1970 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

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1970 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl co-champion
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
Record6–5–1 (3–4 SEC)
Head coach
Captains
  • Danny Gilbert
  • Dave Brungard
Home stadiumDenny Stadium
Legion Field
Seasons
← 1969
1971 →
1970 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 7 LSU $ 5 – 0 – 0 9 – 3 – 0
No. 4 Tennessee 4 – 1 – 0 11 – 1 – 0
No. 10 Auburn 5 – 2 – 0 9 – 2 – 0
No. 20 Ole Miss 4 – 2 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
Florida 3 – 3 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
Georgia 3 – 3 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Alabama 3 – 4 – 0 6 – 5 – 1
Mississippi State 3 – 4 – 0 6 – 5 – 0
Vanderbilt 1 – 5 – 0 4 – 7 – 0
Kentucky 0 – 7 – 0 2 – 9 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1970 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 76th overall and 37th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 13th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with six wins five losses and one tie (6–5–1 overall, 3–4 in the SEC) and with a tie against Oklahoma in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl.

As a result of a newly enacted rule by the NCAA that allowed teams to schedule an eleventh regular season game, Alabama opened the season against USC. Led by Sam Cunningham, the Trojans defeated the Crimson Tide 42–21 at Legion Field to open the season. Alabama rebounded from the loss and defeated Virginia Tech and Florida in consecutive games that set up a top-twenty match-up against Ole Miss. Led by Archie Manning, the Rebels defeated the Crimson Tide 48–23 after a 22-point fourth quarter at Jackson.

Alabama defeated Vanderbilt in their next game, but then were shut out for the first time since their 1959 season with a 24–0 loss at Tennessee. They again rebounded with a pair of consecutive victories. The first was against Houston, in what was also the first game Alabama played indoors, and the second on homecoming against Mississippi State. After a loss to LSU, the Crimson Tide defeated Miami in their final road game of the season. The win also made Alabama bowl-eligible, and as such an invitation to play Oklahoma in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl was accepted in the week leading to the Iron Bowl. Against Auburn, the Crimson tide surrendered a 17-point lead and closed the regular season with a 33–28 loss to their rival. A month later, Alabama ended their season with a 24–24 tie against the Sooners.

The 1970 season is also notable for being the first fully integrated team at Alabama. 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.[1][2]

Schedule

[edit]
DateOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 12No. 3 USC*No. 16
L 21–4272,175
September 19Virginia Tech*
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL
W 51–1853,958
September 26No. 13 Florida
W 46–1558,138
October 3at No. 7 Ole MissNo. 17
ABCL 23–4846,812
October 10Vanderbilt
  • Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL
W 35–1149,038
October 17at No. 14 Tennessee
L 0–2464,947
October 24at No. 15 Houston*
W 30–2146,869
October 31Mississippi Statedagger
  • Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
W 35–658,843
November 7No. 11 LSUNo. 19
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL (rivalry)
ABCL 9–1460,371
November 14at Miami (FL)*
W 32–825,469
November 28vs. No. 11 Auburn
L 28–3371,747
December 31vs. No. 20 Oklahoma*
ABCT 24–2453,822
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[3]

Game summaries

[edit]

USC

[edit]
See also: 1970 USC Trojans football team
1 234Total
• #3 USC 12 101010 42
#16 Alabama 0 768 21
  • Date: September 12
  • Location: Legion Field
    Birmingham, AL
  • Game attendance: 72,175

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).[6] At Legion Field, the Trojans outgained Alabama on the ground 485 to 32 yards en route to a 42–21 victory that opened the 1970 season.[4][5][7] USC took a 12–0 first quarter lead behind a pair of Sam Cunningham touchdowns as they outgained the Crimson Tide 102 to 10 in total yards in the quarter.[4][5] After a 32-yard, Ron Ayala field goal extended the Trojans' lead to 15–0, a one-yard Johnny Musso touchdown run cut the USC lead to 15–7 early in the second quarter. However, the Trojans responded on the drive that ensued with a seven-yard Charlie Evans touchdown run that made the halftime score 22–7.[4][5]

