1962 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Schedule

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Game summaries

Georgia

Birmingham, AL

• Sources: To open the 1962 season, the Crimson Tide shutout the Georgia Bulldogs 35–0 in what was the first start for quarterback Joe Namath with the Crimson Tide varsity squad. Alabama scored their first points of the season in the opening four minutes of the game when Namath threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Richard Williamson. They then extended their lead to 9–0 late in the quarter when Jake Saye was tackled for a safety by Larry Morten on a failed punt attempt. Namath further extended the Crimson Tide lead to 21–0 in the third quarter before he was sat by Coach Bryant late in the third. He threw a pair of touchdown passes to Cotton Clark, in the second on a ten-yard pass and in the third on a 12-yard pass. Alabama then closed the game with fourth-quarter touchdown runs of four-yards by Clark and 25-yards by Hudson Harris that made the final score 35–0. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 26–18–4.

Tulane

New Orleans, LA

• Sources: After their victory over Georgia to open the season, Alabama up two spots in the AP Poll to the No. 1 position. On a Friday evening at New Orleans, the Crimson Tide defeated the Tulane Green Wave 44–6 in their first road game of the season. Alabama took a 14–0 first quarter lead on Butch Wilson runs of seven and one-yard before Tulane scored their lone points on a six-yard Wilson Miller touchdown pass to Clement Dellenger that made the score 14–6 early in the second quarter. The Green Wave touchdown was the first allowed by the Crimson Tide defense over a period that spanned 35 quarters back to their win over NC State in 1961.

The Crimson Tide responded with 22 second quarter points and took a 36–6 halftime lead. Cotton Clark scored first on an 11-yard run, Joe Namath second on a one-yard run and then Clark scored again on a 23-yard pass from Namath. After a scoreless third, Namath threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Clark in the fourth and made the final score 44–6. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tulane to 20–10–3.

Vanderbilt

Birmingham, AL

• Sources: Although they defeated Tulane on the road, Alabama dropped from the No. 1 to No. 2 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt. In the second Legion Field game of the season, the Crimson Tide defeated the Commodores 17–7 at Birmingham.

Houston

Tuscaloosa, AL

• Sources: With their victory over Vanderbilt, coupled with an Ohio State loss to UCLA, the Crimson Tide moved back into the No. 1 position in the polls prior to their game against Houston. Against the Cougars, the Alabama defense was dominant and allowed minus 49 yards rushing in this 14–3 victory at Denny Stadium.

Tennessee

Knoxville, TN

• Sources: Alabama dropped from the No. 1 position back into the No. 2 spot in the week leading into their game at Tennessee. Against the Volunteers, Alabama won 27–7 for Coach Bryant's first all-time victory at Neyland Stadium.

Tulsa

Tuscaloosa, AL

• Sources: As they entered their game against Tulsa, the Crimson Tide retained the No. 2 spot in the polls behind Texas. In their non-conference matchup against the Golden Hurricane, Alabama only allowed Tulsa to cross midfield once in the first half en route to a 35–6 victory.

Mississippi State

Starkville, MS

• Sources: After their victory over Tulsa, Alabama retained their No. 2 ranking as they prepared to play Mississippi State. On homecoming at Starkville, the Crimson Tide shutout the Bulldogs 20–0.

Miami

Tuscaloosa, AL

• Sources:

Although they shutout Mississippi State one the road, Alabama dropped into the No. 3 ranking as they prepared to play Miami. On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, Alabama trailed the Hurricanes 3–0 at halftime but rallied with 36 unanswered points in the second half for the 36–3 victory.

Georgia Tech

Atlanta, GA

• Sources: For their game at Grant Field against Georgia Tech, the Crimson Tide moved back into the No. 1 position in the national polls. In the game, the Yellow Jackets ended Alabama's 19-game winning and 26-game unbeaten streak that dated back to the Crimson Tide's 1960 season, with their 7–6 upset in Atlanta.

Auburn

Birmingham, AL

• Sources: After their loss against Georgia Tech, Alabama dropped to No. 6 in the AP Poll, but in the week prior to their game against Auburn, they moved into the No. 5 position. Against the Tigers in the annual Iron Bowl game at Legion Field, Alabama shutout Auburn for the fourth consecutive season, this time by a score of 38–0.

