# 2000 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

The 2000 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2000 college football season. The team was led by head coach Mike DuBose, who was coaching his final season at the program. The team finished 6th in the SEC Western Division. The Crimson Tide, also known informally as the Tide, played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field, in Birmingham, Alabama.
The team entered the season trying to build upon a 10–3 record from their 1999 season, which included a 34–7 victory in the SEC Championship over the Florida Gators. The 2000 team would not have the same success. Despite a preseason #3 ranking they eventually finished with a 3–8 record (3–5 in the SEC). The 2000 season was filled with several close losses. A 30–28 loss at LSU was the Tide's first loss to LSU in Baton Rouge in 31 years, ending a 14–0–1 streak Alabama had posted there since 1969. A 9–0 defeat at the hands of in-state rival Auburn came on a cold and rainy afternoon and marked the first Iron Bowl played in Tuscaloosa since 1901.
For the first time since the 1956 season Alabama failed to win any out-of-conference games and became the first team from an AQ conference to lose to Central Florida, falling 40–38 at home on a last-second field goal. On November 1, Athletic Director Mal Moore announced that Mike DuBose would resign at the end of the season after one of the program's worst seasons.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | 2:30 p.m. | at UCLA* | No. 3 | Rose BowlPasadena, CA | ABC | L 24–35 | 76,640 |
| September 9 | 11:30 a.m. | Vanderbilt | No. 13 | Legion FieldBirmingham, AL | JPS | W 28–10 | 83,091 |
| September 16 | 8:00 p.m. | No. 25 Southern Miss* | No. 15 | Legion FieldBirmingham, AL | ESPN2 | L 0–21 | 83,091 |
| September 23 | 8:00 p.m. | at Arkansas | | Razorback StadiumFayetteville, AR | ESPN | L 21–28 | 51,482 |
| September 30 | 2:00 p.m. | No. 23 South Carolina | | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL | PPV | W 27–17 | 83,818 |
| October 14 | 6:00 p.m. | Ole Miss | | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL (rivalry) | ESPN | W 45–7 | 83,818 |
| October 21 | 2:30 p.m. | at Tennessee | | Neyland StadiumKnoxville, TN (Third Saturday in October) | CBS | L 10–20 | 107,709 |
| October 28 | 2:00 p.m. | UCF* | | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL | PPV | L 38–40 | 83,818 |
| November 4 | 2:30 p.m. | at LSU | | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA (rivalry) | CBS | L 28–30 | 91,778 |
| November 11 | 11:30 a.m. | at No. 15 Mississippi State | | Scott FieldStarkville, MS (rivalry) | JPS | L 7–29 | 44,114 |
| November 18 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 18 Auburn | | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL (Iron Bowl) | CBS | L 0–9 | 85,986 |
| *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 ( ) = First-place votes :
| | 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 | Final |
| AP | 3 (3) | 3 (3) | 13 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Coaches Poll | 3 (1) | 3 (1) | 14 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Not released |

## Game summaries
### UCLA

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #3 Crimson Tide | 7 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| Bruins | 14 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 35 |
The Preseason hype at Alabama was through the roof as the reigning SEC Champions came into a match up against UCLA ranked third in the country. Despite that, Alabama was physically dominated by UCLA offense as they pulled off the upset. This game marked the first meeting between the two schools since the Liberty Bowl in the 1976 season.
| Statistics | Alabama | UCLA |
| First downs | 16 | 26 |
| Total yards | 265 | 396 |
| Rushing yards | 146 | 171 |
| Passing yards | 119 | 225 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 22:41 | 37:19 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 8–23, 92 yards, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Jason McAddley | 1 carry, 56 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Freddie Milons | 5 receptions, 49 yards |
| UCLA | Passing | Ryan McCann | 14–24, 194 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| UCLA | Rushing | DeShaun Foster | 42 carries, 187 yards, 3 TD's |
| UCLA | Receiving | Freddie Mitchell | 4 receptions, 91 yards, 1TD |

### Vanderbilt

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Commodores | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| #13 Crimson Tide | 7 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 28 |
Alabama would use an eighteen-point 4th quarter to pull away and beat Vanderbilt for the 16th straight time. This would be the last conference game Alabama would play at Legion Field.
| Statistics | Vanderbilt | Alabama |
| First downs | 13 | 14 |
| Total yards | 257 | 349 |
| Rushing yards | 85 | 292 |
| Passing yards | 172 | 57 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 28:11 | 31:49 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Vanderbilt | Passing | Greg Zolman | 12–26, 172 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Rushing | Ray Perkins | 8 carries, 45 yards |
| Vanderbilt | Receiving | Dan Stricker | 5 receptions, 121 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | Tyler Watts | 3–6, 37 yards |
| Alabama | Rushing | Ahmaad Galloway | 13 carries, 172 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | Sam Collins | 1 reception, 22 yards |

