# 1997 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

The 1997 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the college football season of 1997–98. The team's head coach was Mike DuBose, who was entering his first 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. Alabama finished with a record of 4–7 record in suffering the program's first losing season since the 1984 season. Thanks to a home loss to Arkansas in its third game, Alabama finished last in the SEC West on a tiebreaker, as the Razorbacks and Crimson Tide each sported 2–6 conference marks.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| August 30 | 11:30 a.m. | Houston* | No. 16 | Legion FieldBirmingham, AL | JPS | W 42–17 | 81,591 |
| September 11 | 7:30 p.m. | at Vanderbilt | No. 15 | Vanderbilt StadiumNashville, TN | ESPN | W 20–0 | 41,448 |
| September 20 | 11:30 a.m. | Arkansas | No. 11 | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL | JPS | L 16–17 | 70,123 |
| September 27 | 2:00 p.m. | Southern Miss* | No. 21 | Legion FieldBirmingham, AL | PPV | W 27–14 | 83,091 |
| October 4 | 6:00 p.m. | at Kentucky | No. 20 | Commonwealth StadiumLexington, KY | PPV | L 34–40 $^{OT}$ | 59,226 |
| October 18 | 6:00 p.m. | No. 9 Tennessee | | Legion FieldBirmingham, AL (Third Saturday in October) | ESPN | L 21–38 | 83,091 |
| October 25 | 11:30 a.m. | at No. 25 Ole Miss | | Vaught–Hemingway StadiumOxford, MS (rivalry) | JPS | W 29–20 | 41,548 |
| November 1 | 1:00 p.m. | Louisiana Tech* | | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL | PPV | L 20–26 | 70,123 |
| November 8 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 14 LSU | | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL (rivalry) | CBS | L 0–27 | 70,123 |
| November 15 | 11:30 a.m. | No. 17 Mississippi State | | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL (rivalry) | JPS | L 20–32 | 70,123 |
| November 22 | 6:00 p.m. | at No. 13 Auburn | | Jordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, AL (Iron Bowl) | ESPN | L 17–18 | 85,214 |
| *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 :
| | Week | Week | 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 | 15 | 16 | Final |
| AP | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 21 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Coaches | 15 | | 15 | 14 | 11 | 19 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |

## Coaching staff

| Name | Position | Consecutive seasons at Alabama |
| Mike Dubose | Head coach | 1st |
| Bruce Arians | Offensive coordinator/Quarterback coach | 1st |
| Dabo Swinney | Tight end | 5th |
| Neil Callaway | Offensive line coach | 1st |
| Woody McCorvey | Wide receivers coach | 8th |
| Ivy Williams | Running backs coach | 4th |
| Ellis Johnson | Defensive coordinator/Defensive line | 1st |
| Curley Hallman | Secondary coach | 2nd |
| Jeff Rouzie | Linebackers coach | 7th |
| Danny Pearman | Special teams coordinator | 7th |
| Mickey Conn | Graduate Assistant | 2nd |
| Reference: |||

## Game summaries
### Houston

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cougars | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| #16 Crimson Tide | 21 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 42 |
A sell-out crowd filled Legion Field as the Mike Dubose era got off to a great start with the Crimson Tide rolling to a big win over Houston. Alabama's 42 points was the most any Alabama team had put up in a game since the season opener in 1994.
| Statistics | Houston | Alabama |
| First downs | 15 | 25 |
| Total yards | 384 | 466 |
| Rushing yards | 114 | 213 |
| Passing yards | 270 | 253 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 28:01 | 31:59 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Houston | Passing | Tyson Helton | 7–14, 143 yards, 1 TD |
| Houston | Rushing | Ketric Sanford | 12 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD |
| Houston | Receiving | Robbie Wheeler | 6 receptions, 107 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | Freddie Kitchens | 12–19, 168 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 11 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | Curtis Alexander Chad Goss | 2 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD 2 receptions, 50 yards |

