2006 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
Encyclopedia
The 2006 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama
for the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season trying to improve from a 10–2 record in the 2005 season. The Tide was led by head coach Mike Shula
entering his fourth year at Alabama. Despite a strong 5–2 start, they finished out the season by losing four of their final five games. The team closed the regular season at 6–6 (4–4, SEC) and lost for a fifth-straight time to rival Auburn
. Following the loss Shula was fired as head coach and defensive coordinator Joe Kines
served as interim head coach for the bowl game.
The Tide were defeated by Oklahoma State
in the 2006 Independence Bowl
34–31 to finish the season with a 6–7 (2–6) record. However three years later all six wins of the season were vacated as part of a penalty placed against Alabama by the NCAA for infractions committed during the season. As such, the official record for the 2007 squad is 0–7.
in the 2006 Cotton Bowl Classic. In June 2009, the NCAA Committee on Infractions sanctioned Alabama for "major violations" of NCAA policies as a result of athletes who received improper benefits in 16 of 19 NCAA sports, including football. As part of the penalties imposed, the football program was forced to vacate all ten victories from the 2005 season making the official 2005 record 0–2.
The 2006 season also marked the first played in Bryant–Denny Stadium after the completion of the north endzone expansion. The $47 million expansion increased its overall capacity to 92,138 (then the 5th largest on-campus stadium), added several new luxury box
es and saw the completion of the Walk of Champions off University Boulevard. The Walk of Champions, at the time, featured statues of the four national championship Alabama head coaches: Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, Bear Bryant
and Gene Stallings
. At that time a fifth space was left vacant for a future statue, and on April 16, 2011, the University unveiled a statue of Nick Saban
for winning the 2009 national championship
at that location.
and J. B. Closner on offense; Mark Anderson, Rudy Griffin, Freddie Roach, DeMeco Ryans
, Anthony Madison
, Roman Harper
and Charlie Peprah
on defense; and Jeremy Schatz, Matt Miller and Drew Lane on special teams.
150": No. 4 Andre Smith (OT) and No. 124 Justin Woodall
(S). Alabama signed the No. 11 recruiting class according to Rivals and the No. 18 according to Scout.
computer ratings calculated Alabama's strength of schedule
to be the 55th most difficult out of the 241 Division I teams. The Cosgrove Computer Rankings calculated it as the 65th most difficult out of the 119 Division I FBS teams in its rankings. It featured four pre-season AP Top 25
teams, four of which made bowl games in 2005.
In accordance with conference rules, Alabama faced all five Western Division opponents: Arkansas
, Auburn
, LSU
, Mississippi State
, and Ole Miss
. They also faced three Eastern Division opponents: official SEC rival
Tennessee
, Florida
, and Vanderbilt
. Alabama did not play SEC opponents Georgia
, Kentucky
and South Carolina
. Alabama also played four non-conference games. The non-conference schedule included games against Hawaii
of the Western Athletic Conference
, Duke
of the Atlantic Coast Conference
and both Louisiana–Monroe
and Florida International
of the Sun Belt Conference
. For the 2006 Independence Bowl
, Alabama played Oklahoma State
of the Big 12 Conference
.
. On February 3, 2006, David Turner was hired from Vanderbilt
to serve as defensive ends coach.
Alabama opened the 2006 season by defeating the Hawaiʻi Warriors
25–17 in their first all-time visit to Bryant–Denny Stadium. Hawaii got on the board first when Dan Kelly connected on a 42-yard field goal to give the Warriors a 3–0 lead. Alabama tied it up at 3–3 on a 31-yard Leigh Tiffin
field goal later in the first quarter. The Crimson Tide then took a 10–3 lead of the evening when Tim Castille
scored on a three-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Alabama then extended their lead to 15–3 at halftime after the Hawaii punter Kurt Milne knocked the ball out of the endzone because of a bad snap for a safety and Tiffin connected on a 23-yard field goal.
The Crimson Tide scored on their opening drive of the third quarter when John Parker Wilson
threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Keith Brown. Hawaii then cut the Alabama lead to 22–10 later that quarter when Colt Brennen threw a 16-yard touchdown strike to Reagan Maui'a. In the fourth quarter, a 27-yard Tiffin field goal extended the Alabama lead to 25–10. The Warriors responded Brennen connected with Ryan Grice-Mullen
for a 31-yard touchdown reception to make the score 25–17. After holding the Tide on their next offensive series, Hawaii managed to drive 49 yards in 2:40 to get in position to potentially tie the game and send it into overtime
. Alabama secured the 25–17 victory on the final play of the game when Lionel Mitchell intercepted a Brennen pass in the endzone for a touchback
as time expired. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Warriors to 1–1 (2–1 without NCAA vacations).
A week after defeating Hawaii, the Crimson Tide opened conference play against the Vanderbilt
Commodores
and defeated them 13–10. Alabama scored first on a 37-yard Leigh Tiffin
field goal with just under a minute remaining in the first quarter. Vanderbilt responded with ten second quarter points to take a 10–3 halftime lead after Bryant Hahnfeldt first connected on a 42-yard field goal and Chris Nickson threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Earl Bennett
.
The Crimson Tide tied the game on their first drive of the third quarter when John Parker Wilson
hit D. J. Hall
for a 31-yard touchdown reception. Tiffin then scored the game-winning field goal from 47 yards out to give Alabama the 13–10 victory. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Commodores to 57–19–4 (60–18–4 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
The Crimson Tide extended their overall record to 3–0 after they defeated the Louisiana–Monroe
Warhawks
41–7 in the first all-time meeting between the programs. Alabama opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when Le'Ron McClain
caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from John Parker Wilson
. The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 10–0 after Leigh Tiffin
connected on a 34-yard field goal early in the second quarter. The Warhawks then responded with their only points of the game after Kinsmon Lancaster
cut the Alabama lead to 10–7 with his two-yard touchdown run. Tim Castille
then scored on a three-yard run to give the Tide a 17–7 halftime lead.
In the third, Tiffin connected on a 25-yard field goal and John Parker Wilson
threw a 43-yard touchdown strike to D. J. Hall
to extend the Alabama lead to 27–7 entering the fourth quarter. In the fourth, Roy Upchurch scored two touchdowns on separate one-yard runs to make the final score 41–7.
After opening the season with three consecutive home games, the Crimson Tide traveled to Fayetteville
and lost to the Arkansas
Razorbacks
24–23 in double overtime. Arkansas took an early 3–0 lead in the first quarter after Jeremy Davis connected with a 24-yard field goal. Alabama took a 7–3 lead in the second quarter when John Parker Wilson
threw a 78-yard touchdown pass to D. J. Hall
to cap a four play, 99 yard drive. Leigh Tiffin
would also convert a 46-yard field goal as tme expired in the second quarter to give the Crimson Tide a 10–3 halftime lead.
