1965 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
1965 Alabama Crimson Tide football | |
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AP Poll national champion FWAA co-national champion SEC champion Orange Bowl champion | |
Conference | Southeastern Conference |
Ranking | |
Coaches | No. 4 |
AP | No. 1 |
Record | 9–1–1 (6–1–1 SEC) |
Head coach |
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Captains | |
Home stadium | Denny Stadium Legion Field Ladd Stadium |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 1 Alabama $ | 6 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 9 | – | 1 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auburn | 4 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 7 Tennessee | 2 | – | 1 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 1 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ole Miss | 5 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 8 LSU | 3 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kentucky | 3 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia | 2 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vanderbilt | 1 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 7 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tulane | 1 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 8 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mississippi State | 1 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AP Poll
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The 1965 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the
Alabama opened the season ranked No. 5, but were upset by Georgia 18–17 in the first game of the season. They rebounded with their first win of the season over Tulane and followed that with a 17–16 win over Ole Miss in a game in which Alabama had to rally from a nine-point fourth quarter deficit for the victory. The next week, the Crimson Tide defeated Vanderbilt in Nashville before they returned home for their rivalry game against Tennessee. Against the Volunteers, the score was deadlocked 7–7 in the closing seconds, but Alabama had driven to the Tennessee four-yard line. Ken Stabler believing that it was third down, threw the ball out of bounds with six seconds left to stop the clock. However, it was actually fourth down, possession went to Tennessee, and the game ended in a tie.
After the tie, the Crimson Tide won five in a row over Florida State, Mississippi State, LSU, South Carolina and Auburn en route to Bryant's fourth SEC title at Alabama. Because the Associated Press was holding its vote until after the bowl games instead of before for the first time, No. 4 Alabama still had a chance to win the national championship when they played No. 3 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. On New Year's Day, No. 1 Michigan State lost in the Rose Bowl and No. 2 Arkansas lost in the Cotton Bowl Classic, and Alabama defeated Nebraska 39–28 in the Orange Bowl and captured its third AP National Championship in five years.
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 18 | at Georgia | No. 5 | NBC | L 17–18 | 42,500 | [1] | |
September 25 | Tulane | W 27–0 | 33,321 | [2] | |||
October 2 | Ole Miss | W 17–16 | 65,677 | [3] | |||
October 9 | at Vanderbilt | W 22–7 | 29,268 | [4] | |||
October 16 | Tennessee |
| T 7–7 | 65,680 | [5] | ||
October 23 | Florida State* | W 21–0 | 43,066 | [6] | |||
October 30 | at Mississippi State | No. 10 | W 10–7 | 45,876 | [7] | ||
November 6 | at LSU | No. 5 | NBC | W 31–7 | 58,953 | [8] | |
November 13 | South Carolina* | No. 5 |
| W 35–14 | 38,776 | [9] | |
November 27 | vs. Auburn | No. 5 |
| W 30–3 | 66,333 | [10] | |
January 1, 1966 | vs. No. 3 Nebraska* | No. 4 | NBC | W 39–28 | 72,214 | [11] | |
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Game summaries
Georgia
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To open the 1965 season, the No. 5 Crimson Tide were upset by the
Tulane
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After their loss to Georgia in the season opener, the Crimson Tide dropped out of the rankings prior to their game against
Ole Miss
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For their third game of the season, Alabama met
David Ray scored first with his 37-yard field goal that made the score 16–10 in favor of Ole Miss, and then with 1:19 left in the game Sloan scored the game-tying touchdown on a nine-yard run.[21][22] On the next play, Ray successfully converted the extra point and gave Alabama a 17–16 lead. The Crimson Tide then secured the victory on the next play when the Rebels' Stan Moss fumbled kickoff that was recovered by Alabama who then ran out the clock and won the game.[21][22] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss 18–3–2.[24]
Vanderbilt