The Trojans continued their dominance of the game into the second half as they extended their lead to 32–7 in the third quarter. Jimmy Jones first threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Clarence Davis and Ayala next connected on a 25-yard field goal.[4][5] Alabama then responded with a six-yard Neb Hayden touchdown pass to David Bailey that made the score 32–13 at the end of the third quarter.[4][5] The Trojans closed the game with a 27-yard Ayala field goal and a six-yard Mike Rae touchdown pass to Bill Holland.[4][5] Alabama then made the final score 42–21 on a second, one-yard Musso touchdown run.[4][5]

The game became referred to as the "Cunningham game" by many Alabama fans and is often cited as being the turning point towards the full integration of the Crimson Tide football team beginning with the 1971 season.[8][9] However, Alabama football had actually begun integrating in 1967, when five black students attempted to walk-on.[10] Moreover, the team was already integrated by 1970, as Wilbur Jackson was a freshman on the team. This game was also the first Alabama played on Poly-Turf at Legion Field as it was installed during the previous summer.[11] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Southern Cal to 2–1.[12]

Virginia Tech

[edit]
See also: 1970 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team
1 234Total
Virginia Tech 0 6120 18
• Alabama 17 13147 51
  • Date: September 19
  • Location: Legion Field
    Birmingham, AL
  • Game attendance: 53,958

The 51 points scored by Alabama against Virginia Tech, were the most allowed by a Hokies team coached by Jerry Claiborne in this 51–18 victory at Legion Field.[7][13][14] The Crimson Tide took control of the game early as they raced out to a 17–0 lead in the first quarter. After Richard Ciemny connected on a 36-yard field goal, Dave Brungard scored on a 21-yard run and was followed with a 14-yard Scott Hunter touchdown pass to Jerry Cash.[13][14] Alabama extended their lead further to 30–0 after Johnny Musso threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to David Bailey and Tommy Wade had a 71-yard punt return for a score.[13][14] The Hokies managed to score late in the period on an eight-yard Gil Schwabe touchdown pass to Perry Tiberio that made the halftime score 30–6.[13][14]

Much to the surprise of coach Bryant, Virginia Tech rallied early in the third quarter and scored a pair of touchdowns that brought the score to 30–18.[15] John Dobbins scored first for the Hokies on a one-yard run and was followed with a four-yard Rich Matijevich touchdown reception from Schwabe.[13][14] The Crimson Tide responded with three unanswered touchdowns to close the game first on 20-yard Brungard run, next on a 10-yard Hunter pass to Joe LaBue and finally on a 36-yard Buddy Seay run.[13][14] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Virginia Tech to 6–0.[16]

Florida

[edit]
See also: 1970 Florida Gators football team
1 234Total
#13 Florida 0 708 15
• Alabama 10 7722 46
  • Date: September 26
  • Location: Denny Stadium
    Tuscaloosa, AL
  • Game attendance: 58,138

As they entered conference opener against Florida, the Gators were ranked No. 13 in the AP Poll.[19] In the game, Alabama led throughout and after a 22-point fourth quarter defeated the Gators 46–15 in the first Denny Stadium game of the season.[7][17][18] The Crimson Tide took a 10–0 first quarter lead behind a one-yard Neb Hayden touchdown run and a 33-yard Richard Ciemny field goal before the Gators responded with a nine-yard John Reaves touchdown pass to Michael Rich early in the second quarter.[17][18] Alabama responded with a 15-yard Scott Hunter touchdown pass to Dave Brungard that made the halftime score 17–7.[17][18]

After a 10-yard Neb Hayden touchdown pass to Griff Langston in the third extended the Crimson Tide lead to 24–7, they outscored Florida 22–8 in the fourth quarter for the 46–15 victory.[17][18] In the final period Crimson Tide touchdowns were scored on runs of six-yards by Johnny Musso, three-yards by Buddy Seay and 13-yards by Terry Davis. The Gators scored their final points on a one-yard Leonard George touchdown run.[17][18] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Florida to 10–5.[20]

