2004 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 2004 Alabama Crimson Tide football Alabama Crimson Tide logo.svg 150 Southeastern Conference Western Division SEC 6–6 3–5 Mike Shula 2nd David Rader 2nd Pro-style Joe Kines 4th 3–3–5 Todd Bates Wesley Britt Bryant–Denny Stadium Music City Bowl L Lost 16–20 vs. Minnesota The 2004 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by second-year head coach Mike Shula, the Crimson Tide compiled an overall record of 6–6 with a mark of 3–5 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for third in the SEC's Western Division. Alabama was invited to the Music City Bowl, where the Crimson Tide lost to Minnesota. For the first time ever, the team played all of their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Alabama began the 2004 season at 3–0 with blowout victories over Utah State, Mississippi, and Western Carolina. The Tide's starting quarterback, Brodie Croyle, was injured during the Western Carolina game and lost for the season. Without him, the team struggled to find consistent offense against SEC opponents Arkansas and South Carolina. The team rebounded to multiple blowouts victories in three of the next four games, only losing to rival Tennessee. The season ended on a three-game slide, losing to rivals LSU and Auburn, also losing in the Music City Bowl to Minnesota. This season was first since 1958 in which Alabama was absent from the AP poll every week of the season. Schedule 2004 AP Central September 4 6:00 p.m. w y Utah State Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL PPV 48–17 82,033 September 11 8:00 p.m. w Ole Miss Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry ESPN2 28–7 83,083 September 18 6:00 p.m. w y Western Carolina Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL PPV 52–0 77,306 September 25 2:30 p.m. l y Arkansas Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, AR CBS 10–27 72,543 October 2 5:00 p.m. l South Carolina Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL ESPN2 3–20 82,141 October 9 11:30 a.m. w y Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY JPS 45–17 65,482 October 16 2:30 p.m. w y y Southern Miss 24 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL PPV 27–3 82,094 Darby, Alabama pound So. Miss October 17, 2004 The Montgomery Advertiser https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109348994/darby-alabama-pound-so-miss/ September 11, 2022 Newspapers.com October 23 2:30 p.m. l y Tennessee 11 Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN Third Saturday in October CBS 13–17 107,017 November 6 5:30 p.m. w Mississippi State Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry ESPN2 30–14 82,617 November 13 6:45 p.m. l y LSU 17 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA rivalry ESPN 10–26 91,861 November 20 2:30 p.m. l Auburn 2 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Iron Bowl CBS 13–21 83,818 December 31 11:00 a.m. l y y Minnesota The Coliseum Nashville, TN Music City Bowl ESPN 16–20 66,089 Alabama Crimson Tide Schedule 2004 https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/333/season/2004 ESPN August 16, 2025 2004 Alabama Crimson Tide Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/alabama/2004-schedule.html College Football at Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference August 16, 2025 2004 Football Schedule https://rolltide.com/sports/football/schedule/2004 University of Alabama August 16, 2025 Game summaries Utah State 2004 Utah State Aggies football team Utah State 7 3 7 0 Alabama 10 7 17 14 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 6:00 p.m. Central 2:58 82,033 84°, partly cloudy, winds NNE at 9 mph Rocky Goode Source:http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/bama01.html#GAME.SUM Utah State vs Alabama: Scoring Summary September 4, 2004 RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 25, 2011 Alabama opened the 2004 season by defeating the Utah State Aggies 48–17.Youth movement: New look Crimson Tide rolls past Aggies Christopher Walsh C1 The Tuscaloosa News September 5, 2004 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1kogAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jqYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3285%2C763131 October 25, 2011 Brian Bostick scored the first Alabama points of the game with his 28-yard field goal. On the ensuing Aggies possession, Roman Harper intercepted a Travis Cox and returned it to the Utah State 21-yard line.http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/bama01.html#GAME.PLY Utah State vs Alabama: Play-by-Play Summary September 4, 2004 RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 25, 2011 Two plays later, Brodie Croyle threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Clint Johnston to give the Crimson Tide a 10–0 lead. The Aggies responded later in the first with a 35-yard Cox touchdown pass to Kevin Robinson to cut the score to 10–7. In the second quarter, Kenneth Darby scored for Alabama on a 29-yard run and Ben Chaet connected on a 44-yard field goal for Utah State to make the halftime score 17–10. On the third play of the second half, Simeon Castille intercepted a Cox pass and returned it 31-yards for his first career touchdown.Simeon Castille scores first career touchdown Cecil Hurt C6 The Tuscaloosa News September 5, 2004 