1963 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
1963 Alabama Crimson Tide football | |
---|---|
Sugar Bowl champion | |
Sugar Bowl, W 12–7 vs. Ole Miss | |
Conference | Southeastern Conference |
Ranking | |
Coaches | No. 9 |
AP | No. 8 |
Record | 9–2 (6–2 SEC) |
Head coach |
|
Defensive coordinator | Gene Stallings (2nd season) |
Captains |
|
Home stadium | Denny Stadium Legion Field Ladd Stadium |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 7 Ole Miss $ | 5 | – | 0 | – | 1 | 7 | – | 1 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 5 Auburn | 6 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 9 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 8 Alabama | 6 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 9 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mississippi State | 4 | – | 1 | – | 2 | 7 | – | 2 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LSU | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia Tech | 4 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida | 3 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tennessee | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia | 2 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vanderbilt | 0 | – | 5 | – | 2 | 1 | – | 7 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kentucky | 0 | – | 5 | – | 1 | 3 | – | 6 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tulane | 0 | – | 6 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 8 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AP Poll
|
The 1963 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1963 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 69th overall and 30th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his sixth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished season with nine wins and two losses (9–2 overall, 6–2 in the SEC) and with a victory over Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.
The Crimson Tide opened the season with wins at Georgia, against Tulane in Mobile and at Vanderbilt en route to a 3–0 start. However, in their fourth game, Alabama was upset by Florida in what was coach Bryant's first loss at Denny Stadium as head coach. They rebounded the week that followed with a shutout victory over Tennessee and then won their next three games against Houston, Mississippi State and Georgia Tech.
In the annual Iron Bowl against Auburn, the Crimson Tide were defeated for the first time by the Tigers since the 1958 season. Although they lost, immediately after the game Alabama accepted an invitation to play Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl. Before the bowl, the Crimson Tide defeated Miami in their final game of the regular season. They then closed the season with a victory over Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 21 | at Georgia | No. 3 | W 32–7 | 34,980 | [1] | ||
September 28 | Tulane | No. 2 | W 28–0 | 30,102 | [2] | ||
October 5 | at Vanderbilt | No. 2 | W 21–6 | 23,848 | [3] | ||
October 12 | Florida | No. 3 | L 6–10 | 42,309 | [4] | ||
October 19 | Tennessee | No. 9 | W 35–0 | 53,454 | [5] | ||
October 26 | Houston* | No. 6 |
| W 21–13 | 28,022 | [6] | |
November 2 | Mississippi State | No. 7 |
| W 20–19 | 42,508 | [7] | |
November 16 | Georgia Tech | No. 7 |
| W 27–11 | 53,938 | [8] | |
November 30 | vs. No. 9 Auburn | No. 6 |
| L 8–10 | 54,152 | [9] | |
December 14 | at Miami (FL)* | No. 8 | CBS | W 17–12 | 26,967 | [10] | |
January 1, 1964 | vs. No. 7 Ole Miss* | No. 8 | NBC | W 12–7 | 80,785 | [11] | |
|
Game summaries
Georgia
|
To open the 1963 season, the Crimson Tide defeated the
Tulane
|
After their victory over Georgia to open the season, Alabama up one spot in the
Vanderbilt
|
After their victory over Tulane, Alabama retained its No. 2 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt.[23] At Nashville, the Crimson Tide defeated the Commodores 21–6 in a game that saw Benny Nelson score twice on long touchdown runs for Alabama.[15][21][22] Midway through the first quarter, Nelson gave the Crimson Tide a 7–0 lead with his 50-yard touchdown run.[21][22] Vanderbilt responded in the second quarter with a 25-yard Jon Cleveland touchdown pass to Toby Wilt; however the extra point was blocked and Alabama retained a 7–6 lead.[21][22] Mike Fracchia then scored on a one-yard touchdown run that made the halftime score 14–6.[21][22] Nelson then scored the final points of the game with his 97-yard kickoff return in the third quarter that made the final score 21–6.[21][22] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 22–16–4.[24]
Florida
|
After their closer than expected victory over Vanderbilt, Alabama dropped from the No. 2 to the No. 3 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against
Tennessee
|
