1965 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

Schedule

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Game summaries

Georgia

Athens, GA

• Sources: To open the 1965 season, the No. 5 Crimson Tide were upset by the Georgia Bulldogs 18–17 at Athens. After a scoreless first quarter, Georgia took a 10–0 lead on a 37-yard Bob Etter field goal and when George Patton intercepted a Steve Sloan pass and returned it 55-yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Alabama then made the halftime score 10–3 with a 26-yard David Ray field goal. The Crimson Tide then tied the game in the third on an eight-yard Steve Bowman run and took their only lead of the game in the fourth on a two-yard Sloan touchdown run. The Bulldogs then scored their second touchdown late in the fourth quarter when Pat Hodgson lateraled a Kirby Moore pass to Bob Taylor who took it 73-yards for a touchdown. Georgia then successfully made a two-point conversion that gave them an 18–17 victory. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 28–19–4.

Tulane

Mobile, AL

• Sources: After their loss to Georgia in the season opener, the Crimson Tide dropped out of the rankings prior to their game against Tulane. At Mobile, the Crimson Tide shutout the Green Wave 27–0 in their annual Ladd Stadium game of the season.

Ole Miss

Birmingham, AL

• Sources: For their third game of the season, Alabama met rival Ole Miss during the regular season for the first time since the 1944 season. In a night game at Legion Field, a nine-yard Steve Sloan touchdown run with just over a minute left in the game gave Alabama a 17–16 victory over the Rebels. Ole Miss took an early 3–0 lead on a 34-yard Jimmy Keyes field goal in the first quarter and then extended it to 9–0 in the second on an eight-yard James Heidel touchdown pass to Donald Street. Sloan then got Alabama on the scoreboard near the end of the second quarter on a five-yard touchdown run that made the halftime score 9–7. After a scoreless third, the Rebels extended their lead to 16–7 on a one-yard Heidel touchdown run before the Crimson Tide rallied for the victory.

David Ray scored first with his 37-yard field goal that made the score 16–10 in favor of Ole Miss, and then with 1:19 left in the game Sloan scored the game-tying touchdown on a nine-yard run. On the next play, Ray successfully converted the extra point and gave Alabama a 17–16 lead. The Crimson Tide then secured the victory on the next play when the Rebels' Stan Moss fumbled kickoff that was recovered by Alabama who then ran out the clock and won the game. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss 18–3–2.

Vanderbilt

Nashville, TN

• Sources: After they trailed for the majority of the game, Alabama rallied with 22 fourth quarter points and defeated the Commodores 22–7 at Nashville.

Tennessee

Birmingham, AL

• Sources: In a game that saw multiple turnovers result in failed touchdown opportunities, Alabama tied the rival Tennessee Volunteers 7–7 at Legion Field. However, Alabama quarterback Ken Stabler thought the Tide gained a first down on the previous play and threw the ball out-of-bounds on a fourth down play and turned the ball over on downs back to the Vols. Tennessee then ran out the clock for the tie. The tie brought Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 22–19–7.

Florida State

Tuscaloosa, AL

• Sources: In what was their first all-time game against Florida State, the Crimson Tide shutout the Seminoles 21–0 on homecoming in Tuscaloosa. Alabama took a 13–0 halftime lead after Leslie Kelley scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the first and Steve Sloan scored on a two-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. After a scoreless third, the Crimson Tide closed the game with a second one-yard Kelley touchdown run in the fourth quarter coupled with a Ken Stabler two-point conversion that made the final score 21–0.

Mississippi State

Jackson, MS

• Sources: At the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, a pair of Bobby Johns turnovers in the fourth quarter preserved a 10–7 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

LSU

Baton Rouge, LA

• Sources: After their victory over Mississippi State, Alabama moved into the No. 5 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against LSU. Against the Tigers, the Crimson Tide won 31–7 at Tiger Stadium.

South Carolina

Tuscaloosa, AL

• Sources: In their second non-conference game of the season, Alabama defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 35–14 at Denny Stadium.

