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1959 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1959 Alabama Crimson Tide football
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 13
APNo. 10
Record7–2–2 (4–1–2 SEC)
Head coach
Captains
Home stadiumDenny Stadium
Legion Field
Ladd Stadium
Seasons
← 1958
1960 →
1959 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 5 Georgia $ 7 0 0 10 1 0
No. 3 LSU 5 1 0 9 2 0
No. 2 Ole Miss # 5 1 0 10 1 0
No. 10 Alabama 4 1 2 7 2 2
Auburn 4 3 0 7 3 0
Vanderbilt 3 2 2 5 3 2
Georgia Tech 3 3 0 6 5 0
Tennessee 3 4 1 5 4 1
No. 19 Florida 2 4 0 5 4 1
Kentucky 1 6 0 4 6 0
Tulane 0 5 1 3 6 1
Mississippi State 0 7 0 2 7 0
  • $ – Conference champion
  • # Berryman, Billingsley, Dunkel, Sagarin national champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1959 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1959 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 65th overall and 26th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his second year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and at Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished with a record of seven wins, two losses and two ties (7–2–2 overall, 4–1–2 in the SEC) and with a loss against Penn State in the inaugural Liberty Bowl.

The Crimson Tide opened the 1959 season with three consecutive games on the road. After they dropped the opener at Georgia, they rebounded with a victory at Houston and then played Vanderbilt to a 7–7 tie at Dudley Field. Alabama then defeated Chattanooga in the first Denny Stadium game of the season and tied Tennessee 7–7 at Legion Field. On homecoming, the Crimson Tide defeated Mississippi State and then one week later defeated Tulane at Ladd Stadium. The win over Tulane was both the 100th Southeastern Conference victory in the history of the Alabama program and the 100th all-time victory for Bryant as a head coach.

Alabama then went on to upset Georgia Tech and as a result entered the polls the following week for the first time since the 1954 season. The Crimson Tide then closed the regular season with a wins over Memphis State and Auburn that snapped what was then a school record five-game Iron Bowl losing streak. Alabama next accepted an invitation to compete in the inaugural Liberty Bowl where they were upset by Penn State in the final game of the season.

Schedule

[edit]
DateOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 19at GeorgiaL 3–1740,000[1]
September 26at Houston*W 3–027,000[2]
October 3at VanderbiltT 7–727,967[3]
October 10No. 6 (small) Chattanooga*W 13–020,000[4]
October 17No. 14 TennesseeT 7–742,000[5]
October 31Mississippi Statedagger
  • Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
W 10–019,000[6]
November 7TulaneW 19–729,000[7]
November 14No. 15 Georgia Tech
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL (rivalry)
W 9–743,500[8]
November 21No. 8 (small) Memphis State*No. 17
  • Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL
W 14–730,200[9]
November 28vs. No. 11 AuburnNo. 19
W 10–044,000[10]
December 19vs. No. 12 Penn State*No. 10NBCL 0–736,211[11]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[12]

Game summaries

[edit]

Georgia

[edit]
1 234Total
Alabama 0 030 3
Georgia 3 707 17
  • Date: September 19
  • Location: Sanford Stadium
    Athens, Georgia
  • Game attendance: 40,000

To open the 1959 season, Fran Tarkenton led the Georgia Bulldogs to a 17–3 victory over the Crimson Tide at Athens.[13][14][15] The Bulldogs took an early 3–0 lead after Durward Pennington connected on a 35-yard field goal in the first quarter.[13][14] Georgia then extended their lead further to 10–0 at halftime on a 40-yard Bill Godfrey touchdown run in the second quarter.[13][14] After Alabama responded with their only points in the third on a 23-yard Fred Sington Jr. field goal, Tarkenton scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that made the final score 17–3.[13][14] The 17 points scored were the most allowed by a Bryant led defense to that point, and the Georgia win marked their first in an opening game since their 1954 season.[14] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 23–18–4.[16]

Houston

[edit]
1 234Total
Alabama 0 030 3
Houston 0 000 0
  • Date: September 26
  • Location: Rice Stadium
    Houston, Texas
  • Game attendance: 27,000

A week after they opened the season with a loss at Georgia, the Crimson Tide shutout the Houston Cougars 3–0 in the first all-time meeting between the schools.[15][17][18] On a rainy evening, the only points scored came in the third quarter on a 25-yard Fred Sington Jr. field goal.[17] In the game, the Crimson Tide defense had three interceptions, but was also penalized eight times for 99-yards in the victory.[17]

