# 1998 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

The 1998 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the college football season of 1998–99. The team's head coach was Mike DuBose, who was entering his second year at Alabama. They played their home games at both Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama and competed in the West Division of the Southeastern Conference. They improved upon a 4–7 record from the 1997 season by finishing the 1998 campaign with a 7–5 record and an appearance in the Music City Bowl.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 5 | 6:00 p.m. | BYU* | | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL | ESPN | W 38–31 | 83,818 |
| September 12 | 11:30 a.m. | Vanderbilt | | Legion FieldBirmingham, AL | JPS | W 32–7 | 83,091 |
| September 26 | 5:00 p.m. | at Arkansas | No. 22 | Razorback StadiumFayetteville, AR | ESPN2 | L 6–42 | 51,763 |
| October 3 | 11:30 a.m. | No. 8 Florida | | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL (rivalry) | JPS | L 10–16 | 83,818 |
| October 10 | 2:00 p.m. | Ole Miss | | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL (rivalry) | PPV | W 20–17 $^{OT}$ | 83,818 |
| October 17 | 2:00 p.m. | East Carolina* | | Legion FieldBirmingham, AL | PPV | W 23–22 | 80,079 |
| October 24 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 3 Tennessee | | Neyland StadiumKnoxville, TN (Third Saturday in October) | CBS | L 18–35 | 107,289 |
| October 31 | 2:00 p.m. | Southern Miss* | | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL | PPV | W 30–20 | 83,818 |
| November 7 | 2:30 p.m. | at LSU | | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA (rivalry) | CBS | W 22–16 | 80,522 |
| November 14 | 11:30 a.m. | at Mississippi State | | Scott FieldStarkville, MS (rivalry) | JPS | L 14–26 | 40,517 |
| November 21 | 6:30 p.m. | Auburn | | Legion FieldBirmingham, AL (Iron Bowl) | ESPN | W 31–17 | 83,091 |
| December 29 | 4:00 p.m. | vs. Virginia Tech* | | Vanderbilt StadiumNashville, TN (Music City Bowl) | ESPN | L 7–38 | 41,600 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Central time |||||||||

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | RV | RV | 24 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Coaches Poll | RV | RV | 22 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Not released |

## Game summaries
### BYU

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cougars | 0 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
| Crimson Tide | 14 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 38 |
The Crimson Tide debut a new east side upper deck and 81 new sky boxes in Bryant-Denny Stadium which set the attendance mark to 83,818. This record-breaking crowd watched as Shaun Alexander scored five touchdowns as the Crimson Tide held on to beat BYU.
| Statistics | BYU | Alabama |
| First downs | 25 | 25 |
| Total yards | 280 | 339 |
| Rushing yards | 98 | 143 |
| Passing yards | 182 | 196 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 30:19 | 29:41 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| BYU | Passing | Kevin Feterik | 19–30, 182 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| BYU | Rushing | Will Snowden | 4 carries, 27 yards |
| BYU | Receiving | Margin Hooks | 4 receptions, 65 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | John David Phillips | 17–29, 188 yards |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 26 carries, 115 yards, 5 TD's |
| Alabama | Receiving | Quincy Jackson | 11 receptions, 104 yards |

### Vanderbilt

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Commodores | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Crimson Tide | 7 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 32 |
Alabama would score 32 unanswered points after Vanderbilt took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter to win its first conference game of the year. The Alabama defense held Vanderbilt to -33 rushing yards and forced three interceptions. The Alabama offense was led by Shaun Alexander who rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns.
| Statistics | Vanderbilt | Alabama |
| First downs | 13 | 16 |
| Total yards | 145 | 400 |
| Rushing yards | –33 | 221 |
| Passing yards | 178 | 179 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 25:31 | 36:08 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | David Wallace | 18–40, 167 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Jared McGrath | 7 carries, 16 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Tavarus Hogans | 5 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Passing | John David Phillips | 19–30, 179 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 20 carries, 206 yards, 3 TD's |
| Alabama | Receiving | Michael Vaughn | 8 receptions, 73 yards |

### Arkansas

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #22 Crimson Tide | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Razorbacks | 0 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 42 |
Despite only trailing by eight at the half, Alabama would be shut out in the second half and lose by 36 points. This would be the largest margin of defeat since the 1957 Iron Bowl.
| Statistics | Alabama | Arkansas |
| First downs | 7 | 26 |
| Total yards | 152 | 445 |
| Rushing yards | 104 | 206 |
| Passing yards | 48 | 239 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 31:09 | 28:51 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Alabama | Passing | John David Phillips | 9–21, 48 yards, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 21 carries, 48 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Michael Vaughn & Quincy Jackson | 2 receptions, 13 yards |
| Arkansas | Passing | Clint Stoerner | 13–29, 239 yards, 3 TD's |
| Arkansas | Rushing | Madre Hill | 20 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD |
| Arkansas | Receiving | Michael Snowden | 3 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TD's |

