1964 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
1964 Alabama Crimson Tide football | |
---|---|
AP Poll national champion Coaches’ Poll national champion SEC champion | |
Orange Bowl, L 17–21 vs. Texas | |
Conference | Southeastern Conference |
Ranking | |
Coaches | No. 1 |
AP | No. 1 |
Record | 10–1 (8–0 SEC) |
Head coach |
|
Defensive coordinator | Gene Stallings (3rd season) |
Captains | |
Home stadium | Denny Stadium Legion Field Ladd Stadium |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 1 Alabama $ | 8 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 10 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 7 LSU | 4 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 8 | – | 2 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia | 3 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auburn | 3 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kentucky | 3 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ole Miss | 2 | – | 4 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mississippi State | 2 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vanderbilt | 1 | – | 4 | – | 1 | 3 | – | 6 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tennessee | 1 | – | 5 | – | 1 | 4 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tulane | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AP Poll
|
The 1964 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the
The Crimson Tide opened the season ranked in the No. 6 position with wins at Tuscaloosa against Georgia, against Tulane in Mobile and at Birmingham against Vanderbilt. After a victory over NC State in their first non-conference game of the season, Alabama defeated Tennessee in their first road game of the season at Neyland Stadium. The Crimson Tide then returned to Tuscaloosa where they defeated a Steve Spurrier-led Florida team on homecoming before their second road victory at Mississippi State at Jackson.
Alabama then defeated LSU in a newly expanded Legion Field and captured the SEC championship, and the next week defeated Georgia Tech in what was the final game of their annual series. In the annual Iron Bowl against Auburn, the Crimson Tide completed an undefeated regular season with their victory and accepted a bid to play Texas in the Orange Bowl. Although recognized as national champions at the conclusion of the regular season, Alabama closed the season with a loss to the Texas Longhorns in the Orange Bowl.
After the season,
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 19 | Georgia | No. 6 | W 31–3 | 42,525 | [1] | ||
September 26 | Tulane | No. 6 | W 36–6 | 30,011 | [2] | ||
October 3 | Vanderbilt | No. 4 | W 24–0 | 47,325 | [3] | ||
October 10 | NC State* | No. 3 |
| W 21–0 | 37,827 | [4] | |
October 17 | at Tennessee | No. 3 | W 19–8 | 48,627 | [5] | ||
October 24 | No. 9 Florida | No. 3 |
| W 17–14 | 43,200 | [6] | |
October 31 | at Mississippi State | No. 3 | W 23–6 | 44,350 | [7] | ||
November 7 | No. 8 LSU | No. 3 |
| NBC | W 17–9 | 67,749 | [8] |
November 14 | at No. 10 Georgia Tech* | No. 2 | W 24–7 | 53,505 | [9] | ||
November 26 | vs. Auburn | No. 2 |
| NBC | W 21–14 | 67,436 | [10] |
January 1, 1965 | vs. No. 5 Texas* | No. 1 | NBC | L 17–21 | 72,647 | [11] | |
|
Game summaries
Georgia
|
To open the 1964 season, the Crimson Tide defeated
Tulane
|
At
Vanderbilt
|
After their victory over Tulane, Alabama moved into the No. 4 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against
NC State
|
After their victory over Vanderbilt, Alabama moved up one position in the polls to the No. 3 spot prior to their first non-conference game of the season.[26] In a game that saw starting quarterback Joe Namath injured in the second quarter, backup Steve Sloan rallied the Crimson Tide to a 21–0 victory over the NC State Wolfpack in Tuscaloosa.[15][24][25] After a scoreless first quarter, Namath twisted his knee with just over 6:00 remaining in the half. Sloan entered the game and led Alabama on a 69-yard drive that culminated with his one-yard touchdown run to give Alabama a 7–0 halftime lead.[24][25] The Crimson Tide then closed the game with a three-yard Steve Bowman touchdown run in the third and a 10-yard Sloan touchdown pass to Tommy Tolleson in the fourth that made the final score 21–0.[24][25] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against NC State to 3–0.[27]
Tennessee
|
In what was their first road game of the 1964 season, Alabama defeated the rival
Florida
|
As they entered their 1964
Mississippi State
|
At the
LSU
|
As they entered their game against
The game was also the dedication of 13,000 additional seats at Legion Field, and the 67,749 in attendance made it the largest crowd to ever see a football game in the state of Alabama at that time.[38] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against LSU to 16–8–4.[41]
