1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

The 1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1996–97 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference. Gene Stallings led the Crimson Tide to a 10–3 record in his final year with the program. The team played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.

1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football
SEC Western Division co-champion
Outback Bowl champion
Outback Bowl, W 17–14 vs. Michigan
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 11
APNo. 11
Record10–3 (6–2 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorWoody McCorvey
Defensive coordinatorMike Dubose
Home stadiumBryant–Denny Stadium
(Capacity: 70,123)
Legion Field
(Capacity: 83,091)
1996 Southeastern Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Eastern Division
No. 1 Florida x$  8 –0   12 –1  
No. 9 Tennessee  7 –1   10 –2  
South Carolina  4 –4   6 –5  
Kentucky  3 –5   4 –7  
Georgia  3 –5   5 –6  
Vanderbilt  0 –8   2 –9  
Western Division
No. 11 Alabama xy  6 –2   10 –3  
No. 12 LSU x  6 –2   10 –2  
No. 24 Auburn  4 –4   8 –4  
Mississippi State  3 –5   5 –6  
Ole Miss  2 –6   5 –6  
Arkansas  2 –6   4 –7  
Championship: Florida 45, Alabama 30
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

Alabama's loss to Mississippi State broke a 15-game winning streak Alabama had in the series and was their first loss to the Bulldogs since a dramatic upset MSU posted over the #1 ranked Tide in 1980.

Following a victory in the annual Iron Bowl on November 23, head coach Gene Stallings announced his retirement, which would go into effect at the end of the season.[1]

Schedule
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
August 312:00 p.m.Bowling Green*No. 13
PPVW 21–776,878[2]
September 711:30 a.m.Southern Miss*No. 14
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL (rivalry)
JPSW 20–1082,338[3]
September 145:00 p.m.VanderbiltNo. 13
ESPN2W 36–2670,123[4]
September 2111:30 a.m.at ArkansasNo. 13
JPSW 17–754,827[5]
October 51:00 p.m.KentuckydaggerNo. 13
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL
PPVW 35–770,123[6]
October 122:30 p.m.at NC State*No. 8
ABCW 24–1950,750[7]
October 195:00 p.m.Ole MissNo. 7
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
ESPN2W 37–070,123[8]
October 262:30 p.m.at No. 6 TennesseeNo. 7
CBSL 13–20106,700[9]
November 96:30 p.m.at No. 11 LSUNo. 10
ESPNW 26–080,290[10]
November 168:00 p.m.at Mississippi StateNo. 8
ESPNL 16–1740,050[11]
November 236:30 p.m.AuburnNo. 15
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL (Iron Bowl, College GameDay)
ESPNW 24–2383,091[12]
December 78:00 p.m.vs. No. 4 FloridaNo. 11
ABCL 30–4574,132[13]
January 1, 199710:00 a.m.vs. No. 15 Michigan*No. 16
ESPNW 17–1453,161[14]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[15]

Coaching staff
Name Position Consecutive seasons at Alabama
Gene StallingsHead coach7th
Woody McCorveyOffensive coordinator7th
Dabo SwinneyWide receivers and Tight end coach4th
Danny PearmanOffensive tackles coach/Special teams coordinator6th
Jim FullerOffensive line Coach13th
Randy RossQuarterbacks coach/recruiting coordinator7th
Ivy WilliamsRunning backs coach3rd
Mike DuboseDefensive coordinator/defensive line7th
Curley HallmanSecondary coach1st
Jeff RouzieLinebackers coach6th
Mickey ConnGraduate assistant1st
Reference:[16]

Game summaries

Bowling Green
See also: 1996 Bowling Green Falcons football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 0 0 0 7 7
#13 Crimson Tide 7 7 7 0 21

Alabama wins its sixth straight season opener over newly Division 1 opponent Bowling Green.

