Auburn Tigers by a score of 17–7. The Crimson Tide ended their season with a win over Hawaii. On December 5, Franchione left Alabama to take the head football coaching job at Texas A&M University, which was left vacant by the firing of R. C. Slocum.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/2002/12/05/franchione_am/ https://web.archive.org/web/20030529093906/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/2002/12/05/franchione_am/ dead May 29, 2003 Franchione bolts Alabama for Texas A&M February 10, 2008 CNN Schedule 2002 AP Central August 31 11:30 a.m. w y Middle Tennessee Legion Field Birmingham, AL JPS 39–34 80,091 September 7 2:30 p.m. l y y Oklahoma 2 Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK ABC 27–37 75,564 September 14 6:00 p.m. w y North Texas Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL PPV 33–7 79,818 September 21 6:00 p.m. w y Southern Miss Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL ESPN2 20–7 83,818 Tide shuts down Eagles September 22, 2002 The Montgomery Advertiser https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109325308/tide-shuts-down-eagles/ September 10, 2022 Newspapers.com September 28 6:45 p.m. w y Arkansas Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, AR ESPN 30–12 73,551 October 5 2:30 p.m. l 22 Georgia 7 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry, College GameDay CBS 25–27 83,818 October 19 2:30 p.m. w y 24 Ole Miss 21 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry CBS 42–7 83,818 October 26 6:45 p.m. w y 19 Tennessee 16 Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN Third Saturday in October ESPN 34–14 107,722 November 2 1:00 p.m. w y 12 Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN PPV 30–8 36,407 November 9 1:00 p.m. w 11 Mississippi State Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry PPV 28–14 83,818 November 16 8:00 p.m. w y 10 LSU 14 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA rivalry ESPN 31–0 92,012 November 23 2:30 p.m. l 9 Auburn Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Iron Bowl CBS 7–17 83,818 November 30 6:45 p.m. w y y 14 Hawaii Aloha Stadium Halawa, HI ESPN 21–16 50,000 2002 Alabama Crimson Tide Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/alabama/2002-schedule.html College Football at Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference August 16, 2025 2002 Football Schedule https://rolltide.com/sports/football/schedule/2002 University of Alabama August 16, 2025 Game summaries Middle Tennessee 2002 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team Middle Tennessee 0 11 3 20 Alabama 22 0 7 10 In the only game that Alabama would play at Legion Field in 2002, the Crimson Tide would score a season opening win for the first time since 1999. Statistics MTSUAlabama First downs 22 22 Total yards 385 430 Rushing yards 183 194 Passing yards 202 236 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 30:02 29:58 Team Category Player StatisticsMTSU Passing Andrico Hines 16–24, 165 yards, 1 INT Rushing ReShard Lee 11 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD Receiving Tyrone Calico 7 receptions, 75 yardsAlabama Passing Tyler Watts 16–22, 236 yards, 2 TD Rushing Ahmaad Galloway 15 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD Receiving Triandos Luke 9 receptions, 85 yards Oklahoma 2002 Oklahoma Sooners football team Alabama 3 0 14 10 #3 Oklahoma 9 14 0 14 The first road game of the year for Alabama would prove to be one of the most exciting game of the year. Despite trailing 23–3 at halftime, Alabama roared back in the second half with 24 unanswered points to take a 27–23 lead late into the 4th quarter. Oklahoma however, scored the last 14 points to win 37–27. Statistics AlabamaOklahoma First downs 14 12 Total yards 288 283 Rushing yards 96 −23 Passing yards 192 306 Turnovers 3 1 Time of possession 36:44 23:16 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Tyler Watts 16–32, 185 yards, 1 INT Rushing Ahmaad Galloway 18 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD Receiving Sam Collins 6 receptions, 82 yardsOklahoma Passing Nate Hybl 16–30, 251 yards, 1 TD Rushing Kejuan Jones 3 carries, 12 yards, 1 TD Receiving Mark Clayton 4 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TD North Texas 2002 North Texas Mean Green football team North Texas 0 7 0 0 Alabama 3 16 7 7 In the first game of the season at Bryant-Denny Stadium, The Crimson Tide would go over 500 yards of offense for the first time this season and win their first non-conference game at Bryant Denny Stadium since 1999. This game also was the first time since 1986 Alabama would not sellout their game at Bryant-Denny Stadium snapping a streak of 56 straight sellouts in Tuscaloosa. Statistics North TexasAlabama First downs 11 25 Total yards 131 534 Rushing yards 50 336 Passing yards 91 198 Turnovers 2 3 Time of possession 26:14 33:46 Team Category Player StatisticsNorth