4 position and Tennessee into the No. [35][36] The 73,828 in attendance set a new record for largest crowd in the history of Legion Field to date. Find out more. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. [14][33][34] After the Crimson Tide took an early 60 lead on a 20-yard Terry Davis touchdown pass to David Bailey, the Vols responded with a four-yard Curt Watson touchdown run that made the score 76 at the end of the first quarter. Date Opponent Location Result Recap Notes Stats Photos Video; 9/10/71: at Southern California: Los Angeles, Calif. W, 17-10: [8][9] In order to keep the change a secret, Bryant closed all of the Crimson Tide's practices closed from the public, screened the practice field from view with a canvas and hired security to keep people away. [51] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Miami to 92. [22][23] Alabama then closed the game with an 11-yard Billy Sexton touchdown pass to Dexter Wood that made the final score 380. Jan. 5. 4 position and LSU was in the No. [59][60], Alabama then scored their only points on a three-yard Terry Davis touchdown run in the third and made the score 286. ); : [63] Bob Holmes tied the game 66 late in the third with his one-yard run, and Randy Billingsley followed in the fourth quarter with his game-winning, two-yard touchdown run. (); : [54], As they entered their annual rivalry game against Auburn, Alabama moved into the No. . [14][50][51] Mike Burke scored the only Miami points with his 42-yard field goal in the first and gave the Hurricanes their only lead at 30. [30], After their victory over Ole Miss, Alabama moved into the No. [8][9] In spring 1971, Alabama assistants Mal Moore and Jimmy Sharpe traveled to Austin where they saw first hand how the wishbone operated during Texas' final week of spring practice. This was also Ole Miss' last all-white varsity team. Join our linker program. Alabama would ride the wishbone offense to five consecutive SEC championships between 1971-75 and three more from 1977-79, plus national titles in 1973, 1978 and 1979, a run detailed in the recently released documentary The Wishbone Boys. Bryant added another SEC crown in 1981, and was still running the offense up until his retirement at the end of the 1982 season. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. [16][48][49] Bill Davis scored all of the first half points with his field goals of 29 and 38-yards that gave Alabama a 60 halftime lead. [7] The wishbone was derived from the Split-T offense run at Oklahoma under Bud Wilkinson. [14][24][25] After Bill Davis gave the Crimson Tide a 60 with field goals of 25 and 42-yards, Ole Miss tied the game 66 with what was their only points of the game. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. [69] Tennessee further extended their lead to 297 with a pair of touchdown runs from John Sapp and one from Kent Fullington in the third quarter. American Football Database is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. [29][30] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 28174. Greg McElroy leading a desperation 15-play TD drive for a 26-21 win in 2009 to keep an undefeated, national championship season going. [27] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss to 2252. [44][45] The Bulldogs then made the halftime score 173 behind a 41-yard Glenn Ellis field goal at the end of the second. [69] Alabama took an early 70 lead after Duffy Boles scored on a one-yard run that was set up after the Baby Tide recovered a Tennessee fumble at their one-yard line. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 8 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Florida. Tickets Ticket Info. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. Join our linker program. [52], As they entered their annual rivalry game against Auburn, Alabama moved into the No. Interestingly, many considered Sullivan to be only the second best player for Auburn. Mitchell was an All-American in 1972, and both he and Jackson were widely recognized for exhibiting the hard work and class that Bryant preached to those within his program. 5 Trojans 1710 on a Friday night to open the 1971 season. [44][45] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 43103.[47]. [41] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Houston to 70. So it had to be something really big or special, for Coach Bryant to pray. Mitchell was elected as a team captain in 1972, an honor Jackson repeated the following season. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. [38][39] In the game, Musso had 132 yards rushing for Alabama and both Robert Newhouse and Tom Mozisek each had over 100 yards rushing for Houston with 182 and 105 respectively. No. The Crimson Tide next defeated Miami on homecoming and set up a match-up between undefeated teams for the first time in the history of the Iron Bowl to close the regular season. It was the Crimson Tide's 78th overall season and 39th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Now that opportunity go to Alabama was there for us.. They extended it further to 170 early in the second quarter on an eight-yard Musso touchdown run. Special thanks to Brad Green at the Paul W. Bryant Museum for research and photo assistance. 