StatisticsBowling GreenAlabama
First downs716
Total yards177316
Rushing yards80154
Passing yards97162
Turnovers33
Time of possession27:4232:18
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Bowling GreenPassingBob Niemet9–19, 59 yards, 1 INT
RushingCourtney Davis13 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJacque Rogers4 receptions, 44 yards
AlabamaPassingFreddie Kitchens10–16, 156 yards, 1 INT
RushingCurtis Alexander6 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMichael Vaughn5 receptions, 73 yards

Southern Miss
See also: 1996 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Eagles 0 10 0 0 10
#14 Crimson Tide 10 7 3 0 20

Alabama would hold Southern Miss to 104 yards of offense to win for the sixth straight year over the Golden Eagles.

StatisticsSouthern MissAlabama
First downs820
Total yards109304
Rushing yards11115
Passing yards98189
Turnovers31
Time of possession19:3740:21
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern MissPassingHeath Graham8–26, 98 yards, 2 INT's
RushingEric Booth5 carries, 46 yards
ReceivingSherrod Gideon2 receptions, 59 yards
AlabamaPassingFreddie Kitchens15–23, 180 yards, 2 TD's
RushingCurtis Alexander20 carries, 73 yards
ReceivingMichael Vaughn5 receptions, 70 yards

Vanderbilt
See also: 1996 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Commodores 7 8 11 0 26
#13 Crimson Tide 3 12 21 0 36

In the first home game at Bryant-Denny Stadium for 1996, a shootout would unfold as the Crimson Tide would use a 21 point 3rd quarter to beat the Commodores.

StatisticsVanderbiltAlabama
First downs1123
Total yards255367
Rushing yards116160
Passing yards139207
Turnovers53
Time of possession23:4736:13
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
VanderbiltPassingDamian Allen11–21, 139 yards, 3 INT's
RushingBill Marinangel1 carry, 81 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingBilly Miller1 reception, 38 yards
AlabamaPassingFreddie Kitchens16–27, 209 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT's
RushingCurtis Alexander19 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMarcell West3 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD

Arkansas
See also: 1996 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
1 2 3 4 Total
#13 Crimson Tide 0 7 0 10 17
Razorbacks 0 0 0 7 7

A defensive struggle goes the Crimson Tide way as they avenge their loss of a year ago to Arkansas.

StatisticsAlabamaArkansas
First downs1413
Total yards288206
Rushing yards105130
Passing yards18376
Turnovers13
Time of possession33:0826:52
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingFreddie Kitchens14–28, 183 yards, 1 TD
RushingDennis Riddle20 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingCalvin Hall3 receptions, 78 yards
ArkansasPassingPete Burks11–24, 76 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingOscar Malone
Chrys Chukwuma		14 carries, 72 yards
9 carries, 72 yards
ReceivingAnthony Eubanks3 receptions, 37 yards, 1 TD

Kentucky
See also: 1996 Kentucky Wildcats football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Wildcats 0 7 0 0 7
#13 Crimson Tide 7 0 28 0 35

Former Alabama coach Bill Curry returned to Tuscaloosa for the first time since leaving Alabama for Kentucky in 1989. Despite being heavy underdogs, Curry's Wildcats forced a 7-7 tie at halftime which brought a chorus of boos from the homecoming crowd. The Crimson Tide then would use a 28 point third quarter to beat Kentucky.

StatisticsKentuckyAlabama
First downs417
Total yards124358
Rushing yards75168
Passing yards49190
Turnovers35
Time of possession27:1032:50
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KentuckyPassingBilly Jack Haskins5–14, 49 yards, 1 INT
RushingBilly Jack Haskins15 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingCraig Yeast1 reception, 22 yards
AlabamaPassingFreddie Kitchens9–16, 152 yards, 1 TD
RushingShaun Alexander9 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingCalvin Hall2 receptions, 52 yards

North Carolina State
See also: 1996 NC State Wolfpack football team
1 2 3 4 Total
#8 Crimson Tide 7 0 7 10 24
Wolfpack 3 0 3 13 19

Despite giving up a season high 418 yards of offense, The Crimson Tide survived on the road to stay undefeated.

