American college football season
| Field | Value |
|---|
| year | 2000 |
| team | Alabama Crimson Tide |
| sport | football |
| conference | Southeastern Conference |
| division | Western Division |
| short_conf | SEC |
| record | 3–8 |
| conf_record | 3–5 |
| head_coach | Mike DuBose |
| hc_year | 4th |
| off_coach | Neil Callaway |
| oc_year | 3rd |
| cooff_coach1 | Charlie Stubbs |
| cooc1_year | 3rd |
| def_coach | Ellis Johnson |
| dc_year | 4th |
| captain | Paul Hogan |
| captain2 | Bradley Ledbetter |
| captain3 | Kenny Smith |
| stadium | Bryant–Denny Stadium |
| Legion Field |
Legion Field
The 2000 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by Mike DuBose in his fourth and final season as head coach, the Crimson Tide compiled an overall record of 3–8 with a mark of 3–5 in conference play, tying for fifth place at the bottom of the SEC's Western Division standings. The team played home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
Despite a preseason No. 3 ranking Alabama finished with a losing record. The 2000 season was filled with several close losses. A 30–28 loss at LSU was the Tide's first loss 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 UCF, falling 40–38 at home on a last-second field goal. On November 1, athletic director Mal Moore announced that DuBose would resign at the end of the season.
Schedule
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Game summaries
UCLA
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. This game marked the first meeting between the two schools since the Liberty Bowl in the 1976 season.
| Statistics | Alabama Crimson Tide}}" | Alabama | UCLA Bruins}}" | 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 Crimson Tide}}; text-align:center;" | **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 Bruins}}; text-align:center;" | **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
Alabama used an 18-point fourth 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 Commodores}}" | Vanderbilt | Alabama Crimson Tide}}" | 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 Commodores}}; text-align:center;" | **Vanderbilt** | Passing | Greg Zolman | 12–26, 172 yards |
| Rushing | Ray Perkins | 8 carries, 45 yards | |
| Receiving | Dan Stricker | 5 receptions, 121 yards | |
| Alabama Crimson Tide}}; text-align:center;" | **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
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 Golden Eagles}}" | Southern Miss | Alabama Crimson Tide}}" | 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 Golden Eagles}}; text-align:center;" | **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 Crimson Tide}}; text-align:center;" | **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
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 Crimson Tide}}" | Alabama | Arkansas Razorbacks}}" | 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 Crimson Tide}}; text-align:center;" | **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 Razorbacks}}; text-align:center;" | **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
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 Gamecocks}}" | South Carolina | Alabama Crimson Tide}}" | 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 Gamecocks}}; text-align:center;" | **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 Crimson Tide}}; text-align:center;" | **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
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 Rebels}}" | Ole Miss | Alabama Crimson Tide}}" | 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 Rebels}}; text-align:center;" | **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 Crimson Tide}}; text-align:center;" | **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
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 Crimson Tide}}" | Alabama | Tennessee Volunteers}}" | 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 Crimson Tide}}; text-align:center;" | **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 Volunteers}}; text-align:center;" | **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 | |
UCF
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 Knights}}" | UCF | Alabama Crimson Tide}}" | 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 Knights}}; text-align:center;" | **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 Crimson Tide}}; text-align:center;" | **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 | |
LSU
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 Crimson Tide}}" | Alabama | LSU Tigers}}" | 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 Crimson Tide}}; text-align:center;" | **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 Tigers}}; text-align:center;" | **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
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 Crimson Tide}}" | Alabama | Mississippi State Bulldogs}}" | 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 Crimson Tide}}; text-align:center;" | **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 Bulldogs}}; text-align:center;" | **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
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 Tigers}}" | Auburn | Alabama Crimson Tide}}" | 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 Tigers}}; text-align:center;" | **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 Crimson Tide}}; text-align:center;" | **Alabama** | Passing | Andrew Zow | 12–29, 112 yards, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Ahmaad Galloway | 9 carries, 16 yards | |
| Receiving | Jason McAddley | 3 receptions, 45 yards | |
References
- (September 3, 2000). "Riptide on West Coast". The Los Angeles Times.
- (September 10, 2000). "Crimson Tide evade another upset". Pensacola News Journal.
- (September 17, 2000). "So. Miss shocks Bama". Pensacola News Journal.
- (September 24, 2000). "Tide 2000: Bama's 1–3". The Anniston Star.
- (October 1, 2000). "Bama salvages pride by stopping S.C.'s run". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- (October 15, 2000). "Alabama finally looks like national power". The Leaf-Chronicle.
- (October 22, 2000). "Another step back". The Anniston Star.
- (October 29, 2000). "Knights nuke Crimson Tide". The Montgomery Advertiser.
- (November 5, 2000). "LSU rally results in 30–28 overtime win over 'Bama". Enterprise-Journal.
- (November 12, 2000). "Another game, another loss". Ledger-Enquirer.
- (November 19, 2000). "Hot'lanta, here comes Auburn". The Selma Times-Journal.
- . ["2000 Alabama Crimson Tide Schedule and Results"](https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/alabama/2000-schedule.html). *[[Sports Reference]]*.
- . ["2000 Football Schedule"](https://rolltide.com/sports/football/schedule/2000). *[[University of Alabama]]*.
- "UCLA Bruins vs. Alabama Crimson Tide football series history games list".
- ''1999 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide'', p. 2