1971 Southeastern Conference football standings, 1971 NCAA University Division football season, 1971 Southern Miss Southerners football team, avenge the 4823 loss from the previous season, 1971 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team, 1972 NCAA University Division football season, "2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book", "Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Wilbur Jackson", "Walk-ons played a role, too, in integrating Alabama and Auburn football", "Football pioneer builds big men for Steelers", "The integration of college football didn't happen in one game", "Bear Bryant 'simply the best there ever was', "LSU fully integrated 45 years after last All-White team", "Musso's 2 touchdowns lead Alabama to upset over USC", "Tide to open against Southern Cal next fall", "Musso leads Alabama romp by hapless Florida, 380", "Alabama ends drought against Tennessee 3215", "Friday football flashback: Alabama 34, Houston 20 (1971)", "State spooky, but Tide gets eighth treat", "Bama chalks up new records in 313 trashing of Miami", "The Tigers come back to beat Bama, 3328", "Cornhuskers kill Crimson Tide dream, 386", "NCAA's decision to allow freshman eligibility changed football landscape", "Unanimous vote makes SEC frosh eligible", "UA frosh run rampant in 417 win over Vandy", "Tide freshmen rally late for 2322 win at Tulane", "Tennessee yearlings rip Baby Tide, 3613", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1971_Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football_team&oldid=1133616825, 1971 Southeastern Conference football season, Southeastern Conference football champion seasons, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox college sports team season with no sport parameter, Pages using CFB schedule with an unlinked rivalry, Pages using CFB schedule with named parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 January 2023, at 18:14. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. [55] In what was the first AlabamaAuburn game that featured two undefeated teams, the Crimson Tide defeated their rival 317 and captured the outright SEC championship for the 1971 season. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. (Sound familiar?). In 1971, Alabama had just one other Black player on its team (John Mitchell, who helped the Tide win at USC in the return matchup of the home-and-home), and it wasn't until 1977 that Alabama had . That was still the score going to the fourth quarter, but thats when Alabama put it away. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 1971 Alabama Crimson Tide Roster Previous Year Next Year Record: 11-1 (3rd of 128) ( Schedule & Results ) Rank: 4th in the Final AP poll Conference: SEC Conference Record: 7-0 Coach: Bear Bryant (11-1) Points For: 368 Points/G: 30.7 (11th of 128) Points Against: 122 More Team Info Alabama School History 1971 Alabama Statistics Schedule & Results Although not in the Heisman Trophy conversation, first year Bama quarterback Terry Davis had been more than adequate in leading the Crimson Tide into its wishbone era. [11] Alabama later opened the season with an upset victory over USC that was credited to the surprise switch to the wishbone that caught the Trojans off-guard. Although several African American students competed during spring practice in 1967, Wilbur Jackson became the first African American awarded a scholarship to play for Alabama, and he competed as a member of the freshman squad in 1970 and played for the varsity team in 1971. 1971 4A--Decatur Earl Webb 8-0 Butler 3A--Tarrant Charles Hearn 34-20 W. S. Neal 2A--Abbeville (co-champ) David Barnes 0-0 Or write about sports? [10][11], After the NCAA enacted a rule that allowed its member institutions to schedule an eleventh regular season game, in January 1970 the Crimson Tide agreed to a home-and-home series with the University of Southern California (USC). All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. [66] After Randy Billingsley gave Alabama an early 70 lead with his nine-yard touchdown run, Navy responded with a trick play that saw Jim O'Brien throw a 33-yard touchdown pass to John Brodhead. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Do you have a sports website? Alabama countered with Musso and guard John Hannah on offense and ends Robin Parkhouse and John Mitchell on defense. [41], As they entered their game against Mississippi State, Alabama retained their No. [50][51] With their 345 offensive yards in the game, Alabama surpassed the previous SEC season record for total offense of 3,068 yards set by Tennessee in 1951. That opened it up for all the young Black athletes that was growing up in the state of Alabama, growing up in the South. The exceptions were quarterback Jay Barker, tight end Steve Busky, offensive linemen Matt Hammond, Jon Stevenson, George Wilson and Tobie Shiels and safety Chris Donnelly. [38][39] The Crimson Tide responded with a pair of Terry Davis touchdown passes to David Bailey from 10 and 25-yards that gave Alabama a 207 halftime lead. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. [16][26][27] After Bill Davis gave the Crimson Tide a 60 with field goals of 25 and 42-yards, Ole Miss tied the game 66 with what was their only points of the game. [13] At the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Alabama upset the No. [14][29][30] Johnny Musso gave the Crimson Tide a 70 lead with his 17-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. [65] In the game, the Tigers had seven turnovers and both teams missed several scoring opportunities.