StatisticsAlabamaNC State
First downs2022
Total yards353418
Rushing yards172158
Passing yards181260
Turnovers02
Time of possession30:4029:20
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingFreddie Kitchens13–24, 181 yards
RushingDennis Riddle33 carries, 154 yards, 3 TD's
ReceivingMichael Vaughn6 receptions, 102 yards
NC StatePassingJamie Barnette14–25, 260 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingTremayne Stephens22 carries, 105 yards
ReceivingChris Coleman1 reception, 72 yards, 1 TD

Ole Miss
See also: 1996 Ole Miss Rebels football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Rebels 0 0 0 0 0
#7 Crimson Tide 3 7 14 13 37

The Crimson Tide put its most complete game together to date in 1996 to roll to a shutout win of Ole Miss.

StatisticsOle MissAlabama
First downs928
Total yards158489
Rushing yards26273
Passing yards132216
Turnovers03
Time of possession25:5334:07
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ole MissPassingStewart Patridge10–22, 132 yards
RushingTony Cannion9 carries, 37 yards
ReceivingTa'Boris Fisher4 receptions, 49 yards
AlabamaPassingFreddie Kitchens13–33, 216 yards, 2 TD's, 2 INT's
RushingDennis Riddle31 carries, 140 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMichael Vaughn3 receptions, 89 yards, 2 TD's

Tennessee
See also: 1996 Tennessee Volunteers football team and Third Saturday in October
1 2 3 4 Total
#7 Crimson Tide 0 3 10 0 13
#6 Volunteers 0 0 6 14 20

Tennessee used 14 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to beat Alabama for the second year in a row and for the first time in Knoxville since 1984.

StatisticsAlabamaTennessee
First downs1510
Total yards326296
Rushing yards189120
Passing yards137176
Turnovers43
Time of possession36:2823:22
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingFreddie Kitchens8–21, 137 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT's
RushingDennis Riddle38 carries, 184 yards
ReceivingMichael Vaughn2 receptions, 65 yards
TennesseePassingPeyton Manning12–25, 176 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingJay Graham14 carries, 128 yards, 2 TD's
ReceivingJoey Kent6 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD

LSU
See also: 1996 LSU Tigers football team
1 2 3 4 Total
#10 Crimson Tide 0 7 12 7 26
#11 Tigers 0 0 0 0 0

For the second time in three games, Alabama defense would shut out its opponent. The Crimson tide offense went through one man Redshirt Freshman Shaun Alexander rushed for a School record 291 yards and all four Alabama touchdowns.

StatisticsAlabamaLSU
First downs199
Total yards412248
Rushing yards35152
Passing yards61196
Turnovers13
Time of possession35:5824:02
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingFreddie Kitchens6–18, 61 yards
RushingShaun Alexander20 carries, 291 yards, 4 TD's
ReceivingMichael Vaughn1 reception, 19 yards
LSUPassingBryan Sparacino8–35, 133 yards, 2 INT's
RushingKevin Faulk14 carries, 45 yards
ReceivingLarry Foster3 receptions, 56 yards

Mississippi State
See also: 1996 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
1 2 3 4 Total
#8 Crimson Tide 0 13 0 3 16
Bulldogs 7 7 0 3 17

For the first time since 1980, Alabama would lose to Mississippi State in one of the biggest upset of the Gene Stallings era.

StatisticsAlabamaMississippi State
First downs1616
Total yards334309
Rushing yards229157
Passing yards105152
Turnovers21
Time of possession27:5532:05
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingFreddie Kitchens9–18, 93 yards, 1 INT
RushingShaun Alexander15 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingCalvin Hall3 receptions, 27 yards
Mississippi StatePassingDerrick Taite8–20, 152 yards, 1 TD
RushingRobert Isaac21 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingReggie Kelly1 reception, 69 yards

Auburn
See also: 1996 Auburn Tigers football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Tigers 3 17 3 0 23
#15 Crimson Tide 17 0 0 7 24

Alabama would pounce on Auburn early with 17 straight points to begin the game. Auburn would respond with 23 unanswered to lead by 6 late in the fourth quarter. Alabama would drive 74 yards to score on a 6-yard swing pass from Freddie Kitchens to Dennis Riddle to tie the game. Jon Brock extra point would give Alabama the one-point lead and eventual win to clinch the SEC West. After the game, Gene Stallings officially announced his retirement as Alabama head coach at the end of the season.

