2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

The 2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA", "Bama" or "The Tide") represented the University of Alabama in the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 108th overall season, 70th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and its 11th within the SEC Western Division. The team was led by head coach Dennis Franchione, in his second year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of 10–3 (6–2 in the SEC) to finish in first place in the SEC West; however, the team was ineligible to compete in the 2002 SEC Championship Game or a bowl game due to a two-year postseason ban imposed as part of the penalty for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) violations.

2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Ranking
APNo. 11
Record10–3 (6–2 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorLes Koenning (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorCarl Torbush (2nd season)
Captain
6
  • Jarret Johnson
  • Kenny King
  • Kindal Moorehead
  • Tyler Watts
  • Ahmaad Galloway
  • Lane Bearden
Home stadiumBryant–Denny Stadium
(Capacity: 83,818)
Legion Field
(Capacity: 83,091)
2002 Southeastern Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Eastern Division
No. 3 Georgia x$  7 –1   13 –1  
Florida  6 –2   8 –5  
Tennessee  5 –3   8 –5  
Kentucky  3 –5   7 –5  
South Carolina  3 –5   5 –7  
Vanderbilt  0 –8   2 –10  
Western Division
No. 11 Alabama  6 –2   10 –3  
Arkansas xy  5 –3   9 –5  
No. 14 Auburn x  5 –3   9 –4  
LSU x  5 –3   8 –5  
Ole Miss  3 –5   7 –6  
Mississippi State  0 –8   3 –9  
Championship: Georgia 30, Arkansas 3
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • Alabama had the best division record, but did not participate in postseason play due to NCAA probation.
Rankings from AP Poll

Summary

The team was led by second-year head coach Dennis Franchione. The team began the season with a 4–1 record, only losing a very close game to then #8 ranked Oklahoma. On October 5, the Crimson Tide lost another hard-fought game to the #4 Georgia 27–25 at home. The team would then defeat their next five opponents by an average of 24.4 points. In the 2002 Iron Bowl, the team was defeated by the Auburn Tigers by a score of 17–7. The team would end their season by defeating Hawaii. Though the team finished at 10–3 (6–2) and atop the SEC West standings, they were ineligible to play in the postseason due to receiving NCAA sanctions in 2001.

On December 5, head coach Dennis Franchione left the University of Alabama to take a head coaching job at Texas A&M which was left vacant by the firing of R. C. Slocum.[1]

Schedule
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 3111:30 a.m.Middle Tennessee*
JPSW 39–3480,091
September 72:30 p.m.at No. 2 Oklahoma*
ABCL 27–3775,564
September 146:00 p.m.North Texas*
PPVW 33–779,818
September 216:00 p.m.Southern Miss*
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
ESPN2W 20–783,818
September 286:45 p.m.at Arkansas
ESPNW 30–1273,551
October 52:30 p.m.No. 7 GeorgiaNo. 22
CBSL 25–2783,818
October 192:30 p.m.No. 21 Ole MissdaggerNo. 24
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
CBSW 42–783,818
October 266:45 p.m.at No. 16 TennesseeNo. 19
ESPNW 34–14107,722
November 21:00 p.m.at VanderbiltNo. 12
PPVW 30–836,407
November 91:00 p.m.Mississippi StateNo. 11
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
PPVW 28–1483,818
November 168:00 p.m.at No. 14 LSUNo. 10
ESPNW 31–092,012
November 232:30 p.m.AuburnNo. 9
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (Iron Bowl)
CBSL 7–1783,818
November 306:45 p.m.at Hawaii*No. 14
ESPNW 21–1650,000
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time
  • Source: Rolltide.com All-time Football Results: 2002 Season[2]

Roster
2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
QB 14 Tyler Watts Sr
C 51 Evan Mathis So
C 58 Alonzo Ephraim Sr
WR 80 Zach Fletcher Jr
WR 84 Triandos Luke Jr
QB 12 Brodie Croyle Fr
WR 19 Josh Averett So
 Defense
Pos.#NameClass
LB 6 Derrick Pope Jr
LB 8 Freddie Roach Fr
SS 10 Carlos Andrews Jr
CB 41 Roman Harper Fr
DE 54 Kindal Moorehead Sr
DE 91 Chris Harris Fr
 Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster

Coaching staff
Name Position Consecutive seasons at Alabama
Dennis FranchioneHead coach2nd
Les KoenningOffensive coordinator/quarterback coach2nd
Kenith PopeAssistant head coach/wide receivers coach2nd
Jim Bob HelduserOffensive line coach2nd
Mark TommerdahlSpecial teams coordinator/tight end coach2nd
Lee FobbsRunning backs coach2nd
Carl TorbushDefensive coordinator/ Linebackers coach2nd
Chris ThurmondCornerbacks coach2nd
Melvin SmithSafeties coach1st
Stan EggenDefensive line coach2nd
Reference:[3]

Game summaries

Middle Tennessee
See also: 2002 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Middle Tennessee 0 11 3 20 34
Alabama 22 0 7 10 39

In the only game that Alabama would play at Legion Field in 2002, the Crimson Tide would score a season opening win for the first time since 1999.

StatisticsMTSUAlabama
First downs2222
Total yards385430
Rushing yards183194
Passing yards202236
Turnovers10
Time of possession30:0229:58
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MTSUPassingAndrico Hines16–24, 165 yards, 1 INT
RushingReShard Lee11 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTyrone Calico7 receptions, 75 yards
AlabamaPassingTyler Watts16–22, 236 yards, 2 TD
RushingAhmaad Galloway15 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTriandos Luke9 receptions, 85 yards

Oklahoma
See also: 2002 Oklahoma Sooners football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Alabama 3 0 14 10 27
#3 Oklahoma 9 14 0 14 37

The first road game of the year for Alabama would prove to be one of the most exciting game of the year. Despite trailing 23-3 at halftime, Alabama roared back in the second half with 24 unanswered points to take a 27-23 lead late into the 4th quarter. Oklahoma however, scored the last 14 points to win 37-27.

StatisticsAlabamaOklahoma
First downs1412
Total yards288283
Rushing yards96–23
Passing yards192306
Turnovers31
Time of possession36:4423:16
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingTyler Watts16–32, 185 yards, 1 INT
RushingAhmaad Galloway18 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingSam Collins6 receptions, 82 yards
OklahomaPassingNate Hybl16–30, 251 yards, 1 TD
RushingKejuan Jones3 carries, 12 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMark Clayton4 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TD

North Texas
See also: 2002 North Texas Mean Green football team
1 2 3 4 Total
North Texas 0 7 0 0 7
Alabama 3 16 7 7 33

In the first game of the season at Bryant-Denny Stadium, The Crimson Tide would go over 500 yards of offense for the first time this season and win their first non-conference game at Bryant Denny Stadium since 1999. This game also was the first time since 1986 Alabama would not sellout their game at Bryant-Denny Stadium snapping a streak of 56 straight sellouts in Tuscaloosa.

StatisticsNorth TexasAlabama
First downs1125
Total yards131534
Rushing yards50336
Passing yards91198
Turnovers23
Time of possession26:1433:46
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North TexasPassingAndrew Smith9–18, 70 yards, 1 TD
RushingPatrick Cobbs14 carries, 58 yards
ReceivingGeorge Marshall6 receptions, 39 yards, 1 TD
AlabamaPassingTyler Watts12–15, 161 yards, 1 INT
RushingShaud Williams7 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDonald Clarke3 receptions, 80 yards

Southern Miss
See also: 2002 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Southern Miss 0 0 7 0 7
Alabama 7 7 0 6 20

For the second straight week, Alabama would hold their opponent to under 150 yards of total offense to win their third game of the season. This would be Ahmaad Galloway final game at Alabama as he would tear his ACL in the 4th quarter.

