2007 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama
for the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season
trying to improve from a disappointing 6–7 record in the 2006 season. The Tide was led by its new head coach Nick Saban
, a former head coach of rival LSU
. Despite a strong 6–2 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 sixth-straight time to rival Auburn
. The Tide defeated Colorado
in the 2007 Independence Bowl
30–24 to finish their first season under Nick Saban at a 7–6 (4–4) record, however two years later the first five wins of the season were vacated as part of a penalty placed against Alabama by the NCAA for infractions committed during the season.
in the Iron Bowl
, 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
. The Tide went on to lose their final game against Oklahoma State
(34–31) in the Independence Bowl
to finish with a 6–7 record.
and Le'Ron McClain
on offense and Dominic Lee, Jeremy Clark
, Juwan Simpson
, Terrence Jones, Jeffrey Dukes and Ramzee Robinson
on defense.
The Crimson Tide offense returned all three quarterbacks at the top of the depth chart, including starter John Parker Wilson
. The entire starting offensive line returned, anchored by freshman All-American Andre Smith, along with reinforcements by the top four tight ends from the 2006 depth chart. Alabama's receiving unit was led by its wide receivers D. J. Hall
, who broke nearly every Alabama-receiving record in school history in 2006. The Alabama defense returned five starters in 2007, based on the 3–3–5 scheme that was run in 2006. The Tide in 2007 had a new starting nose tackle, outside linebacker, strongside linebacker, cornerback, and a starting safety.
150": No. 72 Kerry Murphy (DT); No. 80 William Vlachos (OG); and No. 118 Luther Davis (DE). Alabama signed the No. 10 recruiting class according to Rivals and the No. 22 according to Scout.
computer ratings calculated Alabama's strength of schedule
to be the 31st most difficult out of the 245 Division I teams. The Cosgrove Computer Rankings calculated it as the 55th most difficult out of the 119 Division I FBS teams in its rankings. Alabama's 2007 schedule was officially released on July 24, 2006. It featured six pre-season AP Top 25
teams, eight of which made bowl games in 2006.
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
, Georgia
, and Vanderbilt
. Alabama did not play SEC opponents Florida
, Kentucky
and South Carolina
. Alabama also played four non-conference games. The non-conference schedule included games against Western Carolina
of the Southern Conference
, Florida State
of the Atlantic Coast Conference
, Houston
of Conference USA
and Louisiana–Monroe
of the Sun Belt Conference
. For the 2007 Independence Bowl
, Alabama played Colorado
of the Big 12 Conference
.
to serve as the programs 27th head coach. In the weeks that followed, Saban worked to fill his staff. The first hires came on January 9 with Kirby Smart hired from the Dolphins to serve as defensive coordinator; Kevin Steele from Florida State
to serve as head defensive coach; and Lance Thompson from Central Florida to serve as linebackers coach. On January 11, Joe Pendry of the Houston Texans
was hired to serve as an assistant head and linebackers coach. On January 12 Saban hired two more assistants. Ron Middleton was hired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
to serve as both the tight ends and special teams coach and Bo Davis from the Dolphins was hired as defensive line coach. On January 13 Major Applewhite was hired from Rice
to serve as both offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. On January 16 Burton Burns was hired from Clemson
to serve as both associate head and running backs coach. On February 19 Curt Cignetti was hired from NC State
to serve as both receivers coach and recruiting coordinator to fill the final position on Saban's inaugural coaching staff.
The Nick Saban era commenced before a sold-out, home crowd of 92,138 by defeating the Western Carolina
Catamounts
52–6 for both Nick Saban's first regular season game and victory as Alabama's head coach. Redshirt freshman running back Terry Grant scored the first touchdown of the season, on the first offensive play of the game, with a 47-yard touchdown run. Grant then scored his second touchdown on a one-yard run to give Alabama a 14–0 lead at the end of the first quarter. After a successful, 34-yard Jonathon Parsons field goal by the Catamounts, Grant scored his third touchdown of the evening on a 21-yard run. Leigh Tiffin
then hit a 21-yard field goal to give Alabama a 24–3 halftime lead.
Bama continued the scoring in the third quarter with another pair of touchdowns. The first came on a one-yard Glen Coffee
run and the second on a one-yard touchdown pass from Greg McElroy
to Nick Walker. After a second Parsons field goal for Western Carolina, Alabama scored touchdowns on a one-yard Jimmy Johns run and a 25-yard Roy Upchurch run to make the final score 52–6. For his 134 yard, three touchdown performance, Terry Grant was named the SEC Freshman of the Week.
For the 19th consecutive time, stretching back to the 1984 season, Alabama defeated the Vanderbilt
Commodores
to open conference play. In this contest, the Crimson Tide were victorious before a sold-out crowd of 39,773 at Vanderbilt Stadium
24–10 for Nick Saban's first conference victory as Alabama's head coach. After Javier Arenas
returned the first punt
of the game 69-yards to the one yard line, for the second week in a row Terry Grant scored a touchdown on Alabama's first offensive play with his one-yard run. Leigh Tiffin
hit a 20-yard field goal later in the quarter as did the Commodores' Bryant Hahnfeldt from 33 yards to make the score 10–3 at the end of the first. A pair of Tiffin field goals from 40 and 29 yards extended Bama's lead to 16–3 at the half.
After being held scoreless in the third quarter, Grant scored his second touchdown of the afternoon on a two-yard run early in the fourth quarter. With a successful two-point conversion
pass from John Parker Wilson
to Nick Walker, Alabama extended their lead to 24–3. Vanderbilt did score a late touchdown on a 15-yard Adams Mackenzi pass to George Smith to make the finals score 24–10. For his 173 yard, two touchdown performance, and for the second consecutive week, Terry Grant was named the SEC Freshman of the Week. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Commodores to 58–19–4 (61–18–4 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
In what was considered their first true test of the season, Alabama built an early 21-point lead but had to mount a come-from-behind drive in the final two minutes of the game in order to capture a 41–38 victory against the Arkansas
Razorbacks
. Bama took a 21–0 lead into the second quarter after a pair of D. J. Hall
touchdown receptions of nine and 35 yards from John Parker Wilson
and a 14-yard Glen Coffee
run. The Razorbacks closed the gap to 21–10 at the half after Casey Dick
threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Crosby Tuck and Alex Tejada converted a 22-yard field goal.
Alabama extended their lead to 31–10 in the third quarter after a 24-yard Leigh Tiffin
field goal and a two-yard Wilson touchdown pass to Nick Walker. From this point, Arkansas scored four touchdowns to take a 38–31 lead late into the fourth quarter. Dick hit Andrew Davie
for a two-yard touchdown reception late in the third. In the fourth Darren McFadden
scored on runs of one and five yards on consecutive drives, and Peyton Hillis
had a seven-yard touchdown reception to give the Razorbacks a 38–31 lead with only 8:08 remaining in the game. Tiffin converted a 42-yard field goal and with only 00:08 remaining in the game, Wilson hit Matt Caddell for a four-yard, game-winning touchdown reception.
With his 172 yards receiving, D. J. Hall set a new Crimson Tide record for career receiving yardage previously held by Ozzie Newsome
with 2,070 yards. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Razorbacks to 8–8 (11–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
A week after upset
ting Arkansas and entering both the AP and Coaches' Polls, Alabama was defeated in overtime
by the Georgia
Bulldogs
26–23. The Crimson Tide found themselves trailing 7–0 early in the first quarter after a 10-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford
to Thomas Brown. Brandon Coutu
and Leigh Tiffin
each added a field goal in the second quarter for their respective teams to give the Bulldogs a lead 10–3 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Alabama's John Parker Wilson
scrambled for a one-yard touchdown run, but the Bulldogs immediately answered on their next drive with a six-yard rushing touchdown from Knowshon Moreno
. Coutu connected on a 47-yard field goal, as the Bulldogs extended their lead in the fourth quarter to 20–10. Alabama responded with 22-yard Tiffin field goal and a second rushing touchdown from Wilson, to force overtime. On their first possession of overtime, Alabama failed to move the football and Leigh Tiffin connected on a 42-yard field goal. As for Georgia, Stafford connected on a 25-yard pass to Mikey Henderson, on their first offensive play in overtime, and the Bulldogs left Tuscaloosa 26–23 overtime winners. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 35–25–4.
