1997 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Houston

A sellout crowd packed Legion Field as the Mike DuBose era got off to a strong start, with the Crimson Tide rolling to a convincing victory over Houston. Alabama’s 42 points were the most the Tide had scored in a game since the 1994 season opener.

After a Houston punt, Alabama marched 54 yards in 10 plays on its opening possession, capping the drive with an 11-yard touchdown run by Curtis Alexander to give the Tide an early 7–0 lead.

On Houston’s next possession, Kevin Sigler forced a fumble that was recovered by Trevis Smith, giving Alabama the ball at the Houston 34-yard line. The Tide capitalized two plays later when Freddie Kitchens found Rod Rutledge, who made an impressive one-handed catch for a 29-yard touchdown. Ryan Pflugner’s extra-point attempt was blocked, leaving Alabama with a 13–0 lead.

Houston moved into Alabama territory on its next possession and faced a fourth-and-six at the Alabama 42-yard line. The Cougars elected to go for it, but Jason McKinley’s pass was intercepted by Fernando Bryant, who returned it 66 yards for a touchdown. Alabama successfully converted the two-point attempt to extend its lead to 21–0.

Houston began its next possession in Alabama territory thanks to a 58-yard return by Ketric Sanford, but once again the Cougars came up empty. On fourth-and-16, McKinley’s pass was dropped in the end zone by Maurice Bryant, turning the ball over on downs. Bryant was also flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play, giving Alabama possession even deeper in Houston territory.

Lance Tucker entered the game at quarterback, and on third down he found Alexander on a screen pass that Alexander took 43 yards for a touchdown, extending Alabama’s lead to 28–0 early in the second quarter.

After forcing another Houston punt, Alabama drove deep into Cougar territory and faced third-and-goal from the Houston 3-yard line. Third-string quarterback John David Phillips entered the game and took the shotgun snap, running straight up the middle toward the end zone. Phillips appeared to be headed for another touchdown, but he fumbled at the 1-yard line, with Houston recovering to end the threat.

The Cougars capitalized with a three-play, 99-yard scoring drive, capped by a 57-yard touchdown pass from Tyson Helton to Robbie Wheeler to put Houston on the board at 28–7.

Alabama moved back into Houston territory on its next possession but turned the ball over again, this time on an interception by Kitchens. Houston was unable to capitalize, however, and the first half ended with Alabama holding a 28–7 advantage.

Alabama received the opening kickoff of the second half but turned the ball over for the third consecutive possession dating back to the first half. Kitchens was hit from behind by Marcus Smith, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Houston’s Louis Hampton and giving the Cougars possession in Alabama territory. Houston again failed to capitalize, as Sebastian Villarreal missed a 43-yard field-goal attempt, keeping the Tide’s lead at 21 points.

After an Alabama punt, Houston finally found the end zone again, marching 83 yards in seven plays before Sanford scored on a 20-yard touchdown run to cut Alabama’s lead to 28–14.

Tucker returned at quarterback for Alabama and led the Tide into Houston territory. A key play came on third-and-seven from the Houston 32-yard line when Tucker’s pass over the middle was batted into the air and intercepted by Malik Ledbetter. However, Houston was flagged for pass interference, negating the interception and giving Alabama a first down.

Two plays later, early in the fourth quarter, Alexander scored his third touchdown of the game and his second rushing touchdown, extending Alabama’s lead to 35–14.

After another Houston punt, Alabama put together another touchdown drive, marching 71 yards in seven plays. Shaun Alexander capped the drive with his first touchdown of the season, a 22-yard run that pushed the Tide’s lead to 42–14.

After the teams exchanged punts, Houston drove into Alabama territory in eight plays and added a field goal by Villarreal to make the score 42–17. Alabama then ran out the clock on its final possession, securing a dominant season-opening victory and giving the new DuBose era an impressive start.

Vanderbilt

Alabama's defense held Vanderbilt to just 124 yards of total offense as the Crimson Tide won its first road and conference game of the season in shutout fashion, defeating the Commodores 20-0 in Nashville.