Texas Passing Andrew Smith 9–18, 70 yards, 1 TD Rushing Patrick Cobbs 14 carries, 58 yards Receiving George Marshall 6 receptions, 39 yards, 1 TDAlabama Passing Tyler Watts 12–15, 161 yards, 1 INT Rushing Shaud Williams 7 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD Receiving Donald Clarke 3 receptions, 80 yards Southern Miss 2002 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team Southern Miss 0 0 7 0 Alabama 7 7 0 6 For the second straight week, Alabama would hold their opponent to under 150 yards of total offense to win their third game of the season. This would be Ahmaad Galloway final game at Alabama as he would tear his ACL in the 4th quarter. Statistics Southern MissAlabama First downs 8 20 Total yards 145 372 Rushing yards 35 351 Passing yards 110 21 Turnovers 5 3 Time of possession 20:49 39:11 Team Category Player StatisticsSouthern Miss Passing Micky D'Angelo 8–27, 110 yards, 1 INT Rushing Derrick Nix 14 carries, 61 yards Receiving Marvin Young 2 receptions, 35 yardsAlabama Passing Brodie Croyle 4–15, 15 yards, 2 INT Rushing Shaud Williams 21 carries, 137 yards Receiving Sam Collins 2 receptions, 10 yards Arkansas 2002 Arkansas Razorbacks football team Alabama 14 3 3 10 Arkansas 0 7 3 2 Shaud Williams would take the opening play 80 yards for a touchdown as the Crimson Tide beat Arkansas on the road for the first time since 1996. Statistics Alabama Arkansas First downs 18 13 Total yards 552 299 Rushing yards 267 172 Passing yards 285 127 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 33:46 26:14 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Brodie Croyle 12–24, 285 yards, 2 TD Rushing Santonio Beard 21 carries, 134 yards Receiving Shaud Williams 2 receptions, 88 yardsArkansas Passing Matt Jones 7–18, 127 yards, 2 INT Rushing Cedric Cobbs 13 carries, 70 yards Receiving George Wilson 3 receptions, 54 yards Georgia 2002 Georgia Bulldogs football team #7 Georgia 7 7 3 10 #22 Alabama 3 6 3 13 Georgia would use a Billy Bennett 32 yard field goal to beat Alabama in the first meeting between teams since 1995. Statistics GeorgiaAlabama First downs 22 16 Total yards 385 306 Rushing yards 194 133 Passing yards 224 197 Turnovers 3 2 Time of possession 30:16 29:44 Team Category Player StatisticsGeorgia Passing David Greene 15–27, 224 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Musa Smith 21 carries, 126 yards, 1 TD Receiving Terrence Edwards 5 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TDAlabama Passing Brodie Croyle 16–29, 197 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Ray Hudson 3 carries, 45 yards Receiving Dre Fulgham 3 receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD Ole Miss 2002 Ole Miss Rebels football team #21 Ole Miss 7 0 0 0 #24 Alabama 14 7 7 14 Santonio Beard tied Shaun Alexander record of five rushing touchdowns in a game as Alabama dominated Ole Miss on Homecoming. Statistics Ole MissAlabama First downs 15 18 Total yards 223 456 Rushing yards 53 265 Passing yards 219 222 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 31:25 28:35 Team Category Player StatisticsOle Miss Passing Eli Manning 18–32, 219 yards, 1 INT Rushing Robert Williams 8 carries, 23 yards, 1 TD Receiving Chris Collins 3 receptions, 62 yardsAlabama Passing Brodie Croyle 6–11, 179 yards, 1 TD Rushing Santonio Beard 13 carries, 138 yards, 5 TD Receiving Dre Fulgham 3 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD Tennessee 2002 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October #19 Alabama 7 7 10 10 #16 Tennessee 0 7 7 0 For the first time since 1994, Alabama beat Tennessee snapping a seven year win streak that the Vols had. To date, this was the longest streak by any opponent over the Tide. Statistics Alabama Tennessee First downs 14 17 Total yards 300 222 Rushing yards 210 102 Passing yards 128 163 Turnovers 2 6 Time of possession 32:49 27:11 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Brodie Croyle 5–7, 128 yards Rushing Santonio Beard 16 carries, 65 yards, 2 TD Receiving Zach Fletcher 1 reception, 56 yardsTennessee Passing Casey Clausen 14–26, 161 yards, 3 INT Rushing Jabari Davis 7 carries, 26 yards Receiving Tony Brown 4 receptions, 40 yards Vanderbilt 2002 Vanderbilt Commodores football team #12 Alabama 7 6 7 10 Vanderbilt 0 0 0 8 For the second year in a row, the Crimson Tide traveled to Vanderbilt and for the 18th straight time Alabama would beat Vanderbilt. This would be the last time Alabama would play Vanderbilt until 2006 snapping a 50 consecutive seasons streak of playing. Statistics Alabama Vanderbilt First downs 24 9 Total yards 428 162 Rushing yards 157 46 Passing yards 271 116 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 36:22 23:38 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Tyler Watts 15–21, 176 yards Rushing Tyler Watts 14 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD Receiving Triandos Luke 9 reception, 102 yardsVanderbilt Passing