In what was Alabama's first regular season game played at a neutral site since the Kickoff Classic
in 1986, Alabama was defeated in the inaugural River City Showdown at Jacksonville, Florida
by the Florida State
Seminoles
21–14. After a scoreless first half, the Seminoles got on the board first in the third quarter. Florida State scored on their first play of the second half when Xavier Lee
connected with De'Cody Fagg for a seven-yard touchdown reception. The Seminoles extended their lead to 14–0 early in the fourth quarter on a five-yard Antone Smith
touchdown run.
Alabama scored their first points of the evening late in the fourth quarter when John Parker Wilson
threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to D. J. Hall
to cut the Florida State lead to 14–7. On the Seminoles' next offensive possession when Lee threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Fagg and extended their lead to 21–7. The Crimson Tide then cut the lead after Wilson hit Keith Brown for a 17-yard touchdown reception. However, Alabama was unable to recover the onside kick
on the ensuing kickoff
and lost by the final score of 21–14.
The 85,412 fans at the game set the attendance record for Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, exceeding numbers of Super Bowl XXXIX
or any of the annual Georgia–Florida rivalry games. It was the first time the teams had met since 1974, and it was the first meeting since Birmingham, Alabama
native Bobby Bowden
took over as head coach of the Seminoles. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Seminoles to 2–1–1.
Coming on the heels of two consecutive losses, the Crimson Tide defeated the Houston
Cougars
on homecoming
in Tuscaloosa 30–24. After the first quarter, Alabama led Houston 23–0 after scoring a trio of touchdowns and a safety. John Parker Wilson
scored the first touchdown of the afternoon on a on-yard run to cap the opening, 13 play, 80-yard drive. On the ensuing Cougar drive, Wallace Gilberry
sacked
Houston quarterback Blake Joseph for a safety and a 9–0 Alabama lead. The Crimson Tide then closed the first quarter with a pair of Wilson touchdown passes to take a 23–0 lead into the second quarter. The first came on a 23-yard pass to Nikita Stover and the second on a 23-yard pass to Mike McCoy.
Holding Alabama scoreless in the second quarter, before halftime Houston managed to score their first touchdown on a 68-yard Joseph pass to Donnie Avery
to make the halftime score 23–7. A 34-yard Houston field goal in the third quarter made the score 23–10 before Alabama scored its final touchdown on a four-yard Glen Coffee
run to make it 30–10. The game appeared over going into the fourth quarter, but Houston attempted a comeback by scoring two touchdowns to come within six points of the Tide. Houston scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth on a two-yard Case Keenum
run and a 30-yard Keenum pass to Anthony Alridge
to cut the score to 30–24. On the last play of the game, Houston almost scored another touchdown to win the game, but an interception in the endzone by Simeon Castille
sealed the victory for Bama. For his eleven tackle, two sack performance, Wallace Gilberry was named SEC Defensive Line Player of the Week. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Cougars to 9–0 (10–0 without NCAA vacations).
In an unexpected offensive showcase, the Alabama managed to defeat the Ole Miss
Rebels
27–24 in Oxford. Leigh Tiffin
opened the scoring with a 27-yard field goal to give the Crimson Tide a 3–0 lead. The Rebels responded with an eight-yard Dexter McCluster
touchdown reception from Seth Adams
to take a 7–3 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter Alabama scored a pair of touchdowns with the first coming on a two-yard Glen Coffee
run and the second on a one-yard John Parker Wilson
run. Ole Miss added a 22-yard Joshua Shene field goal and Alabama was up 17–10 at the half.
Ole Miss took a 24–17 lead into the fourth quarter following a pair of touchdowns in the third. Adams scored on a three-yard run then connected with Mike Hicks
for a 17-yard touchdown reception in the period. The Crimson Tide then mounted a fourth quarter comeback. Terry Grant scored on a three-yard run and Tiffin kicked the game winning field goal from 24 yards with 5:14 remaining in the game. Ole Miss attempted to score on their last drive to either force the game into overtime with a field goal or win with a touchdown. With a fourth-and-22 on Alabama's 45-yard line, Adams completed a pass to Shay Hodge
at the 3-yard line. However, the call was reviewed and then reversed after Nick Saban
called a timeout to give the officials more time to look at the replay. John Parker Wilson
was 26 for 40 and threw an interception and no touchdowns. The defense was able to force three interceptions on the day. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Rebels to 41–9–2 (45–8–2 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
In their annual rivalry game, Alabama met the Tennessee
Volunteers
and was victorious 41–17 in Nick Saban's first "The Third Saturday in October" as head coach of Alabama. Saban elected to kick an onside kick
on the opening kickoff
that Alabama recovered. On the ensuing drive, Leigh Tiffin
connected on a 39-yard field goal to give the Crimson Tide an early 3–0 lead. Bama extended their lead to 10–0 when John Parker Wilson
connected with Terry Grant on a three-yard touchdown pass. The Volunteers scored their first points of the afternoon on the following drive on a two-yard Arian Foster
run to make the score 10–7 entering the second quarter.
Tennessee took a 14–10 lead early in the second quarter after Erik Ainge
threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Luke Stocker
. At that point Alabama took over. D. J. Hall
had two second quarter touchdown receptions on John Parker Wilson
passes of 16 and two yards . Daniel Lincoln then connected on a 45-yard field goal as time expired and Alabama led 24–17 at the half.
Tiffin added three more field goals to bring his total to four on the day in the second half, and Terry Grant had an eight-yard touchdown run in the fourth to give Alabama the 41–17 victory. D. J. Hall and John Parker Wilson had career days for Alabama. Hall had 13 receptions for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Wilson was 32-of-46 for 363 yards and three touchdowns. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 44–38–7 (46–37–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
In the game dubbed "Saban Bowl I," in which Nick Saban
's new Alabama team faced a LSU
Tigers
team that featured several players Saban himself had recruited during his tenure in Baton Rouge
, the Tide found itself in an SEC shootout, but lost 41–34. Alabama struck first with a 36-yard Leigh Tiffin
field goal. However, the Tigers then scored 17 unanswered points. After Colt David connected on a 43-yard field goal to tie the game at 3–3, Matt Flynn
connected with Early Doucet
for a ten-yard touchdown reception and Jacob Hester
scored from one-yard out to give LSU a 17–3 lead early in the second quarter. Alabama responded with 17 points in the second quarter, and the Crimson Tide led 20–17 at halftime. The first score came on a 67-yard John Parker Wilson
touchdown pass to D. J. Hall
, the second on a 21-yard Tiffin field goal and the third on a 29-yard Wilson touchdown pass to Keith Brown.
The third quarter saw no scoring until the last two minutes. With 1:19 left,Keith Brown caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to make the score 27–17. The Tigers quickly responded on their next drive when Flynn threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Byrd
to bring the Tigers back to within three points of Bama. Then, with 11:21 left in the game, Colt David kicked a 49-yard field goal to tie it up 27–27. The Crimson Tide took a 34–27 lead when Javier Arenas
returned a punt
for a 61-yard touchdown. With 2:49 left, LSU was able to tie the game again when Flynn threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Doucet. It appeared the game might go into overtime
until Wilson fumble
d the ball and LSU recovered on the Alabama four-yard line. Two plays later, Hester ran it in for the game-winning touchdown to make the score 41–34. The Tigers had 475 total yards compared to Alabama's 254. Alabama was able to stay in the game thanks to three interceptions the defense was able to force and 130 yards in penalties that LSU accumulated. John Parker Wilson was 14 for 40 with 234 yards, 3 touchdowns, sacked 7 times, and an interception. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 43–23–5.
Coming a week after a tough loss to LSU, the Mississippi State
Bulldogs
defeated Alabama for the second consecutive season, this time by a score of 17–12. Alabama took a 9–0 lead halfway through the second quarter on Leigh Tiffin
field goals of 39, 51 and 29 yards. With just over 4:00 remaining in the half, Adam Carlson connected on a 35-yard field goal to cut the score to 9–3. The Bulldogs then took the lead as time expired in the first half after Anthony Johnson intercepted a John Parker Wilson
pass and returned it 100-yards for a 10–9 lead.