Georgia Tech
|
After their victory over LSU, Alabama moved into the No. 2 position and
After a 22-yard Ray field goal extended their lead to 17–0 in the third, Bowman scored on a four-yard fumble recovered for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.[42][43] Georgia Tech did manage to avoid the shutout late in the fourth when Jerry Priestley threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Giles Smith that made the final score 24–7.[42][43] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 24–19–3.[47]
Auburn
|
In the week prior to their game against Auburn, Alabama retained their No. 2 ranking in the AP poll.[50] In the annual Iron Bowl game, Alabama defeated the Tigers 21–14 land secured their second undefeated regular season under coach Bryant.[15][48][49] The Crimson Tide took an early 6–0 lead after Steve Bowman recovered an Auburn fumble on a failed punt attempt and returned it 39-yards for a touchdown. The Tigers responded with a three-yard Tucker Frederickson touchdown run in the second quarter for a 7–6 halftime lead.[48][49] Alabama then took a 14–7 lead in the third after Ray Ogden returned the opening kickoff 107 yards for a touchdown.[48][49] An Auburn fumble then set up the final scoring drive for Alabama in the fourth that culminated in a 23-yard Joe Namath touchdown pass to Ray Perkins for a 21–7 lead. The Tigers responded later with a 16-yard Tom Bryan touchdown pass to Jimmy Sidle that made the final score 21–14.[48][49] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 14–14–1.[51]
Texas
|
Immediately after their
National championship claim
The NCAA recognizes consensus national champions as the teams that have captured a championship by way of one of the major polls since the 1950 college football season.[56][57] After No. 1 Notre Dame was upset by USC in their final game of the season, it was speculated that Alabama would move into the top position in the polls and claim the 1964 national championship.[58] As such, the Crimson Tide were voted into the No. 1 position in both the final AP and UPI polls and captured the national championship.[56][59] On November 30, the final UPI poll was released with Alabama in the No. 1 position having claimed 33 first place votes and 333 total points in the poll ahead of No. 2 Arkansas. On December 1, the final AP poll was released with Alabama in the No. 1 position having claimed 34.5 first place votes ahead of the 11.5 first place votes awarded to No. 2 Arkansas.[59]
Although officially recognized as national champions at the conclusion of the regular season, Alabama went on to lose against
NFL/AFL Draft
Several players that were
Year | Round | Overall | Player name | Position | NFL/AFL team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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
[63] |
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
[64] |
17 | 150 | Tom Tolleson | Wide receiver | New York Jets |
20 | 179 | Steve Bowman | Halfback | Oakland Raiders | |
1967 NFL Draft
[62] |
1 | 26 | Leslie Kelley | Running back Linebacker |
New Orleans Saints |
4 | 82 | Louis Thompson | Defensive tackle | New York Giants | |
4 | 91 | Wayne Trimble | Defensive tackle | San Francisco 49ers | |
9 | 230 | Cecil Dowdy | Linebacker | Cleveland Browns |
Freshman squad
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.[65][66] For the 1964 season, the Alabama freshmen squad was coached by Sam Bailey and finished their season with a record of two wins and two losses (2–2).[67] Alabama opened the season with a 14–7 loss to Mississippi State in a game that saw the Baby Tide turn the ball over seven times.[68] The Bulldogs took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter on a one-yard Walter Pennebaker touchdown run. Alabama tied the game 7–7 in the third quarter on a 46-yard Ken Stabler touchdown pass to Dennis Homan; however, Stabler threw an interception later in the third to Alton Ellis that he returned 73 yards for the game-winning touchdown.[68]
Two weeks later, Alabama won their first game of the season at
The next week, Alabama closed the season with a 17–0 victory over rival Auburn at Denny Stadium.[67] The Baby Tide took a 14–0 first quarter lead on a 70-yard Homan punt return and on a one-yard Phil Schaeffer touchdown run that capped a 71-yard drive.[67] Steve Davis provided for the final points of the game late in the fourth quarter n a 21-yard field goal that made the final score 21–0.[67]
Personnel
Varsity letter winners |
Coaching staff
|
|
References
General
- "1964 Season Recaps" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 25, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 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 May 12, 2013.
