1997 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 January 2019 1997 Alabama Crimson Tide football Southeastern Conference Western Division SEC 4–7 2–6 Mike DuBose 1st Bruce Arians 1st Split backshttps://archive.org/details/alabama-football-1997-media-guide-c/page/n89/mode/2up Alabama Football 1997 Media Guide January 22, 2026 Ellis Johnson 1st 4–3 Curtis Alexander Paul Pickett Rod Rutledge Deshea Townsend Bryant–Denny StadiumLegion Field The 1997 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by first-year head coach Mike DuBose, the Crimson Tide compiled an overall record of 4–7, going 2–6 in conference play, tying for fifth place at the bottom of the SEC's Western Division standings. The team played home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Alabama suffered its first losing record since the 1984 season. Schedule 1997 AP Central August 30 11:30 a.m. w y 16 Houston Legion Field Birmingham, AL JPS 42–17 81,591 Tutor Phillip August 31, 1997 Tide's DuBose era off and throwing https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71631045/tides-dubose-era-off-and-throwing/ February 20, 2021 The Anniston Star Newspapers.com September 11 Thursday 7:30 p.m. w y 15 Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN ESPN 20–0 41,448 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71631358/nothing-doing-woodyball-fails-to-fix/ The Tennessean Nothing doing - Woodyball fails to fix old Vandy problem: no offense September 12, 1997 February 20, 2021 Newspapers.com September 20 11:30 a.m. l 11 Arkansas Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL JPS 16–17 70,123 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71631616/arkansas-stuns-no-11-alabama-1716/ The Jackson Sun Arkansas stuns No. 11 Alabama, 17–16 September 21, 1997 February 20, 2021 Newspapers.com September 27 2:00 p.m. w y 21 Southern Miss Legion Field Birmingham, AL PPV 27–14 83,091 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71631775/turnovers-costly-to-usm/ Hattiesburg American Turnovers costly to USM September 28, 1997 February 20, 2021 Newspapers.com October 4 6:00 p.m. l y 20 Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY PPV 34–40 OT 59,226 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71632057/tidings-of-great-joy-cats-stun/ Lexington Herald-Leader Tidings of great joy - Cats stun Alabama with 40–34 OT victory October 5, 1997 February 20, 2021 Newspapers.com October 18 6:00 p.m. l Tennessee 9 Legion Field Birmingham, AL Third Saturday in October ESPN 21–38 83,091 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71632281/tennessee-waltz-manning-leads-3rd/ The Tennessean Tennessee waltz, Manning leads 3rd straight win over Alabama October 19, 1997 February 20, 2021 Newspapers.com October 25 11:30 a.m. w y Ole Miss 25 Vaught–Hemingway Stadium Oxford, MS rivalry JPS 29–20 41,548 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71632453/tide-knocks-out-rebels-2920/ The Clarion-Ledger Tide knocks out Rebels 29–20 October 26, 1997 February 20, 2021 Newspapers.com November 1 1:00 p.m. l y y Louisiana Tech Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL PPV 20–26 70,123 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71632612/bulldogs-roll-tide/ The Shreveport Times Bulldogs roll Tide November 2, 1997 February 20, 2021 Newspapers.com November 8 2:30 p.m. l LSU 14 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL CBS rivalry 0–27 70,123 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71632805/faulk-lsu-show-true-grit/ Alexandria Daily Town Talk Faulk, LSU show true grit November 9, 1997 February 20, 2021 Newspapers.com November 15 11:30 a.m. l Mississippi State 17 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry JPS 20–32 70,123 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71632997/tides-04-in-t-town/ The Anniston Star Tide's 0–4 in T-town November 16, 1997 February 20, 2021 Newspapers.com November 22 6:00 p.m. l y Auburn 13 Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL Iron Bowl ESPN 17–18 85,214 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71633236/holmes-cookin-tigers-cash-in-late/ The Montgomery Advertiser Holmes cookin' - Tigers cash in late fumble to steal historic win November 23, 1997 February 20, 2021 Newspapers.com https://rolltide.com/sports/2016/6/10/sports-m-footbl-archive-m-footbl-archive-1997-html.aspx?id=181 1997 Alabama football archives RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics February 20, 2021 Rankings 1997 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 17 15 16 15 15 11 21 20 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR Coaches 0 17 15 15 14 11 19 20 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR Game summaries Houston 1997 Houston Cougars football team Cougars 0 7 7 3 No. 16 Crimson Tide 21 7 0 14 A sell-out crowd filled Legion Field as the Mike Dubose era got off to a great start with the Crimson Tide rolling to a big win over Houston. Alabama's 42 points was the most any Alabama team had put up in a game since the season opener in 1994. Statistics HoustonAlabama First downs 15 25 Total yards 384 466 Rushing yards 114 213 Passing yards 270 253 Turnovers 2 3 Time