1959 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

1959 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Conference Southeastern Conference
Ranking
Coaches No. 13
AP No. 10
1959 record 7–2–2 (4–1–2 SEC)
Head coach Bear Bryant (2nd year)
Captain Marlin Dyess
Captain Jim Blevins
Home stadium Denny Stadium
Legion Field
Ladd Stadium
1959 SEC football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#5 Georgia $ 7 – 0 – 0     10 – 1 – 0
#3 LSU 5 – 1 – 0     9 – 2 – 0
#2 Ole Miss 5 – 1 – 0     10 – 1 – 0
#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
#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
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

Date Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 19 at Georgia Sanford Stadium • Athens, Georgia L 3–17   40,000
September 26 at Houston* Rice Stadium • Houston, Texas W 3–0   27,000
October 3 at Vanderbilt Dudley Field • Nashville, Tennessee T 7–7   27,967
October 10 Chattanooga* Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, Alabama W 13–0   20,000
October 17 No. 14 Tennessee Legion Field • Birmingham, Alabama (Third Saturday in October) T 7–7   42,000
October 31 Mississippi Statedagger Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Rivalry) W 10–0   19,000
November 7 Tulane Ladd Stadium • Mobile, Alabama W 19–7   29,000
November 14 No. 15 Georgia Tech Legion Field • Birmingham, Alabama W 9–7   43,500
November 21 Memphis State* No. 17 Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, Alabama W 14–7   30,200
November 28 vs. No. 11 Auburn No. 19 Legion Field • Birmingham, Alabama (Iron Bowl) W 10–0   44,000
December 19 vs. No. 12 Penn State* No. 10 Philadelphia Municipal Stadium • Philadelphia (Liberty Bowl) NBC L 0–7   36,211
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll.

Game notes

Georgia

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.[2][3][4] The Bulldogs took an early 3–0 lead after Tom Pennington connected on a 35-yard field goal in the first quarter.[2][3] Georgia then extended their lead further to 10–0 at halftime on a 40-yard David Godfrey touchdown run in the second quarter.[2][3] 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.[2][3] 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.[3] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 23–18–4.[5]

Houston

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.[4][6][7] On a rainy evening, the only points scored came in the third quarter on a 25-yard Fred Sington, Jr. field goal.[6] In the game, the Crimson Tide defense had three interceptions, but was also penalized eight times for 99-yards in the victory.[6]

Vanderbilt

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.[4][8][9] 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.[8][9] 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.[8][9] The tie brought Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 18–16–4.[10]

Chattanooga

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.[4][11][12] Alabama took a 7–0 first quarter lead when Robert Skelton scored on an 18-yard touchdown run.[11][12] Pat Trammell then scored the second touchdown of the game in the third on a 54-yard run that made the score 13–0.[11][12] For the game, Trammell rushed for 106 yards on 17 carries to lead the Crimson Tide.[12] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Chattanooga to 8–0.[13]

Tennessee

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.[4][14][15] 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.[14][15] 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.[14][15] 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.[14][15] The tie brought Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 18–18–6.[16]

Mississippi State

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.[4][17][18] After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 3–0 halftime lead after Fred Sington, Jr. connected on a 25-yard field goal.[17][18] They then extended their lead to 10–0 in the third quarter when Bobby Skelton threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Stanley Bell.[17][18] The Crimson Tide defense was dominant in the victory as they had four interceptions for the game.[17] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 31–10–3.[19]

Tulane

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.[4][20][21] After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 7–0 lead after Marlin Dyess scored on a four-yard touchdown run.[20][21] 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.[20][21] 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.[20][21] 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.[20] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tulane to 18–10–2.[22]

Georgia Tech

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.[4][23][24] 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.[23][24] 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.[23][24] 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.[23][24] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 20–18–3.[25]

Memphis State

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.[28] 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.[4][26][27] 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.[26][27] 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.[26][27] Mal Moore then threw a four-yard touchdown pass to William Rice in the fourth quarter that made the final score 14–7.[26][27] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Memphis State to 2–0.[29]

Auburn

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.[32] 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.[4][30][31] After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 3–0 halftime lead on a 27-yard Tommy Brooker field goal.[30][31] They extended their lead further to 10–0 in the third quarter on a 39-yard Bobby Skelton touchdown pass to Marlin Dyess.[30][31] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 10–13–1.[33]

Penn State

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.[36] 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.[37][38] 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.[39] 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.[34][35] This bowl game marked the beginning of a school record 25 consecutive bowl appearances.[40]