### Vanderbilt

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #15 Crimson Tide | 7 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 20 |
| Commodores | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Alabama defense would hold Vanderbilt offense to 124 yards as the Crimson Tide won its first road and conference game of the year in shutout fashion.
| Statistics | Alabama | Vanderbilt |
| First downs | 9 | 9 |
| Total yards | 238 | 124 |
| Rushing yards | 75 | 66 |
| Passing yards | 163 | 58 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 30:16 | 29:44 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Alabama | Passing | Freddie Kitchens | 10–18, 124 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's |
| Alabama | Rushing | Dennis Riddle | 13 carries, 31 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Quincy Jackson | 3 receptions, 67 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Damian Allen | 6–22, 58 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Jimmy Williams | 10 carries, 43 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Jimmy Williams | 3 receptions, 41 yards |

### Arkansas

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Razorbacks | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| #11 Crimson Tide | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 16 |
For the second time in a row, Arkansas would come to Bryant-Denny Stadium and upset a ranked Alabama team by one point. Alabama held a 16-10 lead late in the game but, an Anthony Eubanks touchdown grab of 29 yards from Clint Stoerner gave Arkansas a one-point win.
| Statistics | Arkansas | Alabama |
| First downs | 14 | 15 |
| Total yards | 270 | 247 |
| Rushing yards | 70 | 106 |
| Passing yards | 200 | 141 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 29:02 | 30:58 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Arkansas | Passing | Clint Stoerner | 16–21, 200 yards, 1 TD |
| Arkansas | Rushing | Chrys Chukwuma | 12 carries, 65 yards |
| Arkansas | Receiving | Anthony Eubanks | 7 receptions, 104 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | Freddie Kitchens | 10–17, 84 yards |
| Alabama | Rushing | Dennis Riddle | 12 carries, 49 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Calvin Hall | 4 receptions, 48 yards |

### Southern Miss

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Eagles | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| #21 Crimson Tide | 0 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 27 |
After being tied at halftime, Alabama would outscore Southern Miss 17-3 in the second half, led by Alabama defense forcing three Southern Miss turnovers.
| Statistics | Southern Miss | Alabama |
| First downs | 19 | 12 |
| Total yards | 293 | 275 |
| Rushing yards | 67 | 105 |
| Passing yards | 226 | 170 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 29:34 | 30:26 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Southern Miss | Passing | Lee Roberts | 21–40, 226 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's |
| Southern Miss | Rushing | Harold Shaw | 20 carries, 79 yards |
| Southern Miss | Receiving | Sherrod Gideon | 7 receptions, 132 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | Freddie Kitchens | 11–18, 167 yards, 2 TD's |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 16 carries, 66 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Shamari Buchanan | 2 receptions, 58 yards |

### Kentucky

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Wildcats | 10 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 40 |
| #20 Crimson Tide | 7 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 34 |
A back and forth shootout ended with a 26-yard game-winning touchdown pass from Kentucky QB Tim Couch to give Kentucky its first win over Alabama since 1922. Alabama had the ball first in overtime but, a Chad Goss fumble gave Kentucky an opportunity to score and win with their possession. This would mark the first overtime game ever for both teams.
| Statistics | Alabama | Kentucky |
| First downs | 20 | 23 |
| Total yards | 410 | 457 |
| Rushing yards | 239 | 102 |
| Passing yards | 171 | 355 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 35:04 | 24:56 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Alabama | Passing | Freddie Kitchens | 13–24, 125 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Curtis Alexander | 15 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | Chad Goss | 3 receptions, 59 yards, 1 TD |
| Kentucky | Passing | Tim Couch | 32–49, 355 yards, 4 TD's 3 INT's |
| Kentucky | Rushing | Anthony White | 15 carries, 117 yards |
| Kentucky | Receiving | Derek Homer | 3 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD |

### Tennessee

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #9 Volunteers | 7 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 38 |
| Crimson Tide | 6 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 21 |
For the third straight year, Tennessee would beat Alabama. Alabama would kick two early field goals to have a 6-0 lead but Tennessee would score the next 28 points to put the game out of reach for Alabama. This game would be the last Third Saturday in October game to be played at Legion Field.
| Statistics | Tennessee | Alabama |
| First downs | 23 | 13 |
| Total yards | 393 | 225 |
| Rushing yards | 89 | 72 |
| Passing yards | 304 | 153 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 31:35 | 28:25 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Tennessee | Passing | Peyton Manning | 23–37, 304 yards, 3 TD's |
| Tennessee | Rushing | Jamal Lewis | 17 carries, 67 yards |
| Tennessee | Receiving | Peerless Price | 4 receptions, 78 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Passing | Freddie Kitchens | 13–39, 153 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Curtis Alexander | 16 carries, 38 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Shamari Buchanan | 6 receptions, 66 yards |