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After they trailed for the majority of the game, Alabama rallied with 22 fourth quarter points and defeated the Commodores 22–7 at Nashville.[15][25][26] After a scoreless first quarter, the Commodores took a 7–0 lead after Charles Boyd returned a punt 69-yards for a touchdown in the second. Vanderbilt remained in the lead through the fourth quarter when Alabama scored a trio of touchdowns. Steve Bowman scored first on a two-yard run, followed by a 35-yard John Reitz interception return and then on a 57-yard Bowman run late in the game.[25][26] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 23–16–4.[27]
Tennessee
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In a game that saw multiple turnovers result in failed touchdown opportunities, Alabama tied the rival Tennessee Volunteers 7–7 at Legion Field.[15][28][29] After a scoreless first quarter, both teams scored their only touchdown in the second. Stan Mitchell scored first for the Vols on a one-yard run and Steve Sloan followed for Alabama with his one-yard run.[28][29] The Crimson Tide had a chance to win the game in the final minute of the game. With only 0:36 remaining in the game, Alabama had possession at the Tennessee six-yard line.[30] However, Alabama quarterback Ken Stabler thought the Tide gained a first down on the previous play and threw the ball out-of-bounds on a fourth down play and turned the ball over on downs back to the Vols. Tennessee then ran out the clock for the tie.[30] The tie brought Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 22–19–7.[31]
Florida State
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In what was their first all-time game against Florida State, the Crimson Tide shutout the Seminoles 21–0 on homecoming in Tuscaloosa.[32][33][34] Alabama took a 13–0 halftime lead after Leslie Kelley scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the first and Steve Sloan scored on a two-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.[32][33] After a scoreless third, the Crimson Tide closed the game with a second one-yard Kelley touchdown run in the fourth quarter coupled with a Ken Stabler two-point conversion that made the final score 21–0.[32][33]
Mississippi State
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At the
LSU
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After their victory over Mississippi State, Alabama moved into the No. 5 position in the
South Carolina
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In their second non-conference game of the season, Alabama defeated the
Auburn
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In the annual
Nebraska
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For the second year in a row, Alabama played in the Orange Bowl. In the 1966 edition of the game, the Crimson Tide defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 39–28 and finished the season 9–1–1 and as AP national champions.[48][49]
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 NCAA University Division football season.[50][51] As they entered the Orange Bowl, the Crimson Tide was ranked fourth by the AP behind Michigan State, Arkansas and Nebraska.[52] After losses by the Spartans and Razorbacks in their bowl game coupled with an Alabama victory over Nebraska in their contest, the AP, voting after the bowls for the first time, vaulted the Crimson Tide into the No. 1 position in the final poll of the season and won the national championship.[52] Michigan State was also recognized as national champions by various other selectors for the 1965 season, including the UPI Coaches Poll.[50]
NFL/AFL Draft
Several players that were
Year | Round | Overall | Player name | Position | NFL/AFL team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1966 NFL Draft
[53] |
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
[54] |
17 | 150 | Tom Tolleson | Wide receiver | New York Jets |
20 | 179 | Steve Bowman | Halfback | Oakland Raiders | |
1967 NFL Draft
[53] |
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 | |
1968 NFL Draft
[53] |
1 | 20 | Dennis Homan | Wide receiver | Dallas Cowboys |
2 | 52 | Ken Stabler | Quarterback | Oakland Raiders | |
12 | 320 | Bobby Johns | Defensive back | Kansas City Chiefs |
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.[55][56] The Alabama freshmen squad finished the 1965 season with a record of three wins and one loss (3–1).[57] The Baby Tide opened their season with a 7–6 loss at Mississippi State.[58] After a scoreless first quarter, the Bulldogs took a 7–0 lead in the second when Ronnie Coleman threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Harry Ivey. Although the Alabama defense only allowed State only two first downs for the remainder of the game, the Baby Tide lost 7–6 after a failed two-point conversion attempt that followed a 26-yard Joe Kelley touchdown pass to Donnie Sutton.[58]
Alabama then won their first game of the season at Denny Stadium with a 27–14 victory over Ole Miss.
Two weeks later, Alabama closed the season with a 30–6 victory over rival Auburn at
Personnel
Varsity letter winners |
Coaching staff
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References
General
- "1965 Season Recaps" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 25, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 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 13, 2013.