In the third quarter, Mississippi State extended their lead to 17–9 after scoring the only offensive touchdown of the game. The score came on a three-yard run by Anthony Dixon
. Alabama scored their final points in the fourth on a 50-yard Tiffin field goal, his fourth of the afternoon. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 71–18–3 (70–19–3 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Coming off their second consecutive loss, Alabama suffered their worst loss of the season when the Louisiana–Monroe
Warhawks
defeated the Crimson Tide 21–14 in Bryant–Denny Stadium. Alabama took an early 7–0 lead after a 17-yard Keith Brown touchdown reception from John Parker Wilson
. The Warhawks tied the game at 7–7 on the first play of the second quarter when Calvin Dawson ran it in from one-yard out. Both teams then traded touchdowns to tie the game at 14–14 at the half. Alabama scored on a 12-yard Terry Grant run and Louisiana–Monroe scored on a 13-yard Frank Goodin run. The Warhawks scored what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown in the third quarter when Kinsmon Lancaster
tossed a eleven-yard score to Marty Humphrey to win the game for Louisiana–Monroe 21–14.
Coming off their third consecutive loss, Alabama lost in the Iron Bowl
for the sixth consecutive time against the arch-rival Auburn
Tigers
17–10 on "The Plains". Auburn took a 10–0 lead in the first quarter with Ben Tate
scoring on a three-yard touchdown run and Wes Byrum
connecting on a 37-yard field goal. Alabama then cut the lead to 10–7 at the half after a two-yard John Parker Wilson
touchdown run early in the second quarter. After a scoreless third quarter, Brandon Cox
extended the Tigers' lead to 17–7 on his one-yard touchdown run with only 3:58 remaining in the game. Alabama was able to cut the lead to 17–10 after a 49-yard Leigh Tiffin
field goal with 2:11 remaining in the game. However, the Crimson Tide were unable to recover the onside kick
on the ensuing kickoff
and Auburn was able to run out the clock to preserve the 17–10 victory. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 38–33–1.
After a four game slide to end a once promising season, Alabama defeated the Colorado
Buffaloes
in the 2007 Independence Bowl
30–24 to finish the season with an overall record of 7–6. Alabama scored on their opening drive on a 41-yard Leigh Tiffin
field goal to lead 3–0. Colorado's first offensive play of the game resulted in an interception by Rolando McClain
. Once again, Alabama relied on another field goal from Tiffin to push their lead to 6–0. Later in the quarter, John Parker Wilson
threw touchdown strikes of 15-yards to Keith Brown and 34-yards to Matt Caddell to extend the Crimson Tide lead to 20–0 after one quarter.
Early in the second quarter, Wilson connected with Nikita Stover on a 31-yard touchdown pass and the Crimson Tide lead 27–0. The Buffaloes controlled the majority of the second quarter after Wilson threw an interception to Ryan Walters with just under six minutes remaining in the half. Colorado cut the Alabama lead to 27–14 at the half on a pair of Cody Hawkins
touchdown passes. The first was a four-yard pass to Tyson DeVree
and the second a 25-yard pass to Dusty Sprague.
The only score in the third quarter would come from Kevin Eberhart on a 39-yard Colorado field goal. Tiffin kicked a field goal as the Crimson Tide lead 30–17 with just over four minutes remaining in the game. Colorado responded on the following drive with a 14-yard Hawkins touchdown pass to DeVree to cut the Alabama lead to 30–24 with 3:51 remaining in the game. Alabama was able to run the clock down, and after receiving the 49-yard P.J. Fitzgerald punt
, only 0:01 remained in the game. On the final play of the game, Colorado attempted several lateral pass
es but would fall short of midfield. The 30–24 victory sent Alabama to a 7–6 overall record as they avoided a second consecutive losing season.
and their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Major Applewhite, on January 16, 2008, when he was hired as running backs coach for Texas
. During the following weeks, Saban named former Michigan State
head coach Bobby Williams
as his team's new as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator, and Jim McElwain
from Fresno State
as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. As part of the A-Day celebrations on April 12, 2008, the 2007 team captains Antoine Caldwell, Rashad Johnson and Darren Mustin were honored at the Walk of Fame ceremony at the base of Denny Chimes
.
, Marlon Davis
, Glen Coffee
, Marquis Johnson
and Chris Rogers were suspended from the team prior to the Tennessee game on October 20. After a prolonged investigation, in June 2009 the NCAA ruled all athletes that received improper benefits related to the textbook distribution system were deemed ineligible. As such, as part of the penalties imposed on the football program, all victories which those included in the inquiry participated, were officially vacated from the all-time record. The penalty to vacate victories does not result in a loss (or forfeiture) of the affected contests or award a victory to the opponent. As such, all five victories from the 2007 season prior to the suspension of the ineligible players on October 20 (Western Carolina, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Houston and Ole Miss) were vacated making the official record for the season two wins and six losses (2–6).
, in the 2009 NFL Draft
, Alabama had four players that competed as part of the 2007 team selected. The first round selection was Andre Smith (6th Cincinnati Bengals
); and the third round picks were Coffee (74th San Francisco 49ers
), Caldwell (77th Houston Texans
) and Rashad Johnson (95th Arizona Cardinals
). John Parker Wilson with the Atlanta Falcons
, Bobby Greenwood with the Kansas City Chiefs
, Marlon Davis with the Cleveland Browns
, Nick Walker with the Minnesota Vikings
and Travis McCall with the Buffalo Bills
each signed as undrafted free agents.
In the 2010 NFL Draft
, Alabama had six players selected that competed as part of the 2007 team. The first round selections were McClain (8th Oakland Raiders
) and Jackson (20th Houston Texans); the second round pick was Arenas (50th Kansas City Chiefs); the third round pick was Mike Johnson (98th Atlanta Falcons); and the seventh round picks were Marquis Johnson (211th St. Louis Rams
) and Deaderick (247th New England Patriots
). Both Peek and Washington, with the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys
respectively, signed as undrafted free agents.
Following the 2010 season
, Alabama had two players selected that competed as part of the 2007 team in the 2011 NFL Draft
. James Carpenter was selected in the first round (25th Seattle Seahawks
) and Greg McElroy was selected in the seventh round (208th New York Jets
).
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
for the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season
2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 30, 2007, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 7, 2008, where the top...
trying to improve from a disappointing 6–7 record in the 2006 season. The Tide was led by its new head coach 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...
, a former head coach of rival LSU
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...
. Despite a strong 6–2 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 sixth-straight time to rival Auburn
2007 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2007 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Head coach Tommy Tuberville returned for his ninth season at Auburn, the third longest tenure among SEC head coaches in 2007. He was joined by returning offensive coordinator Al...
. The Tide defeated Colorado
2007 Colorado Buffaloes football team
The 2007 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Dan Hawkins in his second season at Colorado and played their home games at Folsom Field. Colorado finished 6-7 after losing in the...
in the 2007 Independence Bowl
2007 Independence Bowl
The 2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl, part of the 2007–08 NCAA football bowl season, took place on December 30, 2007 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference, and the Colorado Buffaloes, from...
30–24 to finish their first season under Nick Saban at a 7–6 (4–4) record, however two years later the first five wins of the season were vacated as part of a penalty placed against Alabama by the NCAA for infractions committed during the season.
Before the season
During the 2006–2007 campaign, the Crimson Tide completed a 6–6 regular season record. Following their loss to Auburn2006 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...
in the 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...
, 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
Independence Bowl
The Independence Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I college football bowl game that is played annually at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, so named because it was inaugurated in the United States bicentennial year, 1976....
. The Tide went on to lose their final game against 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...
(34–31) in 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,...
to finish with a 6–7 record.
Returning starters
Alabama had 18 returning starters from the previous season, including nine on offense, five on defense, and four on special teams. The most notable departures from the previous year were Kenneth DarbyKenneth 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...
and 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...
on offense and Dominic Lee, Jeremy Clark
Jeremy Clark
Jeremy Terrell Clark is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
, 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:*...
, Terrence Jones, Jeffrey Dukes and 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...
on defense.
The Crimson Tide offense returned all three quarterbacks at the top of the depth chart, including starter 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 entire starting offensive line returned, anchored by freshman All-American Andre Smith, along with reinforcements by the top four tight ends from the 2006 depth chart. Alabama's receiving unit was led by its wide receivers 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...