The Thursday night showdown began with both offenses struggling to find any rhythm, as each team went three-and-out and punted on its first three possessions. After Alabama went three-and-out and punted for the fourth consecutive possession, Vanderbilt appeared poised to do the same. However, a defensive holding penalty was called on Alabama, giving Vanderbilt the first first down for either team.

Three plays later, Vanderbilt faced a third-and-1 and converted for a first down that moved the Commodores into Alabama territory. However, Vanderbilt was then flagged for illegal participation, resulting in a 15-yard penalty and forcing a third-and-16. After failing to convert, Vanderbilt punted for the fourth time, but this time the Tide's special teams came through. Warren Foust blocked the punt, and Steve Harris recovered at the Vanderbilt 22-yard line.

Alabama capitalized on the opportunity three plays later when Freddie Kitchens found Ed Scissum for a 17-yard touchdown pass, giving the Crimson Tide a 7-0 lead.

Vanderbilt took its next possession into the second quarter and drove into Alabama territory before eventually punting the ball back to the Tide. Alabama finally picked up its first first down of the game when Lance Tucker connected with Calvin Hall for a 25-yard gain. The Tide could not sustain the drive, however, and was forced to punt once again.

After three more punts—two by Vanderbilt and one by Alabama—the Tide looked to run out the clock at the end of the first half. Alabama used a draw play to Scissum that gained 10 yards and moved the chains. With time remaining, the Tide attempted to take advantage by throwing the ball and adding to its lead before halftime.

Instead, disaster struck. Kitchens' pass deflected off the hands of Dennis Riddle and was intercepted by Rahim Batten, giving Vanderbilt an opportunity to score before the break. The Commodores were unable to capitalize, however, and Alabama took a 7-0 lead into halftime.

Both teams exchanged punts to begin the second half. Following another Vanderbilt punt, Alabama took over near midfield and drove into Commodores territory, where Brian Cunningham connected on a 48-yard field goal to extend the Tide's lead to 10-0.

After another Vanderbilt punt, Alabama again began a drive near midfield looking to add to its advantage. On the first play, Kitchens attempted a deep pass down the middle of the field, but the ball was intercepted by Corey Chavous, giving Vanderbilt possession.

Three more punts followed—two by Vanderbilt and one by Alabama—before the Tide took over at its own 3-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Alabama then put together its best scoring drive of the game, marching 97 yards on 10 plays. Kitchens connected with Quincy Jackson for a 45-yard reception that moved the ball deep into Vanderbilt territory, and the drive was capped by a 1-yard touchdown run from Shaun Alexander. Alexander fumbled the handoff but quickly recovered the ball and crossed the goal line, extending Alabama's lead to 17-0.

Another Vanderbilt punt gave Alabama the ball in Commodores territory, and the Tide looked to add to its lead while, more importantly, taking as much time off the clock as possible. With the scoring opportunity appearing to be in jeopardy, Alabama faced a third-and-23 from the Vanderbilt 47-yard line. Kitchens found Jackson once again, this time for an 18-yard reception. Although the play came up short of the first down, it moved the ball into position for Cunningham, who calmly converted a 46-yard field goal to make it 20-0.

Vanderbilt's next possession expired as Alabama's defense completed the shutout. The Crimson Tide left Nashville with a 20-0 victory.

Arkansas

Despite entering the game as a nearly 18-point underdog, Arkansas once again stunned a ranked Alabama team at Bryant-Denny Stadium, defeating the Crimson Tide by one point for the second consecutive season.

After going three-and-out on its opening possession, Alabama watched Arkansas drive 30 yards in five plays, setting up a 34-yard field goal by Todd Latourette that put the Razorbacks ahead 3–0.

Later in the first quarter, Arvin Richard returned an Arkansas punt inside the Razorbacks’ 20-yard line before fumbling. Alabama recovered at the Arkansas 22-yard line, but the Tide’s offense could not manage a first down. Brian Cunningham salvaged the possession with a 36-yard field goal to tie the game at 3–3.

Arkansas took its next possession into the second quarter and drove into Alabama territory before a sack pushed the Razorbacks out of field-goal range and forced them to punt.

Later in the second quarter, Alabama put together a 47-yard drive over eight plays to take its first lead of the game. Cunningham connected on another field goal, this time from 38 yards, to put the Tide ahead 6–3.