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1kogAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jqYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2895%2C784661 October 25, 2011 After the Alabama defense forced a punt on the ensuing Aggies drive, Croyle threw a 57-yard touchdown strike to Keith Brown on the Crimson Tide's first offensive play of the second half to give them a 31–10 lead. After a 32-yard Bostick field goal extended the Alabama lead to 34–10, the Aggies responded with their final points of the game on a 21-yard Cox touchdown pass to Chris Forbes. The Crimson Tide then closed the game with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. The first came on a one-yard Tim Castille run and the second on a seven-yard Ray Hudson run in the 48–17 Alabama victory. Ole Miss 2004 Ole Miss Rebels football team Ole Miss 0 0 0 7 Alabama 0 14 7 7 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 8:05 p.m. Central 2:56 83,083 85°, partly cloudy, winds ENE at 3 mph Matt Austin Source:http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/bama02.html#GAME.SUM Ole Miss vs Alabama: Scoring Summary September 11, 2004 RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 25, 2011 Alabama opened conference play by defeating their long-time rival, the Ole Miss Rebels 28–7.Alabama 28, Mississippi 7 https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=242550333 https://web.archive.org/web/20221001090300/https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=242550333 dead October 1, 2022 Associated Press ESPN.com September 11, 2004 October 29, 2011 After a scoreless first, the Crimson Tide took a 14–0 halftime lead after scoring a pair of second-quarter touchdowns.Tide dominates Rebels with blitz, running game Christopher Walsh C1 The Tuscaloosa News September 12, 2004 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=20ogAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jqYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5683%2C1827457 October 25, 2011 Tim Castille scored first on a one-yard run and Tyrone Prothro scored second on a 15-yard Brodie Croyle touchdown pass. Alabama extended their lead to 21–0 in the third quarter when Ray Hudson scored his first of two touchdowns on a 13-yard Croyle pass. After the Rebels scored their only points of the game on a six-yard Eric Rice touchdown reception from Ethan Flatt, Alabama responded on the following drive with a 46-yard Hudson touchdown run to make the final score 28–7. In the game, Hudson ran for 116 yards, and D. J. Hall and Keith Brown became the first freshman receivers to start for Alabama since Ozzie Newsome in 1974. Western Carolina 2004 Western Carolina Catamounts football team Western Carolina 0 0 0 0 Alabama 14 17 7 14 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 6:06 p.m. Central 2:46 77,306 82°, clear, winds N at 14 mph Doyle Jackson Source:http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/bama03.html#GAME.SUM Western Carolina vs Alabama: Scoring Summary September 18, 2004 RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 25, 2011 Alabama won their third straight game to open the season against the Division I-AA Western Carolina Catamounts 52–0. Arkansas 2004 Arkansas Razorbacks football team Alabama 0 10 0 0 Arkansas 7 7 0 13 Fayetteville, Arkansas 2:35 p.m. Central 3:12 72,543 80°, partly cloudy, winds E at 8 mph Terry Brown Source:http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/bama04.html#GAME.SUM Alabama vs Arkansas: Scoring Summary September 25, 2004 RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 25, 2011 South Carolina 2004 South Carolina Gamecocks football team South Carolina 3 3 14 0 Alabama 0 3 0 0 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 5:01 p.m. Central 2:49 82,141 84°, cloudy, winds NNW at 9 mph Rocky Goode Source:http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/bama05.html#GAME.SUM South Carolina vs Alabama: Scoring Summary October 2, 2004 RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 25, 2011 Kentucky 2004 Kentucky Wildcats football team Alabama 7 10 14 14 Kentucky 0 7 7 3 Lexington, Kentucky 12:33 p.m. Central 3:06 65,482 64°, fair, winds SW at 6 mph Penn Wagers Source:http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/bama06.html#GAME.SUM Alabama vs Kentucky: Scoring Summary October 9, 2004 RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 25, 2011 Southern Miss 2004 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team #24 Southern Miss 0 3 0 0 Alabama 10 3 0 14 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 2:36 p.m. Central 2:49 82,094 69°, clear, winds WNW at 6 mph Jeff Roberson Source:http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/bama07.html#GAME.SUM Southern Miss vs Alabama: Scoring Summary October 16, 2004 RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 25, 2011 Tennessee 2004 Tennessee Volunteers football team Third Saturday in October Alabama 7 3 0 3 #11 Tennessee 7 7 3 0 Knoxville, Tennessee 2:35 p.m. Central 3:18 107,017 63°, cloudy, winds SW at 13 mph Steve Landis Source:http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/bama08.html#GAME.SUM Alabama vs Tennessee: Scoring Summary October 23, 2004 RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 25, 2011 Mississippi State 2004 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team Mississippi State 7 0 7 0 Alabama 0 17 3 10 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 5:36 p.m. Central 3:14 82,617 58°, clear, winds SSE at 8 