, who broke nearly every Alabama-receiving record in school history in 2006. The Alabama defense returned five starters in 2007, based on the 3–3–5 scheme that was run in 2006. The Tide in 2007 had a new starting nose tackle, outside linebacker, strongside linebacker, cornerback, and a starting safety.
Offense
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 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... |
Junior | Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
| Keith Brown | Senior | 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... |
Senior | 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... |
| Travis McCall | Senior | 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... |
| Andre Smith | Sophomore | Offensive tackle |
| Chris Capps | Senior | Offensive tackle |
| Justin Britt Justin Britt Justin Britt is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-External links:**... |
Senior | Offensive guard |
| B.J. Stabler | Junior | Offensive guard |
| Antoine Caldwell Antoine Caldwell Antoine Caldwell is an American football player from Montgomery, Alabama. He is currently a center for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was selected by the Texans in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
Junior | 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... |
Defense
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Keith Saunders Keith Saunders Keith Saunders is an American and Canadian football linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008... |
Senior | 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... |
| 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... |
Senior | Defensive end |
| Prince Hall | Sophomore | 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... |
| Simeon Castille Simeon Castille Simeon Castille is an American football cornerback who is currently playing for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008... |
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... |
| Marcus Carter | Senior | Safety |
Special teams
| Player | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|
| P.J. Fitzgerald | Sophomore | Punter |
| Jamie Christensen | Senior | 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... |
| 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... |
Sophomore | Placekicker |
| 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... |
Sophomore | Return specialist Return specialist A Return Specialist is a player on American football or Canadian football special teams who specializes in returning punts and kickoff returns. There are few players who are exclusively return specialists; most play other positions as well. The special teams counterpart of a return specialist is a... |
Roster
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Fullbacks
Wide Receivers
|
Tight Ends
Offensive Line
|
Defensive Line
Linebackers
|
Defensive Backs
Safeties
Punters
Kickers
Long Snappers
Athletes
|
|||
| Reference: | ||||||
Recruiting class
Alabama's recruiting class was highlighted by three 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. 72 Kerry Murphy (DT); No. 80 William Vlachos (OG); and No. 118 Luther Davis (DE). Alabama signed the No. 10 recruiting class according to Rivals and the No. 22 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 31st most difficult out of the 245 Division I teams. The Cosgrove Computer Rankings calculated it as the 55th most difficult out of the 119 Division I FBS teams in its rankings. Alabama's 2007 schedule was officially released on July 24, 2006. It featured six 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, eight of which made bowl games in 2006.
In accordance with conference rules, Alabama faced all five Western Division opponents: Arkansas
2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 2007 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2007–2008 football season. The Razorbacks played six home games at Donald W...
, Auburn
2007 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2007 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Head coach Tommy Tuberville returned for his ninth season at Auburn, the third longest tenure among SEC head coaches in 2007. He was joined by returning offensive coordinator Al...
, LSU
2007 LSU Tigers football team
The 2007 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the college football season of 2007–2008, winning the Southeastern Conference championship and the national championship. The team's Head Coach was Les Miles who entered his third year at the helm of LSU Football...
, Mississippi State
2007 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
The 2007 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team represented Mississippi State University during the 2007 college football season. The team's head coach was Sylvester Croom, who served his fourth season in the position...
, and Ole Miss. 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
2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2007 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2007–2008. They won the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference before falling to the eventual national champion LSU Tigers in the SEC Championship Game...
, Georgia
2007 Georgia Bulldogs football team
The 2007 Georgia Bulldogs football team competed on behalf of the University of Georgia in American football against teams from other colleges and universities. The Bulldogs tied for first place in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference but lost a tie-breaker with the University of...
, and Vanderbilt
2007 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
The 2007 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University during the 2007 college football season. The team's head coach was Bobby Johnson, who served his sixth year as the Commodores' head coach. Members of the Southeastern Conference , the Commodores played their home games...
. Alabama did not play SEC opponents Florida
2007 Florida Gators football team
The 2007 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2007 college football season...
, Kentucky
2007 Kentucky Wildcats football team
The 2007 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the college football season of 2007-2008. The team's head football coach was Rich Brooks, in his 5th year as Kentucky's head coach. The Wildcats played their home games at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky...
and South Carolina
2007 South Carolina Gamecocks football team
The 2007 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the Southeastern Conference during the college football season of 2007-2008. The Gamecocks were led by Steve Spurrier in his third season as USC head coach and played their home games in Williams-Brice...
. Alabama also played four non-conference games. The non-conference schedule included games against Western Carolina
Western Carolina Catamounts
The Western Carolina Catamounts are the athletic teams of Western Carolina University. The Catamounts compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Southern Conference. Western fields sixteen varsity sports teams. The Catamount football team competes in Division I Football...
of the Southern Conference
Southern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
, Florida State
2007 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2007 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University during the 2007 college football season. Florida State entered the 2007 season coming off a 2006 that ended with an overall record of 7-6, which was head coach Bobby Bowden's worst record since going 6-5 in 1981,...
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...
, Houston
Houston Cougars football
The Houston Cougars football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents the University of Houston. The team is commonly referred to as "Houston" or "UH" . The UH football program is currently a member of the Conference USA intercollegiate athletic conference, and is coached by...
of Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
and 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...
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 2007 Independence Bowl
2007 Independence Bowl
The 2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl, part of the 2007–08 NCAA football bowl season, took place on December 30, 2007 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference, and the Colorado Buffaloes, from...
, Alabama played Colorado
2007 Colorado Buffaloes football team
The 2007 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Dan Hawkins in his second season at Colorado and played their home games at Folsom Field. Colorado finished 6-7 after losing in the...
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: 2007 Season
Coaching staff
On January 3, 2007, Alabama announced that Nick Saban was hired from the Miami DolphinsMiami 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. The first hires came on January 9 with Kirby Smart hired from the Dolphins to serve as defensive coordinator; Kevin Steele from Florida State
Florida State Seminoles football
The Florida State Seminoles football team represents Florida State University in college football. The Florida State Seminoles compete in NCAA Division I-FBS and are members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
to serve as head defensive coach; and Lance Thompson from Central Florida to serve as linebackers coach. On January 11, Joe Pendry of the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
was hired to serve as an assistant head and linebackers coach. On January 12 Saban hired two more assistants. Ron Middleton was hired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
to serve as both the tight ends and special teams coach and Bo Davis from the Dolphins was hired as defensive line coach. On January 13 Major Applewhite was hired from Rice
Rice 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:...
to serve as both offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. On January 16 Burton Burns was hired from Clemson
Clemson Tigers football
The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
to serve as both associate head and running backs coach. On February 19 Curt Cignetti was hired from NC State
NC State Wolfpack football
The NC State Wolfpack football team represents North Carolina State University in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Wolfpack currently compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference....
to serve as both receivers coach and recruiting coordinator to fill the final position on Saban's inaugural coaching staff.
