1975_Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football_team

1975 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

1975 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

American college football season

The 1975 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1975 NCAA Division I football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 81st overall and 42nd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 18th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with eleven wins and one loss (11–1 overall, 6–0 in the SEC), as SEC champions and with a victory over Penn State in the Sugar Bowl.

Quick Facts Alabama Crimson Tide football, National champion (Mathews Grid)SEC championSugar Bowl champion ...
More information Conf, Overall ...

The 1975 squad entered the season with the No. 2 ranking in the AP Poll and as one of the favorites to compete for the national championship. Their championship hopes were dashed after they were upset by an unranked Missouri team in their season opener at Legion Field. Although Alabama dropped into the No. 14 position prior to their second game against Clemson, they would not lose another game during the season as they climbed up the polls back into a top five position by season's end.

After their shutout over Clemson, Alabama traveled to Nashville in the first road game of the season where they defeated Vanderbilt. The Crimson Tide then returned to Birmingham and defeated Ole Miss the week before their victory over Washington in the first meeting between the schools since the 1926 Rose Bowl. They followed this with wins over Tennessee, TCU, Mississippi State, LSU and Southern Miss on homecoming in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide then closed the season with wins against Auburn in what was Ralph Jordan's final game as the Tigers' head coach and Penn State in the Sugar Bowl that ended an eight-game winless streak (0–7–1) in bowl games, and started a bowl winning streak that went six years.

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...

[1]

Roster

More information Players, Coaches ...

Game summaries

Missouri

See also: 1975 Missouri Tigers football team
More information Total, Scoring summary ...

As they entered their first game of the 1975 season, Alabama was ranked as the nations No. 2 team prior to their Monday night game against Missouri.[6] Before a nationally televised audience, the Crimson Tide fell behind to the Tigers 20–0 at halftime and were ultimately defeated 20–7 in the first major upset of the season.[4][5][7] The loss brought Alabama's record against Missouri to 0–2 up to that point in time.[8]

Clemson

See also: 1975 Clemson Tigers football team
More information Total, Scoring summary ...

After their loss against Missouri, the Crimson Tide had a bye prior their game against Clemson, and entered the contest as the No. 14 team prior to their game against the Tigers. At Denny Stadium, Alabama ran for 437 yards and eight touchdowns in this 56–0 shutout of Clemson.[7][9][10] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Clemson to 11–3.[11]

Vanderbilt

See also: 1975 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
More information Total, Scoring summary ...

After their victory over Clemson, Alabama moved into the No. 11 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt.[14] In their first road game of the season, the Crimson Tide score on their first four possession en route to a 40–7 victory over the Commodores at Nashville.[7][12][13] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 32–17–4.[15]

Ole Miss

See also: 1975 Ole Miss Rebels football team
More information Total, Scoring summary ...

After their victory over Vanderbilt, Alabama moved into the No. 9 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Ole Miss at Legion Field.[18] Against the Rebels, the Crimson Tide scored twice in a 0:44 span early in the game en route to a 32–6 victory at Birmingham.[7][16][17] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss to 24–5–2.[19]

Washington

See also: 1975 Washington Huskies football team
More information Total, Scoring summary ...

After their victory over Ole Miss, Alabama moved into the No. 7 position in the AP Poll prior to their non-conference game against Washington.[22] Playing the Huskies for the first time since the 1926 Rose Bowl, Alabama had 496 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns in this 52–0 shutout of Washington.[7][20][21] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Washington to 2–0.[23]

Tennessee

See also: 1975 Tennessee Volunteers football team
More information Total, Scoring summary ...

After their blowout victory over Washington, Alabama moved into the No. 6 position prior to their game against Tennessee.[26] Against the Volunteers, Richard Todd ran for three and threw for a fourth touchdown in this 30–7 victory at Legion Field.[7][24][25] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 28–23–7.[27]

TCU

See also: 1975 TCU Horned Frogs football team
More information Total, Scoring summary ...

After their victory over Tennessee, Alabama retained their No. 6 position prior to their match-up against Texas Christian University (TCU) of the Southwest Conference at Legion Field.[30] Against the Horned Frogs, Alabama posted its third shutout of the season with this 45–0 victory over TCU.[7][28][29] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against TCU to 2–3.[31]

Mississippi State

See also: 1975 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
More information Total, Scoring summary ...

As they entered their game against Mississippi State, Alabama retained their No. 6 position in the AP Poll.[34] At Jackson, the Crimson Tide overcame a 10–7 halftime deficit and came-from-behind and defeated the Bulldogs 21–10.[7][32][33] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 47–10–3.[35]

LSU

See also: 1975 LSU Tigers football team
More information Total, Scoring summary ...

After their victory over Mississippi State, Alabama moved into the No. 5 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against LSU.[38] With this 23–10 victory over the rival Tigers, the Crimson Tide secured the 1975 conference championship.[7][36][37] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against LSU to 25–10–4.[39]

Southern Miss

See also: 1975 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team
More information Total, Scoring summary ...

After they clinched the conference championship with their victory over LSU, Alabama retained the No. 5 position of the AP Poll prior to their game against Southern Miss.[42] On homecoming against the Golden Eagles, the Crimson Tide captured the 600th win in school history with this 27–6 win at Denny Stadium.[7][40][41] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Southern Miss to 15–2–1.[43]

Auburn

See also: 1975 Auburn Tigers football team
More information Total, Scoring summary ...

