# 1977 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

The 1977 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 83rd overall and 44th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 20th year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with eleven wins and one loss (11–1 overall, 7–0 in the SEC), as SEC champions and with a 35–6 victory over Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.

## Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 10 | Ole Miss | No. 6 | Legion FieldBirmingham, AL (rivalry) | | W 34–13 | 74,324 |
| September 17 | at Nebraska* | No. 4 | Memorial StadiumLincoln, NE | ABC | L 24–31 | 75,899 |
| September 24 | at Vanderbilt | No. 10 | Dudley FieldNashville, TN | | W 24–12 | 34,694 |
| October 1 | Georgia | No. 10 | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL (rivalry) | | W 18–10 | 60,210 |
| October 8 | at No. 1 USC* | No. 7 | Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA | ABC | W 21–20 | 63,140 |
| October 15 | Tennessee | No. 4 | Legion FieldBirmingham, AL (Third Saturday in October) | | W 24–10 | 71,000 |
| October 22 | Louisville* | No. 3 | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL | | W 55–6 | 60,210 |
| October 29 | at Mississippi State | No. 2 | Mississippi Veterans Memorial StadiumJackson, MS (rivalry) | | W 37–7 | 47,500 |
| November 5 | at No. 18 LSU | No. 2 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA (rivalry) | ABC | W 24–3 | 65,377 |
| November 12 | Miami (FL)* | No. 2 | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL | | W 36–0 | 57,422 |
| November 26 | vs. Auburn | No. 2 | Legion FieldBirmingham, AL (Iron Bowl) | | W 48–21 | 69,721 |
| January 2, 1978 | vs. No. 9 Ohio State* | No. 3 | Louisiana SuperdomeNew Orleans, LA (Sugar Bowl) | ABC | W 35–6 | 76,811 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll Poll released prior to the gameSource: ||||||||

## Game summaries
### Ole Miss

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Ole Miss | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Alabama | 13 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 34 |
at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama
* Date: September 10
* Game attendance: 74,324
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ALA – Mitch Ferguson 6-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 7–0.
MISS – Bobby Garner 1-yard run (kick failed). Alabama 7–6.
ALA – Jeff Rutledge 8-yard run (pass failed). Alabama 13–6.
Second quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 20–6.
MISS – Curtis Weathers 36-yard pass from Bobby Garner (Carl Langley kick). Alabama 20–13.
ALA – Steve Whitman 3-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 27–13.
Third quarter
No scoring
Fourth quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 34–13.
Top passers
MISS – Bobby Garner – 6/9, 104 yards, TD
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 7/8, 215 yards
Top rushers
MISS – James Storey – 13 rushes, 43 yards
ALA – Johnny Davis – 18 rushes, 90 yards
Top receivers
MISS – Curtis Weathers – 3 receptions, 62 yards, TD
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 3 receptions, 93 yards :

### At Nebraska

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Alabama | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| Nebraska | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
at Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
* Date: September 17
* Game attendance: 75,899
* TV: ABC
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
NEB – Billy Todd 29-yard field goal, 10:38. Nebraska 3–0.
ALA – Jeff Rutledge 7-yard run (Roger Chapman kick), 7:36. Alabama 7–3.
NEB – Rick Berns 7-yard pass from Randy Garcia (Billy Todd kick), 0:31. Nebraska 10–7.
Second quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 2-yard run (Roger Chapman kick), 10:45. Alabama 14–10.
NEB – Rick Berns 2-yard run (Billy Todd kick), 3:26. Nebraska 17–14.
ALA – Roger Chapman 37-yard field goal, 0:10. Tie 17–17.
Third quarter
NEB – Curtis Craig 17-yard run (Billy Todd kick), 10:54. Nebraska 24–17.
Fourth quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick), 12:24. Tie 24–24.
NEB – Rick Berns 2-yard run (Billy Todd kick), 7:12. Nebraska 31–24.
Top passers
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 13/31, 198 yards, 5 INT
NEB – Randy Garcia – 7/11, 123 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
ALA – Tony Nathan – 16 rushes, 90 yards, 2 TD
NEB – Rick Berns – 23 rushes, 128 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 8 receptions, 132 yards
NEB – I.M. Hipp – 1 reception, 53 yards :
Alabama went into Lincoln with Nebraska still feeling the sting of a home loss to Washington State. While the Crimson Tide slightly exceeded the Cornhuskers in offensive production, five interceptions helped give Nebraska the edge to pull off the stunning upset.