Alabama dropped from the No. 3 position back into the No. 9 spot in the week leading into their game at Tennessee after their upset loss against Florida.[31] Against the Volunteers, Alabama shutout Tennessee 35–0 in the first Legion Field game of the season.[15][29][30] The Crimson Tide took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter after Benny Nelson scored on a 36-yard touchdown run.[29][30] Joe Namath then was responsible for the remaining four touchdowns scored on the afternoon. He first threw a 26-yard scoring pass to Jimmy Dill late in the first and then threw a three-yard pass to Charles Stephens in the second that gave Alabama a 21–0 halftime lead.[29][30] In the third, Namath threw his third touchdown pass to Hudson Harris from five-yards out then scored himself on a one-yard run that made the final score 35–0.[29][30] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 21–19–6.[32]
Houston
|
As a result of their shutout win over Tennessee, the Crimson Tide moved into the No. 6 position in the AP poll prior to their game against Houston.[35] Against a winless Cougars squad, Alabama struggled to a 21–13 victory at Denny Stadium.[15][33][34] After a seven-yard Joe Namath touchdown pass to Benny Nelson gave the Crimson Tide a 7–0 lead in the first, a 41-yard Jack Skrog touchdown pass to Mike Spratt in the second for Houston tied the game 7–7 at halftime.[33][34] The Crimson Tide retook the lead in the third on a 35-yard Nelson touchdown run and extended it to 21–7 on a 12-yard Namath touchdown pass to Ray Ogden early in the fourth.[33][34] The Cougars then cut the lead to 21–13 after Spratt scored on a 75-yard touchdown run, but were unable to complete the comeback in the loss.[33][34] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Houston to 5–0.[36]
Mississippi State
|
Although they did defeat Houston in their previous contest, Alabama dropped into the No. 7 ranking as they prepared to play
Georgia Tech
|
Coming off their
Auburn
|
In the week prior to their game against
Miami
|
This game against the
After their loss against Auburn, Alabama dropped into the No. 8 position in the final AP poll of the 1963 season.[54] In the week that led to their game at Miami, coach Bryant suspended starting quarterback Joe Namath for both this game and the Sugar Bowl as he violated team rules.[55] On homecoming at the Orange Bowl, Alabama survived a late Miami rally and defeated the Hurricanes 17–12.[15][50][51]
The Crimson Tide took a 14–0 first quarter lead after touchdowns were scored by Gary Martin on a 100-yard
Ole Miss
|
After their loss in the Iron Bowl on November 30, Alabama officially accepted an invitation to play the SEC champion
Davis gave the Crimson Tide a 12–0 lead as then entered the fourth quarter after connecting from 31-yards in the first, 46 and 22-yards in the second and 48-yards in the third quarter.[57][58] Ole Miss responded in the fourth quarter with their only points on a five-yard Perry Lee Dunn touchdown pass to Larry Smith that made the final score 12–7.[57][58] For his four field goal performance, Davis was named the Sugar Bowl MVP.[60] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss 17–3–2.[61]
NFL/AFL Draft
Several players that were
Year | Round | Overall | Player name | Position | NFL/AFL team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1964 NFL Draft
[62] |
5 | 61 | Benny Nelson | Halfback | Detroit Lions |
5 | 69 | Steve Wright | Tackle | Green Bay Packers | |
11 | 151 | Eddie Versprille | Running back | Cleveland Browns | |
1964 AFL Draft
[63] |
8 | 59 | Steve Wright | Offensive tackle | New York Jets |
12 | 94 | Benny Nelson | Defensive back | Houston Oilers | |
1965 NFL Draft
[62] |
1 | 12 | Joe Namath | Quarterback | St. Louis Cardinals |
3 | 40 | Ray Ogden | End | St. Louis Cardinals | |
9 | 120 | Frank McClendon | Tackle | Minnesota Vikings | |
10 | 131 | Gaylon McCullough | Center | Dallas Cowboys | |
1965 AFL Draft
[64] |
1 | 1 | Joe Namath | Quarterback | New York Jets |
8 | 58 | Ray Ogden | Tight end | Houston Oilers | |
19 | 147 | Frank McClendon | Tackle | Oakland Raiders | |
1966 NFL Draft
[62] |
11 | 156 | Steve Sloan | Quarterback | Atlanta Falcons |
15 | 216 | Tom Tolleson | Wide receiver | Atlanta Falcons | |
15 | 226 | Steve Bowman | Running back | New York Giants | |
1966 AFL Draft
[65] |
17 | 150 | Tom Tolleson | Wide receiver | New York Jets |
20 | 179 | Steve Bowman | Halfback | Oakland Raiders |
Freshman squad
Prior to the
In their third game, the Baby Tide defeated Auburn 21–14 at
Alabama then closed the season with a 17–16 victory over a previously undefeated Ole Miss freshmen team in Tuscaloosa.[68] The Rebels' scored on their opening possession on an 18-yard Joe Graves touchdown pass to James McCraney for a 7–0 lead.[68] After a 41-yard Jimmy Keys field goal late in the second extended the Ole Miss lead to 10–0, Graves threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to McCraney with only 0:04 remaining in the first half for a 16–0 halftime lead.[68] Alabama rallied in the third quarter with a pair of touchdowns that cut the Rebels' lead to 16–14. The first came when Louis Thompson recovered a Graves fumble in the endzone and the second on a 48-yard Wayne Trimble pass to Kent Busbee.[68] A game-winning, 36-yard Dudley Kerr field goal late in the fourth quarter made the final score 17–16.[68]
Personnel
Varsity letter winners |
Coaching staff
|
|
References
General
- "1963 Season Recaps" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 25, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- "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 March 22, 2013.
