American college football season
1977 Alabama Crimson Tide football Conference Southeastern Conference Coaches No. 2 AP No. 2 1977 record 11–1 (7–0 SEC) Head coach Bear Bryant (20th season)Captains
Mike Tucker
Ozzie Newsome Home stadium Bryant–Denny Stadium Legion Field Seasons
1977 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W
L
T W
L
T
No. 2 Alabama $
7
–
0
–
0
11
–
1
–
0
No. 6 Kentucky
6
–
0
–
0
10
–
1
–
0
Auburn
5
–
1
–
0
6
–
5
–
0
LSU
4
–
2
–
0
8
–
4
–
0
Florida
3
–
3
–
0
6
–
4
–
1
Georgia
2
–
4
–
0
5
–
6
–
0
Mississippi State
2
–
4
–
0
5
–
6
–
0
Ole Miss
2
–
5
–
0
5
–
6
–
0
Tennessee
1
–
5
–
0
4
–
7
–
0
Vanderbilt
0
–
6
–
0
2
–
9
–
0
$ – Conference champion Kentucky ineligible for SEC championship due to NCAA probation. Mississippi State later forfeited all 1977 wins due to NCAA violations. AP Poll
The 1977 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1977 NCAA Division I football season . It was the Crimson Tide's 83rd overall and 44th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant , in his 20th year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama . They finished season with eleven wins and one loss (11–1 overall, 7–0 in the SEC), as SEC champions and with a victory over Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl .
Schedule [ ] Date Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 10 Ole Miss No. 6 Legion Field Birmingham, AL (rivalry )W 34–1374,324 September 17 at Nebraska * No. 4 Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE ABC L 24–3175,899 September 24 at Vanderbilt No. 10 Dudley Field Nashville, TN W 24–1234,694 October 1 Georgia No. 10 W 18–1060,210 October 8 at No. 1 USC * No. 7 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA ABC W 21–2063,140 October 15 Tennessee No. 4 Legion Field Birmingham, AL (Third Saturday in October ) W 24–1071,000 October 22 Louisville * No. 3 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL W 55–660,210 October 29 at Mississippi State No. 2 W 37–747,500 November 5 at No. 18 LSU No. 2 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry )ABC W 24–365,377 November 12 Miami (FL) * No. 2 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL W 36–057,422 November 26 vs. Auburn No. 2 Legion Field Birmingham, AL (Iron Bowl ) W 48–2169,721 January 2, 1978 vs. No. 9 Ohio State * No. 3 ABC W 35–676,811 *Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll Poll released prior to the game
[1]
Personnel [ ]
1977 Alabama Crimson Tide football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
OT
78
Buddy Aydelette So
WR
32
Bruce Bolton
OL
Jim Bunch
RB
20
Pete Cavan
RB
40
Johnny Crow
OG
Bob Cryder Sr
FB
38
Johnny Davis Sr
RB
Mike English
RB
Donnie Faust
RB
Mitch Ferguson
QB
Alan Gray
OL
Louis Green
RB
30
Lou Ikner
QB
Kevin Jones
RB
22
Tony Nathan Jr
WR
8
Rick Neal
WR
82
Ozzie Newsome (C)
Sr
QB
Jack O'Rear
RB
42
Major Ogilvie
WR
4
Keith Pugh
QB
11
Jeff Rutledge Jr
QB
10
Steadman Shealy
C
57
Dwight Stephenson So
OL
Chip Tilman
TE
88
Tim Travis So
RB
John Turpin
FB
45
Steve Whitman So
Defense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
DB
Phil Allman
DL
William Davis
LB
Rickey Gilliland
DT
94
Wayne Hamilton So
DT
Terry Jones Sr
DE
39
E. J. Junior Fr
DL
John Knox
DB
Mike Kramer
LB
77
Barry Krauss
DB
Murray Legg
DL
93
Marty Lyons
DT
96
Curtis McGriff So
DB
28
Don McNeal So
DL
Calvin Parker
LB
50
Randy Scott Fr
DB
Mike Tucker (C)
LB
36
Rich Wingo Jr
Special teams
Pos.
#
Name
Class
K
Roger Chapman
P
1
Buddy Holt So
K
Alan McElroy
K
Barry Smith
Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain(S) Suspended(I) Ineligible
Game summaries [ ] Ole Miss [ ]
Ole Miss Rebels (1–0) at #6 Alabama Crimson Tide (0–0)
1
2
3 4 Total
Ole Miss 6
7
0 0 13
Alabama 13
14
0 7 34
at Legion Field , Birmingham, Alabama
Date : September 10Game attendance : 74,324Box Score
Game information
First quarter
ALA – Mitch Ferguson 6-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 7–0.
MISS – Bobby Garner 1-yard run (kick failed). Alabama 7–6.