### At Vanderbilt

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Alabama | 10 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 24 |
| Vanderbilt | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12 |
at Dudley Field, Nashville, Tennessee
* Date: September 24
* Game attendance: 34,694
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 20-yard field goal. Alabama 3–0.
VAN – Greg Martin 37-yard field goal. Tie 3–3.
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 10–3.
VAN – Greg Martin 29-yard field goal. Alabama 10–6.
Second quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 46-yard field goal. Alabama 13–6.
ALA – Roger Chapman 34-yard field goal. Alabama 16–6.
Third quarter
No scoring
Fourth quarter
ALA – Safety, Vanderbilt kicks ball out of end zone. Alabama 18–6.
VAN – George Dickerson 36-yard pass from Mike Wright (kick failed). Alabama 18–12.
ALA – Johnny Davis 2-yard run (run failed). Alabama 24–12.
Top passers
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 2/6, 28 yards
VAN – Mike Wright – 4/6, 58 yards, TD
Top rushers
ALA – Johnny Davis – 24 rushes, 153 yards, TD
VAN – Randy Hampton – 10 rushes, 39 yards
Top receivers
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 2 receptions, 28 yards
VAN – Hal Kemp – 3 receptions, 25 yards :

### Georgia

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Georgia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Alabama | 9 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 18 |
at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama
* Date: October 1
* Game attendance: 60,210
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ALA – Safety, Georgia punter drops ball out of end zone. Alabama 2–0.
ALA – Johnny Davis 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 9–0.
UGA – Rex Robinson 53-yard field goal. Alabama 9–3.
Second quarter
No scoring
Third quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 22-yard field goal. Alabama 12–3.
ALA – Roger Chapman 29-yard field goal. Alabama 15–3.
Fourth quarter
UGA – Willie McClendon 7-yard run (Rex Robinson kick). Alabama 15–10.
ALA – Roger Chapman 32-yard field goal. Alabama 18–10.
Top passers
UGA – Randy Cook – 5/16, 67 yards, 2 INT
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 3/5, 33 yards
Top rushers
UGA – Kevin McLee – 13 rushes, 45 yards
ALA – Johnny Davis – 18 rushes, 66 yards, TD
Top receivers
UGA – Mark Hodge – 2 receptions, 34 yards
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 2 receptions, 20 yards :

### At USC

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Alabama | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
| USC | 3 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 20 |
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
* Date: October 8
* Game attendance: 63,140
* TV: ABC
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
USC – Frank Jordan 32-yard field goal. USC 3–0.
Second quarter
No scoring
Third quarter
ALA – Johnny Davis 2-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 7–3.
USC – Frank Jordan 23-yard field goal. Alabama 7–6.
Fourth quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 14–6.
ALA – Tony Nathan 13-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 21–6.
USC – Calvin Sweeney 10-yard pass from Rob Hertel (pass good). Alabama 21–14.
USC – Lynn Cain 1-yard run (pass failed). Alabama 21–20.
Top passers
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 2/4, 8 yards
USC – Rob Hertel – 18/30, 239 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
ALA – Tony Nathan – 18 rushes, 76 yards, 2 TD
USC – Charles White – 15 rushes, 63 yards
Top receivers
ALA – Lou Ikner – 1 reception, 5 yards
USC – Randy Simmrin – 6 receptions, 120 yards :

### Tennessee

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tennessee | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Alabama | 3 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 24 |
at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama
* Date: October 15
* Game attendance: 71,000
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 20-yard field goal. Alabama 3–0.
TEN – Jim Gaylor 41-yard field goal. Tie 3–3.
Second quarter
ALA – Jeff Rutledge 4-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 10–3.
ALA – Jeff Rutledge 9-yard run (kick failed). Alabama 16–3.
Third quarter
ALA – Ozzie Newsome 39-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (run good). Alabama 24–3.
TEN – Kelsey Finch 13-yard pass from Joe Hough (Jim Gaylor kick). Alabama 24–10.
Fourth quarter
No scoring
Top passers
TEN – Joe Hough – 6/13,76 yards, TD, INT
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 5/8, 82 yards, TD
Top rushers
TEN – Kelsey Finch – 8 rushes, 53 yards
ALA – Johnny Davis – 18 rushes, 103 yards
Top receivers
TEN – Reggie Harper – 3 receptions, 43 yards
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 2 receptions, 61 yards, TD :

### Louisville

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Louisville | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Alabama | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 55 |
at Bryant–Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
* Game attendance: 60,210
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ALA – Ozzie Newsome 67-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (kick failed). Alabama 6–0.
ALA – Donnie Faust 2-yard run (run good). Alabama 14–0.
Second quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 71-yard run (kick failed). Alabama 20–0.
ALA – Steve Whitman 10-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 27–0.
Third quarter
ALA – Ozzie Newsome 32-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 34–0.
ALA – Keith Pugh 32-yard pass from Kevin Jones (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 41–0.
LOU – Randy Butler 1-yard run (kick failed). Alabama 41–6.
Fourth quarter
ALA – Tim Travis 5-yard pass from Steadman Shealy (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 48–6.
ALA – John Turpin 5-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 55–6.
Top passers
LOU – Randy Butler – 4/11, 48 yards
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 3/3, 124 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
LOU – Calvin Prince – 15 rushes, 100 yards
ALA – Tony Nathan – 4 rushes, 85 yards, TD
Top receivers
LOU – Marc Mitchell – 3 receptions, 31 yards
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 3 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TD :