Ole Miss

[edit]
See also: 1970 Ole Miss Rebels football team
1 234Total
#17 Alabama 0 986 23
• #7 Ole Miss 14 12022 48
  • Date: October 3
  • Location: Memorial Stadium
    Jackson, MS
  • Game attendance: 46,812

After their victory over Florida, Alabama reentered the AP Poll at the No. 17 position and Ole Miss dropped from No. 5 to No. 7 in the week prior to their match-up at Jackson.[23] Against the Rebels, the Crimson Tide were defeated 48–23 behind a strong performance by Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning before a nationally televised audience.[7][21][22] The Rebels took a 14–0 first quarter lead after Manning threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Garland Reed and later scored on a one-yard touchdown run.[21][22] Alabama scored their first points on a 36-yard Richard Ciemny field goal early in the second quarter. However, on the kickoff that ensued, Vernon Studdard returned it 101-yards for a touchdown and extended the Ole Miss lead to 20–3 after the conversion failed.[21][22] Both teams then traded touchdowns to close the first half. Manning connected from 14-yards to Reed for the Rebels and Neb Hayden connected from 15-yards to Jerry Cash for Alabama that made the halftime score 26–9.[21][22]

The Crimson Tide were able to cut the Ole Miss lead to 26–17 on a ten-yard Hayden pass to Johnny Musso in the third quarter.[21][22] The Rebels responded in the fourth with three touchdowns and outscored Alabama 22–6 in the quarter en route to the 48–23 victory. Ole Miss points were scored on an eight-yard Manning pass to Studdard, a 14-yard Manning run and on a one-yard William. R. Knight run; Alabama scored their lone touchdown on a 19-yard Hayden pass to Stephen Doran.[21][22] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss to 21–5–2.[24]

Vanderbilt

[edit]
See also: 1970 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
1 234Total
Vanderbilt 0 038 11
• Alabama 7 7210 35
  • Date: October 10
  • Location: Denny Stadium
    Tuscaloosa, AL
  • Game attendance: 49,038

After their loss against the Rebels, Alabama out of the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt.[27] Against the Commodores, Alabama out-rushed Vandy 344 to 71 yards en route to a 35–11 victory at Tuscaloosa.[7][25][26] The Crimson Tide took a 14–0 lead into halftime after touchdowns were scored on a two-yard George Ranager run in the first and on an 11-yard Neb Hayden pass to David Bailey in the second quarter.[25][26] After Alabama extended their lead to 28–0 in the third quarter on a 93-yard Buddy Seay kickoff return and a two-yard Johnny Musso touchdown run, Vanderbilt scored their first points on a 31-yard Robert Bayless field goal.[25][26] The game then closed with touchdown on a four-yard Neb Hayden run for the Crimson Tide in the third and on a four-yard Steve Burger run for Vanderbilt in the fourth quarter.[25][26] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 27–17–4.[28]

Tennessee

[edit]
See also: 1970 Tennessee Volunteers football team
Third Saturday in October
1 234Total
Alabama 0 000 0
• #14 Tennessee 7 0710 24
  • Date: October 17
  • Location: Neyland Stadium
    Knoxville, TN
  • Game attendance: 64,947

At Tennessee, Alabama quarterbacks collectively threw eight interceptions in this 24–0 loss to the Volunteers.[7][29][30] Tennessee took a 7–0 lead into halftime after they scored the only first half points on a one-yard Bobby Scott touchdown run.[29][30] The Vols then closed the game with a four-yard Don McLeary touchdown run in the third, a 35-yard George Hunt field goal and a 22-yard Jackie Walker interception return in the fourth quarter.[29][30]

Scott Hunter threw five and Neb Hayden threw three interceptions in the game. Hunter's five and the eight combined stand as school records for interceptions in a single game.[29] The shutout loss was their first since their 7–0 loss against Penn State during their 1959 season that ended a 115-game streak.[29] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 23–23–7.[31]