ALA – Jeff Rutledge 8-yard run (pass failed). Alabama 13–6. Second quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 20–6.
MISS – Curtis Weathers 36-yard pass from Bobby Garner (Carl Langley kick). Alabama 20–13.
ALA – Steve Whitman 3-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 27–13. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 34–13.
Top passers MISS – Bobby Garner – 6/9, 104 yards, TD
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 7/8, 215 yards Top rushers MISS – James Storey – 13 rushes, 43 yards
ALA – Johnny Davis – 18 rushes, 90 yards Top receivers MISS – Curtis Weathers – 3 receptions, 62 yards, TD
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 3 receptions, 93 yards
at Nebraska [ ]
#4 Alabama Crimson Tide (1–0) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (0–1)
1
2
3 4 Total
Alabama 7
10
0 7 24
Nebraska 10
7
7 7 31
at Memorial Stadium , Lincoln, Nebraska
Date : September 17Game attendance : 75,899TV : ABCBox Score
Game information
First quarter
NEB – Billy Todd 29-yard field goal, 10:38. Nebraska 3–0.
ALA – Jeff Rutledge 7-yard run (Roger Chapman kick), 7:36. Alabama 7–3.
NEB – Rick Berns 7-yard pass from Randy Garcia (Billy Todd kick), 0:31. Nebraska 10–7. Second quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 2-yard run (Roger Chapman kick), 10:45. Alabama 14–10.
NEB – Rick Berns 2-yard run (Billy Todd kick), 3:26. Nebraska 17–14.
ALA – Roger Chapman 37-yard field goal, 0:10. Tie 17–17. Third quarter
NEB – Curtis Craig 17-yard run (Billy Todd kick), 10:54. Nebraska 24–17. Fourth quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick), 12:24. Tie 24–24.
NEB – Rick Berns 2-yard run (Billy Todd kick), 7:12. Nebraska 31–24.
Top passers ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 13/31, 198 yards, 5 INT
NEB – Randy Garcia – 7/11, 123 yards, TD, INT Top rushers ALA – Tony Nathan – 16 rushes, 90 yards, 2 TD
NEB – Rick Berns – 23 rushes, 128 yards, 2 TD Top receivers ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 8 receptions, 132 yards
NEB – I.M. Hipp – 1 reception, 53 yards
Alabama went into Lincoln with Nebraska still feeling the sting of a home loss to Washington State. While the Crimson Tide slightly exceeded the Cornhuskers in offensive production, five interceptions helped give Nebraska the edge to pull off the stunning upset.
at Vanderbilt [ ]
#10 Alabama Crimson Tide (1–1) at Vanderbilt Commodores (1–1)
at Dudley Field , Nashville, Tennessee
Date : September 24Game attendance : 34,694Box Score
Game information
First quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 20-yard field goal. Alabama 3–0.
VAN – Greg Martin 37-yard field goal. Tie 3–3.
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 10–3.
VAN – Greg Martin 29-yard field goal. Alabama 10–6. Second quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 46-yard field goal. Alabama 13–6.
ALA – Roger Chapman 34-yard field goal. Alabama 16–6. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ALA – Safety, Vanderbilt kicks ball out of end zone. Alabama 18–6.
VAN – George Dickerson 36-yard pass from Mike Wright (kick failed). Alabama 18–12.
ALA – Johnny Davis 2-yard run (run failed). Alabama 24–12.
Top passers ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 2/6, 28 yards
VAN – Mike Wright – 4/6, 58 yards, TD Top rushers ALA – Johnny Davis – 24 rushes, 153 yards, TD
VAN – Randy Hampton – 10 rushes, 39 yards Top receivers ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 2 receptions, 28 yards
VAN – Hal Kemp – 3 receptions, 25 yards
Georgia [ ]
Georgia Bulldogs (2–1) at #10 Alabama Crimson Tide (2–1)
1
2
3 4 Total
Georgia 3
0
0 7 10
Alabama 9
0
6 3 18
at Legion Field , Birmingham, Alabama
Date : October 1Game attendance : 60,210Box Score
Game information
First quarter
ALA – Safety, Georgia punter drops ball out of end zone. Alabama 2–0.
ALA – Johnny Davis 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 9–0.
UGA – Rex Robinson 53-yard field goal. Alabama 9–3. Second quarter
Third quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 22-yard field goal. Alabama 12–3.
ALA – Roger Chapman 29-yard field goal. Alabama 15–3. Fourth quarter
UGA – Willie McClendon 7-yard run (Rex Robinson kick). Alabama 15–10.
ALA – Roger Chapman 32-yard field goal. Alabama 18–10.