### At Mississippi State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Alabama | 14 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 37 |
| Mississippi State | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson, Mississippi
* Date: October 29
* Game attendance: 47,500
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 59-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 6–0.
ALA – Donnie Faust 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick. Alabama 14–0.
Second quarter
MSU – James Otis Doss 2-yard run (Dave Marler kick). Alabama 14–7.
ALA – Keith Pugh 30-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 21–7.
Third quarter
ALA – Johnny Davis 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 28–7.
ALA – Steadman Shealy 1-yard run (kick failed). Alabama 34–7.
Fourth quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 37-yard field goal. Alabama 37–7.
Top passers
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 5/8, 95 yards, TD
MSU – Bruce Threadgill – 10/20, 189 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
ALA – Tony Nathan – 7 rushes, 115 yards, TD
MSU – Dennis Johnson – 8 rushes, 23 yards
Top receivers
ALA – Keith Pugh – 3 receptions, 59 yards, TD
MSU – Mardye McDole – 7 receptions, 96 yards :

### At LSU

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Alabama | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
| LSU | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
* Date: November 5
* Game attendance: 65,377
* TV: ABC
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ALA – Roger Chapman 44-yard field goal. Alabama 3–0.
Second quarter
LSU – Mike Conway 31-yard field goal. Tie 3–3.
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 10–3.
Third quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 17–3.
Fourth quarter
ALA – Keith Pugh 20-yard pass from Tony Nathan (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 24–3.
Top passers
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 4/7, 62 yards
LSU – David Woodley – 3/8, 17 yards
Top rushers
ALA – Johnny Davis – 23 rushes, 126 yards
LSU – Charles Alexander – 22 rushes, 110 yards
Top receivers
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 4 receptions, 62 yards
LSU – Mike Quintela – 1 reception, 9 yards :

### Miami (FL)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Miami (FL) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alabama | 0 | 15 | 7 | 14 | 36 |
at Bryant–Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
* Date: November 12
* Game attendance: 57,422
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring
Second quarter
ALA – Rick Neal 5-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (kick failed). Alabama 6–0.
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (run failed). Alabama 12–0.
ALA – Roger Chapman 27-yard field goal. Alabama 15–0.
Third quarter
ALA – Rick Neal 7-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Alan McElroy kick). Alabama 22–0.
Fourth quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 2-yard run (Alan McElroy kick). Alabama 29–0.
ALA – Kevin Jones 12-yard run (Alan McElroy kick). Alabama 36–0.
Top passers
MIA – Kenny McMillian – 2/8, 15 yards, INT
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 9/14, 165 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
MIA – Chris Hobbs – 13 rushes, 43 yards
ALA – Johnny Davis – 11 rushes, 84 yards
Top receivers
MIA – Pat Walker – 1 reception, 11 yards
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 4 receptions, 106 yards :

### Vs. Auburn

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Alabama | 0 | 14 | 14 | 20 | 48 |
| Auburn | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama
* Date: November 26
* Game attendance: 69,721
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
AUB – Joe Cribbs 87-yard run (Jorge Portela kick). Auburn 7–0.
Second quarter
ALA – Bruce Bolton 30-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Roger Chapman kick). Tie 7–7.
ALA – Johnny Davis 12-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 14–7.
Third quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 21–7.
ALA – Tony Nathan 2-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 28–7.
Fourth quarter
AUB – Byron Franklin 74-yard pass from Charlie Trotman (Jorge Portela kick). Alabama 28–14.
ALA – Mitch Ferguson 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 35–14.
ALA – Ozzie Newsome 42-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (kick failed). Alabama 41–14.
ALA – Steadman Shealy 15-yard run (Barry Smith kick). Alabama 48–14.
AUB – William Andrews 3-yard run (Jorge Portela kick). Alabama 48–21.
Top passers
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 9/13, 193 yards, 2 TD
AUB – Charlie Trotman – 4/9, 135 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
ALA – Johnny Davis – 20 rushes, 104 yards, TD
AUB – Joe Cribbs – 15 rushes, 133 yards, TD
Top receivers
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 4 receptions, 123 yards, TD
AUB – Byron Franklin – 1 reception, 74 yards, TD :
* Jeff Rutledge 15 rushes, 102 yards

### Sugar Bowl (vs. Ohio State)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Ohio State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Alabama | 0 | 13 | 8 | 14 | 35 |
at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
* Date: January 2, 1978
* Game weather: Indoors (dome)
* Game attendance: 76,811
* Referee: Percy Penn
* TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson and Ara Parseghian
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring
Second quarter
ALA – Tony Nathan 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 7–0.
ALA – Bruce Bolton 27-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (kick failed). Alabama 13–0.
Third quarter
ALA – Rick Neal 3-yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (pass good). Alabama 21–0.
Fourth quarter
OSU – James Harrell 38-yard pass from Rod Gerald (run failed). Alabama 21–6.
ALA – Major Ogilvie 1-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 28–6.
ALA – Johnny Davis 5-yard run (Roger Chapman kick). Alabama 35–6.
Top passers
OSU – Rod Gerald – 7/17, 103 yards, TD, 3 INT
ALA – Jeff Rutledge – 8/11, 109 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
OSU – Ron Springs – 10 rushes, 74 yards
ALA – Johnny Davis – 24 rushes, 95 yards, TD
Top receivers
OSU – James Harrell – 1 reception, 38 yards, TD
ALA – Ozzie Newsome – 2 receptions, 45 yards :