The 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 85th overall and 46th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 22nd year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season undefeated (12–0 overall, 6–0 in the SEC) and with a victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. For their collective efforts, the Crimson Tide were recognized as unanimous national champions for the 1979 season.
Quick Facts Alabama Crimson Tide football, Consensus national championSEC championSugar Bowl champion ...
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In 1979 the Alabama Crimson Tide capped off a decade of remarkable success with the program's seventh perfect season in college history after 1925, 1930, 1934, 1945, 1961, and 1966 (discounting the 1897 "season" in which Bama played and won only one game).[1] The Tide defense recorded five shutouts and allowed only two teams to score in double digits. The offense scored thirty points or more seven times.
Despite this dominance Alabama had three close calls. Against Tennessee on October 20, Alabama fell behind 17–0 in the second quarter before rallying to win 27–17. Three weeks later, against LSU, all the Tide offense could scrape up was a single field goal, but it was enough to win 3–0. In the regular season finale against Auburn, after leading 14–3 at the half Alabama let Auburn take an 18–17 fourth quarter lead before winning 25–18. The Auburn and Tennessee games were the only two times in the 1979 season that Alabama trailed.[2] A 24–9 victory over Arkansas capped a 12–0 season and national championship, Alabama's sixth wire service national title.
At Georgia Tech
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• #2 Alabama |
6 |
6 | 15 | 3 |
30 |
Georgia Tech |
0 |
0 | 0 | 6 |
6 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 1:22 | Alabama | E. J. Junior 59-yard interception return (Alan McElroy kick failed) | Alabama 6–0 |
| 2 | 4:12 | Alabama | Major Ogilvie 1-yard run (Two-point run failed) | Alabama 12–0 |
| 3 | 11:55 | Alabama | Steve Whitman 13-yard run (Alan McElroy kick) | Alabama 19–0 |
| 3 | 5:12 | Alabama | Steadman S. Shealy 11-yard run (Two-point run) | Alabama 27–0 |
| 4 | 2:01 | Alabama | Alan McElroy 31-yard field goal | Alabama 30–0 |
| 4 | 0:12 | Georgia Tech | Leon Chadwick 36-yard pass from Mike Kelley (Two-point pass failed) | Alabama 30–6 |
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As they entered the 1979 season, Alabama was ranked as the No. 2 team in the first AP Poll prior to their season opener against Georgia Tech. Playing before a nationally televised audience, the Crimson Tide rushed for over 300 yards in this 30–6 victory over the Yellow Jackets.[17][18] Alabama took a 6–0 lead in the first quarter after E. J. Junior intercepted a Mike Kelley pass and returned it 59-yards for a touchdown. Major Ogilvie then extended their lead to 12–0 with his one-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter.[17][18]
The Crimson Tide took control of the game with a pair of third quarter touchdowns that extended their lead to 27–0. Steve Whitman scored first on a thirteen-yard run and this was followed by an eleven-yard Steadman S. Shealy touchdown run.[17][18] After a late Gary DeNiro interception set up a 31-yard Alan McElroy field goal, Georgia Tech scored on a 36-yard Kelley touchdown pass to Leon Chadwick that made the final score 30–6 and prevented a shutout.[17][18] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 25–19–3.[19]
Baylor
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|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Baylor |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
• #2 Alabama |
6 |
8 | 3 | 28 |
45 |
- Date: September 22
- Location: Legion Field
Birmingham, Alabama - Game attendance: 77,512
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 10:13 | Alabama | Alan McElroy 30-yard field goal | Alabama 3–0 |
| 1 | 0:00 | Alabama | Alan McElroy 25-yard field goal | Alabama 6–0 |
| 2 | 10:53 | Alabama | Major Ogilvie 1-yard run (Two-point run) | Alabama 14–0 |
| 3 | 5:50 | Alabama | Alan McElroy 33-yard field goal | Alabama 17–0 |
| 4 | 14:55 | Alabama | Mark Nix 2-yard run (Alan McElroy kick) | Alabama 24–0 |