Auburn

Birmingham, AL

• Sources: In the annual Iron Bowl game, Alabama defeated the Auburn Tigers 30–3 and secured their second consecutive SEC championship.

Nebraska

Miami, FL

• Sources: For the second year in a row, Alabama played in the Orange Bowl. In the 1966 edition of the game, the Crimson Tide defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 39–28 and finished the season 9–1–1 and as AP national champions.

National championship claim

The NCAA recognizes consensus national champions as the teams that have captured a championship by way of one of the major polls since the 1950 NCAA University Division football season. As they entered the Orange Bowl, the Crimson Tide was ranked fourth by the AP behind Michigan State, Arkansas and Nebraska. After losses by the Spartans and Razorbacks in their bowl game coupled with an Alabama victory over Nebraska in their contest, the AP, voting after the bowls for the first time, vaulted the Crimson Tide into the No. 1 position in the final poll of the season and won the national championship. Michigan State was also recognized as national champions by various other selectors for the 1965 season, including the UPI Coaches Poll.

NFL/AFL Draft

Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1965 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL) between the 1966 and 1968 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. The Alabama freshmen squad finished the 1965 season with a record of three wins and one loss (3–1). The Baby Tide opened their season with a 7–6 loss at Mississippi State. After a scoreless first quarter, the Bulldogs took a 7–0 lead in the second when Ronnie Coleman threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Harry Ivey. Although the Alabama defense only allowed State only two first downs for the remainder of the game, the Baby Tide lost 7–6 after a failed two-point conversion attempt that followed a 26-yard Joe Kelley touchdown pass to Donnie Sutton.

Alabama then won their first game of the season at Denny Stadium with a 27–14 victory over Ole Miss. Ole Miss took an early 7–0 lead on a 12-yard Jimmy Wallis touchdown pass to Glenn Cannon. Alabama responded with the next four touchdowns and took a 27–7 lead. Alabama took an early 7–0 lead after Donnie Johnston scored on a two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. After a pair of Myles Prestige field goals, the Baby Tide extended their lead to 19–0 with a second half touchdown. Tennessee responded late with their only touchdown on a four-yard Nick Showalter touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Two weeks later, Alabama closed the season with a 30–6 victory over rival Auburn at Cliff Hare Stadium. After Baby Tide took a 7–0 first quarter lead on short Frank Chambers run, Auburn scored their only points on a 96-yard return by Larry Ellis on the kickoff that ensued. The Baby Tide then closed the game with 23 unanswered points scored on a one-yard Kelley run, a 20-yard Prestige field goal, a 52-yard Don Matthews punt return and on a nine-yard Johnston reverse.