mph Terry Brown Source:http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/bama09.html#GAME.SUM Mississippi State vs Alabama: Scoring Summary November 6, 2004 RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 25, 2011 LSU 2004 LSU Tigers football team Alabama 7 3 0 0 #17 LSU 0 6 7 13 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 6:47 p.m. Central 3:01 91,861 55°, clear, winds N at 6 mph Penn Wagers Source:http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/bama10.html#GAME.SUM Alabama vs LSU: Scoring Summary November 13, 2004 RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 25, 2011 Auburn 2004 Auburn Tigers football team Iron Bowl #2 Auburn 0 0 14 7 Alabama 3 3 0 7 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 2:35 p.m. Central 3:08 83,818 63°, light rain, winds E at 5 mph Steve Landis Source:http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/bama11.html#GAME.SUM Auburn vs Alabama: Scoring Summary November 20, 2004 RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 25, 2011 In the 2004 edition of the Iron Bowl, the Crimson Tide took a 6–0 lead at halftime over favored Auburn, but ultimately fell 21–13 to the Tigers.Auburn scores three TDs in second half https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=243250333 https://web.archive.org/web/20221001073332/https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=243250333 dead October 1, 2022 Associated Press ESPN.com November 20, 2004 October 26, 2011 Alabama took a 6–0 halftime lead on field goals of 42 and 22-yard by Brian Bostick. Auburn responded in the second half with 21 consecutive points to take a 21–6 lead. Touchdowns were scored by Cadillac Williams on a five-yard run, on a 32-yard Jason Campbell pass to Courtney Taylor and on a two-yard Ronnie Brown run. Alabama scored their only touchdown late in the fourth on an 18-yard Spencer Pennington touchdown pass to D. J. Hall to make the final score 21–13 after a failed onside kick. Minnesota 2004 Music City Bowl 2004 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team Music City Bowl Alabama 7 7 0 2 Minnesota 7 10 3 0 Nashville, Tennessee 11:00 a.m. Central 3:30 66,089 60°, cloudy, winds SW at 15 mph Jack Cramer Source:http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/bama12.html#GAME.SUM Alabama vs Minnesota: Scoring Summary December 31, 2004 RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics October 25, 2011 After finishing the regular season with an overall record of 6–5, the Crimson Tide accepted an invitation to play in the Music City Bowl on December 4.Crimson Tide headed to Music City Bowl Tommy Deas C1 The Tuscaloosa News December 5, 2004 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HM0yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jKYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1803%2C1033880 October 26, 2011 Their appearance was the second for Alabama in the game, marked the first all-time meeting against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on the gridiron and a return to postseason play for the Crimson Tide following a two-year bowl ban imposed by the NCAA.Walsh Christopher December 5, 2004 Crimson Tide's 52nd bowl game will also be a first https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HM0yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jKYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6149%2C1040919 October 26, 2011 The Tuscaloosa News Google News C8 Led by running backs Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney who each rushed for over 100 yards, Minnesota defeated Alabama 20–16.Minnesota overcomes second-ranked 'Bama defense https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=243660135 https://web.archive.org/web/20181023035729/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=243660135 dead October 23, 2018 Associated Press ESPN.com December 31, 2004 October 26, 2011 The Crimson Tide scored first when Spencer Pennington threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Le'Ron McClain for a 7–0 Alabama lead. Minnesota tied the game later in the first on a defensive touchdown. The score happened after Anthony Montgomery forced a Pennington fumble that was recovered in the endzone by Keith Lipka. The Gophers took a 17–7 lead in the second quarter after a five-yard Barber touchdown run and a 27-yard Rhys Lloyd field goal. The Crimson Tide responded with a one-yard McClain touchdown run to cut the Minnesota lead to 17–14 at halftime. The second half was dominated by both defenses with Minnesota only managing to score on a 24-yard Lloyd field goal in the third and Alabama only scoring on a safety in the fourth to make the final score 20–16. Coaching staff Alabama Crimson Tide Name Position Seasons atAlabama Alma mater Mike Shula Head coach 2 Alabama (1987) Chris Ball Secondary 2 Missouri Western State (1986) Bob Connelly Offensive line 2 Texas A&M–Commerce (1994) Charlie Harbison Wide receivers 2 Gardner–Webb (1995) Joe Kines Defensive coordinator 2 Jacksonville State (1967) David Rader Offensive coordinator 2 Tulsa (1980) Paul Randolph Defensive line 2 Tennessee–Martin (1990) Dave Ungerer Special teams, Tight ends 2 Southern Connecticut State (1980) Sparky Woods Running backs 2 Carson–Newman (1976) Buddy Wyatt Defensive line 2 TCU (1989) Gabe Giardina Student coach 1 Alabama (2004) References Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Alabama Crimson Tide football