| Name | Position | Seasons at Alabama | Alma Mater |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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... |
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... |
1 | Kent State Kent State Golden Flashes football The Kent State Golden Flashes football team is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, USA. The team is a member of the Mid-American Conference East division, which is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Football Bowl Subdivision... (1973) |
| Major Applewhite Major Applewhite Major Lee Applewhite is the Co-Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach for the University of Texas. Prior to Texas, Applewhite served as offensive coordinator at Rice University under Todd Graham in 2006, and at the University of Alabama under Nick Saban in 2007... |
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... , Quarterbacks Quarterbacks coach A quarterbacks coach is a coach in charge of the quarterbacks in gridiron football. The quarterbacks coach typically operates under the offensive coordinator on a team's coaching staff.... |
1 | Texas Texas Longhorns football The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National... (2002) |
| Burton Burns | Associate Head Coach, 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.... |
1 | Nebraska Nebraska Cornhuskers football The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A... (1976) |
| Curt Cignetti Curt Cignetti Curt Cignetti is an American football coach who is currently the head coach for the IUP Crimson Hawks of NCAA Division II, a position previously held by his father Frank Cignetti, Sr.-Playing career:... |
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.... , Recruiting Coordinator |
1 | West Virginia West Virginia Mountaineers football The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their... (1983) |
| Bo Davis | 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... |
1 | LSU 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... (1993) |
| Ron Middleton | 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.... , Special Teams |
1 | Auburn 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... (1985) |
| Joe Pendry Joe Pendry Joe Pendry is a former American football coach. From 1971 until 2010, he was an assistant coach or offensive coordinator for multiple teams in both the collegiate and professional ranks.... |
Assistant Head Coach, 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.... |
1 | West Virginia West Virginia Mountaineers football The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their... (1969) |
| Kirby Smart Kirby Smart Kirby Smart is the defensive coordinator for the University of Alabama.-Playing career:The son of a coach himself, Smart started his football career playing High School ball with the Bainbridge High School Bearcats. He then moved on to play defensive back for the University of Georgia Bulldogs.... |
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... , Linebackers Linebackers coach A linebackers coach is a position coach in charge of the linebackers in gridiron football. This role is common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The linebackers coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator and works with the players of the three linebacker... |
1 | Georgia Georgia Bulldogs football The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54... (1999) |
| Kevin Steele Kevin Steele -External links:* *... |
Head Defensive Coach | 1 | Tennessee 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 .... (1981) |
| Lance Thompson | Linebackers Linebackers coach A linebackers coach is a position coach in charge of the linebackers in gridiron football. This role is common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The linebackers coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator and works with the players of the three linebacker... |
1 | The Citadel (1987) |
| Reference: | |||
Western Carolina
Sources:The Nick Saban era commenced before a sold-out, home crowd of 92,138 by defeating the Western Carolina
Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University is a coeducational public university located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, United States. The university is a constituent campus of the University of North Carolina system....
Catamounts
Western Carolina Catamounts
The Western Carolina Catamounts are the athletic teams of Western Carolina University. The Catamounts compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Southern Conference. Western fields sixteen varsity sports teams. The Catamount football team competes in Division I Football...
52–6 for both Nick Saban's first regular season game and victory as Alabama's head coach. Redshirt freshman running back Terry Grant scored the first touchdown of the season, on the first offensive play of the game, with a 47-yard touchdown run. Grant then scored his second touchdown on a one-yard run to give Alabama a 14–0 lead at the end of the first quarter. After a successful, 34-yard Jonathon Parsons field goal by the Catamounts, Grant scored his third touchdown of the evening on a 21-yard run. 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...
then hit a 21-yard field goal to give Alabama a 24–3 halftime lead.
Bama continued the scoring in the third quarter with another pair of touchdowns. The first came on a one-yard Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
run and the second on a one-yard touchdown pass from Greg McElroy
Greg McElroy
Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama....
to Nick Walker. After a second Parsons field goal for Western Carolina, Alabama scored touchdowns on a one-yard Jimmy Johns run and a 25-yard Roy Upchurch run to make the final score 52–6. For his 134 yard, three touchdown performance, Terry Grant was named the SEC Freshman of the Week.
Vanderbilt
Sources: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...
to open conference play. In this contest, the Crimson Tide were victorious before a sold-out crowd of 39,773 at Vanderbilt Stadium
Vanderbilt Stadium
Vanderbilt Stadium at Dudley Field is a football stadium located in Nashville, Tennessee. Completed in 1922 as the first stadium in the South to be used exclusively for college football, it is the home of the Vanderbilt University football team...
24–10 for Nick Saban's first conference victory as Alabama's head coach. After 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...
returned the first punt
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....
of the game 69-yards to the one yard line, for the second week in a row Terry Grant scored a touchdown on Alabama's first offensive play with his one-yard run. 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...
hit a 20-yard field goal later in the quarter as did the Commodores' Bryant Hahnfeldt from 33 yards to make the score 10–3 at the end of the first. A pair of Tiffin field goals from 40 and 29 yards extended Bama's lead to 16–3 at the half.
After being held scoreless in the third quarter, Grant scored his second touchdown of the afternoon on a two-yard run early in the fourth quarter. With a successful 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 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 Nick Walker, Alabama extended their lead to 24–3. Vanderbilt did score a late touchdown on a 15-yard Adams Mackenzi pass to George Smith to make the finals score 24–10. For his 173 yard, two touchdown performance, and for the second consecutive week, Terry Grant was named the SEC Freshman of the Week. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Commodores to 58–19–4 (61–18–4 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Arkansas
Sources:In what was considered their first true test of the season, Alabama built an early 21-point lead but had to mount a come-from-behind drive in the final two minutes of the game in order to capture a 41–38 victory against 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...
. Bama took a 21–0 lead into the second quarter after a pair of 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 receptions of nine and 35 yards 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 a 14-yard Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
run. The Razorbacks closed the gap to 21–10 at the half after Casey Dick
Casey Dick
Casey Dick is a former college football quarterback for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.- High school career :Dick played for Allen High School in Allen, Texas...
threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Crosby Tuck and Alex Tejada converted a 22-yard field goal.
Alabama extended their lead to 31–10 in the third quarter after a 24-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 and a two-yard Wilson touchdown pass to Nick Walker. From this point, Arkansas scored four touchdowns to take a 38–31 lead late into the fourth quarter. Dick hit Andrew Davie
Andrew Davie
Andrew Davie is a tight end who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. Davie played college football at the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. He joined the Razorbacks after playing four years of minor league baseball...
for a two-yard touchdown reception late in the third. In the fourth 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...
scored on runs of one and five yards on consecutive drives, and Peyton Hillis
Peyton Hillis
Hillis was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.-2008 Season:At the start of the 2008 season, Hillis was listed as the Broncos' starting fullback...
had a seven-yard touchdown reception to give the Razorbacks a 38–31 lead with only 8:08 remaining in the game. Tiffin converted a 42-yard field goal and with only 00:08 remaining in the game, Wilson hit Matt Caddell for a four-yard, game-winning touchdown reception.
With his 172 yards receiving, D. J. Hall set a new Crimson Tide record for career receiving yardage previously held by Ozzie Newsome
Ozzie Newsome
Ozzie Newsome Jr. and a 1974 graduate of Colbert County High School in Leighton, Alabama, is a former American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns, an inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the current General Manager of the Baltimore Ravens.-College career:Before his NFL career,...
with 2,070 yards. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Razorbacks to 8–8 (11–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Georgia
Sources:A week after upset
Upset
An upset occurs in a competition, frequently in electoral politics or sports, when the party popularly expected to win , is defeated by an underdog whom the majority expects to lose, defying the conventional wisdom...
ting Arkansas and entering both the AP and Coaches' Polls, Alabama was defeated in 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...
by the Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
Bulldogs
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
26–23. The Crimson Tide found themselves trailing 7–0 early in the first quarter after a 10-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford
John Matthew Stafford is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Georgia....
to Thomas Brown. Brandon Coutu
Brandon Coutu
Brandon Coutu is an American football placekicker for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia....
and 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...
each added a field goal in the second quarter for their respective teams to give the Bulldogs a lead 10–3 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Alabama's 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...
scrambled for a one-yard touchdown run, but the Bulldogs immediately answered on their next drive with a six-yard rushing touchdown from Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Rockwell Moreno is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was selected 12th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Broncos. He played college football at the University of Georgia.-Early years:Moreno grew up in Belford, a neighborhood in...
. Coutu connected on a 47-yard field goal, as the Bulldogs extended their lead in the fourth quarter to 20–10. Alabama responded with 22-yard Tiffin field goal and a second rushing touchdown from Wilson, to force overtime. On their first possession of overtime, Alabama failed to move the football and Leigh Tiffin connected on a 42-yard field goal. As for Georgia, Stafford connected on a 25-yard pass to Mikey Henderson, on their first offensive play in overtime, and the Bulldogs left Tuscaloosa 26–23 overtime winners. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 35–25–4.
Florida State
Sources:In what was Alabama's first regular season game played at a neutral site since the Kickoff Classic
Kickoff Classic
The Kickoff Classic was a season-opening college football game played at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey from 1983 to 2002.-History:...
in 1986, Alabama was defeated in the inaugural River City Showdown at Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
by the Florida State
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
Seminoles
Florida State Seminoles football
The Florida State Seminoles football team represents Florida State University in college football. The Florida State Seminoles compete in NCAA Division I-FBS and are members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
21–14. After a scoreless first half, the Seminoles got on the board first in the third quarter. Florida State scored on their first play of the second half when Xavier Lee
Xavier Lee
Xavier Tyree Lee is an American football quarterback and wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Lee attended Seabreeze High School...
connected with De'Cody Fagg for a seven-yard touchdown reception. The Seminoles extended their lead to 14–0 early in the fourth quarter on a five-yard Antone Smith
Antone Smith
Antoine Kemp-Smith is an American football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
touchdown run.