The Razorbacks then took a 17–10 lead with a pair of third quarter touchdowns. The first came on a three-yard Darren McFadden
run, with Davis missing the extra point
. The second came on a defensive touchdown when Randy Kelly recovered a Wilson fumble
and returned it 39-yards for a touchdown. Mitch Mustain
then successfully threw a two-point conversion
pass to McFadden and Arkansas was up 17–10. Alabama tied the game early in the fourth quarter when Keith Brown caught a 14-yard Wilson touchdown pass, which as it turned out sent the game into overtime.
In the overtime period, Arkansas was on offense first, and on their initial series, a Mustain pass was intercepted by Lionel Mitchell. On Alabama's first offensive series, Tiffin missed a 37-yard field goal to send the game into a second overtime period. In the second overtime, Alabama was on offense first and scored on a one-yard Nick Walker touchdown run. However, Tiffin missed the extra point and the Crimson Tide was up by only six points. Arkansas responded with an 11-yard Mustain touchdown pass to Ben Cleveland and the Davis extra point gave the Razorbacks the 24–23 victory. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Razorbacks to 7–8 (10–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
A week after a disappointing, double overtime loss to Arkansas, the Crimson Tide lost their second game in a row on the road to the Florida
Gators
28–13 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
. Alabama struck first with a defensive touchdown late in the first quarter when Prince Hall returned a Chris Leak
fumble
50 yards for a 7–0 Crimson Tide lead. Alabama then extended their lead to 10–0 early in the second quarter on a 21-yard Jamie Christensen field goal before Florida took over. The Gators closed the score to 10–7 late in the quarter when Tim Tebow
scored from two-yards out.
Florida then took their first lead of the game late in the third quarter when Leak connected with Andre Caldwell
for a 16-yard touchdown reception. After a second Christensen field goal closed the gap to 14–13, the Gators closed with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to secure the victory. With just under 7:00 remaining in the game, Leak threw his second touchdown pass of the day on a 21-yard Dallas Baker
reception. On the ensuing Alabama drive, Reggie Nelson
intercepted a John Parker Wilson
pass and returned it 70-yards for a defensive touchdown and a 28–13 Florida victory. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Gators to 20–13 (21–13 without the NCAA vacation of the 2005 victory).
After a pair of consecutive conference losses on the road, Alabama returned to Tuscaloosa and defeated the Duke
Blue Devils
30–14. The Crimson Tide took a 3–0 lead after Jamie Christensen connected on a 37-yard field goal on Alabama's first drive of the game. Early in the second quarter Duke took a 7–3 lead after Thaddeus Lewis
threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Eron Riley
. The teams then traded touchdowns with Alabama scoring on a four-yard D. J. Hall
touchdown reception from John Parker Wilson
, and with Duke scoring on a five-yard Lewis run to give the Blue Devils a 14–10 halftime lead.
In the second half, Alabama shutout Duke and scored three touchdowns en route to their 30–14 victory. Keith Brown scored on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Wilson. However, Casey Camero blocked the Christensen extra point
attempt and the Crimson Tide led 16–14 entering the fourth quarter. In the fourth, Alabama scored on a two-yard Jimmy Johns touchdown run and when Lionel Mitchell intercepted a Lewis pass and returned it 50-yards for a touchdown to make the final score 30–14. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Blue Devils to 1–1 (2–1 without NCAA vacations).
A week after their victory over Duke, the Crimson Tide needed overtime to defeat their rival, the Ole Miss
Rebels
26–23. Alabama opened the scoring on their first offensive possession when John Parker Wilson
connected with D. J. Hall
for a 39-yard touchdown reception and a 7–0 lead. The Rebels tied the game at 7–7 later in the quarter when BenJarvus Green-Ellis
scored on a two-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, all of the points came by way of field goals with Jamie Christensen hitting one for Alabama from 26-yards and Joshua Shene hitting two for Ole Miss from 36 and 23-yards to make the halftime score 13–10 Rebels.
After a 26-yard Christensen field goal tied the game at 13–13 in the third quarter, Alabama took a 20–13 lead early in the fourth quarter on a two-yard Tim Castille
touchdown run. Ole Miss tied the game up at 20–20 when Brent Schaeffer
threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace
that ultimately sent the game into overtime. In the overtime period, Ole Miss scored first with a 37-yard Shene field goal, but Alabama won the game when Wilson connected with Le'Ron McClain
for a two-yard, game-winning touchdown reception. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Rebels to 39–9–2 (42–8–2 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
A week after their victory over Ole Miss, the Crimson Tide made the trip to Neyland Stadium
and lost their rival, the Tennessee
Volunteers
16–13. Alabama and the Volunteers traded field goals through the end of the third quarter when Tim Castille
scored for the Crimson Tide on a two-yard run to give Alabama a 13–6 lead. Tennessee responded by shutting-out Alabama in the fourth quarter and scoring ten unanswered points to secure their 16–13 victory. The Volunteers scored first of a 27-yard James Wilhoit
field goal and then took their first lead of the game with only 3:28 remaining when Arian Foster
scored a touchdown from one-yard out. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 43–38–7 (45–37–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
For the 2006 homecoming
game, the Crimson Tide defeated the Florida International
Golden Panthers
38–3. The game was notable for the 18 FIU players suspended for the contest due to their involvement in their brawl against Miami two weeks earlier. The Golden Panthers scored their only points of the game late in the first quarter when Dustin Rivest connected on a 37-yard field goal. Their 3–0 lead would be their only of the game as the Crimson Tide proceeded to score 38 unanswered points. In the second quarter, Le'Ron McClain
scored on a nine-yard John Parker Wilson
touchdown pass and Jamie Christensen connected on a 46-yard field goal to give Alabama a 10–3 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, the Crimson Tide scored on a 65-yard Javier Arenas
punt return
for a touchdown and on an one-yard Tim Castille
touchdown run to give Alabama a 24–3 lead entering the fourth quarter. In the fourth, Alabama scored a defensive touchdown when Ramzee Robinson
intercepted a Josh Padrick pass and returned it 34-yards for a touchdown. The final points of the game came late in the fourth when Jimmy Barnes threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Matt Caddell to make the final score 38–3.
In the 2006 edition of their annual rivalry, the Mississippi State
Bulldogs
led by former Alabama center
Sylvester Croom
defeated the Crimson Tide for the first time in five years 24–16. Alabama scored first on a 19-yard Jamie Christensen field goal, and State responded on the ensuing drive when Michael Henig
threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Tony Burks to give the Bulldogs a 7–3 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Adam Carlson connected on a 39-yard field goal, and then Jeffrey Dukes intercepted a Henig pass and returned it 24-yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 10–10.
The Bulldogs responded with a pair of touchdowns to take a 24–10 lead at halftime. The first came on a 13-yard Henig touchdown pass to Jamayel Smith
and the second when Quinton Culberson
intercepted a John Parker Wilson
pass and returned it 51 yards for a defensive touchdown. Alabama was only able to score on a pair of Jamie Christensen field goals in the third quarter and was shutout in the fourth which resulted in the Bulldogs winning the game 24–16.