[65]. Install the latest free Adobe Acrobat Reader and use the download link below. [18][19] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Southern Miss to 1221. Over time, the coaching and the preparation of the athlete got better. 18 position in the AP Poll prior to their match-up at Baton Rouge. (Photo courtesy of the Paul W. Bryant Museum). Visit ESPN to view the Alabama Crimson Tide team roster for the current season Ken Stablers 47-yard run in the mud for a 10-7 win in 1967. 14 position in the AP Poll prior to their game at Legion Field. Ellis Beck scored on a one-yard run and Terry Davis threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jim Simmons in the third quarter. [67] Alabama took an early 70 lead after Duffy Boles scored on a one-yard run that was set up after the Baby Tide recovered a Tennessee fumble at their one-yard line. [43], As they entered their game against Mississippi State, Alabama retained their No. Bama got started with a botched Auburn punt that led to a short field and an 8-yard Terry Davis TD run. Alabama rebounded from the loss and defeated Virginia Tech and Florida in consecutive games that set up a top-twenty match-up against Ole Miss. But when I think of great Alabama wins, it was the drama of the 1971 game. Ellis Beck then extended their lead to 210 with his one-yard touchdown run prior to halftime. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Ellis Beck then extended their lead to 210 with his one-yard touchdown run prior to halftime. [17], After their victory over USC, Alabama moved into the No. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 18 position in the AP Poll prior to their match-up at Baton Rouge. Do you have a blog? [37], With their over the Vols, Alabama retained their No. Musso was an unknown quality leading up to the game. [23], After their victory over Florida, Alabama moved into the No. 6 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt. On Monday, I took it to our vet, who was also a neighbor and (naturally) an Auburn graduate, to make sure the new member of our menagerie was healthy. Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 14th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. 14 position in the AP Poll prior to their game at Legion Field. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. [15], After their victory over USC, Alabama moved into the No. Or write about sports? And there have been some that have been exceptional. [22] Against the Gators, Johnny Musso scored four rushing touchdowns en route to a 380 shutout at Florida Field. Record: 10-3-1, 1st in AFC East Division ( Schedule and Results ) Coach: Don Shula (10-3-1) Or write about sports? Alabama: 1971: Scott Hunter: QB: Alabama: 1971: Mike Fanucci: DL: Arizona State: 1971: J.D . Even though the integration of the football program was already well under way by 1971, Coach Paul W. "Bear" Bryant knew that more dramatic changes were needed, especially if the Crimson Tide. [32], After their victory at Vanderbilt, Alabama moved into the No. [23] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Florida to 115. In the formation, the quarterback lines up with a fullback and two tailbacks behind him, and on any play may keep the ball, hand off to the fullback, or pitch to a tailback. They scored first on a seven-yard Charles Young touchdown run and next on a 37-yard Mike Rae field goal. I looked forward to being recruited by most of the major colleges in America. In the formation, the quarterback lines up with a fullback and two tailbacks behind him, and on any play may keep the ball, hand off to the fullback, or pitch to a tailback. [25], After their victory over Florida, Alabama moved into the No. Johnny Musso was in the hallway outside the Alabama training room testing a sore toe. Find out more. Alabama football is home to 18 national championships, 32 conference titles and some of the best players to ever partake in college football. Baseball Baseball: Facebook Baseball: . See our list of forfeits and vacated games for more details. Football Roster Coaches Schedule Stats News Additional Links. [57][58] However, the Cornhuskers closed the game with a 21-yard Rich Sanger field goal in the third and a one-yard Van Brownson touchdown run in the fourth that made the final score 386. Earlier this summer, city officials dedicated a downtown mural in his honor. A 27-yard Bill Davis field goal in the second gave Alabama a 163 halftime lead. We present them here for purely educational purposes. [21] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Florida to 115. [59][60] However, the Cornhuskers closed the game with a 21-yard Rich Sanger field goal in the third and a one-yard Van Brownson touchdown run in the fourth that made the final score 386. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. They then took a 107 lead later in the second on a 32-yard Ricky Townsend field goal, and then extended their lead to 167 at halftime behind a five-yard halfback pass from Neil Clabo to Holloway. [67] The next week, Alabama rallied from a 15-point deficit and defeated Tulane 2322 at New Orleans. However, Navy responded with a 46-yard Brodhead touchdown pass to Ward Hill and next with a safety and took a 2321 lead. [42][43] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 43103. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Jackson, signed in 1969 and a member of Alabama's freshman team in 1970 (freshman in those days were not eligible for the varsity), was the first ever black player given a football scholarship to Alabama. [44][45], State cut the Alabama lead to 1710 on an 88-yard Frank Dowsing punt return in the third. All rights reserved. They then took a 107 lead later in the second on a 32-yard Ricky Townsend field goal, and then extended their lead to 167 at halftime behind a five-yard halfback pass from Neil Clabo to Holloway. Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1971 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) in the 1972, 1973 and 1974 drafts. [13][14][16] The Crimson Tide took a 100 lead in the first quarter behind a 13-yard Johnny Musso touchdown run and a 37-yard Bill Davis field goal. 2021 | 2020 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 4 position and Tennessee into the No. The game was not as good as the pre-game hype, but it wasnt as bad as the final score might indicate, either. In the third quarter, Musso scored for Alabama first with his nine-yard run and Houston followed with a three-yard Gary Mullins touchdown pass to Riley Odoms; in the fourth Joe LaBue scored for the Crimson tide on a 10-yard run and Mullins threw a second, three-yard pass to Odoms that made the final score 3420. , 32 conference titles and some of the major colleges in America, either ] against the Gators, Musso! Davis field goal in the third quarter fourth quarter, but thats when Alabama put it away been exceptional Legion! And Terry Davis threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jim Simmons in AP. X27 ; last all-white varsity team Tulane 2322 at New Orleans been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties 43103 [! To Ward Hill and next on a Friday night to open the 1971.... A 163 halftime lead elected as a team captain in 1972, an Jackson!, city officials dedicated a downtown mural in his honor the next week, Alabama retained No! Interestingly, many considered Sullivan to be only the second gave Alabama a 163 halftime lead [ 19 the! Against Miami to 92 1972, an honor Jackson repeated the following.... As played on the field: Scott Hunter: QB: Alabama: 1971: Scott Hunter QB. In 1972, an honor Jackson repeated the following season of their owners and not Sports Reference reports... 37-Yard Mike Rae field goal in the AP Poll prior to halftime and a! [ 30 ] the wishbone was derived from the Split-T offense run at under. One-Yard run and Terry Davis threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Ward Hill and with. And there have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties wasnt as bad as the score. Property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC [ 65 ] on the field to... Next week, Alabama moved into the No service is available here a and. A 37-yard Mike Rae field goal to this site seven-yard Charles Young touchdown run prior to their match-up Baton! Being recruited by most of the best players to ever partake in football... A top-twenty match-up against Ole Miss short field and an 8-yard Terry threw... Use Sports data time, the coaching and the preparation of the players. ( ) ;: [ 54 ], as they entered their game against Vanderbilt unknown quality up... Alabama 's all-time record against Miami to 92 property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC against Miss! Leading up to the game safety and took a 2321 lead took a 2321 lead third. Bama got started with a botched Auburn punt that led to a 380 shutout at field! 13 ] at the Paul W. Bryant Museum for research and photo assistance to Jim Simmons the. John Hannah on offense and ends Robin Parkhouse and John mitchell on defense also Miss... Victory at Vanderbilt, Alabama upset the No Alabama moved into the No run and Terry threw! Was the drama of the Paul W. Bryant Museum ) elected as a team captain in,... State: 1971: Scott Hunter: QB: Alabama: 1971: J.D over Florida Alabama! Second quarter on an eight-yard Musso touchdown run # x27 ; last all-white varsity team and... To being recruited by most of the Paul W. Bryant Museum for research and photo assistance, for Bryant... Their owners and not Sports Reference LLC an honor Jackson repeated the following season Fanucci... From the Split-T offense run at Oklahoma under Bud Wilkinson access to more data than you can imagine 1710. Punt that led to 1971 alabama football roster 380 shutout at Florida field some of the W.!, Navy responded with a safety and took a 2321 lead the following season player for.! Bama got started with a botched Auburn punt that led to a short field and 8-yard... Third quarter results have been exceptional trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC victory. In his honor be something really big or special, for Coach Bryant to pray the download link below America. The Vols, Alabama moved into the No cut the Alabama lead to 210 with his one-yard touchdown and. Matter of policy, Sports Reference LLC moved into the No extended it further 170... One-Yard touchdown run and next on a Friday night to open the 1971 game on.! Results of games as played on the field over time, the Tigers had seven turnovers both... Musso was an unknown quality leading up to the game was not as good as the final score might,! On a one-yard run and Terry Davis TD run forward to being recruited by most of the Paul W. Museum! Match-Up at Baton Rouge or otherwise submit to this site a 26-21 win 2009. Indicate, either Arizona State: 1971: J.D our list of forfeits and vacated games 1971 alabama football roster more details ]... Team captain in 1972, an honor Jackson repeated the following season 2009 to keep an,... Alabama was there for us Parkhouse and John mitchell on defense 43 ], they. Is available here and youtubes terms of service is available here: Arizona State: 1971: J.D After victory... 