Alabama scored their first points of the evening late in the fourth 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 seven-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 cut the Florida State lead to 14–7. On the Seminoles' next offensive possession when Lee threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Fagg and extended their lead to 21–7. The Crimson Tide then cut the lead after Wilson hit Keith Brown for a 17-yard touchdown reception. However, Alabama was unable to recover the onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
on the ensuing kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
and lost by the final score of 21–14.
The 85,412 fans at the game set the attendance record for Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, exceeding numbers of Super Bowl XXXIX
Super Bowl XXXIX
Super Bowl XXXIX was an American football game played on February 6, 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, to decide the National Football League champion following the 2004 regular season...
or any of the annual Georgia–Florida rivalry games. It was the first time the teams had met since 1974, and it was the first meeting since Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
native Bobby Bowden
Bobby Bowden
Robert Cleckler "Bobby" Bowden is a retired college football coach. He coached the Florida State Seminoles football team from the 1976 to 2009 seasons...
took over as head coach of the Seminoles. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Seminoles to 2–1–1.
Houston
Sources:Coming on the heels of two consecutive losses, the Crimson Tide defeated the Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
Cougars
Houston Cougars football
The Houston Cougars football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents the University of Houston. The team is commonly referred to as "Houston" or "UH" . The UH football program is currently a member of the Conference USA intercollegiate athletic conference, and is coached by...
on 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...
in Tuscaloosa 30–24. After the first quarter, Alabama led Houston 23–0 after scoring a trio of touchdowns and a safety. 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...
scored the first touchdown of the afternoon on a on-yard run to cap the opening, 13 play, 80-yard drive. On the ensuing Cougar drive, 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...
sacked
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
Houston quarterback Blake Joseph for a safety and a 9–0 Alabama lead. The Crimson Tide then closed the first quarter with a pair of Wilson touchdown passes to take a 23–0 lead into the second quarter. The first came on a 23-yard pass to Nikita Stover and the second on a 23-yard pass to Mike McCoy.
Holding Alabama scoreless in the second quarter, before halftime Houston managed to score their first touchdown on a 68-yard Joseph pass to Donnie Avery
Donnie Avery
Donnie D. Avery is a wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Houston.-Early years:...
to make the halftime score 23–7. A 34-yard Houston field goal in the third quarter made the score 23–10 before Alabama scored its final touchdown on a four-yard Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
run to make it 30–10. The game appeared over going into the fourth quarter, but Houston attempted a comeback by scoring two touchdowns to come within six points of the Tide. Houston scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth on a two-yard Case Keenum
Case Keenum
Casey Austin "Case" Keenum is a redshirt senior quarterback for the Houston Cougars football team. Keenum has already set several school records at the University of Houston and has positioned himself to become the NCAA's all-time leader in total passing yards in 2011...
run and a 30-yard Keenum pass to Anthony Alridge
Anthony Alridge
Anthony E. Alridge is a professional gridiron football running back who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
to cut the score to 30–24. On the last play of the game, Houston almost scored another touchdown to win the game, but an interception in the endzone by Simeon Castille
Simeon Castille
Simeon Castille is an American football cornerback who is currently playing for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
sealed the victory for Bama. For his eleven tackle, two sack performance, Wallace Gilberry was named SEC Defensive Line Player of the Week. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Cougars to 9–0 (10–0 without NCAA vacations).
Ole Miss
Sources: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...
27–24 in Oxford. 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...
opened the scoring with a 27-yard field goal to give the Crimson Tide a 3–0 lead. The Rebels responded with an eight-yard Dexter McCluster
Dexter McCluster
Dexter Marquise McCluster is an American football wide receiver and running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, formerly of the Ole Miss Rebels. He was considered one of the top athlete prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft...
touchdown reception from Seth Adams
Seth Adams
Seth Henry Adams was an American football player from Holly Springs, Mississippi. He played quarterback for the University of Mississippi Rebels in the Southeastern Conference.- Background :...
to take a 7–3 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter Alabama scored a pair of touchdowns with the first coming on a two-yard Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
run and the second on a one-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...
run. Ole Miss added a 22-yard Joshua Shene field goal and Alabama was up 17–10 at the half.
Ole Miss took a 24–17 lead into the fourth quarter following a pair of touchdowns in the third. Adams scored on a three-yard run then connected with Mike Hicks
Mike Hicks (American football)
Mike Hicks is an American football player who plays for the Jacksonville Sharks. He played as a wide receiver for the University of Mississippi before transferring to the University of Tennessee at Martin...
for a 17-yard touchdown reception in the period. The Crimson Tide then mounted a fourth quarter comeback. Terry Grant scored on a three-yard run and Tiffin kicked the game winning field goal from 24 yards with 5:14 remaining in the game. Ole Miss attempted to score on their last drive to either force the game into overtime with a field goal or win with a touchdown. With a fourth-and-22 on Alabama's 45-yard line, Adams completed a pass to Shay Hodge
Shay Hodge
Vareion Deshay "Shay" Hodge is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Ole Miss.-College career:Hodge was a 2009...
at the 3-yard line. However, the call was reviewed and then reversed after 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...
called a timeout to give the officials more time to look at the replay. 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...
was 26 for 40 and threw an interception and no touchdowns. The defense was able to force three interceptions on the day. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Rebels to 41–9–2 (45–8–2 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Tennessee
Sources: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 ....
and was victorious 41–17 in Nick Saban's first "The Third Saturday in October" as head coach of Alabama. Saban elected to kick an onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
on the opening kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
that Alabama recovered. On the ensuing 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...
connected on a 39-yard field goal to give the Crimson Tide an early 3–0 lead. Bama extended their lead to 10–0 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 Terry Grant on a three-yard touchdown pass. The Volunteers scored their first points of the afternoon on the following drive on a two-yard 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...
run to make the score 10–7 entering the second quarter.
Tennessee took a 14–10 lead early in the second quarter after Erik Ainge
Erik Ainge
Erik Douglas Ainge is a retired American football quarterback formerly of the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Luke Stocker
Luke Stocker
Luke Stocker is an American football tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.-College career:Stocker played tight end for the Tennessee Volunteers.-Professional career:...
. At that point Alabama took over. 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...
had two second quarter touchdown receptions on 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...
passes of 16 and two yards . Daniel Lincoln then connected on a 45-yard field goal as time expired and Alabama led 24–17 at the half.
Tiffin added three more field goals to bring his total to four on the day in the second half, and Terry Grant had an eight-yard touchdown run in the fourth to give Alabama the 41–17 victory. D. J. Hall and John Parker Wilson had career days for Alabama. Hall had 13 receptions for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Wilson was 32-of-46 for 363 yards and three touchdowns. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 44–38–7 (46–37–7 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
LSU
Sources:In the game dubbed "Saban Bowl I," in which 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...
's new Alabama team faced a 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...
team that featured several players Saban himself had recruited during his tenure in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
, the Tide found itself in an SEC shootout, but lost 41–34. Alabama struck first with a 36-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. However, the Tigers then scored 17 unanswered points. After Colt David connected on a 43-yard field goal to tie the game at 3–3, Matt Flynn
Matt Flynn
Matthew Clayton Flynn is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Packers in the 7th round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU.-Early years:...
connected with 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...
for a ten-yard touchdown reception and 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...
scored from one-yard out to give LSU a 17–3 lead early in the second quarter. Alabama responded with 17 points in the second quarter, and the Crimson Tide led 20–17 at halftime. The first score came on a 67-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 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...
, the second on a 21-yard Tiffin field goal and the third on a 29-yard Wilson touchdown pass to Keith Brown.