Houston

[edit]
See also: 1970 Houston Cougars football team
1 234Total
• Alabama 3 14310 30
#15 Houston 7 770 21
  • Date: October 24
  • Location: Astrodome
    Houston, TX
  • Game attendance: 46,869

In what was the first game the Crimson Tide played indoors, Alabama upset the Houston Cougars 30–21 on homecoming at the Astrodome.[7][32][33][34] After Richard Ciemny gave Alabama an early 3–0 lead with his 28-yard field goal, the Cougars responded with a 13-yard Gary Mullins touchdown pass to Elmo Wright that made the score 7–3 at the end of the first quarter.[32][33] The Crimson Tide then retook a 17–7 lead with a pair of second quarter touchdowns. The first came on an 18-yard Johnny Musso pass to David Bailey and the second on a 36-yard Dave Brungard run. The Cougars managed their second touchdown on a three-yard Mullins to Wright pass that made the halftime score 17–14.[32][33]

Houston then took a 21–17 lead early in the third quarter on a one-yard Tom Mozisek run.[32][33] After a 34-yard Ciemny field goal bought Alabama within one point of the lead later in the quarter, his 40-yard field goal in the fourth gave the Crimson Tide a 23–21 lead.[32][33] Steve Higginbotham then made the final score 30–21 late in the game after he returned an interception 80-yards for a touchdown.[32][33] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Houston to 6–0.[35]

Mississippi State

[edit]
See also: 1970 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
1 234Total
Mississippi State 0 006 6
• Alabama 7 14140 35
  • Date: October 31
  • Location: Denny Stadium
    Tuscaloosa, AL
  • Game attendance: 58,843

On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, Alabama defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 35–6.[7][36][37] After the Crimson Tide took a 7–0 lead on a 13-yard Johnny Musso run in the first, a pair of second quarter touchdowns made the halftime score 21–0. The pair were scored on running plays of ten-yards by George Ranager and one-yard by Musso.[36][37] Alabama then scored their final pair of touchdowns in the third on runs of 14-yards Dave Brungard and three-yards by Musso.[36][37] Up 35–0, Alabama closed the game with many of its reserves seeing playing time in the fourth quarter. It was in that period that the Bulldogs ended the bid for a shutout when Joe Reed threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to David Smith and made the final score 35–6.[36][37] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 42–10–3.[38]

LSU

[edit]
See also: 1970 LSU Tigers football team
1 234Total
• #11 LSU 0 770 14
#19 Alabama 3 006 9
  • Date: November 7
  • Location: Legion Field
    Birmingham, AL
  • Game attendance: 60,371

After their victory over Mississippi State, Alabama reentered the AP Poll at the No. 19 position and LSU was in the No. 11 position in the week prior to their match-up at Birmingham.[41] Playing in a regionally televised game, Alabama was defeated by the Tigers 14–9 at Legion Field.[7][39][40] Richard Ciemny gave Alabama an early 3–0 lead with his 23-yard field goal in the first, but the Tigers responded with a two-yard Arthur Cantrelle touchdown run in the second quarter that gave LSU a 7–3 halftime lead.[39][40] The Tigers extended their lead further to 14–3 after Felix Lee threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy LeDoux in the third quarter.[39][40] Although the Crimson Tide defense had a goal line stand that prevented a late LSU score, the offense only scored once more on a ten-yard Scott Hunter touchdown pass to David Bailey that made the final score 14–9.[39][40] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against LSU to 20–10–4.[42]

Miami (FL)

[edit]
See also: 1970 Miami Hurricanes football team
1 234Total
• Alabama 0 14711 32
Miami 0 008 8
  • Date: November 14
  • Location: Orange Bowl
    Miami, FL
  • Game attendance: 25,469