Specific
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1964 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (September 20, 1964). "Namath fires Tide by Bulldogs, 31–3". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved May 11, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c d e Halbrooks, Hap (September 20, 1964). "Namath proves a sparkler in 31–3 Alabama victor". The Florence Times. p. 25. Retrieved May 11, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j 1964 Season Recap
- ^ "Alabama's Namath selected national back of week". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. September 23, 1964. p. 2C. Retrieved May 11, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (September 27, 1964). "High Tide rolls by Greenies". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved May 11, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Thomas, Ronnie (October 4, 1964). "Tide whips Vandy 24–0". The Gadsden Times. p. 21. Retrieved May 11, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c d "Alabama gets 24–0 victory". The News and Courier. Associated Press. October 4, 1964. p. 4D. Retrieved May 11, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ Couch, Dick (September 29, 1964). "Tide draws fourth spot in grid poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 6. Retrieved May 11, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Land, Charles (October 11, 1964). "Sloan sparks Alabama victory". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c d "Alabama breaks State's bubble". The News and Courier. UPI. October 11, 1964. p. 4D. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ Meier, Ted (October 6, 1964). "Tide climbs to third spot in national football poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 10. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs North Carolina State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g Land, Charles (October 18, 1964). "Tide handles Vols, 19–8". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c d e f "Alabama beats Tennessee 19–8". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. October 16, 1964. p. C4. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Martin, Buddy (October 25, 1964). "Crimson Tide nips Gators". Ocala Star-Banner. p. 17. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (October 25, 1964). "Alabama fights off Gators, 17–14". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ Watkins, Ed (October 25, 1964). "Victory puts the icing on homecoming cake". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Florida". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Field goals lift Alabama, 23 to 6". The News and Courier. UPI. November 1, 1964. p. 2D. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c d Land, Charles (November 1, 1964). "Ray, Sloan spark Bama by Bulldogs, 23–6". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 13. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Halbrooks, Hap (November 8, 1964). "Tide downs LSU". The Florence Times. p. 27. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (November 8, 1964). "Alabama wraps up SEC title with 17–9 win". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ Chass, Murray (November 3, 1964). "Irish climb past Bucks as Alabama stays third". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 6. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Louisiana State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ a b c "'Bama routs Georgia Tech for 9th, 24–7". The Miami News. Associated Press. November 15, 1964. p. C1. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c d Bassett, Norman (November 15, 1964). "Quick striking Alabama dumps Tech 24–7". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ "Tide challenging Irish for lead". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 6, 1964. p. 9. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ Land, Charles (November 13, 1964). "Tide, Tech write end to great series Saturday". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b Land, Charles (November 15, 1964). "Namath tosses spark victory". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia Tech". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (November 27, 1964). "Tide does it the hard way again, 21–14 over Auburn". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 8. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ ISBN 1-58818-044-1.
- ^ Green, Bob (November 24, 1964). "Tide stays second". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Auburn". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (January 2, 1965). "Longhorns hold off fighting Tide, 21–17". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 6. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c d e Fitzgerald, Tommy (January 2, 1965). "Big plays by Texas hold off Namath rush". The Miami News. p. 1B. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ "Orange Bowl bid offered, accepted". The Tuscaloosa News. November 27, 1964. p. 9. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Texas". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "National Poll Champions" (PDF). 2012 NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA.org. p. 73. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ Solomon, Jon (January 6, 2010). "Got 12? Here's how Alabama bumped up its claim to a dozen national titles". The Birmingham News. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ "Mighty Irish fall, Bama No. 1 now?". The Tuscaloosa News. November 29, 1964. p. 1. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c "Bama crowned best in nation". The Tuscaloosa News. December 1, 1964. p. 1. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ "Namath, Alabama won't soon forget Nobis & Co". St. Petersburg Times. UPI. January 3, 1965. p. 6C. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ "Spartans eye college title". The Pal Beach Post. Associated Press. November 24, 1965. p. 16. Retrieved May 12, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ "1965 AFL Draft". Sports Reference, LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ "1966 AFL Draft". Sports Reference, LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ Kersey, Jason (August 27, 2012). "NCAA's decision to allow freshman eligibility changed football landscape". The Oklahoman. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ Reed, Delbert (January 21, 1972). "Unanimous vote makes SEC frosh eligible". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 6. Retrieved May 11, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c d Land, Charles (November 22, 1964). "Homan's dash starts 17–0 Baby Tide win over Tigers". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved May 11, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b Land, Charles (October 3, 1964). "State frosh deal Tide 14–7 defeat". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 6. Retrieved May 11, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b c "Davis, Stabler lead fresh win". The Tuscaloosa News. October 24, 1964. p. 8. Retrieved May 11, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ a b "UA freshmen fall to Rebs". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 14, 1964. p. 7. Retrieved May 11, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
- ^ 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 187–201
- ^ Austin American, Sat Jan 26, 1957, "Bear Hires Line Coach From Army". UP Austin American, Sun Jan 27, 1957, Bear Picks No. 1 Aide, Oldsters Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Sports Report, by Gene Gregston,. Tuesday, Sep 17, 1957
- ^ 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 202–203