StatisticsAuburnAlabama
First downs1321
Total yards296434
Rushing yards116142
Passing yards180292
Turnovers25
Time of possession28:3531:25
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AuburnPassingDameyune Craig11–39, 180 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's
RushingRusty Williams17 carries, 89 yards
ReceivingKarsten Bailey5 receptions, 92 yards, 1 TD
AlabamaPassingFreddie Kitchens20–33, 292 yards, 3 TD's, 3 INT's
RushingDennis Riddle21 carries, 131 yards
ReceivingCurtis Alexander1 reception, 63 yards, 1 TD

Florida
See also: 1996 Florida Gators football team and 1996 SEC Championship Game
1 2 3 4 Total
#11 Crimson Tide 7 7 14 2 30
#4 Gators 6 18 14 7 45

Alabama would be in its fourth SEC Championship game in five seasons and once again would face Florida, as they had the previous three meetings. The Gators would use nearly 500 yards of offense to win its fourth straight SEC title, a record that still holds to this day.

StatisticsAlabamaFlorida
First downs1322
Total yards296470
Rushing yards2769
Passing yards269401
Turnovers13
Time of possession30:1229:48
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingFreddie Kitchens19–45, 264 yards, 3 TD's, 1 INT
RushingDennis Riddle17 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMichael Vaughn5 receptions, 142 yards, 2 TD's
FloridaPassingDanny Wuerffel20–35, 401 yards, 6 TD's, 2 INT's
RushingFred Taylor23 carries, 83 yards
ReceivingReidel Anthony11 receptions, 171 yards, 3 TD's

Michigan
See also: 1996 Michigan Wolverines football team and 1997 Outback Bowl
1 2 3 4 Total
#16 Crimson Tide 3 0 0 14 17
#15 Wolverines 0 6 0 8 14

Two 4th quarter touchdowns proved to be enough as Alabama would win its 10th game of the season and the 70th and final for Gene Stallings as head coach.

StatisticsAlabamaMichigan
First downs1322
Total yards247415
Rushing yards182124
Passing yards65291
Turnovers21
Time of possession25:2834:32
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingFreddie Kitchens9–18, 65 yards, 1 INT
RushingShaun Alexander9 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMichael Vaughn2 receptions, 27 yards
MichiganPassingBrian Griese21–37, 287 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingClarence Williams12 carries, 58 yards
ReceivingClarence Williams5 receptions, 113 yards

References
  1. "Tide prevails; Stallings retires: Auburn Bama both blow leads". The Atlanta Journal. November 24, 1996. pp. F1.
  2. "Not pretty, but a 'W'". The Anniston Star. August 31, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "No offense: Alabama 20, USM 10". Hattiesburg American. September 8, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Vanderbilt chances go out with the Tide". The Tennessean. September 15, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "No repeat of nightmare". The Montgomery Advertiser. September 22, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "UK no mystery to Riddle as Alabama erupts 35–7". The Courier-Journal. October 6, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Pack can't turn the Tide". The News and Observer. October 13, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Alabama just too much". The Clarion-Ledger. October 20, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Two in a row? It's a miracle". The Tennessean. October 27, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Alabama blanks LSU". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. November 10, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "State stuns Bama!". The Clarion-Ledger. November 17, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Tide wins a classic". The Montgomery Advertiser. November 24, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "SECond chance Gators?". The Tampa Tribune. December 8, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Alabama's big plays leave U-M ruing missed chances, 17–14". Detroit Free Press. January 2, 1997. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "1996 Alabama football archives". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  16. 1997 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide, p. 2
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