### Florida

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #8 Gators | 6 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
| Crimson Tide | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
Despite being outgained by over 200 yards, Alabama had an opportunity driving at the end of the game to try to win, but a late interception by Andrew Zow gave Florida the win. Florida had 6 possessions inside the Alabama 12 yard line 3 resulting in turnovers, 3 resulting in field goals that kept Alabama in the game.
| Statistics | Florida | Alabama |
| First downs | 23 | 11 |
| Total yards | 467 | 240 |
| Rushing yards | 111 | 41 |
| Passing yards | 356 | 199 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 33:38 | 26:22 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Florida | Passing | Doug Johnson | 10–20, 187 yards, 1 INT |
| Florida | Rushing | Terry Jackson | 25 carries, 135 yards |
| Florida | Receiving | Travis McGriff | 9 receptions, 213 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 12–26, 185 yards, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 16 carries, 57 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Calvin Hall | 5 receptions, 84 yards |

### Ole Miss

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Rebels | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Crimson Tide | 3 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
A 22-yard game-winning field goal by Ryan Pflugner in overtime gave the Crimson Tide its first overtime victory in its second try. The Rebels, who tied it late in the 4th quarter with a field goal to force overtime, threw an interception on their first possession which put Alabama in a score and win scenario.
| Statistics | Ole Miss | Alabama |
| First downs | 26 | 18 |
| Total yards | 471 | 434 |
| Rushing yards | 221 | 162 |
| Passing yards | 250 | 272 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 34:42 | 25:18 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Ole Miss | Passing | Romaro Miller | 22–36, 230 yards 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Ole Miss | Rushing | Deuce McAllister | 24 carries, 188 yards |
| Ole Miss | Receiving | Cory Peterson | 6 receptions, 60 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 15–30, 272 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 22 carries, 125 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Shaun Alexander | 3 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD |

### East Carolina

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Pirates | 0 | 0 | 19 | 3 | 22 |
| Crimson Tide | 14 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 23 |
Despite having a 21–0 lead at the half, a blocked extra point ran back for two points in the third quarter was the difference in the second half for Alabama. East Carolina outscored Alabama 22–2 in the second half but, never could take the lead away from Alabama.
| Statistics | East Carolina | Alabama |
| First downs | 14 | 20 |
| Total yards | 258 | 331 |
| Rushing yards | 84 | 96 |
| Passing yards | 174 | 235 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 25:43 | 34:17 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| East Carolina | Passing | David Garrard | 14–25, 139 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| East Carolina | Rushing | David Garrard | 16 carries, 34 yards |
| East Carolina | Receiving | Marcellus Harris | 3 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 21–39, 235 yards, 2 TD's, 2 INT's |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 22 carries, 86 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | Quincy Jackson | 5 receptions, 66 yards |

### Tennessee

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Crimson Tide | 3 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 18 |
| #3 Volunteers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 35 |
Tennessee for the 4th year in a row beat Alabama in what was a close game up until Peerless Price ran a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown after the Crimson Tide had cut the lead to three. Alabama would not get closer than the ten point lead after that.
| Statistics | Alabama | Tennessee |
| First downs | 21 | 22 |
| Total yards | 319 | 348 |
| Rushing yards | 142 | 231 |
| Passing yards | 177 | 117 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 30:16 | 29:44 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 18–39, 177 yards 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 26 carries, 132 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | Quincy Jackson | 4 receptions, 35 yards |
| Tennessee | Passing | Tee Martin | 10–14, 117 yards |
| Tennessee | Rushing | Travis Henry | 22 carries, 113 yards, 2 TD's |
| Tennessee | Receiving | Cedrick Wilson | 6 receptions, 76 yards |

### Southern Miss

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Eagles | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| Crimson Tide | 3 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 30 |
Behind a career-high 361 yards passing from Andrew Zow, the Crimson Tide amassed 499 yards of offense as they beat Southern Miss in their final game at Bryant-Denny Stadium this season.
| Statistics | Southern Miss | Alabama |
| First downs | 16 | 28 |
| Total yards | 388 | 499 |
| Rushing yards | 64 | 138 |
| Passing yards | 324 | 361 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 23:17 | 36:43 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Southern Miss | Passing | Lee Roberts | 17–34, 281 yards 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Southern Miss | Rushing | Derrick Nix | 18 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD |
| Southern Miss | Receiving | Sherrod Gideon | 7 receptions, 192 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 26–35, 361 yards, 3 TD's |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 36 carries, 141 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Michael Vaughn | 4 receptions, 96 yards, 3 TD's |