StatisticsSouthern MissAlabama
First downs820
Total yards145372
Rushing yards35351
Passing yards11021
Turnovers53
Time of possession20:4939:11
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern MissPassingMicky D'Angelo8–27, 110 yards, 1 INT
RushingDerrick Nix14 carries, 61 yards
ReceivingMarvin Young2 receptions, 35 yards
AlabamaPassingBrodie Croyle4–15, 15 yards, 2 INT
RushingShaud Williams21 carries, 137 yards
ReceivingSam Collins2 receptions, 10 yards

Arkansas
See also: 2002 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Alabama 14 3 3 10 30
Arkansas 0 7 3 2 12

Shaud Williams would take the opening play 80 yards for a touchdown as the Crimson Tide beat Arkansas on the road for the first time since 1996.

StatisticsAlabamaArkansas
First downs1813
Total yards552299
Rushing yards267172
Passing yards285127
Turnovers12
Time of possession33:4626:14
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingBrodie Croyle12–24, 285 yards, 2 TD
RushingSantonio Beard21 carries, 134 yards
ReceivingShaud Williams2 receptions, 88 yards
ArkansasPassingMatt Jones7–18, 127 yards, 2 INT
RushingCedric Cobbs13 carries, 70 yards
ReceivingGeorge Wilson3 receptions, 54 yards

Georgia
See also: 2002 Georgia Bulldogs football team
1 2 3 4 Total
#7 Georgia 7 7 3 10 27
#22 Alabama 3 6 3 13 25

Georgia would use a Billy Bennett 32 yard field goal to beat Alabama in the first meeting between teams since 1995.

StatisticsGeorgiaAlabama
First downs2216
Total yards385306
Rushing yards194133
Passing yards224197
Turnovers32
Time of possession30:1629:44
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
GeorgiaPassingDavid Greene15–27, 224 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
RushingMusa Smith21 carries, 126 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTerrence Edwards5 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD
AlabamaPassingBrodie Croyle16–29, 197 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingRay Hudson3 carries, 45 yards
ReceivingDre Fulgham3 receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD

Ole Miss
See also: 2002 Ole Miss Rebels football team
1 2 3 4 Total
#21 Ole Miss 7 0 0 0 7
#24 Alabama 14 7 7 14 42

Santonio Beard tied Shaun Alexander record of five rushing touchdowns in a game as Alabama dominated Ole Miss on Homecoming.

StatisticsOle MissAlabama
First downs1518
Total yards223456
Rushing yards53265
Passing yards219222
Turnovers11
Time of possession31:2528:35
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ole MissPassingEli Manning18–32, 219 yards, 1 INT
RushingRobert Williams8 carries, 23 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingChris Collins3 receptions, 62 yards
AlabamaPassingBrodie Croyle6–11, 179 yards, 1 TD
RushingSantonio Beard13 carries, 138 yards, 5 TD
ReceivingDre Fulgham3 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD

Tennessee
See also: 2002 Tennessee Volunteers football team
1 2 3 4 Total
#19 Alabama 7 7 10 10 34
#16 Tennessee 0 7 7 0 14

For the first time since 1994, Alabama beat Tennessee snapping a seven year win streak that the Vols had. To date, this was the longest streak by any opponent over the Tide.

StatisticsAlabamaTennessee
First downs1417
Total yards300222
Rushing yards210102
Passing yards128163
Turnovers26
Time of possession32:4927:11
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingBrodie Croyle5–7, 128 yards
RushingSantonio Beard16 carries, 65 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingZach Fletcher1 reception, 56 yards
TennesseePassingCasey Clausen14–26, 161 yards, 3 INT
RushingJabari Davis7 carries, 26 yards
ReceivingTony Brown4 receptions, 40 yards

Vanderbilt
See also: 2002 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
1 2 3 4 Total
#12 Alabama 7 6 7 10 30
Vanderbilt 0 0 0 8 8

For the second year in a row, the Crimson Tide traveled to Vanderbilt and for the 18th straight time Alabama would beat Vanderbilt. This would be the last time Alabama would play Vanderbilt until 2006 snapping a 50 consecutive seasons streak of playing.