Vanderbilt

[edit]
1 234Total
Alabama 0 007 7
Vanderbilt 0 700 7
  • Date: October 3
  • Location: Dudley Field
    Nashville, Tennessee
  • Game attendance: 27,967

For the third time in as many seasons, the Crimson Tide played the Vanderbilt Commodores to a tie, this time by a 7–7 margin in Nashville.[15][19][20] After a scoreless first quarter, the Commodores took a 7–0 halftime lead after Tom Moore scored on a short touchdown run in the second quarter.[19][20] Alabama tied the game early in the fourth quarter on a short Pat Trammell touchdown run, Russell Morris missed a 37-yard field goal attempt later in the quarter and the game ended tied 7–7.[19][20] The tie brought Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 18–16–4.[21]

Chattanooga

[edit]
1 234Total
Chattanooga 0 000 0
Alabama 7 060 13
  • Date: October 10
  • Location: Denny Stadium
    Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 20,000

In rainy conditions for the first home game of the 1959 season, the Crimson Tide shutout the Chattanooga Mocs 13–0 in Tuscaloosa.[15][22][23] Alabama took a 7–0 first quarter lead when Robert Skelton scored on an 18-yard touchdown run.[22][23] Pat Trammell then scored the second touchdown of the game in the third on a 54-yard run that made the score 13–0.[22][23] For the game, Trammell rushed for 106 yards on 17 carries to lead the Crimson Tide.[23] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Chattanooga to 8–0.[24]

Tennessee

[edit]
Third Saturday in October
1 234Total
#14 Tennessee 7 000 7
Alabama 0 700 7
  • Date: October 17
  • Location: Legion Field
    Birmingham, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 42,000

In their annual rivalry game against Tennessee, Alabama played the No. 14 Volunteers to a 7–7 tie in Birmingham.[15][25][26] Tennessee took an early 7–0 lead in the first quarter. Bill Majors scored on a two-yard touchdown run that capped a nine-play, 45-yard drive.[25][26] The Crimson Tide responded in the second quarter when Pat Trammell threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Stanley Bell that tied the score 7–7.[25][26] The only other scoring opportunity came late in the fourth quarter, and after Frank Sington Jr. missed an eight-yard field goal for Alabama, the game ended in a 7–7 tie.[25][26] The tie brought Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 18–18–6.[27]

Mississippi State

[edit]
1 234Total
Mississippi State 0 000 0
Alabama 0 370 10
  • Date: October 31
  • Location: Denny Stadium
    Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 19,000

On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, Alabama shutout the Mississippi State Maroons 10–0 and secured their first conference victory of the 1959 season.[15][28][29] After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 3–0 halftime lead after Fred Sington Jr. connected on a 25-yard field goal.[28][29] They then extended their lead to 10–0 in the third quarter when Bobby Skelton threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Stanley Bell.[28][29] The Crimson Tide defense was dominant in the victory as they had four interceptions for the game.[28] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 31–10–3.[30]

Tulane

[edit]
1 234Total
Tulane 0 700 7
Alabama 0 766 19
  • Date: November 7
  • Location: Ladd Stadium
    Mobile, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 29,000

In their annual home game at Ladd Stadium in Mobile, the Crimson Tide overcame five turnovers and defeated the Tulane Green Wave 19–7.[15][31][32] After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 7–0 lead after Marlin Dyess scored on a four-yard touchdown run.[31][32] The Greenies responded later in the quarter with a 10-yard Phil Nugent touchdown pass to Pete Abadie that tied the game 7–7 at halftime.[31][32] The Crimson Tide then scored a pair of second half touchdowns. The first came in the third quarter on a 22-yard Bobby Skelton pass to Tommy Brooker and the second in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard W. E. Richardson run.[31][32] The win was both the 100th Southeastern Conference victory in the history of the Alabama program and the 100th victory for Bryant as a head coach.[31] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tulane to 18–10–2.[33]

Georgia Tech

[edit]
1 234Total
#15 Georgia Tech 7 000 7
Alabama 6 300 9
  • Date: November 14
  • Location: Legion Field
    Birmingham, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 43,500