Specific
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1965 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Land, Charles (September 19, 1965). "Battling Bulldogs nip Tide, 18–17". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Halbrooks, Hap (September 19, 1965). "Bulldogs outfight Tide in 18 to 17 upset win". The Florence Times. p. 29. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i 1965 Season Recap
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Land, Charles (September 26, 1965). "Tide on its way after 27–0 rout of Tulane". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Atkins, Stan (September 26, 1965). "Tide batters Greenies 27–0". The Florence Times. Associated Press. p. 29. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ Bock, Hal (September 21, 1965). "Notre Dame takes lead in AP Poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 5. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Meloun, Paul (October 3, 1965). "Tide comes in late, wins 17–16". The Gadsden Times. p. 17. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Halbrooks, Hap (October 3, 1965). "Sloan brings Alabama back in another famous scramble". The Florence Times. p. 11. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ Land, Charles (October 2, 1965). "Alabama, Ole Miss battle for big stakes tonight". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 8. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Tide wins 22–7". The Gadsden Times. Associated Press. October 10, 1965. p. 21. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c Kelley, Pete (October 10, 1965). "Another typical Tide win". The Florence Times. p. 15. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c Land, Charles (October 17, 1965). "Tide, Vols tie". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c Smothers, Jimmy (October 17, 1965). "Tide flows out, Vols happy at 7–7". The Gadsden Times. p. 21. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b "Bear takes blame for costly miscue". The Florence Times. October 17, 1965. p. 15. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Land, Charles (October 24, 1965). "Fighting Tide turns back Seminoles, 21–0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 13. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Pollen, Gene (October 24, 1965). "Tide heads off Seminoles at crossroads by 21 to 0". Ocala Star-Banner. p. 17. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Florida State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Tide defense kills Bulldogs". The Gadsden Times. Associated Press. October 31, 1965. p. 21. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Halbrooks, Hap (October 31, 1965). "Bama defense impresses in 10–7 win over State". The Florence Times. p. 15. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Thomas, Ben (November 7, 1965). "Cagy Tide stuns LSU in savage 31–7 win". The Gadsden Times. Associated Press. p. 22. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (November 7, 1965). "Tide's little giants cage burly Tigers". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ Grimsley, Will (November 2, 1965). "Tide climbs to No. 5 spot". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 5. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Louisiana State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (November 14, 1965). "Sloan pitches, Tide wins". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Smothers, Jimmy (November 14, 1965). "Sloan brings Tide in for 35–14 win". The Gadsden Times. p. 21. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs South Carolina". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Halbrooks, Hap (November 28, 1965). "Sloan shines as Alabama tramples Auburn 30–3 for conference crown". The Florence Times. p. 17. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Smothers, Jimmy (November 28, 1965). "Bama SEC champ after 30–3 romp". The Gadsden Times. p. 33. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Auburn". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b Crittenden, John (January 2, 1966). "'No. 1' Alabama rolls in, 39–28". The Miami News. p. 1C. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b Smothers, Jimmy (January 2, 1966). "Bama shoots for No. 1 spot". The Gadsden Times. p. 21. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
- ^ a b National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "National Poll Champions" (PDF). 2012 NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA.org. p. 73. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ Solomon, Jon (January 6, 2010). "Got 12? Here's how Alabama bumped up its claim to a dozen national titles". The Birmingham News. AL.com. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ a b Green, Bob (January 4, 1966). "Tide keeps AP title trophy". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 7. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ "1966 AFL Draft". Sports Reference, LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ Kersey, Jason (August 27, 2012). "NCAA's decision to allow freshman eligibility changed football landscape". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ Reed, Delbert (January 21, 1972). "Unanimous vote makes SEC frosh eligible". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 6. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Tide frosh roll by Auburn, 30–6". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 21, 1965. p. 11. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ a b Land, Charles (October 5, 1965). "State staves off Baby Tide, 7–6". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 6. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Tide frosh top Rebels, 27–14". The Tuscaloosa News. October 16, 1965. p. 6. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Bama frosh turn errors to 19–8 win". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 9, 1965. p. 6. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 187–201
- ^ 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 202–203