The third quarter saw no scoring until the last two minutes. With 1:19 left,Keith Brown caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to make the score 27–17. The Tigers quickly responded on their next drive when Flynn threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Byrd
Demetrius Byrd
Demetrius Byrd is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
to bring the Tigers back to within three points of Bama. Then, with 11:21 left in the game, Colt David kicked a 49-yard field goal to tie it up 27–27. The Crimson Tide took a 34–27 lead when 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...
returned a punt
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 61-yard touchdown. With 2:49 left, LSU was able to tie the game again when Flynn threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Doucet. It appeared the game might go 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...
until 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...
d the ball and LSU recovered on the Alabama four-yard line. Two plays later, Hester ran it in for the game-winning touchdown to make the score 41–34. The Tigers had 475 total yards compared to Alabama's 254. Alabama was able to stay in the game thanks to three interceptions the defense was able to force and 130 yards in penalties that LSU accumulated. John Parker Wilson was 14 for 40 with 234 yards, 3 touchdowns, sacked 7 times, and an interception. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 43–23–5.
Mississippi State
Sources:Coming a week after a tough loss to LSU, 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...
defeated Alabama for the second consecutive season, this time by a score of 17–12. Alabama took a 9–0 lead halfway through the second quarter on 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 goals of 39, 51 and 29 yards. With just over 4:00 remaining in the half, Adam Carlson connected on a 35-yard field goal to cut the score to 9–3. The Bulldogs then took the lead as time expired in the first half after Anthony Johnson 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 100-yards for a 10–9 lead.
In the third quarter, Mississippi State extended their lead to 17–9 after scoring the only offensive touchdown of the game. The score came on a three-yard run by Anthony Dixon
Anthony Dixon
-2010 season:With the announcement of the sudden retirement of second year player Glen Coffee on August 13, former head coach Mike Singletary stated that Dixon and veteran Michael Robinson would compete for the number 2 running back spot behind Pro Bowler Frank Gore...
. Alabama scored their final points in the fourth on a 50-yard Tiffin field goal, his fourth of the afternoon. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Bulldogs to 71–18–3 (70–19–3 without NCAA vacations and forfeits).
Louisiana–Monroe
Sources:Coming off their second consecutive loss, Alabama suffered their worst loss of the season when 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...
defeated the Crimson Tide 21–14 in Bryant–Denny Stadium. Alabama took an early 7–0 lead after a 17-yard Keith Brown 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...
. The Warhawks tied the game at 7–7 on the first play of the second quarter when Calvin Dawson ran it in from one-yard out. Both teams then traded touchdowns to tie the game at 14–14 at the half. Alabama scored on a 12-yard Terry Grant run and Louisiana–Monroe scored on a 13-yard Frank Goodin run. The Warhawks scored what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown in the third quarter when 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...
tossed a eleven-yard score to Marty Humphrey to win the game for Louisiana–Monroe 21–14.
Auburn
Sources:Coming off their third consecutive loss, Alabama lost in the 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...
for the sixth consecutive time against 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...
17–10 on "The Plains". Auburn took a 10–0 lead in the first quarter with Ben Tate
Ben Tate
Tate was drafted in the 2nd round in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Most projected Tate to be picked somewhere in the early to middle of the second round, and recognizing his value at pick 58, the Texans aggressively traded up to draft him...
scoring on a three-yard touchdown run and Wes Byrum
Wes Byrum
Wes Byrum is an American football kicker playing for the Seattle Seahawks from Saint Thomas Aquinas High-School . He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seahawks. Byrum hit the game winning 19 yard field goal as time expired to give the 2010 Auburn Tigers the national...
connecting on a 37-yard field goal. Alabama then cut the lead to 10–7 at the half after a two-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 run early in the second quarter. After a scoreless third quarter, Brandon Cox
Brandon Cox
Brandon Cox , is a former American football quarterback, who played collegiately for Auburn University...
extended the Tigers' lead to 17–7 on his one-yard touchdown run with only 3:58 remaining in the game. Alabama was able to cut the lead to 17–10 after a 49-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 2:11 remaining in the game. However, the Crimson Tide were unable to recover the onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
on the ensuing kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
and Auburn was able to run out the clock to preserve the 17–10 victory. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against the Tigers to 38–33–1.
Colorado
Sources:After a four game slide to end a once promising season, Alabama defeated the Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
Buffaloes
Colorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
in the 2007 Independence Bowl
2007 Independence Bowl
The 2007 PetroSun Independence Bowl, part of the 2007–08 NCAA football bowl season, took place on December 30, 2007 at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference, and the Colorado Buffaloes, from...
30–24 to finish the season with an overall record of 7–6. Alabama scored on their opening drive on a 41-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 to lead 3–0. Colorado's first offensive play of the game resulted in an interception by Rolando McClain
Rolando McClain
-Oakland Raiders:McClain signed his contract with the Raiders on July 28, 2010, in time to make the first day of training camp. The contract is estimated to be for $40 million over 5 years....
. Once again, Alabama relied on another field goal from Tiffin to push their lead to 6–0. Later in the quarter, 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 touchdown strikes of 15-yards to Keith Brown and 34-yards to Matt Caddell to extend the Crimson Tide lead to 20–0 after one quarter.
Early in the second quarter, Wilson connected with Nikita Stover on a 31-yard touchdown pass and the Crimson Tide lead 27–0. The Buffaloes controlled the majority of the second quarter after Wilson threw an interception to Ryan Walters with just under six minutes remaining in the half. Colorado cut the Alabama lead to 27–14 at the half on a pair of Cody Hawkins
Cody Hawkins
Cody Hawkins is a former quarterback for the University of Colorado Buffaloes football team, and current quarterback for the Stockholm Mean Machines of the Sweden Super Series.-High school:...
touchdown passes. The first was a four-yard pass to Tyson DeVree
Tyson DeVree
Tyson DeVree is an American football tight end who is currently under contract with the Indianapolis Colts. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
and the second a 25-yard pass to Dusty Sprague.
The only score in the third quarter would come from Kevin Eberhart on a 39-yard Colorado field goal. Tiffin kicked a field goal as the Crimson Tide lead 30–17 with just over four minutes remaining in the game. Colorado responded on the following drive with a 14-yard Hawkins touchdown pass to DeVree to cut the Alabama lead to 30–24 with 3:51 remaining in the game. Alabama was able to run the clock down, and after receiving the 49-yard P.J. Fitzgerald punt
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....
, only 0:01 remained in the game. On the final play of the game, Colorado attempted several lateral pass
Lateral pass
In American football, a lateral pass or lateral, officially backward pass , occurs when the ball carrier throws the football to any teammate behind him or directly next to him...
es but would fall short of midfield. The 30–24 victory sent Alabama to a 7–6 overall record as they avoided a second consecutive losing season.