Behind a 43-yard game-winning Fred Sington Jr. field goal, the Crimson Tide upset the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 9–7 at Legion Field.[15][34][35] Tech took an early 7–0 after Gary O'Steen fumbled the opening kickoff that gave the Yellow Jackets possession at the Alabama 27-yard line. Six plays later Marvin Tibbetts scored on a two-yard run.[34][35] Alabama's only touchdown drive was set up on their next possession after Tech fumbled a punt that was recovered by W. E. Richardson at their 49-yard line. Eight plays later, Marlin Dyess scored on a 10-yard run, but Bryant then elected to go for a two-point conversion that was unsuccessful and the Jackets led 7–6.[34][35] What proved to be the game-winning field goal came on a 43-yard Sington kick in the second quarter that made the score 9–7.[34][35] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 20–18–3.[36]

Memphis State

[edit]
1 234Total
Memphis State 0 700 7
#17 Alabama 0 086 14
  • Date: November 21
  • Location: Denny Stadium
    Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 30,200

After their upset victory over Georgia Tech, the Crimson Tide entered the polls for the first time since the 1954 season in the No. 17 position.[39] Down 7–0 at halftime to underdog Memphis State, the Crimson Tide rallied with a pair of second half touchdowns and defeated the Tigers 14–7 at Denny Stadium.[15][37][38] After a scoreless first quarter, Memphis took a 7–0 lead after Jimmy Wright scored on a one-yard touchdown run that capped an 84-yard drive.[37][38] Alabama then took an 8–7 lead in the third quarter when W. E. Richardson scored on a fourth-and-three touchdown run followed it with a successful two-point conversion.[37][38] Mal Moore then threw a four-yard touchdown pass to William Rice in the fourth quarter that made the final score 14–7.[37][38] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Memphis State to 2–0.[40]

Auburn

[edit]
Iron Bowl
1 234Total
#11 Auburn 0 000 0
#19 Alabama 0 370 10
  • Date: November 28
  • Location: Legion Field
    Birmingham, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 44,000

As they entered their season finale against No. 11 Auburn, the Crimson Tide dropped two spots to the No. 19 position after their closer than expected game against Memphis State.[43] At Legion Field in the annual Iron Bowl game, Alabama shutout the Tigers 10–0 and won their first game against their rival since the 1953 season.[15][41][42] After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 3–0 halftime lead on a 27-yard Tommy Brooker field goal.[41][42] They extended their lead further to 10–0 in the third quarter on a 39-yard Bobby Skelton touchdown pass to Marlin Dyess.[41][42] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 10–13–1.[44]

Penn State

[edit]
Liberty Bowl
1 234Total
#10 Alabama 0 000 0
#12 Penn State 0 700 7
  • Date: December 19
  • Location: Philadelphia Municipal Stadium
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Game attendance: 36,211

After their victory over Auburn in their season finale, Bryant turned down an invitation to play in the Bluegrass Bowl.[47] However, two days later they accepted an invitation to compete in the inaugural Liberty Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first all-time meeting between the schools.[48][49] As they entered their contest against Penn State, Alabama finished the season with the No. 10 ranking and the Nittany Lions with the No. 12 ranking.[50] At Municipal Stadium, Alabama was upset 7–0 by Penn State with the only touchdown scored in the second quarter on a 17-yard touchdown reception by Roger Kochman from Galen Hall on a fake field goal attempt.[45][46] This bowl game marked the beginning of a school record 25 consecutive bowl appearances.[51]

Personnel

[edit]

References

[edit]

General

  • "1959 Season Recaps" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 25, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2013.