of possession 28:01 31:59 Team Category Player StatisticsHouston Passing Tyson Helton 7–14, 143 yards, 1 TD Rushing Ketric Sanford 12 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD Receiving Robbie Wheeler 6 receptions, 107 yardsAlabama Passing Freddie Kitchens 12–19, 168 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Shaun Alexander 11 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD Receiving Curtis AlexanderChad Goss 2 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD2 receptions, 50 yards Vanderbilt 1997 Vanderbilt Commodores football team No. 15 Crimson Tide 7 0 3 10 Commodores 0 0 0 0 Alabama defense held Vanderbilt offense to 124 yards as the Crimson Tide won its first road and conference game of the year in shutout fashion. Statistics AlabamaVanderbilt First downs 9 9 Total yards 238 124 Rushing yards 75 66 Passing yards 163 58 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 30:16 29:44 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Freddie Kitchens 10–18, 124 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's Rushing Dennis Riddle 13 carries, 31 yards Receiving Quincy Jackson 3 receptions, 67 yardsVanderbilt Passing Damian Allen 6–22, 58 yards Rushing Jimmy Williams 10 carries, 43 yards Receiving Jimmy Williams 3 receptions, 41 yards Arkansas 1997 Arkansas Razorbacks football team Razorbacks 3 0 7 7 No. 11 Crimson Tide 3 3 3 7 For the second time in a row, Arkansas came to Bryant-Denny Stadium and upset a ranked Alabama team by one point. Alabama held a 16-10 lead late in the game, but an Anthony Eubanks touchdown grab of 29 yards from Clint Stoerner gave Arkansas a one-point win. Statistics Arkansas Alabama First downs 14 15 Total yards 270 247 Rushing yards 70 106 Passing yards 200 141 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 29:02 30:58 Team Category Player StatisticsArkansas Passing Clint Stoerner 16–21, 200 yards, 1 TD Rushing Chrys Chukwuma 12 carries, 65 yards Receiving Anthony Eubanks 7 receptions, 104 yardsAlabama Passing Freddie Kitchens 10–17, 84 yards Rushing Dennis Riddle 12 carries, 49 yards Receiving Calvin Hall 4 receptions, 48 yards Southern Miss 1997 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team Golden Eagles 0 10 3 0 No. 21 Crimson Tide 0 10 7 10 After being tied at halftime, Alabama outscored Southern Miss 17-3 in the second half, led by the Alabama defense forcing three Southern Miss turnovers. Statistics Southern Miss Alabama First downs 19 12 Total yards 293 275 Rushing yards 67 105 Passing yards 226 170 Turnovers 4 0 Time of possession 29:34 30:26 Team Category Player StatisticsSouthern Miss Passing Lee Roberts 21–40, 226 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's Rushing Harold Shaw 20 carries, 79 yards Receiving Sherrod Gideon 7 receptions, 132 yardsAlabama Passing Freddie Kitchens 11–18, 167 yards, 2 TD's Rushing Shaun Alexander 16 carries, 66 yards Receiving Shamari Buchanan 2 receptions, 58 yards Kentucky 1997 Kentucky Wildcats football team Wildcats 10 3 14 7 6 No. 20 Crimson Tide 7 7 10 10 0 A back and forth shootout ended with a 26-yard game-winning touchdown pass from Kentucky QB Tim Couch to give Kentucky its first win over Alabama since 1922. Alabama had the ball first in overtime but, a Chad Goss fumble gave Kentucky an opportunity to score and win with their possession. This was the first overtime game ever for both teams. Statistics AlabamaKentucky First downs 20 23 Total yards 410 457 Rushing yards 239 102 Passing yards 171 355 Turnovers 2 4 Time of possession 35:04 24:56 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Freddie Kitchens 13–24, 125 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT Rushing Curtis Alexander 15 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD Receiving Chad Goss 3 receptions, 59 yards, 1 TDKentucky Passing Tim Couch 32–49, 355 yards, 4 TD's 3 INT's Rushing Anthony White 15 carries, 117 yards Receiving Derek Homer 3 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD Tennessee 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team No. 9 Volunteers 7 14 10 7 Crimson Tide 6 0 8 7 For the third consecutive year, Tennessee defeated Alabama. Alabama opened with two early field goals, briefly holding a 6–0 lead, but Tennessee's response was emphatic—28 unanswered points that left no room for a comeback. This contest also carried historical weight, serving as the final Third Saturday in October matchup played at Legion Field, closing a memorable chapter in the rivalry’s history. Statistics Tennessee Alabama First downs 23 13 Total yards 393 225 Rushing yards 89 72 Passing yards 304 153 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 31:35 28:25 Team Category Player StatisticsTennessee Passing Peyton Manning 23–37, 304 yards, 3 TD's Rushing Jamal Lewis 17 carries, 67 yards Receiving Peerless Price 4 receptions, 78 yards, 1 TDAlabama Passing Freddie Kitchens 13–39, 153 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Curtis Alexander 16 carries, 38 yards Receiving Shamari Buchanan 6 receptions, 66 yards Ole Miss 1997 Ole Miss Rebels football team Crimson Tide 0 7 10 12 No. 25 Rebels 7 7 0 6 Mike DuBose got his first win against a