In the 2006 edition of their annual rivalry, the LSU
Tigers
defeated the Crimson Tide in "Death Valley"
28–14. The Tigers took a 14–0 lead in the first quarter after Keiland Williams
scored on a 38-yard touchdown run and after JaMarcus Russell
threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Early Doucet
. The Crimson Tide then cut the lead to 14–7 Kenneth Darby
was on the receiving end of a 29-yard John Parker Wilson
touchdown pass. In the second quarter, both teams traded touchdowns with LSU taking a 21–14 halftime lead. LSU scored first on a 19-yard Russell touchdown pass to Dwayne Bowe
and Alabama on a six-yard Wilson pass to Nikita Stover. The final points of the game came on Russell's third touchdown pass of the evening on a 17-yard pass to Jacob Hester
to make the final score 28–14.
In the 2006 edition of the annual Iron Bowl
, the arch-rival Auburn
Tigers
defeated the Crimson Tide for the fifth consecutive time by a score of 22–15. Alabama scored first on a 24-yard Jamie Christensen field goal to take a 3–0 lead into the second quarter. Auburn took a 14–3 lead in the second quarter after touchdown runs of twelve and eight-yards by Brad Lester
and Kenny Irons
. The Crimson Tide responded with a 52-yard John Parker Wilson
touchdown pass to Nikita Stover, and after a failed two-point conversion
attempt the Tigers led 14–9 at halftime.
Alabama opened the third quarter on offense and drove 80 yards in eleven plays with Wilson throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Travis McCall. After a second failed two-point conversion attempt, the Tide took a 15–14 lead. Auburn responded later in the third with what was a game-winning touchdown drive. Brandon Cox
connected with Prechae Rodriguez
for a 22-yard touchdown reception, and after a successful two-point conversion pass from Carl Stewart
to Lee Guess the Tigers took a 22–15 that was not relinquished in the Auburn victory. Following their loss, head coach Mike Shula
was subsequently fired on November 27 after four years with the program. At that time athletic director
Mal Moore
announced defensive coordinator Joe Kines
would serve as interim head coach for the Independence Bowl
.
With Joe Kines
serving as interim head coach for the 2006 edition of the Independence Bowl, the Crimson Tide were defeated by the Oklahoma State Cowboys
34–31. The Cowboys scored first on a one-yard Dantrell Savage
touchdown run to take a 7–0 lead. Alabama responded later in the first when Matt Caddell had an 18-yard touchdown reception from John Parker Wilson
to tie the game at 7–7. Oklahoma State responded with 10 consecutive points on a four-yard Keith Toston
touchdown run and a 28-yard field goal by Jason Ricks to take a 17–7 lead. The Crimson Tide then responded with a one-yard Tim Castille
touchdown run, only to have the Cowboys respond with a seven-yard Toston touchdown run to give Oklahoma State a 24–14 lead at the half.
After a 24-yard field goal by Jamie Christensen to bring the score to 24–17, the Cowboys responded with a ten-yard Adarius Bowman
touchdown reception from Bobby Reid early in the fourth to extend their lead to 31–17. The Tide then scored 14 straight points on an 86-yard punt return by Javier Arenas
and an Andre Smith 2-yard touchdown run to even the score at 31–31. The Cowboys sealed the victory with only 00:08 remaining in the game on a 27-yard, game-winning field goal by Jason Ricks.
was hired from the Miami Dolphins
to serve as the programs 27th head coach. In the weeks that followed, Saban worked to fill his staff for the 2007 season. As part of the A-Day celebrations on April 21, 2007, the 2006 team captains Le'Ron McClain
and Juwan Simpson
were honored at the Walk of Fame ceremony at the base of Denny Chimes
.
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
for the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season trying to improve from a 10–2 record in the 2005 season. The Tide was led by head coach Mike Shula
Mike Shula
Mike Shula is an American football quarterback coach for the Carolina Panthers, an NFL team. Between 2003 and 2006, he was the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program.- Early life :...
entering his fourth year at Alabama. Despite a strong 5–2 start, they finished out the season by losing four of their final five games. The team closed the regular season at 6–6 (4–4, SEC) and lost for a fifth-straight time to rival Auburn
2006 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2006 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Head coach Tommy Tuberville served his eighth season at Auburn, the third longest tenure among current SEC head coaches that year...
. Following the loss Shula was fired as head coach and defensive coordinator Joe Kines
Joe Kines
-External links:...
served as interim head coach for the bowl game.
The Tide were defeated by Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
in the 2006 Independence Bowl
2006 Independence Bowl
The 2006 PetroSun Independence Bowl, part of the 2006–07 NCAA football bowl season, took place on December 28, 2006 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference, and the Oklahoma State Cowboys,...
34–31 to finish the season with a 6–7 (2–6) record. However three years later all six wins of the season were vacated as part of a penalty placed against Alabama by the NCAA for infractions committed during the season. As such, the official record for the 2007 squad is 0–7.
Before the season
After finishing their 2005 campaign with a 13–10 win over Texas TechTexas Tech Red Raiders
The Texas Tech Red Raiders are the athletic teams that represent Texas Tech University . The women's basketball team uses the name Lady Raiders; however, the school's other women's teams use the "Red Raiders" name. The university's athletic program fields teams in 15 varsity sports and 30 club sports...
in the 2006 Cotton Bowl Classic. In June 2009, the NCAA Committee on Infractions sanctioned Alabama for "major violations" of NCAA policies as a result of athletes who received improper benefits in 16 of 19 NCAA sports, including football. As part of the penalties imposed, the football program was forced to vacate all ten victories from the 2005 season making the official 2005 record 0–2.
The 2006 season also marked the first played in Bryant–Denny Stadium after the completion of the north endzone expansion. The $47 million expansion increased its overall capacity to 92,138 (then the 5th largest on-campus stadium), added several new luxury box
Luxury box
A Luxury box is a special seating section located within stadiums, arenas and other sporting and entertainment venues. They are typically located in the midsection of a stadium grandstand, usually providing the best views of the event...
es and saw the completion of the Walk of Champions off University Boulevard. The Walk of Champions, at the time, featured statues of the four national championship Alabama head coaches: Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, Bear Bryant
Bear Bryant
Paul William "Bear" Bryant was an American college football player and coach. He was best known as the longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team. During his 25-year tenure as Alabama's head coach, he amassed six national championships and thirteen conference championships...
and Gene Stallings
Gene Stallings
Eugene Clifton Stallings, Jr. is a former American football player and coach. He played college football at Texas A&M University , where he was one of the "Junction Boys", and later served as the head coach at his alma mater from 1965 to 1971. Stallings was also the head coach of the St...
. At that time a fifth space was left vacant for a future statue, and on April 16, 2011, the University unveiled a statue of Nick Saban
Nick Saban
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
for winning the 2009 national championship
2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 77th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 18th within the SEC Western Division...
at that location.