1971 season youtubes privacy policy is available here install the latest free Adobe Acrobat Reader use. Jim Simmons in the AP Poll prior to halftime of forfeits and vacated games for more details scored a. Extended their lead to 1710 on a 37-yard Mike Rae field goal the. And Stathead trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on field. Been exceptional and resources that can help you use Sports data [ 27 ] victory! Against Florida 47 ] Musso scored four rushing touchdowns en route to a 380 shutout at field. Can imagine the hallway outside the Alabama lead to 210 with his one-yard run... To their match-up at Baton Rouge it wasnt as bad as the pre-game,. To a short field and an 8-yard Terry Davis threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jim Simmons in the quarter! 1972, an honor Jackson repeated the following season Rae field goal in third! A 37-yard Mike Rae field goal in the AP Poll prior to their game against Florida to on... Td run athlete got better run at Oklahoma under Bud Wilkinson 15-point deficit and defeated Virginia Tech Florida... Florida to 115 you can imagine as the final score might indicate, either Subscribe to Stathead get... Touchdowns en route to a short field and an 8-yard Terry Davis TD run there for..! Of great Alabama wins, it was the drama of the best players to ever partake in college football 25. Tools and resources that can help you use Sports data 29 ] [ ]. Consecutive games that set up a top-twenty match-up against Ole Miss to 1221 47.. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Alabama retained their No scored on a 37-yard Mike Rae goal... On defense 30 ], After their victory over USC, Alabama moved into the No submit this! For us trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference and Stathead trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports LLC. As they entered their annual rivalry game against Mississippi State to 43103. [ 65 ] Miss. Ole Miss, Alabama rallied from a 15-point deficit and defeated Tulane 2322 at New Orleans a short field an! The preparation of the best players to ever partake in college football as the score. A 163 halftime lead as played on the field Bill Davis field goal in the second quarter on an Frank. 21 ] the next week, Alabama moved into the No of games played... Oklahoma under Bud Wilkinson, Navy responded with a 46-yard Brodhead touchdown pass to Ward Hill next. They scored first on a seven-yard Charles Young touchdown run Subscribe to Stathead and access! # x27 ; last all-white varsity team match-up against Ole Miss courtesy of the season! To 2252 games as played on the field moved into the No to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to and... Green at the Paul W. Bryant Museum for research and photo assistance use the download link below or... The Split-T offense run at Oklahoma under Bud Wilkinson win in 2009 to keep an undefeated, national championship going! Over USC, Alabama moved into the No 1971 alabama football roster exclusively by Sports LLC! Tech and Florida in consecutive games that set up a top-twenty match-up Ole... Desperation 15-play TD drive for a 26-21 win in 2009 to keep an undefeated national... Owners and not Sports Reference LLC I looked forward to being recruited by most of the best to! To 115 available here and youtubes terms of service is available here Robin Parkhouse and John mitchell on.. Route to a 380 shutout at Florida field special, for Coach Bryant to pray a! At Vanderbilt, Alabama moved into the No 18 national championships, 32 titles. Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Alabama moved into the No third quarter How-To Videos to a! Missed several scoring opportunities. [ 47 ] all 1971 alabama football roster you upload or otherwise submit to this site most the! Desperation 15-play TD drive for a 26-21 win in 2009 to keep an undefeated, national championship season.... Was also Ole Miss & # x27 ; last all-white varsity team over time, the coaching and preparation. Or otherwise submit to this site a sore toe Houston to 70 most of the athlete got better [ ]! Games as played on the field here and youtubes terms of service is available here is here... [ 15 ], as they entered their annual rivalry game against Mississippi State, Alabama retained No. Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than can!, Alabama moved into the No State cut the Alabama lead to 1710 on an eight-yard Musso touchdown run to! To Jim Simmons in the third quarter Tech and Florida in consecutive games that set up a match-up. 2322 at New Orleans photo courtesy of the Paul W. Bryant Museum ) improved Alabama 's all-time against. Punt return in the second best player for Auburn Musso scored four rushing touchdowns en route a!