### Southern Miss

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #25 Golden Eagles | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| #15 Crimson Tide | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Alabama would be shut out for the first time since 1997 as Southern Miss used a pick six and a scoop and score to beat Alabama at Legion Field for the first time since 1990. After the game, Mike Dubose offered his resignation to Mal Moore but, was rejected by Moore.
| Statistics | Southern Miss | Alabama |
| First downs | 12 | 15 |
| Total yards | 210 | 217 |
| Rushing yards | 51 | 95 |
| Passing yards | 159 | 122 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 30:08 | 29:52 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Southern Miss | Passing | Jeff Kelly | 14–23, 159 yards 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Southern Miss | Rushing | Derrick Nix | 23 carries, 80 yards |
| Southern Miss | Receiving | Leroy Handy | 4 receptions, 55 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 8–18, 65 yards, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Ahmaad Galloway | 12 carries, 22 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Freddie Milons | 7 receptions, 43 yards |

### Arkansas

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Crimson Tide | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Arkansas | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 28 |
Despite having the lead for the majority of the second half, Arkansas 13-play, 80-yard drive, capped off by a 9-yard touchdown pass from Robby Hamilton to Marcellus Poydras with 1:04 to go, gave Arkansas the lead and the eventual win.
| Statistics | Alabama | Arkansas |
| First downs | 22 | 20 |
| Total yards | 343 | 324 |
| Rushing yards | 226 | 151 |
| Passing yards | 117 | 173 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 33:56 | 26:04 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Alabama | Passing | Tyler Watts | 8–20, 117 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Rushing | Brandon Miree | 29 carries, 96 yards, 2 TD's |
| Alabama | Receiving | Terry Jones Jr. | 2 receptions, 53 yards |
| Arkansas | Passing | Robby Hampton | 20–33, 173 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT |
| Arkansas | Rushing | Cedric Cobbs | 18 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD |
| Arkansas | Receiving | George Wilson | 4 receptions, 47 yards |

### South Carolina

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #23 South Carolina | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| Crimson Tide | 3 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 27 |
Milos Lewis had two critical 4th quarter interceptions that allowed Alabama to hold on the beat #23 South Carolina. The win kept Alabama's perfect record against South Carolina all time (10–0).
| Statistics | South Carolina | Alabama |
| First downs | 20 | 18 |
| Total yards | 349 | 350 |
| Rushing yards | 85 | 146 |
| Passing yards | 264 | 204 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 28:28 | 31:32 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| South Carolina | Passing | Phil Petty | 7–19, 151 yards, 2 TD's, 2 INT's |
| South Carolina | Rushing | Derek Watson | 12 carries, 42 yards |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Jermale Kelly | 6 receptions, 107 yards, 2 TD's |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 14–26, 149 yards, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Ahmaad Galloway | 16 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | Antonio Carter | 9 receptions, 75 yards |

### Ole Miss

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Ole Miss | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Crimson Tide | 3 | 18 | 10 | 14 | 45 |
Alabama's 45 points are the most of any team in a game under Mike Dubose and the most for any Alabama team since 1993 in a rout of Ole Miss.
| Statistics | Ole Miss | Alabama |
| First downs | 12 | 21 |
| Total yards | 237 | 464 |
| Rushing yards | 74 | 168 |
| Passing yards | 163 | 296 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 28:52 | 31:08 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Ole Miss | Passing | Romaro Miller | 15–31, 127 yards 1 TD, 3 INT's |
| Ole Miss | Rushing | Joe Gunn | 11 carries, 32 yards |
| Ole Miss | Receiving | Joe Gunn | 5 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 18–22, 261 yards, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Brandon Miree | 12 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | Antonio Carter | 8 receptions, 157 yards |

### Tennessee

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Crimson Tide | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Volunteers | 7 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 20 |
For the 6th year in a row, Tennessee found a way to beat Alabama extending their longest win streak against the Crimson Tide. This match up was the first time both teams came into the game not ranked since 1988.
| Statistics | Alabama | Tennessee |
| First downs | 14 | 18 |
| Total yards | 225 | 309 |
| Rushing yards | 44 | 96 |
| Passing yards | 181 | 213 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 24:48 | 35:12 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 14–29, 181 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's |
| Alabama | Rushing | Brandon Miree | 8 carries, 29 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Antonio Carter | 5 receptions, 73 yards |
| Tennessee | Passing | Casey Clausen | 17–24, 213 yards, 2 TD's |
| Tennessee | Rushing | Travis Henry | 23 carries, 81 yards |
| Tennessee | Receiving | Cedrick Wilson | 7 receptions, 67 yards, 2 TD's |