Alabama got the ball back late in the first half and drove into Arkansas territory, setting up Cunningham for a 52-yard field-goal attempt on the final play of the half. The kick was blocked, however, keeping Alabama’s lead at 6–3 heading into halftime.

Arkansas received the opening kickoff of the second half and used two critical third-down conversions to set up the game’s first touchdown. The first came on third-and-five from the Alabama 45-yard line, when Clint Stoerner found Anthony Lucas wide open down the middle of the field for a 43-yard completion that moved the ball to the Alabama 2-yard line.

Alabama’s defense held the Razorbacks out of the end zone on three consecutive plays, but on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Stoerner kept the ball and punched it into the end zone to give Arkansas a 10–6 lead.

Alabama received excellent field position on its next possession thanks to a long kickoff return by Fernando Bryant, setting the Tide up at the Arkansas 48-yard line. Alabama marched 30 yards in 10 plays before Cunningham connected on a 30-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 10–9.

As the game moved into the fourth quarter, Lance Tucker took over at quarterback and led Alabama on a 49-yard drive in just four plays. The drive was capped by a 28-yard touchdown pass from Tucker to Quincy Jackson, putting the Tide back in front, 15–10.

Alabama lined up to attempt a two-point conversion with John David Phillips at quarterback, but he inadvertently allowed the play clock to expire, resulting in a delay-of-game penalty. As a result, Mike DuBose elected to kick the extra point, making it a six-point game.

After the teams exchanged punts, Arkansas got the ball back with less than five minutes remaining, needing to travel 58 yards to take the lead. The Razorbacks did exactly that, marching 58 yards in nine plays.

The game-tying touchdown came on one of the biggest plays of the day. Facing third-and-18 from the Alabama 29-yard line, Stoerner found a wide-open Anthony Eubanks in the corner of the end zone for the touchdown. Latourette converted the extra point, giving Arkansas a 17–16 lead with little time remaining.

Alabama was unable to move the ball into field-goal range on its final possession. Kitchens’ desperation Hail Mary on the final play fell well short and incomplete, sealing a stunning 17–16 Arkansas

Southern Miss

After the teams were tied 10–10 at halftime, Alabama outscored Southern Miss 17–3 in the second half, with the Crimson Tide defense forcing three turnovers in the final two quarters to pull away for a 27–13 victory.

After three consecutive possessions ended in punts—two by Alabama and one by Southern Miss—the Golden Eagles took their second possession into Alabama territory, where Tim Hardaway attempted a 47-yard field goal. The kick was partially blocked and fell short, keeping the game scoreless.

Following another Alabama punt, Southern Miss took its next possession into the second quarter. Quarterback Lee Roberts was then sacked and fumbled, with Alabama’s Trevis Smith recovering to give the Tide possession in Southern Miss territory.

Alabama drove to the Southern Miss 3-yard line, where Curtis Alexander appeared to score on a 3-yard touchdown run. However, Alabama was flagged for an illegal shift, nullifying the touchdown and moving the Tide back five yards. On the following play, Freddie Kitchens rolled out of the pocket but was sacked at the 15-yard line by Adalius Thomas. Brian Cunningham salvaged the drive by connecting on a 37-yard field goal to give Alabama a 3–0 lead.

Southern Miss responded with a 10-play, 60-yard drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass from Roberts to Todd Pinkston, putting the Golden Eagles ahead 7–3.

Alabama answered with a drive of its own, marching 79 yards in seven plays. The biggest play came when Kitchens avoided a sack and found a wide-open Chad Goss for a 48-yard completion that moved the Tide deep into Southern Miss territory. The drive was capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass from Kitchens to Dustin McClintock, putting Alabama back in front 10–7.

With less than a minute remaining before halftime, Roberts connected with Sherrod Gideon on a short completion. Gideon broke two tackles and appeared to have a clear path to the end zone, but he slipped on the wet grass and was brought down at the Alabama 9-yard line. With only five seconds remaining, Hardaway connected on a 32-yard field goal to tie the game at 10–10 heading into halftime.

