American college football season
The 1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1996–97 college football season , competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference . Gene Stallings led the Crimson Tide to a 10–3 record in his final year with the program. The team played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama , and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama .
Alabama's loss to Mississippi State broke a 15-game winning streak Alabama had in the series and was their first loss to the Bulldogs since a dramatic upset MSU posted over the #1 ranked Tide in 1980.
Following a victory in the annual Iron Bowl on November 23, head coach Gene Stallings announced his retirement, which would go into effect at the end of the season.[ 1]
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance Source August 31 2:00 p.m. Bowling Green * No. 13 PPV W 21–776,878 [ 2]
September 7 11:30 a.m. Southern Miss * No. 14 Legion Field Birmingham, AL JPS W 20–1082,338 [ 3]
September 14 5:00 p.m. Vanderbilt No. 13 ESPN2 W 36–2670,123 [ 4]
September 21 11:30 a.m. at Arkansas No. 13 JPS W 17–754,827 [ 5]
October 5 1:00 p.m. Kentucky No. 13 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL PPV W 35–770,123 [ 6]
October 12 2:30 p.m. at NC State * No. 8 ABC W 24–1950,750 [ 7]
October 19 5:00 p.m. Ole Miss No. 7 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry ) ESPN2 W 37–070,123 [ 8]
October 26 2:30 p.m. at No. 6 Tennessee No. 7 CBS L 13–20106,700 [ 9]
November 9 6:30 p.m. at No. 11 LSU No. 10 ESPN W 26–080,290 [ 10]
November 16 8:00 p.m. at Mississippi State No. 8 ESPN L 16–1740,050 [ 11]
November 23 6:30 p.m. Auburn No. 15 Legion Field Birmingham, AL (Iron Bowl , College GameDay ) ESPN W 24–2383,091 [ 12]
December 7 8:00 p.m. vs. No. 4 Florida No. 11 ABC L 30–4574,132 [ 13]
10:00 a.m. vs. No. 15 Michigan * No. 16 ESPN W 17–1453,161 [ 14]
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time
[ 15]
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking т = Tied with team above or below Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Final AP 15 13 14 13 13т 14 13 8 7 7 10 10 8 15 15 11 16 11 Coaches 14 13 12 11 10 10 8 7 6 11 10 8 12 12 11 15 11
1
2
3
4
Total
Falcons
0
0
0
7
7
#13 Crimson Tide
7
7
7
0
21
Alabama wins its sixth straight season opener over newly Division 1 opponent Bowling Green.
Statistics
Bowling Green
Alabama
First downs
7
16
Total yards
177
316
Rushing yards
80
154
Passing yards
97
162
Turnovers
3
3
Time of possession
27:42
32:18
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Bowling Green
Passing
Bob Niemet
9–19, 59 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Courtney Davis
13 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Jacque Rogers
4 receptions, 44 yards
Alabama
Passing
Freddie Kitchens
10–16, 156 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Curtis Alexander
6 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Michael Vaughn
5 receptions, 73 yards
1
2
3
4
Total
Golden Eagles
0
10
0
0
10
#14 Crimson Tide
10
7
3
0
20
Alabama would hold Southern Miss to 104 yards of offense to win for the sixth straight year over the Golden Eagles.
Statistics
Southern Miss
Alabama
First downs
8
20
Total yards
109
304
Rushing yards
11
115
Passing yards
98
189
Turnovers
3
1
Time of possession
19:37
40:21
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Southern Miss
Passing
Heath Graham
8–26, 98 yards, 2 INT's
Rushing
Eric Booth
5 carries, 46 yards
Receiving
Sherrod Gideon
2 receptions, 59 yards
Alabama
Passing
Freddie Kitchens
15–23, 180 yards, 2 TD's
Rushing
Curtis Alexander
20 carries, 73 yards
Receiving
Michael Vaughn
5 receptions, 70 yards
1
2
3
4
Total
Commodores
7
8
11
0
26
#13 Crimson Tide
3
12
21
0
36
In the first home game at Bryant-Denny Stadium for 1996, a shootout would unfold as the Crimson Tide would use a 21 point 3rd quarter to beat the Commodores.
Statistics
Vanderbilt
Alabama
First downs
11
23
Total yards
255
367
Rushing yards
116
160
Passing yards
139
207
Turnovers
5
3
Time of possession
23:47
36:13
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Vanderbilt
Passing
Damian Allen
11–21, 139 yards, 3 INT's
Rushing
Bill Marinangel
1 carry, 81 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Billy Miller
1 reception, 38 yards
Alabama
Passing
Freddie Kitchens
16–27, 209 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT's
Rushing
Curtis Alexander
19 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Marcell West
3 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD
1
2
3
4
Total
#13 Crimson Tide
0
7
0
10
17
Razorbacks
0
0
0
7
7
A defensive struggle goes the Crimson Tide way as they avenge their loss of a year ago to Arkansas.