After their loss to LSU, Alabama again dropped out of the AP Poll for the week of their game at Miami.[45] On homecoming in Miami, Alabama defeated Hurricanes 32–8 at the Orange Bowl and with their sixth victory of the season became bowl eligible.[7][43][44] After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide took a 14–0 halftime lead after they scored a pair of second quarter touchdowns. The first came when Lanny Norris intercepted a Kelly Cochrane pass and returned it 31-yards for the first score followed with the second on a 21-yard Scott Hunter touchdown pass to Jerry Cash later in the quarter.[43][44]

After George Ranager extended the Alabama lead to 21–0 with his five-yard run in the third, Miami scored their only points on a four-yard Cochrane pass to Steve Schaap early in the fourth quarter that made the score 21–8.[43][44] The Crimson Tide then closed the game with a 32-yard Richard Ciemny field goal and a four-yard Cash touchdown run that made the final score 32–8.[43][44] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Miami to 8–2.[46]

Auburn

[edit]
See also: 1970 Auburn Tigers football team
Iron Bowl
1 234Total
• #11 Auburn 0 10716 33
Alabama 17 0011 28
  • Date: November 28
  • Location: Legion Field
    Birmingham, AL
  • Game attendance: 71,747

In their final regular season game, the Auburn Tigers rallied from a 17-point, first quarter deficit and defeated Alabama 33–28 in the annual Iron Bowl at Legion Field.[7][47][48] The Crimson Tide took a 17–0 first quarter lead behind a 14-yard Johnny Musso touchdown run, a 31-yard Scott Hunter touchdown pass to David Bailey and a 26-yard Richard Ciemny field goal.[47][48] Auburn responded with a one-yard Pat Sullivan touchdown run and a 26-yard Gardner Jett field goal in the second quarter that made the halftime score 17–10.[47][48]

Sullivan then tied the game 17–17 with his seven-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.[47][48] With the game tied as the teams entered the fourth quarter, both traded field goals and made the score 20–20 before Sullivan threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Robby Robinett that gave the Tigers their first lead of the game.[47][48] Alabama responded with a 54-yard Hunter touchdown pass to George Ranager, then made a two-point conversion and took a 28–27 lead.[47][48] However, Sullivan led Auburn to the game-winning touchdown scored on a three-yard Wallace Clark run for the 33–28 victory.[47][48] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 18–16–1.[49]

Oklahoma

[edit]
See also: 1970 Oklahoma Sooners football team and 1970 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl
Bluebonnet Bowl
1 234Total
Alabama 7 737 24
Oklahoma 7 1403 24
  • Date: December 31
  • Location: Astrodome
    Houston, TX
  • Game attendance: 53,822

On November 21, Alabama accepted an invitation to play in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl against Oklahoma of the Big Eight Conference on New Year's Eve.[52] Against the Sooners, Alabama played to a 24–24 tie in the 12th annual Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl.[7][50][51] After the Crimson Tide took an early 7–0 lead on a four-yard Scott Hunter touchdown pass to Randy Moore, the Sooners scored the next three touchdowns en route to a 21–7 lead. After Joe Wylie scored on a two-yard run in the first, Greg Pruitt scored a pair of second quarter touchdowns on long runs of 58 and 25 yards.[50][51] Alabama responded with a five-yard Hunter touchdown pass to David Baily and made the halftime score 21–14.[50][51]

After a 20-yard Richard Ciemny field goal in the third brought the Crimson Tide within four points of the Sooners, they took a 24–21 lead on a 25-yard Hunter touchdown pass to Johnny Musso in the fourth quarter.[50][51] Oklahoma managed to tie the game 24–24 late in the fourth on a 42-yard Bruce Derr field goal. However, Alabama had a chance to win as time expired, but the 34-yard Ciemny attempt sailed wide left and the game ended in the tie.[50] The tie brought Alabama's all-time record against Oklahoma to 1–0–1.[53]

NFL Draft

[edit]

Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1970 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) in the 1971, 1972 and 1973 drafts. These players included:

