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 victory over Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.

1977 Alabama Crimson Tide football
National champion (Football Research) SEC champion Sugar Bowl champion
Sugar Bowl, W 35–6 vs. Ohio State
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 2
AP	No. 2
Record	11–1 (7–0 SEC)
Head coach	Bear Bryant (20th season)
Captains	Mike Tucker Ozzie Newsome
Home stadium	Bryant–Denny Stadium Legion Field

1977 Southeastern Conference football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 2 Alabama $	7	–	0	–	0			11	–	1	–	0
No. 6 Kentucky	6	–	0	–	0			10	–	1	–	0
Auburn	5	–	1	–	0			6	–	5	–	0
LSU	4	–	2	–	0			8	–	4	–	0
Florida	3	–	3	–	0			6	–	4	–	1
Georgia	2	–	4	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
Mississippi State	2	–	4	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
Ole Miss	3	–	4	–	0			6	–	5	–	0
Tennessee	1	–	5	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
Vanderbilt	0	–	6	–	0			2	–	9	–	0
$ – Conference champion Kentucky ineligible for SEC championship due to NCAA probation. Mississippi State later forfeited all 1977 wins due to NCAA violations. Rankings from AP Poll

Schedule

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

Personnel

1977 Alabama Crimson Tide football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class OT 78 Buddy Aydelette So WR 32 Bruce Bolton OL Jim Bunch RB 20 Pete Cavan RB 40 Johnny Crow G Bob Cryder Sr FB 38 Johnny Davis Sr RB Mike English RB Donnie Faust RB Mitch Ferguson QB Alan Gray OL Louis Green RB 30 Lou Ikner QB Kevin Jones RB 22 Tony Nathan Jr WR 8 Rick Neal WR 82 Ozzie Newsome (C) Sr QB Jack O'Rear DB 18 Ricky Tucker RB 42 Major Ogilvie WR 4 Keith Pugh QB 11 Jeff Rutledge Jr QB 10 Steadman Shealy C 57 Dwight Stephenson So OL Chip Tilman TE 88 Tim Travis So RB John Turpin FB 45 Steve Whitman So	Defense Pos. # Name Class DB Phil Allman DL William Davis LB Rickey Gilliland DT 94 Wayne Hamilton So DT Terry Jones Sr DE 39 E. J. Junior Fr DL John Knox DB Mike Kramer LB 77 Barry Krauss DB Murray Legg DL 93 Marty Lyons DT 96 Curtis McGriff So DB 28 Don McNeal So DL Calvin Parker LB 50 Randy Scott Fr DB Mike Tucker (C) LB 36 Rich Wingo Jr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K Roger Chapman P 1 Buddy Holt So K Alan McElroy K Barry Smith	Head coach Bear Bryant Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt

Game summaries

Ole Miss

See also: Alabama–Ole Miss football rivalry

Ole Miss Rebels (1–0) at #6 Alabama Crimson Tide (0–0)

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

#4 Alabama Crimson Tide (1–0) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0)

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

#10 Alabama Crimson Tide (1–1) at Vanderbilt Commodores (1–1)

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

See also: Alabama–Georgia football rivalry

Georgia Bulldogs (2–1) at #10 Alabama Crimson Tide (2–1)

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

#7 Alabama Crimson Tide (3–1) at #1 USC Trojans (4–0)

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

See also: Third Saturday in October

Tennessee Volunteers (2–3) at #4 Alabama Crimson Tide (4–1)

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

Louisville Cardinals (3–2–1) at #3 Alabama Crimson Tide (5–1)

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

See also: Alabama–Mississippi State football rivalry

#2 Alabama Crimson Tide (6–1) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (3–4)

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

See also: Alabama–LSU football rivalry

#2 Alabama Crimson Tide (7–1) at #18 LSU Tigers (5–2)

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)

Miami (FL) Hurricanes (3–5) at #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (8–1)

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

See also: Iron Bowl

#2 Alabama Crimson Tide (9–1) vs. Auburn Tigers (5–5)

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)

Main article: 1978 Sugar Bowl

Sugar Bowl: #3 Alabama Crimson Tide (10–1) vs. #9 Ohio State Buckeyes (9–2)

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

References

General

• "1977 Season Recaps" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
• "2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book" (PDF). Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2015.

Specific