Oklahoma

Miami, FL

• Sources: After their victory over Auburn, the Crimson Tide formally accepted an invitation to play Big Eight Conference champion Oklahoma in the 1963 edition of the Orange Bowl. In what was the first all-time meeting between the schools, Alabama shutout the Sooners 17–0 behind a dominant performance by linebacker Lee Roy Jordan who set a school bowl record with his 31 tackles. Alabama took a 14–0 halftime lead after touchdowns were scored on a 25-yard Joe Namath pass to Richard Williamson in the first and on a 15-yard Cotton Clark run in the second quarter. A 19-yard Tim Davis field goal in the third quarter provided for the final 17–0 margin of victory.

NFL/AFL Draft

Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1962 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL) between the 1963 and 1965 drafts. These players included the following:

Freshman squad

Prior to the 1972 NCAA University Division football season, NCAA rules prohibited freshmen from participating on the varsity team, and as such many schools fielded freshmen teams. For the 1962 season, the Alabama freshmen squad was coached by Sam Bailey and finished their season with a record of two wins and one loss (2–1). In their first game of the season, Alabama defeated Mississippi State 20–2 at Denny Stadium. Alabama took a 6–0 first quarter lead on a one-yard Dickie Bean touchdown run that was set up by a 69-yard Vernon Newbill interception return. They extended their lead further to 13–0 later in the quarter when Steve Sloan scored on a 28-yard touchdown run. State then scored their only points in the second quarter when Mike Childs sacked Sloan in the endzone for a safety that made the halftime score 13–2. After a scoreless third, Alabama made the final score 20–2 after Jimmy Mitchell scored on a seven-yard touchdown run.

In their second game, the Baby Tide defeated Tulane 27–16 at Tulane Stadium, but then lost to Auburn in their season finale at Denny Stadium 14–13. Alabama took an early 7–0 lead when Dickie Bean scored on a one-yard touchdown run. Auburn then responded and took a 14–7 halftime lead with a pair of second-quarter touchdowns. The first came on a 96-yard Gerald Gross kickoff return and the second on a 62-yard Joe Campbell pass to Gross. Late in the fourth, Alabama scored on a 27-yard Steve Sloan touchdown pass to Jerry Duncan; however, Sloan's two-point conversion attempt was intercepted by Bill Cody and the Tigers won 14–13.

