American college football season
The 1977 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1977 NCAA Division I football season . It was the Crimson Tide's 83rd overall and 44th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant , in his 20th year, and played their home games at Bryant–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 victory over Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl .
Date Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance Source September 10 Ole Miss No. 6 W 34–1374,324 [ 1] September 17 at Nebraska * No. 4 ABC L 24–3175,899 [ 2] September 24 at Vanderbilt No. 10 W 24–1234,694 [ 3] October 1 Georgia No. 10 W 18–1060,210 [ 4] October 8 at No. 1 USC * No. 7 ABC W 21–2063,140 [ 5] October 15 Tennessee No. 4 W 24–1071,000 [ 6] October 22 Louisville * No. 3 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL W 55–660,210 [ 7] October 29 at Mississippi State No. 2 W 37–747,500 [ 8] November 5 at No. 18 LSU No. 2 ABC W 24–365,377 [ 9] November 12 Miami (FL) * No. 2 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL W 36–057,422 [ 10] November 26 vs. Auburn No. 2 W 48–2169,721 [ 11] January 2, 1978 vs. No. 9 Ohio State * No. 3 ABC W 35–676,811 [ 12] *Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll Poll released prior to the game
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1977 Alabama Crimson Tide football team roster Players Coaches Offense Defense Special teams Pos. # Name Class K Roger Chapman P 1 Buddy Holt So K Alan McElroy K Barry Smith
Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain(S) Suspended(I) Ineligible
Game information First quarter
ALA – Mitch Ferguson 6-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 7–0. MISS – Bobby Garner 1-yard run (kick failed). Alabama 7–6. ALA – Jeff Rutledge 8-yard run (pass failed). Alabama 13–6. Second quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 20–6. MISS – Curtis Weathers 36-yard pass from Bobby Garner (Carl Langley kick). Alabama 20–13. ALA – Steve Whitman 3-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 27–13. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 34–13. Top passers MISS – Bobby Garner – 6/9, 104 yards, TD ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 7/8, 215 yards Top rushers MISS – James Storey – 13 rushes, 43 yards ALA – Johnny Davis – 18 rushes, 90 yards Top receivers MISS – Curtis Weathers – 3 receptions, 62 yards, TD ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 3 receptions, 93 yards
Game information First quarter
NEB – Billy Todd 29-yard field goal, 10:38. Nebraska 3–0. ALA – Jeff Rutledge 7-yard run (Roger Chapman kick), 7:36. Alabama 7–3. NEB – Rick Berns 7-yard pass from Randy Garcia (Billy Todd kick), 0:31. Nebraska 10–7. Second quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 2-yard run (Roger Chapman kick), 10:45. Alabama 14–10. NEB – Rick Berns 2-yard run (Billy Todd kick), 3:26. Nebraska 17–14. ALA – Roger Chapman 37-yard field goal, 0:10. Tie 17–17. Third quarter
NEB – Curtis Craig 17-yard run (Billy Todd kick), 10:54. Nebraska 24–17. Fourth quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick), 12:24. Tie 24–24. NEB – Rick Berns 2-yard run (Billy Todd kick), 7:12. Nebraska 31–24. Top passers ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 13/31, 198 yards, 5 INT NEB – Randy Garcia – 7/11, 123 yards, TD, INT Top rushers Top receivers ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 8 receptions, 132 yards NEB – I.M. Hipp – 1 reception, 53 yards
Alabama went into Lincoln with Nebraska still feeling the sting of a home loss to Washington State. While the Crimson Tide slightly exceeded the Cornhuskers in offensive production, five interceptions helped give Nebraska the edge to pull off the stunning upset.