Year Round Overall Player name Position NFL team
1971 NFL draft
[54] 		6 140 Scott Hunter Quarterback Green Bay Packers
1972 NFL draft
[54] 		3 62 Johnny Musso Running back Chicago Bears
11 266 David Bailey Wide receiver Green Bay Packers
15 386 Robin Parkhouse Linebacker Baltimore Colts
16 411 Steve Higginbottom Defensive back Washington Redskins
1973 NFL draft
[54] 		1 4 John Hannah Offensive guard New England Patriots
7 174 John Mitchell Defensive end San Francisco 49ers
12 309 Jim Krapf Guard Oakland Raiders

Freshman squad

[edit]

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.[55][56] The Alabama freshmen squad was led by coach Clem Gryska for the 1970 season and finished undefeated with a record of five wins and zero losses (5–0).[57] The 1970 squad was notable as the team included Wilbur Jackson, the first African American to compete on scholarship for the Crimson Tide.[58][59]

The Baby Tide opened their season on a Monday afternoon with a 24–7 victory over Mississippi State at Denny Stadium.[60] After Alabama scored their first points on a 28-yard Paul Spivey touchdown run, State responded with their only points on a 27-yard Paul Millsaps touchdown pass to Bill Buckley that made the score 7–7 at the end of the first quarter. The Baby Tide responded with a 34-yard Greg Gantt field goal in the second and took a 10–7 halftime lead.[60] Alabama closed the game with touchdowns on a one-yard David McMakin run in the third and a ten-yard Mike Harter run in the fourth quarter.[60] Wilbur Jackson saw limited playing time only on special teams due to an ankle injury and the Bulldogs had six turnovers in the loss.[60] In their second contest, Alabama defeated Vanderbilt 38–7 at Dudley Field in Nashville.[61] Paul Spivey starred for the Baby Tide in the game with four touchdowns and 112 rushing yards on 20 carries in the victory.[61]

Against Ole Miss, Alabama rallied from a 20-point, first quarter deficit and defeated the Rebels 41–28 at Oxford.[62] The Rebels took their 20–0 on a trio of touchdowns scored by Mickey Fratesi when he returned the opening kickoff 100-yards and on touchdown runs 11-yards by Gene Allen and one-yard by Fratesi.[62] Alabama responded in the second with Paul Spivey touchdown runs of 19 and 12-yards that made the halftime score 20–14.[62] They then took a 21–20 lead early in the third after Gary Rutledge threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Geary Eason. Touchdown runs of seven-yards by Richard Bryan and four-yards by Rutledge extended the Alabama lead to 35–20 at the end of the third quarter.[62] After Alabama scored their final points on a 22-yard Mike Harter touchdown run, Ole Miss made the final score 41–28 after they had a safety and scored on a 31-yard Kenny Lyons touchdown pass to Danny Harris.[62]

Against Tennessee, the Baby Tide won 28–20 behind a strong performance by defensive back Jimmy Dawson.[63] The game was tied 7–7 at halftime after Paul Spivey scored on a two-yard run in the first for Alabama and Chip Howard threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Steve Chancey in the second quarter for Tennessee.[63] After the teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, and Gary Rutledge went on and scored the game-winning touchdown on a short run with just over one minute left in the game for the 28–20 victory.[63] Alabama then closed the season with a 9–3 victory over rival Auburn before 7,000 fans at Denny Stadium.[57] After the teams traded first half field goals, Gary Rutledge scored the game-winning touchdown on a five-yard run in the fourth quarter.[57]