Personnel

Varsity letter winners

Player Hometown Position
Charles Allen Athens, Alabama Tackle
Stanley Bell Anniston, Alabama End
James Blevins Moulton, Alabama Tackle
Bobby Boylston Atlanta Tackle
Tommy Brooker Demopolis, Alabama End
Donald Cochran Birmingham, Alabama Guard
Marlin Dyess Elba, Alabama Halfback
Milton Frank Huntsville, Alabama Guard
Leon Fuller Nederland, Texas Halfback
William Hannah Indianapolis, Indiana Tackle
Roy Holsomback West Blocton, Alabama Guard
Connell Johnson High Point, North Carolina Halfback
Bud Moore Birmingham, Alabama End
Duff Morrison Memphis, Tennessee Halfback
Billy Neighbors Northport, Alabama Tackle
Richard O’Dell Lincoln, Alabama End
John O’Linger Scottsboro, Alabama Center
Robert O'Steen Anniston, Alabama Fullback
James Patton Tuscumbia, Alabama End
Gary Phillips Dothan, Alabama Guard
John Paul Poole Florence, Alabama End
William Rice Troy, Alabama Guard
Jerry Rich Attalla, Alabama Halfback
W. E. Richardson Jasper, Alabama Halfback
Norbie Ronsonet Biloxi, Mississippi End
Jack Rutledge Birmingham, Alabama Guard
Wayne Sims Columbiana, Alabama Guard
Fred Sington, Jr. Birmingham, Alabama Tackle
Bobby Skelton Pell City, Alabama Quarterback
Laurien "Goobie" Stapp Birmingham, Alabama Quarterback/Placekicker
Ravis Stickney Key West, Florida Fullback
Pat Trammell Scottsboro, Alabama Quarterback
William "Buddy" Wesley Talladega, Alabama Fullback
Tommy White West Blocton, Alabama Fullback
Reference:[41]

Coaching staff

Name Position Seasons at
Alabama 		Alma Mater
Bear Bryant Head coach 2 Alabama (1936)
Sam Bailey Assistant coach 2 Ouachita Baptist (1949)
Charlie Bradshaw Assistant coach 1 Kentucky (1950)
Jerry Claiborne Assistant coach 2 Kentucky (1950)
Phil Cutchin Assistant coach 2 Kentucky (1943)
Bob Ford Assistant coach 1 Memphis State (1955)
Jim Goostree Assistant coach 3 Tennessee (1952)
Pat James Assistant coach 2 Kentucky (1951)
Bobby Drake Keith Assistant coach 2 Texas A&M (1957)
Carney Laslie Assistant coach 3 Alabama (1934)
Hayden Riley Assistant coach 2 Alabama (1948)
Gene Stallings Assistant coach 2 Texas A&M (1957)
Reference:[42]

References

General

  • "1959 Season Recaps" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved January 15, 2013. 

Specific

  1. ↑ "1959 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1959 Season Recap
  5. ↑ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 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.
  7. ↑ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Houston". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 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.
  9. 1 2 3 4 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.
  10. ↑ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Crimson Tide gets past Chattanooga". The Florence Times. Google News Archives. Associated Press. October 11, 1959. p. 4D. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  13. ↑ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee–Chattanooga". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 Land, Charles (October 18, 1959). "Alabama battles Vols to 7–7 tie". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 11. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  16. ↑ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 Land, Charles (November 1, 1959). "Bama gains homecoming victory". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 9. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  18. 1 2 3 4 "Bama whips Miss State". The Miami News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. November 1, 1959. p. 4C. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  19. ↑ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 "Crimson Tide hands Tulane 19–7 licking". St. Petersburg Times. Google News Archives. UPI. November 8, 1959. p. 4C. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  22. ↑ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 "Alabama wins on field goal". Reading Eagle. Google News Archives. Associated Press. November 15, 1959. p. 29. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  25. ↑ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia Tech". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 "Alabama fights back to win over Memphis State". Rome News-Tribune. Google News Archives. UPI. November 22, 1959. p. 8. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  28. ↑ 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.
  29. ↑ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Memphis". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  30. 1 2 3 4 Land, Charles (November 29, 1959). "Tide tame Tigers, 10–0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 1. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  31. 1 2 3 4 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.
  32. ↑ 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.
  33. ↑ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Auburn". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  34. 1 2 Land, Charles (December 20, 1959). "Penn State outplays Crimson Tide, 7–0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  35. 1 2 "Penn State wins, 7–0, on fake field goal". The Miami News. Associated Press. December 20, 1959. p. C1. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Bowl declined". The Tuscaloosa News. November 29, 1959. p. 1. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  37. ↑ Land, Charles (December 1, 1959). "Tide going to Liberty Bowl". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  38. ↑ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Penn State". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  39. ↑ Chandler, John (December 8, 1959). "Alabama finished No. 10". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 6. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  40. ↑ Mitchell, Billy (November 11, 1984). "Reality of a losing record stuns the Tide". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News. p. 1B. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  41. ↑ "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.
  42. ↑ "All-Time Assistant Coaches". 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2012. pp. 202–203.
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