Game information First quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 20-yard field goal. Alabama 3–0. VAN – Greg Martin 37-yard field goal. Tie 3–3. ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 10–3. VAN – Greg Martin 29-yard field goal. Alabama 10–6. Second quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 46-yard field goal. Alabama 13–6. ALA – Roger Chapman 34-yard field goal. Alabama 16–6. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ALA – Safety, Vanderbilt kicks ball out of end zone. Alabama 18–6. VAN – George Dickerson 36-yard pass from Mike Wright (kick failed). Alabama 18–12. ALA – Johnny Davis 2-yard run (run failed). Alabama 24–12. Top passers ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 2/6, 28 yards VAN – Mike Wright – 4/6, 58 yards, TD Top rushers ALA – Johnny Davis – 24 rushes, 153 yards, TD VAN – Randy Hampton – 10 rushes, 39 yards Top receivers ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 2 receptions, 28 yards VAN – Hal Kemp – 3 receptions, 25 yards
Game information First quarter
ALA – Safety, Georgia punter drops ball out of end zone. Alabama 2–0. ALA – Johnny Davis 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 9–0. UGA – Rex Robinson 53-yard field goal. Alabama 9–3. Second quarter
Third quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 22-yard field goal. Alabama 12–3. ALA – Roger Chapman 29-yard field goal. Alabama 15–3. Fourth quarter
UGA – Willie McClendon 7-yard run (Rex Robinson kick). Alabama 15–10. ALA – Roger Chapman 32-yard field goal. Alabama 18–10. Top passers UGA – Randy Cook – 5/16, 67 yards, 2 INT ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 3/5, 33 yards Top rushers UGA – Kevin McLee – 13 rushes, 45 yards ALA – Johnny Davis – 18 rushes, 66 yards, TD Top receivers UGA – Mark Hodge – 2 receptions, 34 yards ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 2 receptions, 20 yards
Game information First quarter
USC – Frank Jordan 32-yard field goal. USC 3–0. Second quarter
Third quarter
ALA – Johnny Davis 2-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 7–3. USC – Frank Jordan 23-yard field goal. Alabama 7–6. Fourth quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 14–6. ALA – Tony Nathan 13-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 21–6. USC – Calvin Sweeney 10-yard pass from Rob Hertel (pass good). Alabama 21–14. USC – Lynn Cain 1-yard run (pass failed). Alabama 21–20. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers ALA – Lou Ikner – 1 reception, 5 yards USC – Randy Simmrin – 6 receptions, 120 yards
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Game information First quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 20-yard field goal. Alabama 3–0. TEN – Jim Gaylor 41-yard field goal. Tie 3–3. Second quarter
ALA – Jeff Rutledge 4-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 10–3. ALA – Jeff Rutledge 9-yard run (kick failed). Alabama 16–3. Third quarter
ALA – Ozzie Newsome 39-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (run good). Alabama 24–3. TEN – Kelsey Finch 13-yard pass from Joe Hough (Jim Gaylor kick). Alabama 24–10. Fourth quarter
Top passers TEN – Joe Hough – 6/13,76 yards, TD, INT ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 5/8, 82 yards, TD Top rushers TEN – Kelsey Finch – 8 rushes, 53 yards ALA – Johnny Davis – 18 rushes, 103 yards Top receivers TEN – Reggie Harper – 3 receptions, 43 yards ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 2 receptions, 61 yards, TD
Game information First quarter
ALA – Ozzie Newsome 67-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (kick failed). Alabama 6–0. ALA – Donnie Faust 2-yard run (run good). Alabama 14–0. Second quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 71-yard run (kick failed). Alabama 20–0. ALA – Steve Whitman 10-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 27–0. Third quarter
ALA – Ozzie Newsome 32-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 34–0. ALA – Keith Pugh 32-yard pass from Kevin Jones (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 41–0. LOU – Randy Butler 1-yard run (kick failed). Alabama 41–6. Fourth quarter
ALA – Tim Travis 5-yard pass from Steadman Shealy (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 48–6. ALA – John Turpin 5-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 55–6. Top passers LOU – Randy Butler – 4/11, 48 yards ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 3/3, 124 yards, 2 TD Top rushers LOU – Calvin Prince – 15 rushes, 100 yards ALA – Tony Nathan – 4 rushes, 85 yards, TD Top receivers LOU – Marc Mitchell – 3 receptions, 31 yards ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 3 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TD
At Mississippi State [ edit ] Game information First quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 59-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 6–0. ALA – Donnie Faust 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick. Alabama 14–0. Second quarter
MSU – James Otis Doss 2-yard run (Dave Marler kick). Alabama 14–7. ALA – Keith Pugh 30-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 21–7. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 37-yard field goal. Alabama 37–7. Top passers Top rushers ALA – Tony Nathan – 7 rushes, 115 yards, TD MSU – Dennis Johnson – 8 rushes, 23 yards Top receivers ALA – Keith Pugh – 3 receptions, 59 yards, TD MSU – Mardye McDole – 7 receptions, 96 yards