Statistics
Alabama
Arkansas
First downs
14
13
Total yards
288
206
Rushing yards
105
130
Passing yards
183
76
Turnovers
1
3
Time of possession
33:08
26:52
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Alabama
Passing
Freddie Kitchens
14–28, 183 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Dennis Riddle
20 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Calvin Hall
3 receptions, 78 yards
Arkansas
Passing
Pete Burks
11–24, 76 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Oscar MaloneChrys Chukwuma
14 carries, 72 yards 9 carries, 72 yards
Receiving
Anthony Eubanks
3 receptions, 37 yards, 1 TD
1
2
3
4
Total
Wildcats
0
7
0
0
7
#13 Crimson Tide
7
0
28
0
35
Former Alabama coach Bill Curry returned to Tuscaloosa for the first time since leaving Alabama for Kentucky in 1989. Despite being heavy underdogs, Curry's Wildcats forced a 7-7 tie at halftime which brought a chorus of boos from the homecoming crowd. The Crimson Tide then would use a 28 point third quarter to beat Kentucky.
Statistics
Kentucky
Alabama
First downs
4
17
Total yards
124
358
Rushing yards
75
168
Passing yards
49
190
Turnovers
3
5
Time of possession
27:10
32:50
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Kentucky
Passing
Billy Jack Haskins
5–14, 49 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Billy Jack Haskins
15 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Craig Yeast
1 reception, 22 yards
Alabama
Passing
Freddie Kitchens
9–16, 152 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
9 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Calvin Hall
2 receptions, 52 yards
1
2
3
4
Total
#8 Crimson Tide
7
0
7
10
24
Wolfpack
3
0
3
13
19
Despite giving up a season high 418 yards of offense, The Crimson Tide survived on the road to stay undefeated.
Statistics
Alabama
NC State
First downs
20
22
Total yards
353
418
Rushing yards
172
158
Passing yards
181
260
Turnovers
0
2
Time of possession
30:40
29:20
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Alabama
Passing
Freddie Kitchens
13–24, 181 yards
Rushing
Dennis Riddle
33 carries, 154 yards, 3 TD's
Receiving
Michael Vaughn
6 receptions, 102 yards
NC State
Passing
Jamie Barnette
14–25, 260 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Tremayne Stephens
22 carries, 105 yards
Receiving
Chris Coleman
1 reception, 72 yards, 1 TD
1
2
3
4
Total
Rebels
0
0
0
0
0
#7 Crimson Tide
3
7
14
13
37
The Crimson Tide put its most complete game together to date in 1996 to roll to a shutout win of Ole Miss.
Statistics
Ole Miss
Alabama
First downs
9
28
Total yards
158
489
Rushing yards
26
273
Passing yards
132
216
Turnovers
0
3
Time of possession
25:53
34:07
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Ole Miss
Passing
Stewart Patridge
10–22, 132 yards
Rushing
Tony Cannion
9 carries, 37 yards
Receiving
Ta'Boris Fisher
4 receptions, 49 yards
Alabama
Passing
Freddie Kitchens
13–33, 216 yards, 2 TD's, 2 INT's
Rushing
Dennis Riddle
31 carries, 140 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Michael Vaughn
3 receptions, 89 yards, 2 TD's
1
2
3
4
Total
#7 Crimson Tide
0
3
10
0
13
#6 Volunteers
0
0
6
14
20
Tennessee used 14 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to beat Alabama for the second year in a row and for the first time in Knoxville since 1984.
Statistics
Alabama
Tennessee
First downs
15
10
Total yards
326
296
Rushing yards
189
120
Passing yards
137
176
Turnovers
4
3
Time of possession
36:28
23:22
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Alabama
Passing
Freddie Kitchens
8–21, 137 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT's
Rushing
Dennis Riddle
38 carries, 184 yards
Receiving
Michael Vaughn
2 receptions, 65 yards
Tennessee
Passing
Peyton Manning
12–25, 176 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Jay Graham
14 carries, 128 yards, 2 TD's
Receiving
Joey Kent
6 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD
1
2
3
4
Total
#10 Crimson Tide
0
7
12
7
26
#11 Tigers
0
0
0
0
0
For the second time in three games, Alabama defense would shut out its opponent. The Crimson tide offense went through one man Redshirt Freshman Shaun Alexander rushed for a School record 291 yards and all four Alabama touchdowns.
Statistics
Alabama
LSU
First downs
19
9
Total yards
412
248
Rushing yards
351
52
Passing yards
61
196
Turnovers
1
3
Time of possession
35:58
24:02
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Alabama
Passing
Freddie Kitchens
6–18, 61 yards
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
20 carries, 291 yards, 4 TD's
Receiving
Michael Vaughn
1 reception, 19 yards
LSU
Passing
Bryan Sparacino
8–35, 133 yards, 2 INT's
Rushing
Kevin Faulk
14 carries, 45 yards
Receiving
Larry Foster
3 receptions, 56 yards
1
2
3
4
Total
#8 Crimson Tide
0
13
0
3
16
Bulldogs
7
7
0
3
17
For the first time since 1980, Alabama would lose to Mississippi State in one of the biggest upset of the Gene Stallings era.