Specific

  1. ^ "Georgia slams Alabama, 17–3". The Macon Telegraph & News. September 20, 1959. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Sington's field goal puts Alabama over Houston, 3–0". The Commercial Appeal. September 27, 1959. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Tide and Vandy deadlock third straight time, 7–7". The Selma Times-Journal. October 4, 1959. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Crimson Tide defense defeats Chattanooga, 13–0". The Selma Times-Journal. October 11, 1959. Retrieved August 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Alabama, Tennessee tie". The Huntsville Times. October 18, 1959. Retrieved March 31, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Alabama throttles Maroons, 10 to 0". The Montgomery Advertiser. November 1, 1959. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Red Tide bests Green Wave in kilowatt contest, 19–7". The Selma Times-Journal. November 8, 1959. Retrieved September 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "'Bama stuns Georgia Tech". Kingsport Times-News. November 15, 1959. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Tide edges MSU 14–7 in second half attack". The Commercial Appeal. November 22, 1959. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Tide rolls over Auburn 10–0". The Decatur Daily. November 29, 1959. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Penn State wins on sub's pass". The Philadelphia Inquirer. December 20, 1959. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "1959 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  13. ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (September 20, 1959). "Bulldog passes do trick as Tide falls, 17–3". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 11. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Bailey, Mercer (September 20, 1959). "Tarkenton sparks Georgia over Alabama's Tide, 17–3". The News and Courier. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 3D. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 1959 Season Recap
  16. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  17. ^ a b c d Land, Charles (September 27, 1959). "Alabama downs Houston on field goal, 3–0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 11. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  18. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Houston". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  19. ^ a b c d Ballard, Barney (October 4, 1959). "Bama, Vandy play to 7–7 tie". The Gadsden Times. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  20. ^ a b c d Land, Charles (October 4, 1959). "Bama and Vandy battle to third straight deadlock". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 9. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  21. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  22. ^ a b c d "Crimson Tide gets past Chattanooga". The Florence Times. Google News Archives. Associated Press. October 11, 1959. p. 4D. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  23. ^ a b c d e Bassett, Norman (October 11, 1959). "Umbrella defense prevails as Bama downs Mocs, 13–0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 1. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  24. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee–Chattanooga". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  25. ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (October 18, 1959). "Alabama battles Vols to 7–7 tie". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 11. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  26. ^ a b c d e Dygard, Ton (October 18, 1959). "Underdog Alabama gains 7–7 tie with Tennessee". The News and Courier. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 4D. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  27. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  28. ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (November 1, 1959). "Bama gains homecoming victory". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 9. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  29. ^ a b c d "Bama whips Miss State". The Miami News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. November 1, 1959. p. 4C. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  30. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  31. ^ a b c d e f Land, Charles (November 8, 1959). "Bama finds punch, runs over Tulane, 19–7". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 9. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  32. ^ a b c d e "Crimson Tide hands Tulane 19–7 licking". St. Petersburg Times. Google News Archives. UPI. November 8, 1959. p. 4C. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  33. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  34. ^ a b c d e Bryan, Jimmy (November 15, 1959). "Sington's field goal lifts Tide over Tech". The Gadsden Times. Google News Archives. p. 8. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  35. ^ a b c d e "Alabama wins on field goal". Reading Eagle. Google News Archives. Associated Press. November 15, 1959. p. 29. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  36. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia Tech". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  37. ^ a b c d e Shaw, Arthur Ray (November 22, 1959). "Tide overcomes deficit to trip Memphis State". The Gadsden Times. Google News Archives. p. 9. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  38. ^ a b c d e "Alabama fights back to win over Memphis State". Rome News-Tribune. Google News Archives. UPI. November 22, 1959. p. 8. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  39. ^ Land, Charles (November 20, 1959). "Alabama, Memphis State meet tomorrow at 2:00 p.m." The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 8. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  40. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Memphis". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  41. ^ a b c d Land, Charles (November 29, 1959). "Tide tame Tigers, 10–0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 1. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  42. ^ a b c d Griffin, John Chandler (2001). "1959: Bear guides Bama to big bowl game". Alabama vs. Auburn: Gridiron Grudge Since 1893. Athens, Georgia: Hill Street Press. pp. 160–162. ISBN 1-58818-044-1.
  43. ^ Hand, Jack (November 24, 1959). "Alabama drops to No. 19 in national football poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 10. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  44. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Auburn". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  45. ^ a b Land, Charles (December 20, 1959). "Penn State outplays Crimson Tide, 7–0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  46. ^ a b "Penn State wins, 7–0, on fake field goal". The Miami News. Associated Press. December 20, 1959. p. C1. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  47. ^ "Bowl declined". The Tuscaloosa News. November 29, 1959. p. 1. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  48. ^ Land, Charles (December 1, 1959). "Tide going to Liberty Bowl". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  49. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Penn State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  50. ^ Chandler, John (December 8, 1959). "Alabama finished No. 10". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 6. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  51. ^ Mitchell, Billy (November 11, 1984). "Reality of a losing record stuns the Tide". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News. p. 1B. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  52. ^ "All-Time Tide Football Lettermen". 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2012. pp. 187–201.
  53. ^ "All-Time Assistant Coaches". 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2012. pp. 202–203.