Southern Miss received the ball to start the second half and appeared to be driving deep into Alabama territory, but a holding penalty backed the Golden Eagles up to midfield and eventually forced them to punt. After another Alabama punt, Southern Miss once again drove into Alabama territory, this time sustaining a 13-play drive that reached deep into the red zone. The Tide defense held Southern Miss out of the end zone, but Hardaway connected on a 27-yard field goal to cap the drive and put the Golden Eagles back in front, 13–10.

After another Alabama punt, Roberts fumbled for the second time, and Alabama recovered once again, this time with Heath Panks making the recovery and giving the Tide possession inside the Southern Miss 20-yard line. The Golden Eagles' defense forced Alabama into a third-and-17, but Kitchens found Calvin Hall in the corner of the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown pass, putting Alabama back in front 17–13.

Following a Southern Miss punt, Alabama took over near midfield looking to extend its lead. On the final play of the third quarter, Kitchens found Shamari Buchanan behind the Golden Eagles' defense. Buchanan bobbled the pass before securing it and was brought down at the 1-yard line. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Curtis Alexander finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, extending Alabama's lead to 24–13.

After the teams exchanged punts, Roberts turned the ball over again, this time throwing an interception to Steve Harris, who returned it to the Alabama 12-yard line. The Tide could not punch the ball into the end zone, but Cunningham connected on a 22-yard field goal to extend the lead to 27–13.

On Southern Miss's next offensive play, Roberts threw another interception, this time to Fernando Bryant, who returned the ball to the Southern Miss 17-yard line. Alabama again failed to capitalize on the short field, and Cunningham's field-goal attempt was blocked, keeping the margin at 14 points.

Southern Miss failed to convert on a fourth-down attempt on its next possession, giving Alabama the ball back with an opportunity to run out the clock. The Tide did just that, securing a 27–13 victory after a dominant defensive performance in the second half.

Kentucky

A back-and-forth shootout ended with Kentucky stunning Alabama 40–34 in overtime, earning the Wildcats' first victory over the Crimson Tide since 1922.

Kentucky received the opening kickoff and drove into Alabama territory, but a Tim Couch pass on third down was intercepted by Kevin Sigler, who was brought down at the Alabama 45-yard line. Alabama took its first possession into Kentucky territory but could advance only to the Kentucky 36-yard line before turning the ball over on downs after a failed fourth-down attempt.

Kentucky immediately moved back into Alabama territory thanks to a 43-yard run by Anthony White. The Wildcats drove as far as the Alabama 4-yard line but could not overcome a second-down sack, settling for a 30-yard field goal by Seth Hanson to take a 3–0 lead.

Alabama responded on its next offensive play when Curtis Alexander broke through the middle and raced 58 yards for a touchdown, putting the Tide ahead 7–3.

Kentucky needed just five plays to answer. Couch found Derek Homer slipping out of the backfield, and Homer took the pass 62 yards for a touchdown, putting the Wildcats back in front, 10–7.

After the teams exchanged punts, Alabama took its first possession of the second quarter into Kentucky territory, helped by several strong runs from Shaun Alexander and a long scramble by Freddie Kitchens. The drive eventually stalled, however, and Brian Cunningham missed a 41-yard field-goal attempt, keeping the score at 10–7.

Following a three-and-out by Kentucky, Alabama again drove into Wildcats territory but once again came up empty, turning the ball over on downs. Kentucky then moved into Alabama territory, but Couch threw his second interception of the evening, this time to Fernando Bryant, ending the drive.

Alabama responded with a five-play, 64-yard touchdown drive. Kitchens found Chad Goss down the seam, and Goss took the pass 35 yards for a touchdown to put the Tide back in front, 14–10.

Kentucky answered with a scoring drive of its own in the waning minutes of the first half, marching 66 yards in nine plays. With time running down before halftime, the Wildcats opted to take the points rather than risk running out of time, and Seth Hanson connected on a 30-yard field goal to cut Alabama's lead to 14–13 heading into the break.

