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.

2000 Alabama Crimson Tide football
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Record3–8 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorNeil Callaway (3rd as OC; 4th overall season)
Co-offensive coordinatorCharlie Stubbs (3rd season)
Defensive coordinatorEllis Johnson (4th season)
Captain
3
  • Paul Hogan
  • Bradley Ledbetter
  • Kenny Smith
Home stadiumBryant–Denny Stadium
Legion Field
Seasons
← 1999
2001 →
2000 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Eastern Division
No. 10 Florida x$   7 1     10 3  
No. 19 South Carolina   5 3     8 4  
No. 20 Georgia   5 3     8 4  
Tennessee   5 3     8 4  
Vanderbilt   1 7     3 8  
Kentucky   0 8     2 9  
Western Division
No. 18 Auburn x   6 2     9 4  
No. 22 LSU   5 3     8 4  
Ole Miss   4 4     7 5  
No. 24 Mississippi State   4 4     8 4  
Arkansas   3 5     6 6  
Alabama   3 5     3 8  
Championship: Florida 28, Auburn 6
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

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 38–40 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

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DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 22:30 p.m.at UCLA*No. 3ABCL 24–3576,640[1]
September 911:30 a.m.VanderbiltNo. 13JPSW 28–1083,091[2]
September 168:00 p.m.No. 25 Southern Miss*No. 15
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL
ESPN2L 0–2183,091[3]
September 238:00 p.m.at ArkansasESPNL 21–2851,482[4]
September 302:00 p.m.No. 23 South CarolinaPPVW 27–1783,818[5]
October 146:00 p.m.Ole Miss
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
ESPNW 45–783,818[6]
October 212:30 p.m.at TennesseeCBSL 10–20107,709[7]
October 282:00 p.m.UCF* 
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL
PPVL 38–4083,818[8]
November 42:30 p.m.at LSUCBSL 28–3091,778[9]
November 1111:30 a.m.at No. 15 Mississippi StateJPSL 7–2944,114[10]
November 182:30 p.m.No. 18 Auburn
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (Iron Bowl)
CBSL 0–985,986[11]
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[12][13]

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked ( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
AP3 (3)3 (3)1315
Coaches Poll3 (1)3 (1)1413
BCSNot releasedNot released

Game summaries

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UCLA

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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.

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
Rushing Jason McAddley 1 carry, 56 yards
Receiving Freddie Milons 5 receptions, 49 yards
UCLA Passing Ryan McCann 14–24, 194 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing DeShaun Foster 42 carries, 187 yards, 3 TD's
Receiving Freddie Mitchell 4 receptions, 91 yards, 1TD

Vanderbilt

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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
Rushing Ray Perkins 8 carries, 45 yards
Receiving Dan Stricker 5 receptions, 121 yards
Alabama Passing Tyler Watts 3–6, 37 yards
Rushing Ahmaad Galloway 13 carries, 172 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Sam Collins 1 reception, 22 yards

Southern Miss

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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
Rushing Derrick Nix 23 carries, 80 yards
Receiving Leroy Handy 4 receptions, 55 yards
Alabama Passing Andrew Zow 8–18, 65 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Ahmaad Galloway 12 carries, 22 yards
Receiving Freddie Milons 7 receptions, 43 yards

Arkansas

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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
Rushing Brandon Miree 29 carries, 96 yards, 2 TD's
Receiving Terry Jones Jr. 2 receptions, 53 yards
Arkansas Passing Robby Hampton 20–33, 173 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT
Rushing Cedric Cobbs 18 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD
Receiving George Wilson 4 receptions, 47 yards

South Carolina

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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
Rushing Derek Watson 12 carries, 42 yards
Receiving Jermale Kelly 6 receptions, 107 yards, 2 TD's
Alabama Passing Andrew Zow 14–26, 149 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Ahmaad Galloway 16 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Antonio Carter 9 receptions, 75 yards

Ole Miss

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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
Rushing Joe Gunn 11 carries, 32 yards
Receiving Joe Gunn 5 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD
Alabama Passing Andrew Zow 18–22, 261 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Brandon Miree 12 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Antonio Carter 8 receptions, 157 yards

Tennessee

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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
Rushing Brandon Miree 8 carries, 29 yards
Receiving Antonio Carter 5 receptions, 73 yards
Tennessee Passing Casey Clausen 17–24, 213 yards, 2 TD's
Rushing Travis Henry 23 carries, 81 yards
Receiving Cedrick Wilson 7 receptions, 67 yards, 2 TD's
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
Rushing Corey Baker 18 carries, 46 yards
Receiving Tyson Hinshaw 8 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TD's
Alabama Passing Andrew Zow 15–30, 250 yards, 2 TD's, 4 INT's
Rushing Brandon Miree 13 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jason McAddley 3 receptions, 57 yards
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
Rushing Ahmaad Galloway 21 carries, 129 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Freddie Milons 7 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD
LSU Passing Josh Booty 18–31, 275 yards, 4 TD's, 1 INT
Rushing LaBrandon Toefield 21 carries, 85 yards
Receiving Josh Reed 8 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TD's

Mississippi State

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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
Rushing Brandon Miree 11 carries, 23 yards
Receiving Antonio Carter 4 receptions, 95 yards
Mississippi State Passing Wayne Madkin 18–27, 262 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Dontae Walker 16 carries, 117 yards
Receiving Larry Huntington 2 receptions, 75 yards

Auburn

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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
Rushing Rudi Johnson 37 carries, 130 yards
Receiving Lorenzo Diamond 3 receptions, 59 yards
Alabama Passing Andrew Zow 12–29, 112 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Ahmaad Galloway 9 carries, 16 yards
Receiving Jason McAddley 3 receptions, 45 yards

Coaching staff

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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:[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Riptide on West Coast". The Los Angeles Times. September 3, 2000. Retrieved October 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Crimson Tide evade another upset". Pensacola News Journal. September 10, 2000. Retrieved October 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "So. Miss shocks Bama". Pensacola News Journal. September 17, 2000. Retrieved October 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Tide 2000: Bama's 1–3". The Anniston Star. September 24, 2000. Retrieved October 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Bama salvages pride by stopping S.C.'s run". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. October 1, 2000. Retrieved October 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Alabama finally looks like national power". The Leaf-Chronicle. October 15, 2000. Retrieved October 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Another step back". The Anniston Star. October 22, 2000. Retrieved October 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Knights nuke Crimson Tide". The Montgomery Advertiser. October 29, 2000. Retrieved October 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "LSU rally results in 30–28 overtime win over 'Bama". Enterprise-Journal. November 5, 2000. Retrieved October 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Another game, another loss". Ledger-Enquirer. November 12, 2000. Retrieved October 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Hot'lanta, here comes Auburn". The Selma Times-Journal. November 19, 2000. Retrieved October 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "2000 Alabama Crimson Tide Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  13. ^ "2000 NCAA Football Statistics (Alabama)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  14. ^ 1999 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide, p. 2