Personnel

Varsity letter winners

Coaching staff

References

General

Specific

References

1. (September 23, 1962). "Namath-led 'Bama routs Georgia". The Huntsville Times.
2. (September 29, 1962). "Tulane jinx over Tiders buried under TD deluge". The Birmingham News.
3. (October 7, 1962). "Tide wears down Vandy for 17–7 victory". The Knoxville News-Sentinel.
4. (October 14, 1962). "Crimson Tide rolls to narrow 14–3 Houston victory". The Selma Times-Journal.
5. (October 21, 1962). "Bama mauls Vols". The Huntsville Times.
6. (October 28, 1962). "'Bama spikes TU, 35–6". Tulsa Sunday World.
7. (November 4, 1962). "Namath passes, runs Tide to 18th straight, 20–0". The Bradenton Herald.
8. (November 11, 1962). "Alabama comeback trounces Miami". The Commercial Appeal.
9. (November 18, 1962). "Georgia Tech upset Bama's Crimson Tide". Monroe Morning World.
10. (December 2, 1962). "Flashy Tide swamps Auburn". The Birmingham News.
11. (January 2, 1963). "Alabama's domineering defense stymies Oklahoma, 17–0". The Norman Transcript.
12. "1962 Alabama football schedule". University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
13. Land, Charles. (September 23, 1962). "Mighty Tide mauls 'Dawgs, 35–0". The Tuscaloosa News.
14. Hagen, Ross M.. (September 23, 1962). "Tide romps: Alabama in control all way as 'Dawgs fall 35–0". The Florence Times.
15. 1962 Season Recap
16. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse.
17. Land, Charles. (September 29, 1962). "Tide shells Wave, 44–6, in SEC feud". The Tuscaloosa News.
18. (September 29, 1962). "Alabama crushed Tulane by 44–6". Eugene Register-Guard.
19. Hackleman, Jim. (September 25, 1962). "Bama first in poll". The Tuscaloosa News.
20. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse.
21. (October 7, 1962). "Tide rolls over Vanderbilt in 17–7 game". Ocala Star-Banner.
22. (October 2, 1962). "Buckeyes' show of power unseats Alabama in poll". The Victoria Advocate.
23. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse.
24. Hagen, Ross M.. (October 14, 1962). "Alabama nips Houston". The Florence Times.
25. (October 14, 1962). "Stingy Tide line holds Houston in check, 14–3". The Miami News.
26. (October 9, 1962). "AP Poll paced by Tide". The Evening Independent.
27. Bryan, Jimmy. (October 21, 1962). "Bear beats jinx, Bama slaps Vols". The Gadsden Times.
28. Grimsley, Will. (October 21, 1962). "Tide romps: 27–7 win recorded over Vols". The Florence Times.
29. (October 16, 1962). "Longhorns top poll; Trojans take third". The Spokesman-Review.
30. Land, Charles. (October 28, 1962). "Tide breezes by Tulsa". The Tuscaloosa News.
31. McKnight, Joe. (October 28, 1962). "Alabama disposes of Tulsa, 35 to 6". The Florence Times.
32. (October 23, 1962). "Texas keeps lead in football poll". The Spokesman-Review.
33. (November 4, 1962). "Alabama handily blanks Mississippi State 20–0". The Spartanburg Herald-Journal.
34. Davis, Ben. (November 4, 1962). "Brilliant Namath sparks Tide to win". The Tuscaloosa News.
35. (October 30, 1962). "Northwestern No. 1 in football ranking". Ocala Star-Banner.
36. Fitzgerald, Tommy. (November 11, 1962). "Alabama's second half annihilates U-M, 36–3". The Miami News.
37. Land, Charles. (November 11, 1962). "Angry Tide rips Hurricane, 36–3". The Tuscaloosa News.
38. (November 6, 1962). "Tide falls to No. 3 in AP Poll". The Tuscaloosa News.
39. Davis, Paul. (November 18, 1962). "Inspired Tech finally stems Tide, 7–6". The Tuscaloosa News.
40. (November 18, 1962). "Georgia Tech shatters Alabama streak, 7–6". The Miami News.
41. Jack, Hand. (November 13, 1962). "Tide first in grid poll". The Tuscaloosa News.
42. Land, Charles. (December 2, 1962). "Orange Bowl-bound Tide crushes Tigers, 38–0". The Tuscaloosa News.
43. Griffin, John Chandler. (2001). "Alabama vs. Auburn: Gridiron Grudge Since 1893". Hill Street Press.
44. (November 20, 1962). "Tide slips to sixth; Southern Cal first". The Tuscaloosa News.
45. Green, Bob. (November 27, 1962). "USC keeps top spot". The Tuscaloosa News.
46. Land, Charles. (January 2, 1963). "Tide rolls over Sooners, Namath, Jordan shine". The Tuscaloosa News.
47. Fitzgerald, Tommy. (January 2, 1963). "Sparking defense, plus Namath, made it an easy Alabama victory". The Miami News.
48. (November 25, 1963). "Oklahoma makes it to Orange Bowl". The Miami News.
49. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Oklahoma". College Football Data Warehouse.
50. ''2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book'', p. 258
51. "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League.
52. "1963 AFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
53. "1964 AFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
54. "1965 AFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
55. Kersey, Jason. (August 27, 2012). "NCAA's decision to allow freshman eligibility changed football landscape". The Oklahoman.
56. Reed, Delbert. (January 21, 1972). "Unanimous vote makes SEC frosh eligible". The Tuscaloosa News.
57. Land, Charles. (November 6, 1962). "Baby Tide gambles, loses to Auburn frosh, 14–13". The Tuscaloosa News.
58. Land, Charles. (September 30, 1962). "Tide frosh launch season with 20–2 win over State". The Tuscaloosa News.
59. ''2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book'', pp. 187–201
60. ''2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book'', pp. 202–203