### Ole Miss

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Crimson Tide | 0 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 29 |
| #25 Rebels | 7 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 20 |
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.
| Statistics | Alabama | Ole Miss |
| First downs | 22 | 19 |
| Total yards | 526 | 420 |
| Rushing yards | 297 | 163 |
| Passing yards | 229 | 257 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 36:37 | 23:23 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Alabama | Passing | Freddie Kitchens | 15–22, 229 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Rushing | Curtis Alexander | 16 carries, 141 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | Quincy Jackson | 5 receptions, 119 yards |
| Ole Miss | Passing | Stewart Patridge | 22–37, 257 yards, 1 TD |
| Ole Miss | Rushing | John Aver | 15 carries, 148 yards, 1 TD |
| Ole Miss | Receiving | Andre Rone | 4 receptions, 67 yards |

### Louisiana Tech

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bulldogs | 10 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 26 |
| Crimson Tide | 7 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
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.
| Statistics | Louisiana Tech | Alabama |
| First downs | 23 | 23 |
| Total yards | 522 | 389 |
| Rushing yards | 161 | 127 |
| Passing yards | 361 | 262 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 33:50 | 26:10 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Louisiana Tech | Passing | Tim Rattay | 29–48, 361 yards, 3 TD's |
| Louisiana Tech | Rushing | Bobby Ray Tell | 17 carries, 98 yards |
| Louisiana Tech | Receiving | Troy Edwards | 9 receptions, 126 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Passing | Freddie Kitchens | 14–32, 228 yards, 2 TD's |
| Alabama | Rushing | Curtis Alexander | 18 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | Shamari Buchanan | 4 receptions, 55 yards |

### LSU

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #14 Tigers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 27 |
| Crimson Tide | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.
| Statistics | LSU | Alabama |
| First downs | 17 | 15 |
| Total yards | 370 | 250 |
| Rushing yards | 265 | 157 |
| Passing yards | 105 | 93 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 30:22 | 29:38 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| LSU | Passing | Herb Tyler | 7–13, 105 yards |
| LSU | Rushing | Kevin Faulk | 27 carries, 168 yards, 2 TD's |
| LSU | Receiving | Abram Booty | 3 receptions, 66 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | Freddie Kitchens | 8–24, 93 yards |
| Alabama | Rushing | Curtis Alexander | 24 carries, 95 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Quincy Jackson | 1 reception, 22 yards |

### Mississippi State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #17 Bulldogs | 14 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 32 |
| Crimson Tide | 14 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 20 |
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.
| Statistics | Mississippi State | Alabama |
| First downs | 23 | 13 |
| Total yards | 500 | 247 |
| Rushing yards | 347 | 113 |
| Passing yards | 153 | 134 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 31:02 | 28:58 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Mississippi State | Passing | Matt Wyatt | 10–20, 153 yards, 1 TD |
| Mississippi State | Rushing | J. J. Johnson | 23 carries, 198 yards, 2 TD's |
| Mississippi State | Receiving | Lamont Woodberry | 4 receptions, 45 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | Lance Tucker | 7–11, 81 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Rushing | Dennis Riddle | 13 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | Quincy Jackson | 3 receptions, 63 yards |

### Auburn

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Crimson Tide | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| #13 Tigers | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 18 |
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.
| Statistics | Alabama | Auburn |
| First downs | 15 | 19 |
| Total yards | 299 | 275 |
| Rushing yards | 156 | 62 |
| Passing yards | 143 | 213 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 31:39 | 28:21 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Alabama | Passing | Freddie Kitchens | 12–18, 134 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Rushing | Shaun Alexander | 13 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | Quincy Jackson | 7 receptions, 79 yards |
| Auburn | Passing | Dameyune Craig | 14–34, 213 yards, 2 INT's |
| Auburn | Rushing | Rusty Williams | 6 carries, 27 yards |
| Auburn | Receiving | Hicks Poor | 5 receptions, 55 yards |