Top passers UGA – Randy Cook – 5/16, 67 yards, 2 INT
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 3/5, 33 yards Top rushers UGA – Kevin McLee – 13 rushes, 45 yards
ALA – Johnny Davis – 18 rushes, 66 yards, TD Top receivers UGA – Mark Hodge – 2 receptions, 34 yards
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 2 receptions, 20 yards
at USC [ ]
#7 Alabama Crimson Tide (3–1) at #1 USC Trojans (4–0)
1
2
3 4 Total
Alabama 0
0
7 14 21
USC 3
0
3 14 20
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum , Los Angeles, California
Date : October 8Game attendance : 63,140TV : ABCBox Score
Game information
First quarter
USC – Frank Jordan 32-yard field goal. USC 3–0. Second quarter
Third quarter
ALA – Johnny Davis 2-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 7–3.
USC – Frank Jordan 23-yard field goal. Alabama 7–6. Fourth quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 14–6.
ALA – Tony Nathan 13-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 21–6.
USC – Calvin Sweeney 10-yard pass from Rob Hertel (pass good). Alabama 21–14.
USC – Lynn Cain 1-yard run (pass failed). Alabama 21–20.
Top passers ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 2/4, 8 yards
USC – Rob Hertel – 18/30, 239 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers ALA – Tony Nathan – 18 rushes, 76 yards, 2 TD
USC – Charles White – 15 rushes, 63 yards Top receivers ALA – Lou Ikner – 1 reception, 5 yards
USC – Randy Simmrin – 6 receptions, 120 yards
[2] [3]
Tennessee [ ] See also: Third Saturday in October
Tennessee Volunteers (2–3) at #4 Alabama Crimson Tide (4–1)
1
2
3 4 Total
Tennessee 3
0
7 0 10
Alabama 3
13
8 0 24
at Legion Field , Birmingham, Alabama
Date : October 15Game attendance : 71,000Box Score
Game information
First quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 20-yard field goal. Alabama 3–0.
TEN – Jim Gaylor 41-yard field goal. Tie 3–3. Second quarter
ALA – Jeff Rutledge 4-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 10–3.
ALA – Jeff Rutledge 9-yard run (kick failed). Alabama 16–3. Third quarter
ALA – Ozzie Newsome 39-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (run good). Alabama 24–3.
TEN – Kelsey Finch 13-yard pass from Joe Hough (Jim Gaylor kick). Alabama 24–10. Fourth quarter
Top passers TEN – Joe Hough – 6/13,76 yards, TD, INT
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 5/8, 82 yards, TD Top rushers TEN – Kelsey Finch – 8 rushes, 53 yards
ALA – Johnny Davis – 18 rushes, 103 yards Top receivers TEN – Reggie Harper – 3 receptions, 43 yards
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 2 receptions, 61 yards, TD
Louisville [ ]
Louisville Cardinals (3–2–1) at #3 Alabama Crimson Tide (5–1)
1
2
3 4 Total
Louisville 0
0
6 0 6
Alabama 14
13
14 14 55
at Bryant–Denny Stadium , Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Game information
First quarter
ALA – Ozzie Newsome 67-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (kick failed). Alabama 6–0.
ALA – Donnie Faust 2-yard run (run good). Alabama 14–0. Second quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 71-yard run (kick failed). Alabama 20–0.
ALA – Steve Whitman 10-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 27–0. Third quarter
ALA – Ozzie Newsome 32-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 34–0.
ALA – Keith Pugh 32-yard pass from Kevin Jones (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 41���0.
LOU – Randy Butler 1-yard run (kick failed). Alabama 41–6. Fourth quarter
ALA – Tim Travis 5-yard pass from Steadman Shealy (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 48–6.
ALA – John Turpin 5-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 55–6.
Top passers LOU – Randy Butler – 4/11, 48 yards
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 3/3, 124 yards, 2 TD Top rushers LOU – Calvin Prince – 15 rushes, 100 yards
ALA – Tony Nathan – 4 rushes, 85 yards, TD Top receivers LOU – Marc Mitchell – 3 receptions, 31 yards
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 3 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TD
at Mississippi State [ ]
Game information
First quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 59-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 6–0.
ALA – Donnie Faust 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick. Alabama 14–0. Second quarter
MSU – James Otis Doss 2-yard run (Dave Marler kick). Alabama 14–7.
ALA – Keith Pugh 30-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 21–7. Third quarter
ALA – Johnny Davis 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 28–7.
ALA – Steadman Shealy 1-yard run (kick failed). Alabama 34–7. Fourth quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 37-yard field goal. Alabama 37–7.
Top passers ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 5/8, 95 yards, TD
MSU – Bruce Threadgill – 10/20, 189 yards, 2 INT Top rushers ALA – Tony Nathan – 7 rushes, 115 yards, TD
MSU – Dennis Johnson – 8 rushes, 23 yards Top receivers ALA – Keith Pugh – 3 receptions, 59 yards, TD
MSU – Mardye McDole – 7 receptions, 96 yards
at LSU [ ]
#2 Alabama Crimson Tide (7–1) at #18 LSU Tigers (5–2)
1
2
3 4 Total
Alabama 3
7
7 7 24
LSU 0
3
0 0 3
at Tiger Stadium , Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Date : November 5Game attendance : 65,377TV : ABCBox Score
Game information
First quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 44-yard field goal. Alabama 3–0. Second quarter
LSU – Mike Conway 31-yard field goal. Tie 3–3.
