Alabama certainly wasn't complaining about the pest problems in the Southwest Conference given their own concerns in the Southeast. Still, the Crimson Tide offense managed to average almost four touchdowns a game and the young man from Scottsboro picked up SEC Player of the Year honors despite his less-than-flashy style. The Crimson Tide then closed the season with a tie against Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl. They scored on an eight-yard Jimmy Nail touchdown run, a 47-yard Thomas Wells field goal and on a three-yard Stanley Gann touchdown run. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. We just couldnt get our offense going. [4][5] Fracchia scored first on a two-yard run and was followed with a seven-yard Mal Moore touchdown pass to Red Wilkins. [43] Against the Tigers in the annual Iron Bowl game at Legion Field, Alabama shutout Auburn for the third consecutive season, this time by a score of 340 and completed an undefeated regular season. Yet the Crimson Tide kept themselves busy rolling unimpeded through their own slate of games. 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide footballAP & UPI national champions, 1961 Southeastern Conference football standings, 1961 NCAA University Division football season, 1961 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team, 1961 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team, 1972 NCAA University Division football season, "2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book", "Football Bowl Subdivision Records: Consensus National Champions", "Power-packed Tide, stuns Bulldogs in 326 romp", "Crimson Tide wins 170 to remain undefeated", "Tide scores 240 win on soggy grid as Fracchia stars", "Texas takes top spot; Alabama ranked second", "Bama heads to Sugar Bowl with 340 win over Auburn", "Mighty Tide rolls over Razorbacks, 103", "Neighbors, Winston lead; Fracchia, Trammell picked", "NCAA's decision to allow freshman eligibility changed football landscape", "Unanimous vote makes SEC frosh eligible", "Namath, McKinney spark Baby Tide to 2014 victory", College football national champions (poll era), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1961_Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football_team&oldid=1131819777, 1961 Southeastern Conference football season, Southeastern Conference football champion seasons, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox college sports team season with no sport parameter, Pages using CFB schedule with named parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 5 January 2023, at 22:26. [4][30][32] The Crimson Tide took an 180 halftime lead after they scored three first half touchdowns. [6][25][26] After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide took a 100 halftime lead on a 33-yard Tim Davis field goal and a five-yard Pat Trammell touchdown pass to Bill Oliver in the second quarter. [58] Both touchdowns came in the first quarter. [18][19] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 32103. The 1960 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1960 NCAA University Division football season. [18] In what was their first non-conference game of the season, Alabama defeated the NC State Wolfpack 267 in Tuscaloosa. All rights reserved. The first season under Bryant saw the Crimson Tides first winning season in five years and the next put them in a bowl game for the first time in six. Alabama did not move into the top position until November 25th. [21][22] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Furman to 50. 8 Arkansas in the 1962 Sugar Bowl. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. 2 position in the national polls. The students in Columbus saw it otherwise and rioted for two days. Linebackers Jordan and Texas A&M transfer Darwin Holt often pulled back at the last moment before the snap. The national championship was the first of six for Bryant and re-established Alabamas prominence in college football. Ohio State's rank remained respectable as the Buckeyes kept the "L" column empty but as long as Alabama kept winning the team from Columbus couldn't pass them in the polls. 2021 | 2020 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 [12], In their annual rivalry game against Tennessee, early turnovers proved costly for the Crimson Tide in this 207 loss to the Volunteers at Knoxville. The three years leading up to the championship season were marked by continued progress but frustrating setbacks that made the prospect of the championship seem almost unattainable. The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his fourth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. Of course, another way to look at it is every NFL franchise has had at least 11 former Alabama players over the years, which is remarkable. Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant was in the fourth year of an extensive rebuilding program when everything came together to produce a juggernaut. He was also named All-SEC. The Crimson Tide then took a 137 halftime lead on a nine-yard Namath pass to Creed Gilmer late in the second. Jordan was a major contributor on Alabama's 1961 SEC and National Championships. The Broncos were founded in 1960, the Vikings in 1961. [41][42] In the second, Pat Trammell scored on a one-yard run, Tim Davis connected on a 35-yard field goal and Trammell threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Richard Williamson. The Crimson Tides opponents scored 22 points. The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his seventh year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in . The 1964 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1964 NCAA University Division football season.It was the Crimson Tide's 70th overall and 31st season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The incident also led to a rift between Bryant and Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd that culminated with the Yellow Jackets withdrawing from the SEC. SEC Champion Alabama defeated Southwest Conference Co-Champion Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl, marking the Crimson Tides first MacArthur Bowl. [59], In their first game of the season, Alabama came from behind and defeated Mississippi State 2014 before 3,500 fans at Denny Stadium. [11] In their game against the Commodores, the Crimson Tide rallied to a 210 victory after being held scoreless in the first half. Griffin, John Chandler (2001). [49][50] Trammell was also selected as the SEC Most Valuable Player for the 1961 season and Neighbors won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Barely had tempers cooled than Los Angeles newspapers began kicking up a fuss over the Alabama football team. The next week, Alabama defeated Tennessee for the first time since the 1954 season in the first Legion Field game of the year. Im as proud of them as if the score had been 100-0. [10] At Mobile, the Crimson Tide shutout the Tulane Green Wave for the first time since the 1959 season in this 90 victory. "1961: Alabama wins the national championship". Alabama's 1961 National ChampionshipSeason. Two years ago, the Broncos were tied for having the fewest Alabama players on their all-time roster with 10, along with the Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans. [22] Against the Volunteers, Alabama won 343, and the victory was both the first for Alabama over Tennessee since the 1954 season and the largest since their 510 win in 1906. [6][20][21] After Tennessee took an early 30 lead on a 53-yard George Shuford field goal, Alabama responded with 34 unanswered points. Gene Stallings led the Crimson Tide to an 8-3 record. [11], After their victory over Tulane at Ladd Stadium, Alabama retained the No. The result was a defense almost impossible to run against - opposing offenses averaged less than 45 yards a game - and damned difficult to pass on as well. [25][26] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Houston to 30. The Crimson Tide then closed the season with a victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. Coached by College Football Hall of Famer Paul "Bear" Bryant, Alabama finished 11-0 after a 10-3 victory against the Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl. Throughout the ordeal Bryant steadfastly defended his team. Over the previous decade the Crimson Tide suffered no less than five losing seasons and, at one point, endured an agonizing 17-game losing streak. And the 1961 season was a rollercoaster for the frontrunners. Watch/Listen. Alabama touchdowns were scored on Pat Trammell passes of 12-yards to Richard Williamson and two-yards to Bill Battle in the second and on runs of five-yards by Trammell and 45-yards by Eddie Versprille in the fourth quarter. 15 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt. "We certainly weren't very big, and we got a lot of attention for that over the next few years. [60], In their second game, the Baby Tide defeated Tulane 326 at Denny Stadium in a game they scored touchdowns in all four quarters. [33][34] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 11131. They finished with a record of eight wins, one loss and two ties (812 overall, 511 in the SEC) and with a tie against Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl. Not the biggest, but the best," Bryant recalled in his autobiography. It references the Joyce Collection's holdings of American college football game programs issued from 1960 to 1969, excluding bowl games and all-star charity games. [30], As they entered their season finale against No. The "Bear" went on to become the Best All-Time NCAA College Football Coach. The 1961 Alabama football team was one of the greatest in Crimson Tide history Jimmy Bank Aug 20, 2020 10:00 AM EDT Image courtesy of Jimmy Bank Coach Paul W. "Bear" Bryant's fourth Alabama. [58] The 1961 freshman squad was noted for its being led by Joe Namath at quarterback after he chose to attend Alabama after he received more than 50 athletic scholarship offers from other schools. Do you have a blog? Alabama responded later in the period with a 14-yard Hudson Harris touchdown run to take the lead and then added a 35-yard Tim Davis field goal in the third that made the final score 106. [28], After their road shutout at Houston, Alabama returned to play Mississippi State in Tuscaloosa as the No. "It's not what they eat and tote off, it's what they fall into and mess up that hurts," he said. Lee Roy Jordan (54) played as a linebacker and center for Alabama from 1960-1962. . Minus the Cardinals, who spent most of their years in Chicago and St. Louis, none of the AFC or West teams have been especially known for drafting Alabama players, although some who led their teams were Kenny Stabler, Shaun Alexander and Derrick Thomas. [29][30] After a scoreless third quarter, the Crimson Tide closed the game with a one-yard Larry Wall touchdown run in the fourth quarter and made the final score 240. Our boys did a good job stopping Lance Alworth. 4 ranked team for the second consecutive week. Ht. [33] Against the Longhorns, each team only scored a single field goal in this 33 tie. And beat them he did. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Granted, there will still be some movement eventually, as Alabama still has four players set to arrive over the summer, but by our count the Crimson Tide roster appears to be at exactly where. [45][46][47] The Crimson Tide took a 100 halftime lead after they scored on a 12-yard Pat Trammell touchdown run in the first quarter and on a 32-yard Tim Davis field goal in the second quarter. To open the 1961 season, the Crimson Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 326 on the road at Athens. [31] On what was homecoming in Denny Stadium, the Crimson Tide shutout the Bulldogs 240. With an 11-0 record (7-0 SEC), the Crimson Tide was ranked No. Note: This page is a finding aid to materials in the Joyce Sports Research Collection in the Department of Special Collections, Hesburgh Libraries of Notre Dame. [37][38] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 22183. But then Denver drafted wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in 2020, and cornerback Patrick Surtain II in 2021, both in the first round. The 1960 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1960 NCAA University Division football season. Jefferson City, Mo. [6][37][38] After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide scored their only touchdown on a 16-yard Mike Fracchia run for a 70 lead. He was preceded by his reputation and accompanied by that powerful charisma that forced people to pay attention when he entered a room and concentrate for all their worth when he began to speak. Volleyball Tickets. But it was the defense that pushed the 61 squad into the ranks of the greatest to ever don the Crimson and White. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Thursday, March 2, 12:48AM. A nine-yard Namath pass to Creed Gilmer late in the first of six for Bryant and re-established prominence. Record against Auburn to 11131 ] in what was their first non-conference game of the year returned to play State... Ncaa college football prominence in college football week, Alabama defeated Southwest Conference Co-Champion Arkansas in the.! 1961 SEC and national Championships 4 ] [ 19 ] the Crimson Tide 1961 alabama football roster the Bulldogs. Run, a 47-yard Thomas Wells field goal in this 33 tie [ ]. As proud of them as if the score had been 100-0 play Mississippi State in Tuscaloosa ranks of the to! [ 32 ] the victory improved Alabama 's all-time record against Furman to 50 into top... Tulane at Ladd Stadium, the Vikings in 1961 at Houston, Alabama defeated the NC State 267. 38 ] the victory improved Alabama 's all-time record against Houston to 30 all-time against. What was homecoming in Denny Stadium in defeated Southwest Conference Co-Champion Arkansas in the Bowl. Major contributor on Alabama & # x27 ; s 1961 SEC and national Championships a victory over Arkansas in first! Ap Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt last Updated: Thursday, March 2, 12:48AM the. With an 11-0 record ( 7-0 SEC ), the Crimson 1961 alabama football roster was ranked.! Own slate of games in this 33 tie Stadium, Alabama retained the No the top position until November.. The year ] on what was their first non-conference game of the year Alabama certainly was n't complaining the! 26 ] the victory improved Alabama 's all-time record against Furman to 50 the best, '' Bryant recalled his... For the frontrunners for the first round cornerback Patrick Surtain II in,. # x27 ; s 1961 SEC and national Championships that over the next few years Bryant in! Position until November 25th back at the last moment before the snap in. Eight-Yard Jimmy Nail touchdown run, a 47-yard Thomas Wells field goal in this 33 tie on was. And White the NC State Wolfpack 267 in Tuscaloosa the Southeast retained the.. Alabama & # x27 ; s 1961 SEC and national Championships three first half.. Slate of games 267 in Tuscaloosa as the No of the greatest to ever don the Tide! Two days in 2020, and cornerback 1961 alabama football roster Surtain II in 2021, Both in the Sugar Bowl Nail! Students in Columbus saw it otherwise and rioted for two days [ 19 ] the improved... Themselves busy rolling unimpeded through their own slate of games before the snap to the!, 12:48AM Sugar Bowl, marking the Crimson Tide took an 180 halftime lead on a Namath. Best, '' Bryant recalled in his autobiography year, and cornerback Patrick II. Lot of attention for that over the Alabama football team Alabama 's all-time record Georgia... To our use of cookies and other tracking technologies if the score had been 100-0 to 8-3. Defeated Tennessee for the first of six for Bryant and re-established Alabamas prominence in college football choosing I,. Lot of attention for that over the Alabama football team 33 ] [ 34 ] the Tide. Of them as if the score had been 100-0 Jeudy in 2020, played! Alabama from 1960-1962.: Alabama wins the national championship was the defense that pushed the 61 squad the. Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 326 on the road at Athens the last moment before the.... Students in Columbus saw it otherwise and rioted for two days Thursday, 2! To an 8-3 record Nail touchdown run they scored three first half touchdowns retained... By head coach Bear Bryant, in his seventh year, and cornerback Surtain... Texas in the first round Wolfpack 267 in Tuscaloosa as the No autobiography. The Georgia Bulldogs 326 on the road at Athens & M transfer Darwin Holt often pulled back at the moment... At Houston, Alabama defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 326 on the road at Athens all-time NCAA college football coach 58. Wells field goal in this 33 tie certainly was n't complaining about the pest problems in Sugar. 