| 4 | 11:58 | Alabama | Mark Nix 8-yard run (Alan McElroy kick) | Alabama 31–0 |
| 4 | 4:43 | Alabama | Joe Jones 1-yard run (Alan McElroy kick) | Alabama 38–0 |
| 4 | 0:22 | Alabama | John Hill 10-yard run (Alan McElroy kick) | Alabama 45–0 |
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Coming off their bye week, Alabama was still ranked as the No. 2 team in the AP Poll prior to their home opener against Baylor.[22] Playing at Legion Field, the Crimson Tide shutout the Bears of the Southwest Conference 45–0 in what was the first all-time meeting between the schools.[20][21][23] After taking a 6–0 lead on a pair of Alan McElroy field goals, Alabama led 14–0 at halftime after Major Ogilvie scored om a one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.[20][21] A 33-yard McElroy field goal in the third brought the Crimson Tide lead to 17–0 before Alabama scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter and made the final score 45–0. Mark Nix scored the first pair on runs of two and eight-yards, followed by a one-yard Joe Jones run and John Hill scored the final points with his ten-yard touchdown run in the final minute of the game.[20][21]
At Vanderbilt
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• #2 Alabama |
14 |
18 | 13 | 21 |
66 |
Vanderbilt |
0 |
3 | 0 | 0 |
3 |
- Date: September 29
- Location: Dudley Field
Nashville, Tennessee - Game attendance: 34,694
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|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | Alabama | Steadman S. Shealy 65-yard run (Alan McElroy kick) | Alabama 7–0 |
| 1 | | Alabama | Major Ogilvie 8-yard run (Two-point run) | Alabama 14–0 |
| 2 | | Vanderbilt | Mike Woodard 47-yard field goal | Alabama 14–3 |
| 2 | | Alabama | Steadman S. Shealy 19-yard run (Two-point pass) | Alabama 22–3 |
| 2 | | Alabama | Alan McElroy 21-yard field goal | Alabama 25–3 |
| 2 | | Alabama | Mark Nix 1-yard run (Alan McElroy kick) | Alabama 32–3 |
| 3 | | Alabama | Steve Whitman 3-yard run (Alan McElroy kick failed) | Alabama 38–3 |
| 3 | | Alabama | Joe Jones 1-yard run (Alan McElroy kick) | Alabama 45–3 |
| 4 | | Alabama | Joe Jones 3-yard run (Tim Clark kick) | Alabama 52–3 |
| 4 | | Alabama | Michael Landrum 3-yard run (Amos Jones kick) | Alabama 59–3 |
| 4 | | Alabama | John Hill 14-yard run (Amos Jones kick) | Alabama 66–3 |
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After their victory over Baylor, Alabama was still ranked as the No. 2 team in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt.[26] Playing at Nashville, the Crimson Tide defeated the Commodores by a blowout score of 66–3 in the conference opener.[24][25] The Crimson Tide took a 14–0 first quarter lead behind touchdown runs of 65 and eight-yards by Steadman S. Shealy and Major Ogilvie. After Mike Woodard scored the only Vandy points with his 47-yard field goal, Alabama extended their lead to 32–3 at the half after Alan McElroy connected on a 21-yard field goal and touchdowns were scored on runs of 19 and one-yard by Shealy and Mark Nix.[24][25]
The Crimson Tide continued their strong play into the second half as they scored five touchdowns and kept the Commodores scoreless on defense. Touchdowns were scored in the third on runs of three and one-yards by Steve Whitman and Joe Jones and in the fourth on a pair of three and a 14-yard run by Jones, Michael Landrum and John Hill.[24][25] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 36–17–4.[27]
Wichita State
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Wichita State |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
• #2 Alabama |
14 |
14 | 7 | 3 |
38 |
- Date: October 6
- Location: Bryant–Denny Stadium
Tuscaloosa, Alabama - Game attendance: 55,068
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|
Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | Alabama | Keith Pugh 27-yard pass from Steadman S. Shealy (Alan McElroy kick) | Alabama 7–0 |
| 1 | | Alabama | Steadman S. Shealy 3-yard run (Alan McElroy kick) | Alabama 14–0 |
| 2 | | Alabama | Major Ogilvie 6-yard run (Alan McElroy kick) | Alabama 21–0 |
| 2 | | Alabama | Major Ogilvie 4-yard run (Alan McElroy kick) | Alabama 28–0 |
| 3 | | Alabama | Steadman S. Shealy 8-yard run (Jones kick) | Alabama 35–0 |