Specific
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1963 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Land, Charles (September 22, 1963). "Alabama whips Georgia, 32–7". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f "Crimson Tide powers over Georgia Bulldogs, 32 to 7". Rome News-Tribune. Associated Press. September 22, 1963. p. 8. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j 1963 Season Recap
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (September 29, 1963). "Tide rolls over Tulane, 28–0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Atkins, Stan (September 29, 1963). "Alabama rips Tulane 28–0 in second half". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. p. 16. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ "Tide second in grid poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. September 24, 1963. p. 8. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Halbrooks, Hap (October 6, 1963). "Vandy tries, but fails". The Florence Times. p. 11. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f "Benny Nelson paces Bama victory, 21–6". The Miami News. Associated Press. October 6, 1963. p. 2C. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ Chandler, John (October 1, 1963). "Sooners capture top spot in poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Martin, Buddy (October 13, 1963). "Biggest Gator victory yet". Ocala Star-Banner. p. 25. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Crittenden, John (October 13, 1963). "Florida holds on to upset Alabama". The Miami News. p. 1C. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ "Bama third in grid poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 8, 1963. p. 10. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Florida". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (October 20, 1963). "Namath fires Tide to 35–0 win over Vols". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Alabama crushes Tennessee 35–0 with bruising defense". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Press. October 20, 1963. p. C2. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ "Texas climbs into college poll lead". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. October 15, 1963. p. 3B. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Thomas, Ronnie (October 27, 1963). "Nelson, Namath pace Bama by snarling Cougars, 21–13". The Gadsden Times. p. 21. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Tide rises over tough Cougars, 21–13". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. October 27, 1963. p. 2C. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
- ^ "Eyes of poll pretenders still look up to Texas". The Evening Independent. Associated Press. October 22, 1963. p. 14A. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Houston". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Alabama wins, 20–19 on Namath passes". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press International. November 3, 1963. p. 4-4. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Thomas, Ronnie (November 3, 1963). "State washed by Tide". The Gadsden Times. p. 23. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ Fullerton, Hugh Jr. (October 29, 1963). "Auburn moves past Tide into fifth place in poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Halbrooks, Hap (November 17, 1963). "'Bama hammers Tech, 27–11". The Florence Times. p. 14. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f "Mighty Bama crushes Tech in 27–11 tilt". Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal. Associated Press. November 17, 1963. p. 1B. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ "Tide still seventh". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 8, 1963. p. 8. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia Tech". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (December 1, 1963). "Hungry Tigers arrive, smite Tide 10–8". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ ISBN 1-58818-044-1.
- ^ "Tide moves up to sixth". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 26, 1962. p. 5. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b "It's Sugar for Tide, Orange for Auburn". The Tuscaloosa News. December 1, 1963. p. 9. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Auburn". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Fitzgerald, Tommy (December 15, 1963). "Alabama overcomes Mira, Miami, 17–12". The Miami News. p. 1B. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f "'Bama withstands Mira passes for 17–12 win". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Press. December 15, 1963. p. 13C. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c Devine, Tommy (November 29, 1963). "U-M, Bama switch to December 14". The Miami News. p. 1. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b "Tide-Miami game shifted to December 14". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 30, 1963. p. 3. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b Rathet, Mike (December 10, 1963). "Texas nails down title; Alabama finished eighth". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ Land, Charles (December 10, 1963). "Namath suspended, to miss Miami and Bowl". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Miami (FL)". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Land, Charles (January 2, 1964). "Crimson Tide, Davis surprise Rebels 12–7". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Mississippi upset by Tide, 12–7". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 2, 1964. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ "How Alabama and Ole Miss met in the 1964 Sugar Bowl". Allstate Sugar Bowl. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
- ^ "Davis top player". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. January 2, 1964. p. 11. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ "1964 AFL Draft". Sports Reference, LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ "1965 AFL Draft". Sports Reference, LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ "1966 AFL Draft". Sports Reference, LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ Kersey, Jason (August 27, 2012). "NCAA's decision to allow freshman eligibility changed football landscape". The Oklahoman. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ Reed, Delbert (January 21, 1972). "Unanimous vote makes SEC frosh eligible". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 6. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Land, Charles (November 16, 1963). "Kerr boots Tide by Rebs, 17–16". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 5. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b Land, Charles (October 27, 1963). "Alabama freshmen stop Tulane, 3–0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Alabama freshmen beat Auburn, 21–14". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 5, 1963. p. 10. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 187–201
- ^ 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 202–203