Personnel

Varsity letter winners

Coaching staff

References

General

Specific

References

1. (September 19, 1965). "Explosive Georgia upsets Alabamans, 18–17". The Arizona Republic.
2. (September 26, 1965). "Sloan's passes spark Alabama". The Wichita Eagle.
3. (October 3, 1965). "Berserk Bama victor at wire". The Montgomery Advertiser.
4. (October 10, 1965). "Bama fight back, roars past Vandy". The Shreveport Times.
5. (October 17, 1965). "Vols knot Tide 7–7". Tallahassee Democrat.
6. (October 24, 1965). "Alabama soundly whips Florida State 21–0". The Tampa Tribune.
7. (October 31, 1965). "Tide holds back late rally, 10–7". The News and Observer.
8. (November 7, 1965). "Alabama rips LSU by 31–7". Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
9. (November 14, 1965). "Alabama shells South Carolina behind QB Sloan". Rocky Mount Telegram.
10. (November 28, 1965). "Bama displays aerial might to sink Auburn". The Dothan Eagle.
11. (January 2, 1966). "Nebraska battered, 39 to 28, by Alabama". Chicago Tribune.
12. "1965 Alabama football schedule". University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
13. Land, Charles. (September 19, 1965). "Battling Bulldogs nip Tide, 18–17". The Tuscaloosa News.
14. Halbrooks, Hap. (September 19, 1965). "Bulldogs outfight Tide in 18 to 17 upset win". The Florence Times.
15. 1965 Season Recap
16. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse.
17. Land, Charles. (September 26, 1965). "Tide on its way after 27–0 rout of Tulane". The Tuscaloosa News.
18. Atkins, Stan. (September 26, 1965). "Tide batters Greenies 27–0". The Florence Times.
19. Bock, Hal. (September 21, 1965). "Notre Dame takes lead in AP Poll". The Tuscaloosa News.
20. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse.
21. Meloun, Paul. (October 3, 1965). "Tide comes in late, wins 17–16". The Gadsden Times.
22. Halbrooks, Hap. (October 3, 1965). "Sloan brings Alabama back in another famous scramble". The Florence Times.
23. Land, Charles. (October 2, 1965). "Alabama, Ole Miss battle for big stakes tonight". The Tuscaloosa News.
24. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi". College Football Data Warehouse.
25. (October 10, 1965). "Tide wins 22–7". The Gadsden Times.
26. Kelley, Pete. (October 10, 1965). "Another typical Tide win". The Florence Times.
27. Land, Charles. (October 17, 1965). "Tide, Vols tie". The Tuscaloosa News.
28. Smothers, Jimmy. (October 17, 1965). "Tide flows out, Vols happy at 7–7". The Gadsden Times.
29. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse.
30. Land, Charles. (October 24, 1965). "Fighting Tide turns back Seminoles, 21–0". The Tuscaloosa News.
31. Pollen, Gene. (October 24, 1965). "Tide heads off Seminoles at crossroads by 21 to 0". Ocala Star-Banner.
32. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Florida State". College Football Data Warehouse.
33. (October 31, 1965). "Tide defense kills Bulldogs". The Gadsden Times.
34. Halbrooks, Hap. (October 31, 1965). "Bama defense impresses in 10–7 win over State". The Florence Times.
35. Thomas, Ben. (November 7, 1965). "Cagy Tide stuns LSU in savage 31–7 win". The Gadsden Times.
36. Land, Charles. (November 7, 1965). "Tide's little giants cage burly Tigers". The Tuscaloosa News.
37. Grimsley, Will. (November 2, 1965). "Tide climbs to No. 5 spot". The Tuscaloosa News.
38. Land, Charles. (November 14, 1965). "Sloan pitches, Tide wins". The Tuscaloosa News.
39. Smothers, Jimmy. (November 14, 1965). "Sloan brings Tide in for 35–14 win". The Gadsden Times.
40. Halbrooks, Hap. (November 28, 1965). "Sloan shines as Alabama tramples Auburn 30–3 for conference crown". The Florence Times.
41. Smothers, Jimmy. (November 28, 1965). "Bama SEC champ after 30–3 romp". The Gadsden Times.
42. Crittenden, John. (January 2, 1966). "'No. 1' Alabama rolls in, 39–28". The Miami News.
43. Smothers, Jimmy. (January 2, 1966). "Bama shoots for No. 1 spot". The Gadsden Times.
44. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "National Poll Champions". NCAA.org.
45. Solomon, Jon. (January 6, 2010). "Got 12? Here's how Alabama bumped up its claim to a dozen national titles". AL.com.
46. Green, Bob. (January 4, 1966). "Tide keeps AP title trophy". The Tuscaloosa News.
47. "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League.
48. "1966 AFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
49. Kersey, Jason. (August 27, 2012). "NCAA's decision to allow freshman eligibility changed football landscape". The Oklahoman.
50. Reed, Delbert. (January 21, 1972). "Unanimous vote makes SEC frosh eligible". The Tuscaloosa News.
51. (November 21, 1965). "Tide frosh roll by Auburn, 30–6". The Tuscaloosa News.
52. Land, Charles. (October 5, 1965). "State staves off Baby Tide, 7–6". The Tuscaloosa News.
53. (October 16, 1965). "Tide frosh top Rebels, 27–14". The Tuscaloosa News.
54. (November 9, 1965). "Bama frosh turn errors to 19–8 win". The Tuscaloosa News.
55. ''2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book'', pp. 187–201
56. ''2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book'', pp. 202–203