### LSU

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Crimson Tide | 0 | 0 | 7 | 15 | 22 |
| Tigers | 0 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 16 |
The Crimson Tide trailed 16–7 with less than 3 minutes to go in the game when they were able to score a touchdown with 2:24 left making the score 16–14. Alabama would recover an onside kick and drive down the field and with 38 seconds to go in the game Andrew Zow hit Michael Vaughn on a deflected pass in the end zone and with the two point conversion Alabama led 22–16. An interception by Marcus Spencer would seal one of the greatest comebacks in Alabama History. This game was also the first time both teams came into the game not ranked since 1990.
| Statistics | Alabama | LSU |
| First downs | 17 | 27 |
| Total yards | 369 | 486 |
| Rushing yards | 85 | 272 |
| Passing yards | 284 | 214 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 27:31 | 32:29 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 17–27, 284 yards, 3 TD's |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 22 carries, 109 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Quincy Jackson | 4 receptions, 138 yards, 2 TD's |
| LSU | Passing | Herb Tyler | 21–31, 214 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's |
| LSU | Rushing | Kevin Faulk | 30 carries, 201 yards, 1 TD |
| LSU | Receiving | Larry Foster | 7 receptions, 81 yards |

### Mississippi State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Crimson Tide | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Bulldogs | 0 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 26 |
J.J. Johnson broke a Mississippi State school record for rushing yards in a game at 237 as Mississippi State would win its third straight meeting over Alabama. Despite a 20–0 deficit in the third quarter, Alabama rallied to cut the lead to six but that was as close as they could get.
| Statistics | Alabama | Mississippi State |
| First downs | 19 | 22 |
| Total yards | 295 | 456 |
| Rushing yards | 39 | 264 |
| Passing yards | 256 | 192 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 26:57 | 33:03 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 16–32, 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 20 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | Shaun Alexander | 5 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD |
| Mississippi State | Passing | Wayne Madkin | 10–17, 192 yards |
| Mississippi State | Rushing | J.J. Johnson | 36 carries, 237 yards, 2 TD's |
| Mississippi State | Receiving | J.J. Johnson | 3 receptions, 75 yards |

### Auburn

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tigers | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Crimson Tide | 0 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 31 |
Despite trailing 17–0 in the second quarter, Alabama would score the final 31 points of the game to win the Iron Bowl. Four turnovers for Auburn helped the Crimson Tide get back and eventually pull away from Auburn. This would be the last Iron Bowl ever to be played at Legion Field in Birmingham.
| Statistics | Auburn | Alabama |
| First downs | 18 | 17 |
| Total yards | 308 | 329 |
| Rushing yards | 100 | 101 |
| Passing yards | 228 | 208 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 27:27 | 32:33 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Auburn | Passing | Gabe Gross | 14–34, 208 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's |
| Auburn | Rushing | Demontray Carter | 22 carries, 102 yards |
| Auburn | Receiving | Clifton Robinson | 4 receptions, 92 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 16–23, 191 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 27 carries, 109 yards, 2 TD's |
| Alabama | Receiving | Quincy Jackson | 3 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD |

### Virginia Tech

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Hokies | 7 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 38 |
| Crimson Tide | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
The first ever Music City Bowl had an exciting first half with Alabama trailing Virginia Tech 10–7 at the half. The second half was all Virginia Tech as they would outscore the Crimson Tide 28–0 to beat Alabama. The lose would end the Crimson Tide season at 7–5.
| Statistics | Virginia Tech | Alabama |
| First downs | 14 | 15 |
| Total yards | 278 | 274 |
| Rushing yards | 207 | 50 |
| Passing yards | 71 | 224 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 25:51 | 34:09 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Virginia Tech | Passing | Al Clark | 7–14, 71 yards, 1 INT |
| Virginia Tech | Rushing | Al Clark | 9 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD |
| Virginia Tech | Receiving | Ricky Hall | 1 reception, 20 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 19–35, 224 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT's |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 21 carries, 68 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Shaun Alexander | 8 receptions, 87 yards |

## Coaching staff

| Name | Position | Consecutive seasons at Alabama |
| Mike Dubose | Head coach | 2nd |
| Neil Callaway | Offensive coordinator/Offensive line coach | 2nd |
| Ronnie Cottrell | Assistant head coach/Tight end | 1st |
| Charlie Stubbs | Quarterback coach | 1st |
| Dabo Swinney | Wide receivers coach | 6th |
| Ivy Williams | Running backs coach | 4th |
| Ellis Johnson | Defensive coordinator/Outside linebackers coach | 2nd |
| Charlie Harbison | Cornerbacks coach | 1st |
| Jeff Rouzie | Special teams coordinator/Inside linebackers coach | 8th |
| Jackie Shipp | Defensive line coach | 1st |
| Reference: |||