Statistics
Alabama
Mississippi State
First downs
16
16
Total yards
334
309
Rushing yards
229
157
Passing yards
105
152
Turnovers
2
1
Time of possession
27:55
32:05
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Alabama
Passing
Freddie Kitchens
9–18, 93 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
15 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Calvin Hall
3 receptions, 27 yards
Mississippi State
Passing
Derrick Taite
8–20, 152 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Robert Isaac
21 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Reggie Kelly
1 reception, 69 yards
1
2
3
4
Total
Tigers
3
17
3
0
23
#15 Crimson Tide
17
0
0
7
24
Alabama would pounce on Auburn early with 17 straight points to begin the game. Auburn would respond with 23 unanswered to lead by 6 late in the fourth quarter. Alabama would drive 74 yards to score on a 6-yard swing pass from Freddie Kitchens to Dennis Riddle to tie the game. Jon Brock extra point would give Alabama the one-point lead and eventual win to clinch the SEC West. After the game, Gene Stallings officially announced his retirement as Alabama head coach at the end of the season.
Statistics
Auburn
Alabama
First downs
13
21
Total yards
296
434
Rushing yards
116
142
Passing yards
180
292
Turnovers
2
5
Time of possession
28:35
31:25
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Auburn
Passing
Dameyune Craig
11–39, 180 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's
Rushing
Rusty Williams
17 carries, 89 yards
Receiving
Karsten Bailey
5 receptions, 92 yards, 1 TD
Alabama
Passing
Freddie Kitchens
20–33, 292 yards, 3 TD's, 3 INT's
Rushing
Dennis Riddle
21 carries, 131 yards
Receiving
Curtis Alexander
1 reception, 63 yards, 1 TD
1
2
3
4
Total
#11 Crimson Tide
7
7
14
2
30
#4 Gators
6
18
14
7
45
Alabama would be in its fourth SEC Championship game in five seasons and once again would face Florida, as they had the previous three meetings. The Gators would use nearly 500 yards of offense to win its fourth straight SEC title, a record that still holds to this day.
Statistics
Alabama
Florida
First downs
13
22
Total yards
296
470
Rushing yards
27
69
Passing yards
269
401
Turnovers
1
3
Time of possession
30:12
29:48
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Alabama
Passing
Freddie Kitchens
19–45, 264 yards, 3 TD's, 1 INT
Rushing
Dennis Riddle
17 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Michael Vaughn
5 receptions, 142 yards, 2 TD's
Florida
Passing
Danny Wuerffel
20–35, 401 yards, 6 TD's, 2 INT's
Rushing
Fred Taylor
23 carries, 83 yards
Receiving
Reidel Anthony
11 receptions, 171 yards, 3 TD's
1
2
3
4
Total
#16 Crimson Tide
3
0
0
14
17
#15 Wolverines
0
6
0
8
14
Two 4th quarter touchdowns proved to be enough as Alabama would win its 10th game of the season and the 70th and final for Gene Stallings as head coach.
Statistics
Alabama
Michigan
First downs
13
22
Total yards
247
415
Rushing yards
182
124
Passing yards
65
291
Turnovers
2
1
Time of possession
25:28
34:32
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Alabama
Passing
Freddie Kitchens
9–18, 65 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
9 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Michael Vaughn
2 receptions, 27 yards
Michigan
Passing
Brian Griese
21–37, 287 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Clarence Williams
12 carries, 58 yards
Receiving
Clarence Williams
5 receptions, 113 yards
^ "Tide prevails; Stallings retires: Auburn Bama both blow leads". The Atlanta Journal. November 24, 1996. pp. F1.
^ "Not pretty, but a 'W' " . The Anniston Star . August 31, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "No offense: Alabama 20, USM 10" . Hattiesburg American . September 8, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Vanderbilt chances go out with the Tide" . The Tennessean . September 15, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "No repeat of nightmare" . The Montgomery Advertiser . September 22, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "UK no mystery to Riddle as Alabama erupts 35–7" . The Courier-Journal . October 6, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Pack can't turn the Tide" . The News and Observer . October 13, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Alabama just too much" . The Clarion-Ledger . October 20, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Two in a row? It's a miracle" . The Tennessean . October 27, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Alabama blanks LSU" . Alexandria Daily Town Talk . November 10, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "State stuns Bama!" . The Clarion-Ledger . November 17, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Tide wins a classic" . The Montgomery Advertiser . November 24, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "SECond chance Gators?" . The Tampa Tribune . December 8, 1996. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Alabama's big plays leave U-M ruing missed chances, 17–14" . Detroit Free Press . January 2, 1997. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "1996 Alabama football archives" . RollTide.com . University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved February 20, 2021 .
^ 1997 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide , p. 2
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