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 10–3. Third quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 17–3. Fourth quarter
ALA – Keith Pugh 20-yard pass from Tony Nathan (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 24–3.
Top passers ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 4/7, 62 yards
LSU – David Woodley – 3/8, 17 yards Top rushers ALA – Johnny Davis – 23 rushes, 126 yards
LSU – Charles Alexander – 22 rushes, 110 yards Top receivers ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 4 receptions, 62 yards
LSU – Mike Quintela – 1 reception, 9 yards
Miami (FL) [ ]
Miami (FL) Hurricanes (3–5) at #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (8–1)
at Bryant–Denny Stadium , Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Date : November 12Game attendance : 57,422Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ALA – Rick Neal 5-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (kick failed). Alabama 6–0.
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (run failed). Alabama 12–0.
ALA – Roger Chapman 27-yard field goal. Alabama 15–0. Third quarter
ALA – Rick Neal 7-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Alan McElroy kick). Alabama 22–0. Fourth quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 2-yard run (Alan McElroy kick). Alabama 29–0.
ALA – Kevin Jones 12-yard run (Alan McElroy kick). Alabama 36–0.
Top passers MIA – Kenny McMillian – 2/8, 15 yards, INT
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 9/14, 165 yards, 2 TD Top rushers MIA – Chris Hobbs – 13 rushes, 43 yards
ALA – Johnny Davis – 11 rushes, 84 yards Top receivers MIA – Pat Walker – 1 reception, 11 yards
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 4 receptions, 106 yards
vs. Auburn [ ] See also: Iron Bowl
#2 Alabama Crimson Tide (9–1) vs. Auburn Tigers (5–5)
1
2
3 4 Total
Alabama 0
14
14 20 48
Auburn 7
0
0 14 21
at Legion Field , Birmingham, Alabama
Date : November 26Game attendance : 69,721Box Score
Game information
First quarter
AUB – Joe Cribbs 87-yard run (Jorge Portela kick). Auburn 7–0. Second quarter
ALA – Bruce Bolton 30-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Roger Chapman kick). Tie 7–7.
ALA – Johnny Davis 12-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 14–7. Third quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 21–7.
ALA – Tony Nathan 2-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 28–7. Fourth quarter
AUB – Byron Franklin 74-yard pass from Charlie Trotman (Jorge Portela kick). Alabama 28–14.
ALA – Mitch Ferguson 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 35–14.
ALA – Ozzie Newsome 42-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (kick failed). Alabama 41–14.
ALA – Steadman Shealy 15-yard run (Barry Smith kick). Alabama 48–14.
AUB – William Andrews 3-yard run (Jorge Portela kick). Alabama 48–21.
Top passers ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 9/13, 193 yards, 2 TD
AUB – Charlie Trotman – 4/9, 135 yards, TD, INT Top rushers ALA – Johnny Davis – 20 rushes, 104 yards, TD
AUB – Joe Cribbs – 15 rushes, 133 yards, TD Top receivers ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 4 receptions, 123 yards, TD
AUB – Byron Franklin – 1 reception, 74 yards, TD
Jeff Rutledge 15 rushes, 102 yardsSugar Bowl (vs. Ohio State) [ ]
Sugar Bowl: #3 Alabama Crimson Tide (10–1) vs. #9 Ohio State Buckeyes (9–2)
at Louisiana Superdome , New Orleans, Louisiana
Date : Game weather : Indoors (dome)Game attendance : 76,811Referee : Percy PennTV announcers (ABC ) : Keith Jackson and Ara Parseghian Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 7–0.
ALA – Bruce Bolton 27-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (kick failed). Alabama 13–0. Third quarter
ALA – Rick Neal 3-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (pass good). Alabama 21–0. Fourth quarter
OSU – James Harrell 38-yard pass from Rod Gerald (run failed). Alabama 21–6.
ALA – Major Ogilvie 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 28–6.
ALA – Johnny Davis 5-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 35–6.
Top passers OSU – Rod Gerald – 7/17, 103 yards, TD, 3 INT
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 8/11, 109 yards, 2 TD Top rushers OSU – Ron Springs – 10 rushes, 74 yards
ALA – Johnny Davis – 24 rushes, 95 yards, TD Top receivers OSU – James Harrell – 1 reception, 38 yards, TD
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 2 receptions, 45 yards
[4]
References [ ] General
Specific
Venues Bowls & rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons Bold denotes national championship
National championships in bold