Rushing
| Name | GP–GS | Att | Yards | Avg | TD | Long | Avg/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry Grant | 11–9 | 180 | 891 | 4.9 | 8 | 47 | 81.0 |
| Glen Coffee | 9–3 | 129 | 545 | 4.2 | 4 | 20 | 60.6 |
| Roy Upchurch | 12–0 | 50 | 248 | 4.7 | 1 | 25 | 19.8 |
| 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... |
13–13 | 81 | 292 | 1.3 | 5 | 24 | 8.0 |
| Jonathan Lowe | 10–0 | 24 | 99 | 4.1 | 0 | 12 | 9.9 |
| Jimmy Johns | 13–1 | 17 | 69 | 4.1 | 1 | 22 | 5.3 |
| Matt Caddell | 13–5 | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 0 | 12 | 0.9 |
| 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... |
13–11 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 0 | 7 | 0.5 |
| P. J. Fitzgerald | 13–0 | 1 | −5 | −5.0 | 0 | −5 | −2.2 |
| Total | 13 | 490 | 1,940 | 4.0 | 19 | 47 | 149.2 |
| Opponents | 13 | 470 | 1,614 | 3.4 | 14 | 57 | 124.2 |
Passing
| Name | GP–GS | Effic | Comp–Att | Pct | Yards | TD | Int | Long | Avg/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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... |
13–13 | 114.60 | 255–462 | 55.2 | 2,846 | 18 | 12 | 67 | 218.9 |
| Greg McElroy Greg McElroy Gregory McElroy, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.... |
2–0 | 193.69 | 8–9 | 88.9 | 73 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 36.5 |
| Total | 13 | 115.87 | 263–472 | 55.7 | 2,919 | 19 | 12 | 67 | 224.5 |
| Opponents | 13 | 117.21 | 232–428 | 54.2 | 2,877 | 20 | 19 | 70 | 221.3 |
Receiving
| Name | GP–GS | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD | Long | Avg/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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... |
13–11 | 67 | 1,005 | 15.0 | 6 | 67 | 77.3 |
| Matt Caddell | 13–5 | 40 | 475 | 11.9 | 2 | 32 | 36.5 |
| Mike McCoy | 13–9 | 28 | 207 | 7.4 | 1 | 23 | 15.9 |
| Terry Grant | 11–9 | 26 | 176 | 6.8 | 1 | 27 | 16.0 |
| Nick Walker | 13–13 | 23 | 204 | 8.9 | 2 | 27 | 15.7 |
| Keith Brown | 12–1 | 22 | 336 | 15.3 | 5 | 43 | 28.0 |
| Glen Coffee | 9–3 | 18 | 142 | 7.9 | 0 | 32 | 15.8 |
| Nikita Stover | 11–3 | 10 | 131 | 13.1 | 2 | 31 | 11.9 |
| Roy Upchurch | 11–0 | 7 | 51 | 7.3 | 0 | 22 | 4.2 |
| Travis McCall | 13–8 | 6 | 45 | 7.5 | 0 | 16 | 3.5 |
| Jonathan Lowe | 10–0 | 5 | 19 | 3.8 | 0 | 18 | 1.9 |
| Earl Alexander | 13–0 | 4 | 40 | 10.0 | 0 | 13 | 3.1 |
| Jimmy Johns | 13–1 | 3 | 41 | 13.7 | 0 | 20 | 3.2 |
| Preston Dial | 10–1 | 1 | 21 | 21.0 | 0 | 21 | 2.1 |
| Will Oakley | 10–0 | 1 | 16 | 16.0 | 0 | 16 | 1.6 |
| Darius Hanks | 1–0 | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 | 6 | 6.0 |
| Baron Huber | 13–1 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 4 | 0.3 |
| Total | 13 | 263 | 2,919 | 11.1 | 19 | 67 | 224.5 |
| Opponents | 13 | 232 | 2,877 | 12.4 | 20 | 70 | 221.3 |
Returns
| Name | |Punt Returns | | | |Kickoff Returns | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Yards | Avg | TD | Long | No. | Yards | Avg | TD | Long | ||
| Javier Arenas | 21 | 323 | 15.4 | 1 | 69 | 27 | 657 | 24.3 | 0 | 62 | |
| Jonathan Lowe | 4 | 51 | 12.8 | 0 | 23 | 14 | 277 | 19.8 | 0 | 41 | |
| Simeon Castille | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | |||||
| Matt Caddell | 1 | −4 | −4 | 0 | −4 | 4 | 57 | 14.2 | 0 | 18 | |
| Jimmy Johns | — | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 | 5 | |||||
| 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... |
— | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 | 7 | |||||
| Travis McCall | — | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 0 | 11 | |||||
| Total | 27 | 370 | 13.7 | 1 | 69 | 48 | 1,014 | 21.1 | 0 | 62 | |
| Opponents | 21 | 138 | 6.6 | 0 | 31 | 64 | 1,148 | 17.9 | 0 | 36 | |
Kicking
| Name | |Field Goals | | | |Kickoffs | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FGM–FGA | Pct | Long | Blkd | No. | Yards | Avg | TB | OB | ||
| 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... |
25–34 | 73.5 | 51 | 1 | 70 | 4,197 | 60.0 | 4 | 2 | |
| Jamie Christensen | — | 2 | 73 | 36.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Andrew Friedman | 1-1 | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 25–34 | 73.5 | 51 | 1 | 72 | 4,270 | 59.3 | 4 | 2 | |
| Opponents | 13–21 | 61.9 | 47 | 0 | 61 | 3,632 | 59.5 | 8 | 0 | |
Punting
| Name | No. | Yards | Avg | Long | TB | FC | In20 | Blkd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P. J. Fitzgerald | 64 | 2,475 | 38.7 | 58 | 8 | 13 | 20 | 1 |
| Total | 64 | 2,475 | 38.7 | 58 | 8 | 13 | 20 | 1 |
| Opponents | 76 | 2,956 | 38.9 | 54 | 9 | 6 | 23 | 1 |
After the season
In the week following the Independence Bowl victory, several changes were made to the Alabama coaching staff. Alabama lost their tight ends and special teams coach, Ron Middleton, on January 4, 2008, when he was hired as assistant head coach for DukeDuke 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...
and their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Major Applewhite, on January 16, 2008, when he was hired as running backs coach for Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
. During the following weeks, Saban named former Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
head coach Bobby Williams
Bobby Williams
- External links :* at RollTide.com...
as his team's new as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator, and Jim McElwain
Jim McElwain
Jim McElwain is an American football coach. He currently serves as offensive coordinator of the Alabama Crimson Tide. McElwain was hired on January 30, 2008, to succeed Major Applewhite.-Early life:...
from Fresno State
Fresno State Bulldogs football
The Fresno State Bulldogs football team represents California State University, Fresno in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The green “V” on the Bulldogs' helmets, uniforms, field symbolize California Central Valley, specifically the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural valley from which they...
as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. As part of the A-Day celebrations on April 12, 2008, the 2007 team captains Antoine Caldwell, Rashad Johnson and Darren Mustin 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...
.
Awards
Following the SEC Championship Game, the conference named its award winners. Four players were named to the Coaches' All-SEC First Team, including Andre Smith, Wallace Gilberry, Simeon Castille and Rashad Johnson. D. J. Hall and Antoine Caldwell were named to the Coaches' All-SEC Second Team. Terry Grant, Rolando McClain and Kareem Jackson were named to the 2007 Freshman All-SEC Team. McClain was also named to the 2007 Freshman All-America team by the Football Writers Association of America.NCAA sanctions
In October 2007, the athletic department discovered a potential NCAA-violation present throughout the athletics program. The violations stemmed from athletes from several sports, including football, receiving improper benefits as a result of a failure in the distribution system of textbooks to student athletes from the university. As a result of this discovery, Antoine CaldwellAntoine Caldwell
Antoine Caldwell is an American football player from Montgomery, Alabama. He is currently a center for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was selected by the Texans in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
, Marlon Davis
Marlon Davis
Marlon Davis is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Alabama....
, Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
, Marquis Johnson
Marquis Johnson
Marquis Adrian Johnson is an American football cornerback for the St. Louis Rams. He was drafted 211th overall in the 7th round of the 2010 NFL Draft....
and Chris Rogers were suspended from the team prior to the Tennessee game on October 20. After a prolonged investigation, in June 2009 the NCAA ruled all athletes that received improper benefits related to the textbook distribution system were deemed ineligible. As such, as part of the penalties imposed on the football program, all victories which those included in the inquiry participated, were officially vacated from the all-time record. The penalty to vacate victories does not result in a loss (or forfeiture) of the affected contests or award a victory to the opponent. As such, all five victories from the 2007 season prior to the suspension of the ineligible players on October 20 (Western Carolina, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Houston and Ole Miss) were vacated making the official record for the season two wins and six losses (2–6).
NFL Draft
After not having any players selected in the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
, in the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
, Alabama had four players that competed as part of the 2007 team selected. The first round selection was Andre Smith (6th Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
); and the third round picks were Coffee (74th San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
), Caldwell (77th Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) and Rashad Johnson (95th Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
). John Parker Wilson with the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Bobby Greenwood with the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
, Marlon Davis with the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Nick Walker with the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
and Travis McCall with the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
each signed as undrafted free agents.
In the 2010 NFL Draft
2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
, Alabama had six players selected that competed as part of the 2007 team. The first round selections were McClain (8th Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) and Jackson (20th Houston Texans); the second round pick was Arenas (50th Kansas City Chiefs); the third round pick was Mike Johnson (98th Atlanta Falcons); and the seventh round picks were Marquis Johnson (211th St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
) and Deaderick (247th New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
). Both Peek and Washington, with the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
respectively, signed as undrafted free agents.
Following the 2010 season
2010 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2010 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 118th overall season, 78th as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 19th within the SEC Western Division...
, Alabama had two players selected that competed as part of the 2007 team in the 2011 NFL Draft
2011 NFL Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
. James Carpenter was selected in the first round (25th Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
) and Greg McElroy was selected in the seventh round (208th New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
).