Jay Cutler 7–18, 116 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Kwane Doster 15 carries, 33 yards Receiving Kwane Doster 2 receptions, 43 yards Mississippi State 2002 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team Mississippi State 3 11 0 0 #11 Alabama 14 7 7 0 Alabama used their offense in the first half and their defense in the second half to preserve second straight win against the Bulldogs for the first time since 1994–95. This game was not televised making it the first Alabama game since 1995 not to be on live television. Statistics Mississippi StateAlabama First downs 17 21 Total yards 246 409 Rushing yards 107 165 Passing yards 139 244 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 31:19 28:41 Team Category Player StatisticsMississippi State Passing Kevin Fant 19–33, 127 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Jerious Norwood 9 carries, 58 yards Receiving Justin Jenkins 4 receptions, 35 yardsAlabama Passing Tyler Watts 16–22, 223 yards, 3 TD Rushing Santonio Beard 14 carries, 68 yards Receiving Triandos Luke 7 receptions, 128 yards, 2 TD LSU 2002 LSU Tigers football team #10 Alabama 0 14 0 17 #14 LSU 0 0 0 0 Alabama defense would record a shutout for the first time since 1997 as they defeated the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge. Statistics Alabama LSU First downs 27 14 Total yards 477 196 Rushing yards 300 131 Passing yards 177 65 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 34:36 25:24 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Tyler Watts 11–20, 177 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Shaud Williams 16 carries, 131 yards Receiving Sam Collins 5 reception, 115 yardsLSU Passing Marcus Randall 6–17, 39 yards Rushing Marcus Randall 6 carries, 54 yards Receiving Devery Henderson 3 receptions, 25 yards Auburn 2002 Auburn Tigers football team Iron Bowl Auburn 14 3 0 0 #9 Alabama 0 0 7 0 Alabama would trail for the first time since the Georgia game earlier in the season as Auburn would upset Alabama to continue their undefeated mark in Iron Bowl's played in Tuscaloosa. Statistics AuburnAlabama First downs 14 17 Total yards 298 320 Rushing yards 129 111 Passing yards 169 209 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 29:43 30:17 Team Category Player StatisticsAuburn Passing Jason Campbell 10–18, 169 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT Rushing Tre Smith 25 carries, 126 yards Receiving Marcel Willis 3 receptions, 59 yardsAlabama Passing Tyler Watts 11–21, 126 yards Rushing Shaud Williams 7 carries, 48 yards Receiving Dre Fulgham 2 receptions, 58 yards Hawaii 2002 Hawaii Warriors football team #14 Alabama 0 14 0 7 Hawaii 0 0 3 13 Alabama reached ten wins for the first time since 1999 as Alabama beat Hawaii to end the season 10–3. This would be Dennis Franchione's last game as coach at Alabama; he left to be Texas A&M head coach on December 4, 2002.Karels Carter Flashback to Dennis Franchione's move from Alabama to Texas A&M; 'he left in a way he should not have left' Dallas News 2016-10-20 https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-am-aggies/2016/10/20/flashback-to-dennis-franchione-s-move-from-alabama-to-texas-am-he-left-in-a-way-he-should-not-have-left/ 2024-12-28 Statistics Alabama Hawaii First downs 18 21 Total yards 373 360 Rushing yards 280 −12 Passing yards 93 372 Turnovers 5 1 Time of possession 38:55 21:05 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Tyler Watts 8–15, 81 yards, 1 TD Rushing Shaud Williams 23 carries, 160 yards, 1 TD Receiving Sam Collins 3 reception, 42 yards, 1 TDHawaii Passing Timmy Chang 26–53, 373 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT Rushing Chad Kapanui 1 carry, 10 yards Receiving Jeremiah Cockheran 9 receptions, 207 yards, 1 TD Personnel Coaching staff Alabama Crimson Tide Name Position Consecutive seasons at Alabama Dennis Franchione Head coach 2nd Les Koenning Offensive coordinator/quarterback coach 2nd Kenith Pope Assistant head coach/wide receivers coach 2ndJim Bob Helduser Offensive line coach 2nd Mark Tommerdahl Special teams coordinator/tight end coach 2nd Lee Fobbs Running backs coach 2nd Carl Torbush Defensive coordinator/ Linebackers coach2nd Chris Thurmond Cornerbacks coach2nd Melvin Smith Safeties coach 1st Stan Eggen Defensive line coach 2ndReference:2002 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide, p. 2 Roster 2002 Alabama Crimson Tide y 14 Sr Tyler Watts QB 51 So Evan Mathis C y 58 Sr Alonzo Ephraim C y 80 Jr Zach Fletcher WR 84 Jr Triandos Luke WR y 12 Fr Brodie Croyle QB y 19 So Josh Averett WR 6 Jr Derrick Pope LB y Freddie Roach 8 LB Fr Freddie Roach (American football) y 10 Jr Carlos Andrews SS 41 Fr Roman Harper CB y 54 Sr Kindal Moorehead DE y 91 Fr Chris Harris DE Gabe Giardina 8 PK Jr y http://tidentenn.com/2002FootballRoster.htm *Dennis Franchione References Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football