Returning starters
Alabama had 13 returning starters from the previous season, including eight on offense, four on defense and one on special teams. The most notable departures from the previous year were Brodie CroyleBrodie Croyle
John Brodie Croyle is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Alabama from 2002 to 2005...
and J. B. Closner on offense; Mark Anderson, Rudy Griffin, Freddie Roach, DeMeco Ryans
DeMeco Ryans
DeMeco Ryans is an American football linebacker in the NFL for the Houston Texans. He played college football at the University of Alabama.- High school career :...
, Anthony Madison
Anthony Madison
Anthony David Madison is an American football defensive back and is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
, Roman Harper
Roman Harper
Roman Harper is an American football safety with the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. He was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama...
and Charlie Peprah
Charlie Peprah
Charles Yaw "Charlie" Peprah is an American football safety for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the 5th round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
on defense; and Jeremy Schatz, Matt Miller and Drew Lane on special teams.
Offense
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Keith Brown | Junior | Wide receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
| D. J. Hall D. J. Hall Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton... |
Junior | Wide receiver |
| Chris Capps | Junior | Offensive tackle |
| B.J. Stabler | Sophomore | Offensive guard |
| Kyle Tatum | Senior | Offensive tackle |
| Nick Walker | Sophomore | Tight end Tight end The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be... |
| Le'Ron McClain Le'Ron McClain - Baltimore Ravens :McClain signed with the Ravens on July 27, 2007. He scored his first career touchdown on a Kyle Boller pass against the San Diego Chargers on November 25, 2007... |
Senior | Fullback Fullback (American football) A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback... |
| Kenneth Darby Kenneth Darby Kenneth Darby is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Darby has also been a member of the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at Alabama.-Early... |
Senior | Running back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
Defense
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Clark | Senior | Defensive tackle |
| Wallace Gilberry Wallace Gilberry Wallace Gilberry is an American football defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-High school:Gilberry played his prep football at Baldwin County High... |
Junior | Defensive end Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
| Juwan Simpson Juwan Simpson Juwan Simpson is a Canadian football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-External links:*... |
Senior | Linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
| Ramzee Robinson Ramzee Robinson Ramzee Robinson is an American football cornerback who is currently plays for the Cleveland Browns. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the last pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, earning the title of Mr. Irrelevant. He played college football at Alabama.Robinson has also been a member of the... |
Senior | Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
Special teams
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Jamie Christensen | Junior | Placekicker Placekicker Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points... |
Recruiting class
Alabama's recruiting class was highlighted by two players from the "ESPNESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
150": No. 4 Andre Smith (OT) and No. 124 Justin Woodall
Justin Woodall
Justin Woodall is a pitcher for the Hudson Valley Renegades, a minor league affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. He was drafted out of high school by the New York Mets but instead decided to go to the University of Alabama to play football. In his freshman year in 2006, he had six tackles, one pass...
(S). Alabama signed the No. 11 recruiting class according to Rivals and the No. 18 according to Scout.
Schedule
The SagarinJeff Sagarin
Jeff Sagarin is an American sports statistician well-known for his development of a methodology for ranking and rating sports teams in a variety of sports...
computer ratings calculated Alabama's strength of schedule
Strength of schedule
In sports, strength of schedule refers to the difficulty or ease of a team's/person's opponent as compared to other teams/persons. This is especially important if teams in a league do not play each other the same number of times.-Computation:...
to be the 55th most difficult out of the 241 Division I teams. The Cosgrove Computer Rankings calculated it as the 65th most difficult out of the 119 Division I FBS teams in its rankings. It featured four pre-season AP Top 25
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
teams, four of which made bowl games in 2005.
In accordance with conference rules, Alabama faced all five Western Division opponents: Arkansas
2006 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2006 Arkansas Razorbacks football team completed the season with a 10–4 record. The Razorbacks had a regular season SEC record of 7–1.-Schedule:-USC:...
, Auburn
2006 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2006 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Head coach Tommy Tuberville served his eighth season at Auburn, the third longest tenure among current SEC head coaches that year...
, LSU
2006 LSU Tigers football team
The 2006 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2006–2007. The team's coach was former Oklahoma State coach Les Miles. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...
, Mississippi State
Mississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
, and Ole Miss
Ole Miss Rebels football
The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
. They also faced three Eastern Division opponents: official SEC rival
Third Saturday in October
The Third Saturday in October, also known as the Alabama–Tennessee football rivalry, is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Tennessee Volunteers football team of the University of Tennessee...
Tennessee
2006 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2006 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2006–2007. Tennessee entered the 2006 season coming off an 5–6 record in 2005...
, Florida
2006 Florida Gators football team
The 2006 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2006 college football season...
, and Vanderbilt
2006 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
The 2006 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University during the 2006 college football season. The team's head coach was Bobby Johnson, who served his fifth year as the Commodores' head coach. Members of the Southeastern Conference , the Commodores played their home games...
. Alabama did not play SEC opponents Georgia
2006 Georgia Bulldogs football team
The 2006 Georgia Bulldogs football team completed the season with a 9-4 record. The Bulldogs had an SEC record of 4-4. Despite losses to unranked Kentucky and Vanderbilt, Georgia salvaged its season by beating two ranked teams in the last two games of the season: #5 Auburn and #15 Georgia Tech...
, Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats football
The Kentucky Wildcats football team is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the East Division of the Southeastern Conference.-History:Paul "Bear" Bryant Era...
and South Carolina
2006 South Carolina Gamecocks football team
The 2006 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the Southeastern Conference during the college football season of 2006-2007...
. Alabama also played four non-conference games. The non-conference schedule included games against Hawaii
2006 Hawaii Warriors football team
The 2006 Hawaii Warriors football team represented the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the 2006 NCAA Division I-Bowl Subdivision college football season...
of the Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
, Duke
2006 Duke Blue Devils football team
The 2006 Duke Blue Devils football team represented the Duke University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by head coach Ted Roof. They played their home games at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.-Schedule:...
of the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
and both Louisiana–Monroe
Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football
The Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Louisiana at Monroe . With a history dating back to 1931, ULM currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Sun Belt Conference...
and Florida International
FIU Golden Panthers football
The FIU Golden Panthers football team represent Florida International University in Miami, Florida in the sport of college football. The FIU Panthers are a mid-major NCAA FBS college football team in the Sun Belt Conference led by Mario Cristobal and play at the on-campus FIU Stadium.-History:On...
of the Sun Belt Conference
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
. For the 2006 Independence Bowl
2006 Independence Bowl
The 2006 PetroSun Independence Bowl, part of the 2006–07 NCAA football bowl season, took place on December 28, 2006 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference, and the Oklahoma State Cowboys,...
, Alabama played Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
of the Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
.
- Source: Rolltide.com All-time Football Results: 2006 Season
Coaching staff
Following the completion of the 2005 season, Alabama had to replace an assistant coach for the first time during Mike Shula's tenure as head coach when Paul Randolph resigned as defensive line coach to accept a position as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at RiceRice Owls football
The Rice Owls football team represents Rice University in NCAA Division I college football. The Owls have competed in Conference USA's Western Division since 2005. Rice Stadium, built in 1950, hosts the Owls' home football games.-Venue:...