StatisticsAlabamaVanderbilt
First downs249
Total yards428162
Rushing yards15746
Passing yards271116
Turnovers02
Time of possession36:2223:38
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingTyler Watts15–21, 176 yards
RushingTyler Watts14 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTriandos Luke9 reception, 102 yards
VanderbiltPassingJay Cutler7–18, 116 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingKwane Doster15 carries, 33 yards
ReceivingKwane Doster2 receptions, 43 yards

Mississippi State
See also: 2002 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Mississippi State 3 11 0 0 14
#11 Alabama 14 7 7 0 28

Alabama used their offense in the first half and their defense in the second half to preserve second straight win against the Bulldogs for the first time since 1994-95. This game was not televised making it the first Alabama game since 1995 not to be on live television.

StatisticsMississippi StateAlabama
First downs1721
Total yards246409
Rushing yards107165
Passing yards139244
Turnovers20
Time of possession31:1928:41
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Mississippi StatePassingKevin Fant19–33, 127 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingJerious Norwood9 carries, 58 yards
ReceivingJustin Jenkins4 receptions, 35 yards
AlabamaPassingTyler Watts16–22, 223 yards, 3 TD
RushingSantonio Beard14 carries, 68 yards
ReceivingTriandos Luke7 receptions, 128 yards, 2 TD

LSU
See also: 2002 LSU Tigers football team
1 2 3 4 Total
#10 Alabama 0 14 0 17 31
#14 LSU 0 0 0 0 0

Alabama defense would record a shutout for the first time since 1997 as they defeated the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge.

StatisticsAlabamaLSU
First downs2714
Total yards477196
Rushing yards300131
Passing yards17765
Turnovers12
Time of possession34:3625:24
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingTyler Watts11–20, 177 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingShaud Williams16 carries, 131 yards
ReceivingSam Collins5 reception, 115 yards
LSUPassingMarcus Randall6–17, 39 yards
RushingMarcus Randall6 carries, 54 yards
ReceivingDevery Henderson3 receptions, 25 yards

Auburn
See also: 2002 Auburn Tigers football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Auburn 14 3 0 0 17
#9 Alabama 0 0 7 0 7

Alabama would trail for the first time since the Georgia game earlier in the season as Auburn would upset Alabama to continue their undefeated mark in Iron Bowl's played in Tuscaloosa.

StatisticsAuburnAlabama
First downs1417
Total yards298320
Rushing yards129111
Passing yards169209
Turnovers11
Time of possession29:4330:17
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AuburnPassingJason Campbell10–18, 169 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RushingTre Smith25 carries, 126 yards
ReceivingMarcel Willis3 receptions, 59 yards
AlabamaPassingTyler Watts11–21, 126 yards
RushingShaud Williams7 carries, 48 yards
ReceivingDre Fulgham2 receptions, 58 yards

Hawaii
See also: 2002 Hawaii Warriors football team
1 2 3 4 Total
#14 Alabama 0 14 0 7 21
Hawaii 0 0 3 13 16

Alabama would clinch 10 wins for the first time since 1999 as Alabama beat Hawaii to end the season 10-3. This would be Dennis Franchione last game as coach at Alabama as he would leave to be Texas A&M Head Coach on December 4, 2002.

StatisticsAlabamaHawaii
First downs1821
Total yards373360
Rushing yards280–12
Passing yards93372
Turnovers51
Time of possession38:5521:05
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingTyler Watts8–15, 81 yards, 1 TD
RushingShaud Williams23 carries, 160 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingSam Collins3 reception, 42 yards, 1 TD
HawaiiPassingTimmy Chang26–53, 373 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT
RushingChad Kapanui1 carry, 10 yards
ReceivingJeremiah Cockheran9 receptions, 207 yards, 1 TD

References
  1. "Franchione bolts Alabama for Texas A&M". CNN. Retrieved February 10, 2008.
  2. "All-time Football Results: 2002 Season". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  3. 2002 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide, p. 2
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