### UCF

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| UCF | 10 | 7 | 17 | 6 | 40 |
| Crimson Tide | 14 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 38 |
Alabama could not overcome 5 turnovers as a Javier Beorlegui 37 yard field goal gave UCF the upset win on Homecoming for Alabama. This was the 2nd time under Mike Dubose that Alabama had lost its Homecoming game. On the Wednesday following the game, Mike Dubose was informed that he would not return as head coach in 2001. Coach Dubose was allowed to remain as head coach until the end of the season.
| Statistics | UCF | Alabama |
| First downs | 25 | 20 |
| Total yards | 378 | 429 |
| Rushing yards | 95 | 179 |
| Passing yards | 283 | 250 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 5 |
| Time of possession | 33:11 | 26:49 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UCF | Passing | Ryan Schneider | 27–48, 283 yards 3 TD's, 1 INT |
| UCF | Rushing | Corey Baker | 18 carries, 46 yards |
| UCF | Receiving | Tyson Hinshaw | 8 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TD's |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 15–30, 250 yards, 2 TD's, 4 INT's |
| Alabama | Rushing | Brandon Miree | 13 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | Jason McAddley | 3 receptions, 57 yards |

### LSU

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Crimson Tide | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
| Tigers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 16 | 30 |
For the first time since 1969, Alabama lost at Tiger Stadium behind 16 fourth quarter points from LSU after Alabama had taken the lead at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Alabama scored with seven seconds left to cut the lead to two but, failed to recover the onside kick. This lost guaranteed Alabama second losing season under Mike Dubose and third since 1957.
| Statistics | Alabama | LSU |
| First downs | 19 | 20 |
| Total yards | 314 | 408 |
| Rushing yards | 164 | 133 |
| Passing yards | 150 | 275 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 29:35 | 30:25 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 15–32, 150 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Ahmaad Galloway | 21 carries, 129 yards, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | Freddie Milons | 7 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD |
| LSU | Passing | Josh Booty | 18–31, 275 yards, 4 TD's, 1 INT |
| LSU | Rushing | LaBrandon Toefield | 21 carries, 85 yards |
| LSU | Receiving | Josh Reed | 8 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TD's |

### Mississippi State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Crimson Tide | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| #15 Bulldogs | 14 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 29 |
Alabama gave up a season high 538 total yards of total offense as Mississippi State beat Alabama for the third straight time in Starkville.
| Statistics | Alabama | Mississippi State |
| First downs | 12 | 22 |
| Total yards | 312 | 538 |
| Rushing yards | 31 | 276 |
| Passing yards | 281 | 262 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 25:07 | 34:53 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 13–31, 281 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's |
| Alabama | Rushing | Brandon Miree | 11 carries, 23 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Antonio Carter | 4 receptions, 95 yards |
| Mississippi State | Passing | Wayne Madkin | 18–27, 262 yards, 1 TD |
| Mississippi State | Rushing | Dontae Walker | 16 carries, 117 yards |
| Mississippi State | Receiving | Larry Huntington | 2 receptions, 75 yards |

### Auburn

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #18 Tigers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Crimson Tide | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
For the first time since 1901, the Iron Bowl would be played in Tuscaloosa and the first time ever at Bryant Denny Stadium. However, freezing rain, sleet, and Damon Duval's three field goals would spoil the return as Auburn would shut out Alabama for the first time since 1987. This would be the last game for Mike Dubose as head coach and would be the last time to date Alabama has been shut out. This along with the Southern Miss shut out earlier in the season, would be the first time Alabama has been shut out more than once in a season since 1957.
| Statistics | Auburn | Alabama |
| First downs | 17 | 8 |
| Total yards | 301 | 135 |
| Rushing yards | 162 | 23 |
| Passing yards | 139 | 112 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 37:45 | 22:15 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Auburn | Passing | Ben Leard | 10–20, 139 yards, 2 INT's |
| Auburn | Rushing | Rudi Johnson | 37 carries, 130 yards |
| Auburn | Receiving | Lorenzo Diamond | 3 receptions, 59 yards |
| Alabama | Passing | Andrew Zow | 12–29, 112 yards, 1 INT |
| Alabama | Rushing | Ahmaad Galloway | 9 carries, 16 yards |
| Alabama | Receiving | Jason McAddley | 3 receptions, 45 yards |

## Coaching staff

| Name | Position | Consecutive seasons at Alabama |
| Mike Dubose | Head coach | 4th |
| Neil Callaway | Offensive coordinator/Offensive line coach | 4th |
| Ronnie Cottrell | Assistant head coach/Tight end | 3rd |
| Charlie Stubbs | Quarterback coach | 3rd |
| Dabo Swinney | Wide receivers coach | 8th |
| Ivy Williams | Running backs coach | 6th |
| Ellis Johnson | Defensive coordinator/Outside linebackers coach | 4th |
| Charlie Harbison | Cornerbacks coach | 3rd |
| Jeff Rouzie | Special teams coordinator/Inside linebackers coach | 10th |
| Lance Thompson | Defensive line coach | 2nd |
| Reference: |||