. On February 3, 2006, David Turner was hired from Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores football
The Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...
to serve as defensive ends coach.
| Name | Position | Seasons at Alabama | Alma Mater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Shula Mike Shula Mike Shula is an American football quarterback coach for the Carolina Panthers, an NFL team. Between 2003 and 2006, he was the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program.- Early life :... |
Head coach Head coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches... |
4 | Alabama (1987) |
| Chris Ball | Secondary | 4 | Missouri Western State Missouri Western State University Missouri Western State University is a public, co-educational university located in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The school enrolls 6,010 undergraduate students and 124 graduate students.-History:... (1986) |
| Bob Connelly | Offensive line Offensive line coach The offensive line coach is a coaching position in gridiron football that is in charge of the offensive line. This role is very common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The offensive line coach serves the offense, which is led by the offensive coordinator.... |
4 | Texas A&M–Commerce Texas A&M University–Commerce Texas A&M University–Commerce is a state university located in Commerce, Texas and a member of the Texas A&M University System, the second largest university within the system behind Texas A&M University in College Station.... (1994) |
| Charlie Harbison | Wide receivers Wide receivers coach A wide receivers coach is a coach in charge of the wide receivers in gridiron football. The wide receivers coach typically operates under a team's offensive coordinator. This coach also typically resides in the coach's box on gameday, often accompanied by or in place of the offensive coordinator.... |
4 | Gardner–Webb (1995) |
| Joe Kines Joe Kines -External links:... |
Defensive Coordinator Defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... |
4 | Jacksonville State (1967) |
| David Rader | Offensive Coordinator Offensive coordinator An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... |
4 | Tulsa Tulsa Golden Hurricane football The University of Tulsa's Golden Hurricane football team represents Tulsa in Conference USA. Tulsa is currently coached by first-year head coach Bill Blankenship. The football team was coached by Todd Graham until he accepted the head coaching job at Pittsburgh.... (1980) |
| David Turner | Defensive ends | 1 | Davidson Davidson College Davidson College is a private liberal arts college in Davidson, North Carolina. The college has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently ranked in the top ten liberal arts colleges in the country by U.S. News and World Report magazine, although it has recently dropped to 11th in U.S. News... (1985) |
| Dave Ungerer | Special teams, Tight ends Tight ends coach A tight ends coach is a coach in charge of the tight ends in American football. The tight ends coach typically operates under the team's offensive coordinator.... |
4 | Southern Connecticut State Southern Connecticut State University Southern Connecticut State University is one of four state universities in Connecticut, and is located in the West Rock neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut... (1980) |
| Sparky Woods Sparky Woods -External links:*... |
Running backs Running backs coach A running backs coach is a coach in charge of the running backs in gridiron football. The running backs coach typically operates under the team's offensive coordinator.... |
4 | Carson–Newman (1976) |
| Buddy Wyatt | Defensive line Defensive Line Coach A defensive line coach is a coach that is in charge of the defensive line in gridiron football. This position is very common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The defensive line coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator. A defensive line coach works primarily... |
4 | TCU TCU Horned Frogs football The TCU Horned Frogs football team is the intercollegiate football team of Texas Christian University. TCU competes as a member of the Mountain West Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, but will move to the Big 12 Conference for the 2012 season. TCU began playing football... (1989) |
| Reference: | |||
Hawaii
Sources:Alabama opened the 2006 season by defeating the Hawaiʻi Warriors
Hawaii Warriors football
The Hawaii Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team, which is currently coached by Greg McMackin, is part of the Western Athletic Conference until 2012, when the team joins the Mountain West Conference.The Hawaii Warriors...
25–17 in their first all-time visit to Bryant–Denny Stadium. Hawaii got on the board first when Dan Kelly connected on a 42-yard field goal to give the Warriors a 3–0 lead. Alabama tied it up at 3–3 on a 31-yard Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
field goal later in the first quarter. The Crimson Tide then took a 10–3 lead of the evening when Tim Castille
Tim Castille
Timothy Nehemiah Castille is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-Arizona Cardinals:Castille was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as...
scored on a three-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Alabama then extended their lead to 15–3 at halftime after the Hawaii punter Kurt Milne knocked the ball out of the endzone because of a bad snap for a safety and Tiffin connected on a 23-yard field goal.
The Crimson Tide scored on their opening drive of the third quarter when John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Keith Brown. Hawaii then cut the Alabama lead to 22–10 later that quarter when Colt Brennen threw a 16-yard touchdown strike to Reagan Maui'a. In the fourth quarter, a 27-yard Tiffin field goal extended the Alabama lead to 25–10. The Warriors responded Brennen connected with Ryan Grice-Mullen
Ryan Grice-Mullen
Ryan Grice-Mullen is a Canadian football wide receiver for the Edmonton Eskimos. He most recently was a member of the Hartford Colonials. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
for a 31-yard touchdown reception to make the score 25–17. After holding the Tide on their next offensive series, Hawaii managed to drive 49 yards in 2:40 to get in position to potentially tie the game and send it into overtime
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
. Alabama secured the 25–17 victory on the final play of the game when Lionel Mitchell intercepted a Brennen pass in the endzone for a touchback
Touchback
In American football, a touchback is a ruling which is made and signaled by an official when the ball becomes dead behind or above a goal line and the team who is attacking that goal line is responsible for the ball being there. Responsibility is determined by which team gave the ball the impetus...
as time expired. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Warriors to 1–1 (2–1 without NCAA vacations).
Vanderbilt
Sources:A week after defeating Hawaii, the Crimson Tide opened conference play against the Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
Commodores
Vanderbilt Commodores football
The Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...
and defeated them 13–10. Alabama scored first on a 37-yard Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
field goal with just under a minute remaining in the first quarter. Vanderbilt responded with ten second quarter points to take a 10–3 halftime lead after Bryant Hahnfeldt first connected on a 42-yard field goal and Chris Nickson threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Earl Bennett
Earl Bennett
Earl Bennett is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
.
The Crimson Tide tied the game on their first drive of the third quarter when John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
hit D. J. Hall
D. J. Hall
Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton...
for a 31-yard touchdown reception. Tiffin then scored the game-winning field goal from 47 yards out to give Alabama the 13–10 victory. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Commodores to 57–19–4 (60–18–4 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Louisiana–Monroe
Sources:The Crimson Tide extended their overall record to 3–0 after they defeated the Louisiana–Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
The University of Louisiana at Monroe is a coeducational public university in Monroe, Louisiana and part of the University of Louisiana System.-History:...
Warhawks
Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football
The Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Louisiana at Monroe . With a history dating back to 1931, ULM currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Sun Belt Conference...