Game information First quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 44-yard field goal. Alabama 3–0. Second quarter
LSU – Mike Conway 31-yard field goal. Tie 3–3. ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 10–3. Third quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 17–3. Fourth quarter
ALA – Keith Pugh 20-yard pass from Tony Nathan (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 24–3. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 4 receptions, 62 yards LSU – Mike Quintela – 1 reception, 9 yards
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
ALA – Rick Neal 5-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (kick failed). Alabama 6–0. ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (run failed). Alabama 12–0. ALA – Roger Chapman 27-yard field goal. Alabama 15–0. Third quarter
ALA – Rick Neal 7-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Alan McElroy kick). Alabama 22–0. Fourth quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 2-yard run (Alan McElroy kick). Alabama 29–0. ALA – Kevin Jones 12-yard run (Alan McElroy kick). Alabama 36–0. Top passers MIA – Kenny McMillian – 2/8, 15 yards, INT ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 9/14, 165 yards, 2 TD Top rushers MIA – Chris Hobbs – 13 rushes, 43 yards ALA – Johnny Davis – 11 rushes, 84 yards Top receivers MIA – Pat Walker – 1 reception, 11 yards ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 4 receptions, 106 yards
Game information First quarter
AUB – Joe Cribbs 87-yard run (Jorge Portela kick). Auburn 7–0. Second quarter
ALA – Bruce Bolton 30-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Roger Chapman kick). Tie 7–7. ALA – Johnny Davis 12-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 14–7. Third quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 21–7. ALA – Tony Nathan 2-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 28–7. Fourth quarter
AUB – Byron Franklin 74-yard pass from Charlie Trotman (Jorge Portela kick). Alabama 28–14. ALA – Mitch Ferguson 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 35–14. ALA – Ozzie Newsome 42-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (kick failed). Alabama 41–14. ALA – Steadman Shealy 15-yard run (Barry Smith kick). Alabama 48–14. AUB – William Andrews 3-yard run (Jorge Portela kick). Alabama 48–21. Top passers ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 9/13, 193 yards, 2 TD AUB – Charlie Trotman – 4/9, 135 yards, TD, INT Top rushers Top receivers ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 4 receptions, 123 yards, TD AUB – Byron Franklin – 1 reception, 74 yards, TD
[ edit ] Game information First quarter
Second quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 7–0. ALA – Bruce Bolton 27-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (kick failed). Alabama 13–0. Third quarter
ALA – Rick Neal 3-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (pass good). Alabama 21–0. Fourth quarter
OSU – James Harrell 38-yard pass from Rod Gerald (run failed). Alabama 21–6. ALA – Major Ogilvie 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 28–6. ALA – Johnny Davis 5-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 35–6. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers OSU – James Harrell – 1 reception, 38 yards, TD ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 2 receptions, 45 yards
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General
Specific
^ "Rutledge guides Alabama past Ole Miss, 34–14" . Hattiesburg American . September 11, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Tide defense can't stop 'Huskers" . The Anniston Star . September 18, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Davis' lip and legs beat Vandy" . The Atlanta Journal & Constitution . September 25, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Tide hands 'Dogs 18–10 SEC setback" . The Selma Times-Journal . October 2, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Alabama hangs on to upset Trojans" . The Register . October 9, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Alabama defense sticks Volunteers in 24–10 victory" . The Anniston Star . October 16, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Crimson Tide romps Louisville by 55–6" . Panama City News-Herald . October 23, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Time and Tide wait not for Mississippi State" . The Atlanta Journal & Constitution . October 30, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Tide powers past Tigers" . The Shreveport Times . November 6, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Rutledge, Newsome, Alabama too much" . The Dothan Eagle . November 13, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Alabama scoring spree ends Eagle upset hopes" . The Commercial Appeal . November 27, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Tide rips Onio State 35–6 in sweet Sugar" . Birmingham Post-Herald . January 3, 1978. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "1977 Alabama football schedule" . RollTide.com . University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2015 .^ "Alabama Withstands Rally And Upsets U.S.C., 21‐20" . The New York Times . Retrieved September 28, 2019 .^ "Alabama stole the show" . Sports Illustrated . Retrieved September 28, 2019 .^ "1978 Game Recap - Official Site of the Allstate Sugar Bowl" . Sugar Bowl . Retrieved September 28, 2019 .
Venues Bowls & rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons National championship seasons in bold
National championships in bold