Roster

[edit]
1970 Alabama Crimson Tide football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
HB Wayne Adkinson So
SE David Bailey Jr
FB Ellis Beck So
C Clarence Brasher So
FB Dave Brungard Sr
OT Clyde Butler Sr
FB Jesse Causey So
E Jerry Cash Sr
FB Phil Chaffin Sr
OT Don Cokely Jr
OT Jerry Cooper So
G Wayne Cotton So
OT Allen Cox So
QB Terry Davis So
TB Steve Dean So
C Ken Deaton Jr
G Reid Drinkard Sr
TE Stephen Doran Sr
G Mike Eckenrod So
G Tommy Ford So
C Jimmy Grammer Sr
G Woody Garner Jr
G Mike Hand Sr
OT John Hannah So
QB Neb Hayden Sr
TB Larry Helm Sr
QB Butch Hobson So
SE Jimmy Horton So
G Morris Hunt So
QB Scott Hunter Sr
G Woodward Husband Sr
OT Ken James Sr
TB Joe LaBue So
SE Griff Langston Sr
SE Lane Lawley Sr
TE Randy Moore So
TB Johnny Musso Jr
QB Ricky Pitalo So
C Pat Raines So
SE George Ranager Sr
TB Ron Richardson Jr
QB Benny Rippetoe Jr
OT Jimmy Rosser Jr
SE Bubba Sawyer Jr
TB Buddy Seay Sr
QB Billy Sexton So
QB Johnny Sharpless So
TE Jim Simmons Jr
SE Rod Steakley Sr
TB Tommy Stringfellow Jr
SE Buddy Talley So
C Carey Varnado So
G Larry Waldron Jr
SE Wayne Wheeler So
G Jack White Jr
SE Dexter Wood So
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DL Marvin Barron So
DL Jeff Beard Jr
DB Eddie Bentley Sr
DB Bill Blair Sr
DB Jeff Blitz So
DL Buddy Brown So
DL Richard Burke So
LB Andy Cross So
DE John Croyle So
DL Mike Denson So
DB Ken Emerson Sr
DL Doug Faust So
LB Danny Gilbert Sr
LB Wayne Hall So
DL Don Harris Sr
DB Steve Higginbotham Jr
DE Ed Hines Jr
DB David Knapp So
LB Jim Krapf So
DE Tom Lusk So
DB Bob McKinney So
DB Lanny Norris So
DE Robin Parkhouse Jr
DL Jim Patterson Jr
LB Alec Pittman Jr
DE Cecil Quick So
DE Wayne Rhoads Sr
LB Jeff Rouzie So
DB Robby Rowan So
DL Terry Rowell Jr
LB Bobby Stanford Jr
LB Billy Strickland Sr
LB Tom Surlas Jr
DB Carl Tayloe So
DE Chris Tyra So
LB Reid Underwood So
DB Steve Wade So
DB Tommy Wade Sr
DL Mitchell Weaver So
DB Steve Williams Jr
LB Glenn Woodruff So
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
PK Richard Ciemny Sr
PK Frank Mann Sr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: October 15, 2013

References

[edit]

General

  • "1970 Season Recaps" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 2, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  • "2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book" (PDF). Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 17, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2014.

Specific

  1. ^ Al-Khateeb, Zac (February 27, 2011). "Jackson, Mitchell paved the way". The Crimson White. CW.UA.edu. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  2. ^ "Alabama Sports Hall of Fame – Wilbur Jackson". Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  3. ^ "1970 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Land, Charles (September 13, 1970). "Tough Trojans top Tide, 42–21". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Thomas, Ronnie (September 13, 1970). "Tide drubbed 42–21 by USC". The Florence Times. p. 17. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  6. ^ Land, Charles (February 1, 1970). "Tide to open against Southern Cal next fall". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 13. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 1970 Season Recap
  8. ^ Everson, Darren (December 4, 2009). "The game that changed Alabama". The Wall Street Journal. WSJ.com. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  9. ^ Yaeger, Don (2008). Turning of the Tide: How One Game Changed the South. Hachette Digital, Inc. ISBN 978-1-5999-5236-9. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  10. ^ Attempt to Integrate Alabama College Football – YouTube
  11. ^ "Poly-Turf for Legion". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. May 19, 1970. p. 7. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  12. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Southern California". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Thomas, Ronnie (September 20, 1970). "Tigers, Tide get initial win". The Florence Times. p. 17. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
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  65. ^ 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 202–203
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