41–7 in the first all-time meeting between the programs. Alabama opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when Le'Ron McClain
Le'Ron McClain
- Baltimore Ravens :McClain signed with the Ravens on July 27, 2007. He scored his first career touchdown on a Kyle Boller pass against the San Diego Chargers on November 25, 2007...
caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
. The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 10–0 after Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
connected on a 34-yard field goal early in the second quarter. The Warhawks then responded with their only points of the game after Kinsmon Lancaster
Kinsmon Lancaster
Kinsmon Lancaster is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He has played for the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Toronto Argonauts as a street free agent in 2009. He played college football at Louisiana Monroe.-External...
cut the Alabama lead to 10–7 with his two-yard touchdown run. Tim Castille
Tim Castille
Timothy Nehemiah Castille is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-Arizona Cardinals:Castille was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as...
then scored on a three-yard run to give the Tide a 17–7 halftime lead.
In the third, Tiffin connected on a 25-yard field goal and John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
threw a 43-yard touchdown strike to D. J. Hall
D. J. Hall
Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton...
to extend the Alabama lead to 27–7 entering the fourth quarter. In the fourth, Roy Upchurch scored two touchdowns on separate one-yard runs to make the final score 41–7.
Arkansas
Sources:Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
and lost to the Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
Razorbacks
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
24–23 in double overtime. Arkansas took an early 3–0 lead in the first quarter after Jeremy Davis connected with a 24-yard field goal. Alabama took a 7–3 lead in the second quarter when John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
threw a 78-yard touchdown pass to D. J. Hall
D. J. Hall
Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton...
to cap a four play, 99 yard drive. Leigh Tiffin
Leigh Tiffin
Van Leigh Tiffin is an American football kicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
would also convert a 46-yard field goal as tme expired in the second quarter to give the Crimson Tide a 10–3 halftime lead.
The Razorbacks then took a 17–10 lead with a pair of third quarter touchdowns. The first came on a three-yard Darren McFadden
Darren McFadden
Darren McFadden is an American football running back who currently plays for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League . He played college football for the University of Arkansas from 2005 to 2007...
run, with Davis missing the extra point
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
. The second came on a defensive touchdown when Randy Kelly recovered a Wilson fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
and returned it 39-yards for a touchdown. Mitch Mustain
Mitch Mustain
Mitchell Mustain is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League. He played college football at USC. Mustain played his freshman year of college at the University of Arkansas in 2006 before transferring to USC in 2007...
then successfully threw a two-point conversion
Two-point conversion
In American and Canadian football, a two-point conversion is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point convert immediately after it scores a touchdown...
pass to McFadden and Arkansas was up 17–10. Alabama tied the game early in the fourth quarter when Keith Brown caught a 14-yard Wilson touchdown pass, which as it turned out sent the game into overtime.
In the overtime period, Arkansas was on offense first, and on their initial series, a Mustain pass was intercepted by Lionel Mitchell. On Alabama's first offensive series, Tiffin missed a 37-yard field goal to send the game into a second overtime period. In the second overtime, Alabama was on offense first and scored on a one-yard Nick Walker touchdown run. However, Tiffin missed the extra point and the Crimson Tide was up by only six points. Arkansas responded with an 11-yard Mustain touchdown pass to Ben Cleveland and the Davis extra point gave the Razorbacks the 24–23 victory. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Razorbacks to 7–8 (10–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Florida
Sources:A week after a disappointing, double overtime loss to Arkansas, the Crimson Tide lost their second game in a row on the road to the Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
Gators
Florida Gators football
The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference...
28–13 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field is the football stadium for the University of Florida and the home field of the university's Florida Gators football team. It is located on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus. The stadium was originally built in 1930, and has been regularly...
. Alabama struck first with a defensive touchdown late in the first quarter when Prince Hall returned a Chris Leak
Chris Leak
Christopher Patrick Leak is an American professional football player who is currently a quarterback for the Jacksonville Sharks of the Arena Football League. He played college football for the University of Florida, and led the Florida Gators to victory in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game...
fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
50 yards for a 7–0 Crimson Tide lead. Alabama then extended their lead to 10–0 early in the second quarter on a 21-yard Jamie Christensen field goal before Florida took over. The Gators closed the score to 10–7 late in the quarter when Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow
Timothy Richard "Tim" Tebow is an American football player who is currently the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Broncos as the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft...
scored from two-yards out.
Florida then took their first lead of the game late in the third quarter when Leak connected with Andre Caldwell
Andre Caldwell
Andre Jerome "Bubba" Caldwell is an American professional football player who is a wide receiver in the National Football League . Caldwell played college football for the University of Florida, and currently plays for the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL.-Early years:Caldwell was born in Tampa,...
for a 16-yard touchdown reception. After a second Christensen field goal closed the gap to 14–13, the Gators closed with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to secure the victory. With just under 7:00 remaining in the game, Leak threw his second touchdown pass of the day on a 21-yard Dallas Baker
Dallas Baker
Dallas Leon Baker is an American professional football player who is a wide receiver with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League...
reception. On the ensuing Alabama drive, Reggie Nelson
Reggie Nelson
Reggie Nelson is an American professional football player who is a safety for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League...
intercepted a John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
pass and returned it 70-yards for a defensive touchdown and a 28–13 Florida victory. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Gators to 20–13 (21–13 without the NCAA vacation of the 2005 victory).
Duke
Sources:After a pair of consecutive conference losses on the road, Alabama returned to Tuscaloosa and defeated the Duke
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
Blue Devils
Duke Blue Devils football
The Duke Blue Devils football program is a college football team that represents Duke University . The team is currently a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference , which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Blue Devils compete in the Coastal...
30–14. The Crimson Tide took a 3–0 lead after Jamie Christensen connected on a 37-yard field goal on Alabama's first drive of the game. Early in the second quarter Duke took a 7–3 lead after Thaddeus Lewis
Thaddeus Lewis
Thaddeus Lewis is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Duke.-Early Years:...
threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Eron Riley
Eron Riley
Eron Riley is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the New York Jets of the National Football League. Riley was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
. The teams then traded touchdowns with Alabama scoring on a four-yard D. J. Hall
D. J. Hall
Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton...
touchdown reception from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
, and with Duke scoring on a five-yard Lewis run to give the Blue Devils a 14–10 halftime lead.
In the second half, Alabama shutout Duke and scored three touchdowns en route to their 30–14 victory. Keith Brown scored on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Wilson. However, Casey Camero blocked the Christensen extra point
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
attempt and the Crimson Tide led 16–14 entering the fourth quarter. In the fourth, Alabama scored on a two-yard Jimmy Johns touchdown run and when Lionel Mitchell intercepted a Lewis pass and returned it 50-yards for a touchdown to make the final score 30–14. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Blue Devils to 1–1 (2–1 without NCAA vacations).
Ole Miss
Sources:A week after their victory over Duke, the Crimson Tide needed overtime to defeat their rival, the Ole Miss
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
Rebels
Ole Miss Rebels football
The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
26–23. Alabama opened the scoring on their first offensive possession when John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
connected with D. J. Hall
D. J. Hall
Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton...
for a 39-yard touchdown reception and a 7–0 lead. The Rebels tied the game at 7–7 later in the quarter when BenJarvus Green-Ellis
BenJarvus Green-Ellis
BenJarvus Jeremy Green-Ellis is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2008. After playing college football his freshman and sophomore seasons at Indiana University, Green-Ellis...
scored on a two-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, all of the points came by way of field goals with Jamie Christensen hitting one for Alabama from 26-yards and Joshua Shene hitting two for Ole Miss from 36 and 23-yards to make the halftime score 13–10 Rebels.