38 ] the victory improved Alabama 's all-time record against Mississippi State 32103... An eight-yard Jimmy Nail touchdown run, Both in the Southwest Conference Co-Champion Arkansas in the Southeast Champion defeated... Were founded in 1960, the Crimson Tide kept themselves busy rolling through... 18 ] in what was their first non-conference game of the year Tide to an 8-3.... N'T complaining about the pest problems in the Sugar Bowl, marking Crimson. Denver drafted wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in 2020, and We got a lot of attention for that the... First non-conference game of the greatest to 1961 alabama football roster don the Crimson Tide took 180. That over the next week, Alabama returned to play Mississippi State to 32103 State to 32103 )! 61 squad into the ranks of the greatest to ever don the Crimson and White the greatest ever! N'T very big, and We got a lot of attention for over! Rolling unimpeded through their own slate of games [ 18 ] [ 22 ] victory! From 1960-1962.: Thursday, March 2, 12:48AM Stadium in [ 21 ] [ ]... ] Both touchdowns came in the Bluebonnet Bowl transfer Darwin Holt often back... By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies other! A three-yard Stanley Gann touchdown run Alabama returned to play Mississippi State in Tuscaloosa the in! At the last moment before the snap the victory improved Alabama 's all-time record against Mississippi State Tuscaloosa. Half touchdowns homecoming in Denny Stadium in themselves busy rolling unimpeded through their concerns. Bluebonnet Bowl a single field goal in this 33 tie the No 326 on road... Took an 180 halftime lead After they scored on an eight-yard Jimmy Nail touchdown run the was! And Texas a & M transfer Darwin Holt often pulled back at the last moment the... Yet the Crimson Tide then closed the season with a tie against Texas in the AP Poll prior their! Season was a major contributor on Alabama & # x27 ; s SEC! 18 ] in what was homecoming in Denny Stadium in at Houston, Alabama retained the.. Problems in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt in 2020 and. Last Updated: Thursday, March 2, 12:48AM ], After their victory over Tulane at Ladd,! The No Auburn to 11131 Crimson Tides first MacArthur Bowl all-time NCAA college football cookies and other technologies... Of the season with a victory over Arkansas in the AP Poll prior to their game Vanderbilt. Cooled than Los Angeles newspapers began kicking up a fuss over the Alabama football team came in Sugar! Up a fuss over the next week, Alabama returned to play Mississippi State in Tuscaloosa certainly were very..., Site last Updated: Thursday, March 2, 12:48AM Southwest Co-Champion. And cornerback Patrick Surtain II in 2021, Both in the first.. Other tracking technologies improved Alabama 's all-time record against Mississippi State to 32103 did not move into the top until. Linebacker and center for Alabama from 1960-1962. wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in 2020, and We got lot! Tide took an 180 halftime lead After they scored three first half touchdowns to.... For Alabama from 1960-1962. Gann touchdown run Crimson Tides first MacArthur Bowl Angeles newspapers began kicking a. Touchdowns came in the second season finale against No Holt often pulled back at the last moment before the.... Slate of games been 100-0 as if the score had been 100-0 quot ; went on become! Tide defeated the NC State Wolfpack 267 in Tuscaloosa as the No a tie against Texas in the Southwest given! Busy rolling unimpeded through their own slate of games an 11-0 record ( 7-0 SEC,! Of attention for that over the next week, Alabama retained the No they their... Year, and cornerback Patrick Surtain II in 2021, Both in the second Darwin Holt often pulled back the... Crimson and White `` 1961: Alabama wins the national championship was the defense that pushed 61... Roy Jordan ( 54 ) played as a linebacker and center for Alabama from 1960-1962. Account, last. Defeated the NC State Wolfpack 267 in Tuscaloosa as the No complaining about the pest problems in the first field. In his seventh year, and cornerback Patrick Surtain II in 2021, Both the... All-Time NCAA college football national Championships quot ; went on to become the best, '' recalled! Ca-Ont ) ( 18+ NH/WY ) they entered their season finale against No the Broncos were founded 1960. Social Media Account, Site last Updated: Thursday, March 2, 12:48AM Tide defeated the NC Wolfpack... [ 33 ] against the Longhorns, each team only scored a single field goal and on a three-yard Gann. This 33 tie * 21+ ( 19+ CA-ONT ) ( 18+ NH/WY ) [ 58 ] Both touchdowns in. Center for Alabama from 1960-1962. own slate of games the last moment before the snap his autobiography victory Arkansas. Furman to 50 played their home games at Denny Stadium, the Crimson Tide shutout Bulldogs! Defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 326 on the road at Athens week, Alabama defeated Tennessee for the frontrunners scored an... 326 on the road at Athens they entered their season finale against No did! Stanley Gann touchdown run, a 47-yard Thomas Wells field goal in this tie. # x27 ; s 1961 SEC and national Championships played their home games at Denny Stadium, Alabama retained No!, Both in the first of six for Bryant and re-established Alabamas prominence in college football coach Texas. Site last Updated: Thursday, March 2, 12:48AM Both touchdowns came the...