ranked team as the Crimson Tide ended their two-game losing streak with a win against Ole Miss. Statistics AlabamaOle Miss First downs 22 19 Total yards 526 420 Rushing yards 297 163 Passing yards 229 257 Turnovers 2 3 Time of possession 36:37 23:23 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Freddie Kitchens 15–22, 229 yards, 1 TD Rushing Curtis Alexander 16 carries, 141 yards, 1 TD Receiving Quincy Jackson 5 receptions, 119 yardsOle Miss Passing Stewart Patridge 22–37, 257 yards, 1 TD Rushing John Aver 15 carries, 148 yards, 1 TD Receiving Andre Rone 4 receptions, 67 yards Louisiana Tech 1997 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team Bulldogs 10 3 7 6 Crimson Tide 7 0 6 7 For the first time since the 1990 season, Alabama lost a non-conference game. This was also the first homecoming loss for Alabama since 1990, and the first time Louisiana Tech had ever defeated Alabama. Coming into the game, the Bulldogs had the third-ranked passing offense in college football. Statistics Louisiana TechAlabama First downs 23 23 Total yards 522 389 Rushing yards 161 127 Passing yards 361 262 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 33:50 26:10 Team Category Player StatisticsLouisiana Tech Passing Tim Rattay 29–48, 361 yards, 3 TD's Rushing Bobby Ray Tell 17 carries, 98 yards Receiving Troy Edwards 9 receptions, 126 yards, 1 TDAlabama Passing Freddie Kitchens 14–32, 228 yards, 2 TD's Rushing Curtis Alexander 18 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD Receiving Shamari Buchanan 4 receptions, 55 yards LSU 1997 LSU Tigers football team No. 14 Tigers 7 7 0 13 Crimson Tide 0 0 0 0 LSU returned the favor after Alabama shutout LSU in Tiger Stadium in 1996 by shutting out Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium. This was the first time Alabama had been shutout since 1991. Statistics LSUAlabama First downs 17 15 Total yards 370 250 Rushing yards 265 157 Passing yards 105 93 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 30:22 29:38 Team Category Player StatisticsLSU Passing Herb Tyler 7–13, 105 yards Rushing Kevin Faulk 27 carries, 168 yards, 2 TD's Receiving Abram Booty 3 receptions, 66 yardsAlabama Passing Freddie Kitchens 8–24, 93 yards Rushing Curtis Alexander 24 carries, 95 yards Receiving Quincy Jackson 1 reception, 22 yards Mississippi State 1997 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team No. 17 Bulldogs 14 6 9 3 Crimson Tide 14 0 6 0 For the first time since 1957, Mississippi State won in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The loss also meant Alabama would not win a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time since 1955, and guaranteed Alabama its first losing season since 1984. Statistics Mississippi StateAlabama First downs 23 13 Total yards 500 247 Rushing yards 347 113 Passing yards 153 134 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 31:02 28:58 Team Category Player StatisticsMississippi State Passing Matt Wyatt 10–20, 153 yards, 1 TD Rushing J. J. Johnson 23 carries, 198 yards, 2 TD's Receiving Lamont Woodberry 4 receptions, 45 yardsAlabama Passing Lance Tucker 7–11, 81 yards, 1 TD Rushing Dennis Riddle 13 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD Receiving Quincy Jackson 3 receptions, 63 yards Auburn 1997 Auburn Tigers football team Crimson Tide 0 10 7 0 No. 13 Tigers 6 0 6 6 Despite being an underdog, Alabama led for most of the game and be in a position to put the game away but an Ed Scissum fumble recovered by Auburn put them in field goal range to take the lead and ultimately give them the win. Alabama tried a 57-yard field goal with A.J. Diaz as time expired but it fell short. Seven losses was the most Alabama had had in a season since 1957. Statistics AlabamaAuburn First downs 15 19 Total yards 299 275 Rushing yards 156 62 Passing yards 143 213 Turnovers 2 3 Time of possession 31:39 28:21 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Freddie Kitchens 12–18, 134 yards, 1 TD Rushing Shaun Alexander 13 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD Receiving Quincy Jackson 7 receptions, 79 yardsAuburn Passing Dameyune Craig 14–34, 213 yards, 2 INT's Rushing Rusty Williams 6 carries, 27 yards Receiving Hicks Poor 5 receptions, 55 yards http://www.rolltide.com/datadump/fls_files/files/football/1997/1997stats.pdf 1997 Alabama Crimson Tide Football October 18, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20120326073023/http://www.rolltide.com/datadump/fls_files/files/football/1997/1997stats.pdf March 26, 2012 dead Coaching staff Alabama Crimson Tide Name Position Consecutive seasons at Alabama Mike DuBose Head coach 1st Bruce Arians Offensive coordinator/Quarterback coach 1st Dabo Swinney Tight end 5th Neil Callaway Offensive line coach 1st Woody McCorvey Wide receivers coach 8th Ivy Williams Running backs coach 4th Ellis Johnson Defensive coordinator/Defensive line 1st Curley Hallman Secondary coach 2nd Jeff Rouzie Linebackers coach 7th Danny Pearman Special teams coordinator 7th Mickey Conn Graduate Assistant 2ndReference:1997 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide, p. 2 References Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football