After a 26-yard Christensen field goal tied the game at 13–13 in the third quarter, Alabama took a 20–13 lead early in the fourth quarter on a two-yard Tim Castille
Tim Castille
Timothy Nehemiah Castille is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-Arizona Cardinals:Castille was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as...
touchdown run. Ole Miss tied the game up at 20–20 when Brent Schaeffer
Brent Schaeffer
Brentis Jarryn Schaeffer or "Shiv" is an Arena football Quarterback for the Central Valley Coyotes of the af2...
threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace
Mike Wallace (American football)
-Pittsburgh Steelers:Wallace was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft with the 84th overall selection. Wallace was the 11th wide receiver chosen in the draft. On June 18, 2009, Wallace signed a three year contract with the Steelers worth $1.740 million which...
that ultimately sent the game into overtime. In the overtime period, Ole Miss scored first with a 37-yard Shene field goal, but Alabama won the game when Wilson connected with Le'Ron McClain
Le'Ron McClain
- Baltimore Ravens :McClain signed with the Ravens on July 27, 2007. He scored his first career touchdown on a Kyle Boller pass against the San Diego Chargers on November 25, 2007...
for a two-yard, game-winning touchdown reception. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Rebels to 39–9–2 (42–8–2 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Tennessee
Sources:A week after their victory over Ole Miss, the Crimson Tide made the trip to Neyland Stadium
Neyland Stadium
Neyland Stadium is a sports stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. It serves primarily as the home of the Tennessee Volunteers football team, but is also used to host large conventions and has been a site for several NFL exhibition games. The stadium's official capacity is 102,455...
and lost their rival, the Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
16–13. Alabama and the Volunteers traded field goals through the end of the third quarter when Tim Castille
Tim Castille
Timothy Nehemiah Castille is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-Arizona Cardinals:Castille was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as...
scored for the Crimson Tide on a two-yard run to give Alabama a 13–6 lead. Tennessee responded by shutting-out Alabama in the fourth quarter and scoring ten unanswered points to secure their 16–13 victory. The Volunteers scored first of a 27-yard James Wilhoit
James Wilhoit
James Howell Wilhoit II was the placekicker for the University of Tennessee football team between 2003 and 2006.- High school :...
field goal and then took their first lead of the game with only 3:28 remaining when Arian Foster
Arian Foster
Arian Foster , is an American football running back for the Houston Texans. He was signed by the Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and was added to their active roster from the practice squad on November 17, 2009. He played college football at Tennessee...
scored a touchdown from one-yard out. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 43–38–7 (45–37–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Florida International
Sources:For the 2006 homecoming
Homecoming
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
game, the Crimson Tide defeated the Florida International
Florida International University
Florida International University is an American public research university in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States, with its main campus in University Park...
Golden Panthers
FIU Golden Panthers football
The FIU Golden Panthers football team represent Florida International University in Miami, Florida in the sport of college football. The FIU Panthers are a mid-major NCAA FBS college football team in the Sun Belt Conference led by Mario Cristobal and play at the on-campus FIU Stadium.-History:On...
38–3. The game was notable for the 18 FIU players suspended for the contest due to their involvement in their brawl against Miami two weeks earlier. The Golden Panthers scored their only points of the game late in the first quarter when Dustin Rivest connected on a 37-yard field goal. Their 3–0 lead would be their only of the game as the Crimson Tide proceeded to score 38 unanswered points. In the second quarter, Le'Ron McClain
Le'Ron McClain
- Baltimore Ravens :McClain signed with the Ravens on July 27, 2007. He scored his first career touchdown on a Kyle Boller pass against the San Diego Chargers on November 25, 2007...
scored on a nine-yard John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
touchdown pass and Jamie Christensen connected on a 46-yard field goal to give Alabama a 10–3 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, the Crimson Tide scored on a 65-yard Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
punt return
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
for a touchdown and on an one-yard Tim Castille
Tim Castille
Timothy Nehemiah Castille is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-Arizona Cardinals:Castille was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as...
touchdown run to give Alabama a 24–3 lead entering the fourth quarter. In the fourth, Alabama scored a defensive touchdown when Ramzee Robinson
Ramzee Robinson
Ramzee Robinson is an American football cornerback who is currently plays for the Cleveland Browns. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the last pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, earning the title of Mr. Irrelevant. He played college football at Alabama.Robinson has also been a member of the...
intercepted a Josh Padrick pass and returned it 34-yards for a touchdown. The final points of the game came late in the fourth when Jimmy Barnes threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Matt Caddell to make the final score 38–3.
Mississippi State
Sources:In the 2006 edition of their annual rivalry, the Mississippi State
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
Bulldogs
Mississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
led by former Alabama center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
Sylvester Croom
Sylvester Croom
Sylvester Croom, Jr. is the former football head coach at Mississippi State University and current running backs coach of the St. Louis Rams. He was the first African American head football coach in the Southeastern Conference...
defeated the Crimson Tide for the first time in five years 24–16. Alabama scored first on a 19-yard Jamie Christensen field goal, and State responded on the ensuing drive when Michael Henig
Michael Henig
Michael David Henig, Jr. was an American football quarterback. Henig served as backup to Omarr Conner earlier in his career before assuming the starting role late in 2005. His 2006 season was marked by injuries, but he was the MSU starting quarterback for 2007...
threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Tony Burks to give the Bulldogs a 7–3 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Adam Carlson connected on a 39-yard field goal, and then Jeffrey Dukes intercepted a Henig pass and returned it 24-yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 10–10.
The Bulldogs responded with a pair of touchdowns to take a 24–10 lead at halftime. The first came on a 13-yard Henig touchdown pass to Jamayel Smith
Jamayel Smith
Jamayel Ramir Smith is an American football wide receiver who is currently playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the New York Sentinels as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
and the second when Quinton Culberson
Quinton Culberson
Quinton Culberson is an American football linebacker for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He has played for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League and was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Mississippi...
intercepted a John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
pass and returned it 51 yards for a defensive touchdown. Alabama was only able to score on a pair of Jamie Christensen field goals in the third quarter and was shutout in the fourth which resulted in the Bulldogs winning the game 24–16.
LSU
Sources:In the 2006 edition of their annual rivalry, the LSU
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
Tigers
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
defeated the Crimson Tide in "Death Valley"
Tiger Stadium (LSU)
Tiger Stadium is an outdoor stadium located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is best known as the home stadium of the Louisiana State University football team.Tiger Stadium opened with a capacity of 12,000 in 1924...