Alabama went three-and-out to begin the second half, and Kentucky first possession, Couch threw a third-down pass that was deflected over the middle and intercepted by Sigler, his second interception of the game. Sigler returned the ball to the Kentucky 26-yard line. Alabama again failed to pick up a first down, but Cunningham connected on a 41-yard field goal to extend the Tide's lead to 17–13.

Kentucky responded with a 51-yard drive over six plays, capped by a 20-yard touchdown pass from Couch to White that put the Wildcats back in front, 20–17.

After another Alabama three-and-out, Kentucky struck again, driving 53 yards in five plays. Couch connected with Kevin Coleman for a 20-yard touchdown pass, extending Kentucky's lead to 27–17.

Alabama answered with a drive into Kentucky territory, aided by another long scramble from Kitchens. After the Tide picked up a first down at the Kentucky 40-yard line, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians reached into his bag of tricks and called a reverse pass. Chad Goss, a former high school quarterback, took the reverse and delivered a 40-yard strike to a wide-open Quincy Jackson, cutting Kentucky's lead to 27–24.

The Wildcats moved the ball to near midfield on their next possession but stalled and were forced to punt. Disaster then struck for Kentucky when the snap sailed over the head of Jimmy Carter and rolled all the way back to the Kentucky 17-yard line. Tim Bowens recovered for Alabama, giving the Tide excellent field position as the game moved into the fourth quarter.

Alabama capitalized on the short field in 5 plays as Kitchens would hit Curtis Alexander on a 6-yard shovel pass for a touchdown that put the Tide back in front, 31–27.

After a Kentucky punt, Alabama used nearly six minutes of the fourth-quarter clock, driving from its own 33-yard line to the Kentucky 27-yard line. The drive set up Cunningham for a 44-yard field-goal attempt, but Kentucky blocked the kick, and Anwar Stewart picked up the loose ball and returned it 68 yards for a touchdown. The stunning special-teams play gave Kentucky a 34–31 lead with 6:54 remaining.

Alabama responded with a long, methodical drive that consumed nearly all of the remaining clock. The Tide marched 46 yards on 15 plays and converted two critical fourth downs to set up Cunningham for a 37-yard field goal. Cunningham connected, tying the game at 34–34 and sending the teams to overtime for the first time in the history of both programs.

Alabama received the ball first in overtime but immediately put itself in a difficult position when a holding penalty on first down moved the ball back to the Kentucky 37-yard line. Facing third-and-19, Kitchens found Goss over the middle for a completion that appeared to put Alabama in position for another Cunningham field-goal attempt. However, Goss fumbled the ball, and Kentucky recovered, giving the Wildcats an opportunity to win the game.

Alabama's defense forced a third-and-11 from the Kentucky 26-yard line, but Couch found Craig Yeast, who broke a tackle at the 8-yard line and raced into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.

Tennessee

For the third consecutive year, Tennessee defeated Alabama. Alabama opened with two early field goals, briefly holding a 6–0 lead, but Tennessee's response was emphatic—28 unanswered points that left no room for a comeback. This contest also carried historical weight, serving as the final Third Saturday in October matchup played at Legion Field, closing a memorable chapter in the rivalry’s history.

Ole Miss

Mike DuBose would get his first win against a ranked team as the Crimson Tide ended their two-game losing streak with a win against Ole Miss.

Louisiana Tech

For the first time since the 1990 season, Alabama would lose a non-conference game. This was also the first homecoming loss for Alabama since 1990, and the first time Louisiana Tech had ever defeated Alabama. Coming into the game, the Bulldogs had the third-ranked passing offense in college football.

LSU

LSU returned the favor after Alabama shutout LSU in Tiger Stadium in 1996 by shutting out Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium. This was the first time Alabama had been shutout since 1991.

Mississippi State

For the first time since 1957, Mississippi State would win in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The loss also meant Alabama would not win a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time since 1955. The loss also guaranteed Alabama its first losing season since 1984.

Auburn

Despite being an underdog, Alabama would lead for most of the game and be in a position to put the game away but an Ed Scissum fumble recovered by Auburn put them in field goal range to take the lead and ultimately give them the win. Alabama would try a 57-yard field goal with A.J. Diaz as time expired but it fell short. Alabama seven losses was the most Alabama had had in a season since 1957.

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