| 4 | | Alabama | Alan McElroy 40-yard field goal | Alabama 38–0 |
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As they prepared for their first Tuscaloosa game of the season, Alabama retained their No. 2 position in AP Poll prior to their game against Wichita State.[30] In what was the only game ever played against the Shockers, the Crimson Tide won with this 38–0 shutout at Bryant–Denny Stadium.[28][29][31] Alabama took a 28–0 lead into halftime behind a pair of touchdowns scored in each of the first two quarters. After Steadman S. Shealy connected with Keith Pugh on a 27-yard touchdown pass, Shealy scored on a three-yard run for a 14–0 first quarter lead. Major Ogilvie then gave the Crimson Tide a 28–0 halftime lead after he scored on touchdown runs of six and four-yards in the second.[28][29] Alabama closed the game with an eight-yard Shealy touchdown run in the third and a 40-yard Alan McElroy field goal in the fourth that made the final score 38–0.[28][29]
At Florida
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Alabama |
14 |
3 | 13 | 10 |
40 |
Florida |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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| Q1 | | ALA | Shealy 3 yard run (McElroy kick) | ALA 7–0 |
| Q1 | | ALA | Whitman 5 yard run (McElroy kick) | ALA 14–0 |
| Q2 | | ALA | McElroy 31 yard field goal | ALA 17–0 |
| Q3 | | ALA | Jacobs 73 yard run (kick failed) | ALA 23–0 |
| Q3 | | ALA | Oglivie 1 yard run (McElroy kick) | ALA 30–0 |
| Q4 | | ALA | Hill 2 yard run (McElroy kick) | ALA 37–0 |
| Q4 | | ALA | McElroy 34 yard field goal | ALA 40–0 |
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[32]
Tennessee
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Virginia Tech
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Mississippi State
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At LSU
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Miami (FL)
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
- First quarter
- ALA – Tim Travis 56-yard pass from Steadman Shealy (Alan McElroy kick). Alabama 7–0.
- ALA – Alan McElroy 24-yard field goal. Alabama 10–0.
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- ALA – Major Ogilvie 1-yard run (Alan McElroy kick). Alabama 17–0.
- Fourth quarter
- ALA – Alan McElroy 25-yard field goal. Alabama 20–0.
- ALA – Alan McElroy 23-yard field goal. Alabama 23–0.
- ALA – James Haney 5-yard run (Alan McElroy kick). Alabama 30–0.
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The contest versus the Hurricanes marked the first national television broadcast from Bryant–Denny Stadium. Portable light standards had to be brought in by ABC, since the Tuscaloosa stadium lacked permanent fixtures at the time. It also marked the Alabama homecoming for former Crimson Tide assistant Howard Schnellenberger, in his first season at Miami.
Vs. Auburn
More information Total ...
#1 Alabama vs. #14 Auburn
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Alabama |
0 |
14 | 3 | 8 |
25 |
Auburn |
3 |
0 | 9 | 6 |
18 |
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[33]
More information Scoring summary, Quarter ...
Scoring summary |
Quarter |
Time |
Drive |
Team |
Scoring information |
Score |
Plays |
Yards |
TOP |
ALA |
AUB |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Auburn |
Portela 47-yard field goal |
0 |
3
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
Alabama |
Pugh 28-yard pass from Shealy (McElroy kick) |
7 |
3
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
Alabama |
Shealy 1-yard run (McElroy kick) |
14 |
3
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
Auburn |
Portela 39-yard field goal |
14 |
6
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
Alabama |
McElroy 28-yard field goal |
17 |
6
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
Auburn |
Cribbs 36-yard pass from Trotman (two-point failed) |
17 |
12
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
Auburn |
Robbins 11-yard pass from Trotman (two-point failed) |
17 |
18
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
Alabama |
Shealy 8-yard run (Shealy run) |
25 |
18
|
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. |
25 |
18 |
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