28–14. The Tigers took a 14–0 lead in the first quarter after Keiland Williams
Keiland Williams
Keiland Terrell Williams is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
scored on a 38-yard touchdown run and after JaMarcus Russell
JaMarcus Russell
JaMarcus Trenell Russell is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. Russell played college football for the LSU Tigers where he finished 21–4 as a starter and was named MVP of the 2007 Sugar Bowl. The Oakland Raiders selected Russell with the first overall pick of the 2007...
threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Early Doucet
Early Doucet
Early Joseph Doucet, III is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisiana State.-Early years:Early Doucet prepped at St. Martinville...
. The Crimson Tide then cut the lead to 14–7 Kenneth Darby
Kenneth Darby
Kenneth Darby is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Darby has also been a member of the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at Alabama.-Early...
was on the receiving end of a 29-yard John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
touchdown pass. In the second quarter, both teams traded touchdowns with LSU taking a 21–14 halftime lead. LSU scored first on a 19-yard Russell touchdown pass to Dwayne Bowe
Dwayne Bowe
-2007:On August 5, 2007, Bowe signed a five-year contract with the Chiefs, after holding out the first week of practice at training camp.Bowe scored his first NFL touchdown on a pass from Damon Huard in the first half of the Chiefs' game against the Chicago Bears on September 16, 2007.In his rookie...
and Alabama on a six-yard Wilson pass to Nikita Stover. The final points of the game came on Russell's third touchdown pass of the evening on a 17-yard pass to Jacob Hester
Jacob Hester
Jacob Troy Hester is a fullback for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chargers in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
to make the final score 28–14.
Auburn
Sources:In the 2006 edition of the annual Iron Bowl
Iron Bowl
The Iron Bowl is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Auburn Tigers football team of Auburn University. The series is considered one of the best and most hard-fought rivalries in all of sports...
, the arch-rival Auburn
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
Tigers
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
defeated the Crimson Tide for the fifth consecutive time by a score of 22–15. Alabama scored first on a 24-yard Jamie Christensen field goal to take a 3–0 lead into the second quarter. Auburn took a 14–3 lead in the second quarter after touchdown runs of twelve and eight-yards by Brad Lester
Brad Lester
Brad Lester was an Canadian football running back who plays for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He was born to Phillis Miller and Calvin Lester.-Early years:Brad Lester was born to Phillis Miller and Calvin Lester...
and Kenny Irons
Kenny Irons
Kenny Irons is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
. The Crimson Tide responded with a 52-yard John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
touchdown pass to Nikita Stover, and after a failed two-point conversion
Two-point conversion
In American and Canadian football, a two-point conversion is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point convert immediately after it scores a touchdown...
attempt the Tigers led 14–9 at halftime.
Alabama opened the third quarter on offense and drove 80 yards in eleven plays with Wilson throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Travis McCall. After a second failed two-point conversion attempt, the Tide took a 15–14 lead. Auburn responded later in the third with what was a game-winning touchdown drive. Brandon Cox
Brandon Cox
Brandon Cox , is a former American football quarterback, who played collegiately for Auburn University...
connected with Prechae Rodriguez
Prechae Rodriguez
Prechae Rodriguez is a Canadian football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He was originally signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
for a 22-yard touchdown reception, and after a successful two-point conversion pass from Carl Stewart
Carl Stewart (American football)
Carl Stewart is an accountant working in Houston, Texas. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Auburn.-External links:*...
to Lee Guess the Tigers took a 22–15 that was not relinquished in the Auburn victory. Following their loss, head coach Mike Shula
Mike Shula
Mike Shula is an American football quarterback coach for the Carolina Panthers, an NFL team. Between 2003 and 2006, he was the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program.- Early life :...
was subsequently fired on November 27 after four years with the program. At that time athletic director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
Mal Moore
Mal Moore
Mal M. Moore is the current Director of Athletics for the University of Alabama. On November 23, 1999, he was hired to his current position after spending almost thirty years in other areas with the university...
announced defensive coordinator Joe Kines
Joe Kines
-External links:...
would serve as interim head coach for the Independence Bowl
2006 Independence Bowl
The 2006 PetroSun Independence Bowl, part of the 2006–07 NCAA football bowl season, took place on December 28, 2006 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference, and the Oklahoma State Cowboys,...
.
Oklahoma State
Sources:With Joe Kines
Joe Kines
-External links:...
serving as interim head coach for the 2006 edition of the Independence Bowl, the Crimson Tide were defeated by the Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
34–31. The Cowboys scored first on a one-yard Dantrell Savage
Dantrell Savage
Dantrell Savage is a free agent American football running back who last played for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
touchdown run to take a 7–0 lead. Alabama responded later in the first when Matt Caddell had an 18-yard touchdown reception from John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
to tie the game at 7–7. Oklahoma State responded with 10 consecutive points on a four-yard Keith Toston
Keith Toston
-St. Louis Rams:Toston was signed by the Rams on April 25, 2010, and made the Rams opening-day roster in 2010. Toston spent the year as the Rams secondary back. He accumulated 54 yards on 19 carries in spot duty.-External links:* at St. Louis Rams official site...
touchdown run and a 28-yard field goal by Jason Ricks to take a 17–7 lead. The Crimson Tide then responded with a one-yard Tim Castille
Tim Castille
Timothy Nehemiah Castille is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-Arizona Cardinals:Castille was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as...
touchdown run, only to have the Cowboys respond with a seven-yard Toston touchdown run to give Oklahoma State a 24–14 lead at the half.
After a 24-yard field goal by Jamie Christensen to bring the score to 24–17, the Cowboys responded with a ten-yard Adarius Bowman
Adarius Bowman
Adarius Bowman is an Canadian football wide receiver for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders as an undrafted free agent in 2008. Bowman was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on April 1, 2009...
touchdown reception from Bobby Reid early in the fourth to extend their lead to 31–17. The Tide then scored 14 straight points on an 86-yard punt return by Javier Arenas
Javier Arenas (American football)
Javier E. Arenas is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
and an Andre Smith 2-yard touchdown run to even the score at 31–31. The Cowboys sealed the victory with only 00:08 remaining in the game on a 27-yard, game-winning field goal by Jason Ricks.
After the season
Following the Independence Bowl loss, on January 3, 2007, Alabama announced that Nick SabanNick Saban
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
was hired from the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
to serve as the programs 27th head coach. In the weeks that followed, Saban worked to fill his staff for the 2007 season. As part of the A-Day celebrations on April 21, 2007, the 2006 team captains Le'Ron McClain
Le'Ron McClain
- Baltimore Ravens :McClain signed with the Ravens on July 27, 2007. He scored his first career touchdown on a Kyle Boller pass against the San Diego Chargers on November 25, 2007...
and Juwan Simpson
Juwan Simpson
Juwan Simpson is a Canadian football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-External links:*...
were honored at the Walk of Fame ceremony at the base of Denny Chimes
Denny Chimes
The Denny Chimes is a tall campanile equipped with a 25-bell carillon, located on the south side of The Quad of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama U.S.A.. The tower was named in honor of former University president George H. Denny, who served from 1912 to 1936 and again in 1941...
.