As they entered the annual Iron Bowl, Alabama moved into the No. 4 position in the AP Poll prior to their match-up at Legion Field.[46] In what was the final game ever coached by Ralph Jordan as the head coach of the Tigers, the Crimson Tide were victorious with this 28–0 shutout at Birmingham.[7][44][45] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 22–17–1.[47]

Penn State

See also: 1975 Sugar Bowl and 1975 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
More information Total, Scoring summary ...

Playing the first Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome, Alabama defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 13–6 and ended a seven-game bowl losing streak in the process.[48][49] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Penn State to 1–1.[50]

NFL Draft

Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1975 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) in the 1976, 1977 and 1978 drafts. These players included:

More information Year, Round ...

References

General

  • "1975 Season Recaps" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  • "2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book" (PDF). Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 17, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2014.

Specific

  1. [1]
    "1975 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  2. [2]
    "1975 Season Roster" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  3. [3]
    2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 202–203
  4. [4]
    Browning, Al (September 9, 1975). "Spell Tide misery Missouri". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  5. [5]
    "Missouri shocks Alabama, 20–7". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Press. September 9, 1975. p. B3. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  6. [6]
    McKenzie, Mike (September 8, 1974). "Bets on Bama in opener with Missouri". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  7. [7]
    1975 Season Recap
  8. [8]
    DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Missouri". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  9. [9]
    McKenzie, Mike (September 22, 1975). "High Tide swamps Clemson". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  10. [10]
    Timms, Leslie (September 22, 1975). "Alabama rolls past Clemson, 56–0". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. p. B1. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  11. [11]
    DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Clemson". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  12. [12]
    Browning, Al (September 28, 1975). "Potent Tide rips Vandy, 40–7". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  13. [13]
    Johnson, Randy (September 28, 1975). "Tide continues slaughter, 40–7". The Gadsden Times. p. 29. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  14. [14]
    "Buckeyes, Trojans move up in poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. September 23, 1975. p. 12. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  15. [15]
    DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  16. [16]
    Browning, Al (October 5, 1975). "Tide gets 32–6 win". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  17. [17]
    "Fumbles help Alabama to 32–6 win". The Ledger. Associated Press. October 5, 1975. p. 3C. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  18. [18]
    "Sooners stay on top, Alabama ninth". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. September 30, 1975. p. 10. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  19. [19]
    DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  20. [20]
    Browning, Al (October 12, 1975). "Fifty years later: Alabama romps". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1A. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  21. [21]
    "Shelby hot as Crimson rip dogs". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. October 12, 1975. p. D1. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  22. [22]
    "Ohio State moves to the top, Tide 7th". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 7, 1975. p. 7. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  23. [23]
    DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Washington". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  24. [24]
    Browning, Al (October 19, 1975). "Tide winner in tough tilt". The Tuscaloosa News. p. A1. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  25. [25]
    Smothers, Jimmy (October 19, 1974). "Alabama defense gets credit for 30–7 drubbing of Vols". The Gadsden Times. p. 35. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  26. [26]
    "Ohio State stays on top". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 14, 1975. p. 8. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  27. [27]
    DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  28. [28]
    McKenzie, Mike (October 26, 1975). "Winners get there with losers". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1B. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  29. [29]
    "Bama swamps Horned Frogs, 45–0". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. October 26, 1975. p. 1B. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  30. [30]
    "Colorado moves into top ten". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 21, 1975. p. 8. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  31. [31]
    DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Texas Christian". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  32. [32]
    Browning, Al (November 2, 1975). "Flying Tiders get 3 scares". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved August 25, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  33. [33]
    Saggus, James (November 2, 1975). "Alabama beats scrappy 'Dogs". The Florence Times. Associated Press. p. 22. Retrieved August 25, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  34. [34]
    "Nebraska moves up". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 28, 1975. p. 9. Retrieved August 25, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  35. [35]
    DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  36. [36]
    McKenzie, Mike (November 9, 1975). "Alabama thieves put down Tigers". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved August 25, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  37. [37]
    Shearer, Ed (November 10, 1975). "Alabama wins another SEC crown". Daily News. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved August 25, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  38. [38]
    "Southern Cal tumbles to ninth in poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 4, 1975. p. 7. Retrieved August 25, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  39. [39]
    DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Louisiana State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  40. [40]
    McKenzie, Mike (November 16, 1975). "Saturday was a beauty until..." The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1B. Retrieved August 25, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  41. [41]
    "Alabama rolls over Eagles, 27–6". Palm Beach Post-Times. Associated Press. November 16, 1975. p. E6. Retrieved August 25, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  42. [42]
    "Michigan overtakes Alabama in poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 11, 1975. p. 11. Retrieved August 25, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  43. [43]
    DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Southern Mississippi". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  44. [44]
    Browning, Al (November 30, 1975). "Shug has memories, Todd has victories". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved August 25, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  45. [45]
    "Bama whips Auburn for SEC title, 28–0". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press International. November 30, 1975. p. D1. Retrieved August 25, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  46. [46]
    "Tide moves up a notch". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 25, 1975. p. 9. Retrieved August 25, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  47. [47]
    DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Auburn". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  48. [48]
    "Tide breaks the drought on 13–6 win over Lions". The Ledger. Associated Press. January 1, 1976. p. 2B. Retrieved August 25, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  49. [49]
    "Bear finds winning secret". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. January 1, 1976. p. 16. Retrieved August 25, 2014 – via Google News Archives.
  50. [50]
    DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Penn State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  51. [51]
    "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 1975_Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football_team, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.