2001 Independence Bowl
Encyclopedia
The 2001 MainStay Independence Bowl
, part of the 2001–02 bowl game
season, took place on December 27, 2001, at Independence Stadium in Shreveport
, Louisiana
. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide
, representing the Southeastern Conference
(SEC), and the of the Big 12 Conference
(Big 12). Alabama won the game, 14–13 in what was the first all-time game between the programs. It was also the first bowl game for Dennis Franchione
at Alabama and the second bowl game for Dan McCarney
at Iowa State.
's first season leading the Crimson Tide. Through eight games, the Crimson Tide were 3–5 with losses to , South Carolina
, Ole Miss, Tennessee
and LSU
. However, Alabama was able to win their final three games against , Auburn
and to finish the regular season bowl eligible with a 6–5 record.
On December 9, Alabama accepted a bid to play in the Independence Bowl for the first time in school history. There was some controversy with the selection of Alabama instead over Ole Miss, as the Rebels (which did not go to a bowl in 2001) had beaten Alabama that year and had a better record of 7–4. Presumably, Alabama was selected because it had a larger fan base and Ole Miss had just played in the Independence Bowl in 1998 and 1999. The appearance marked the 51st all-time bowl appearance for Alabama.
, Texas A&M
, Kansas State
and . On December 9, Iowa State accepted a bid to play in the Independence Bowl for the first time in school history. The appearance marked the fifth all-time bowl appearance for the Cyclones.
field goal to lead 3–0 in the first quarter. After reaching the 1-yard line on a 33-yard by Lane Danielsen to close the quarter, the Cyclones would score the game's first touchdown on a 1-yard run by Joe Woodley to give State a 10–0 lead. Alabama would respond later in the quarter with an 8-yard touchdown run by Andrew Zow to close the gap to 10–7. Yelk would then miss a 25-yard field goal with 0:26 remaining in the quarter to keep the score 10–7 at the half.
Third quarter scoring would be limited to a single, 41-yard Yelk field goal to bring the Cyclones lead to 13–7 going into the fourth. With 5:31 remaining in the contest, Waine Bacon
blocked a Yelk punt with the recovery occurring on the Iowa State 29 yard line. Two plays later, Zow hit Terry Jones for a 27-yard touchdown reception, and the extra point gave the Crimson Tide a 14–13 lead. The Cyclones just missed a 47-yard field goal attempt with 0:46 remaining in the fourth, which would have given State the lead and potential victory. Subsequent to the game there was some question about whether or not the field goal was actually good, as it sailed directly over one of the uprights. The victory sent Alabama to a 7–5 overall record for the season.
Independence Bowl
The Independence Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I college football bowl game that is played annually at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, so named because it was inaugurated in the United States bicentennial year, 1976....
, part of the 2001–02 bowl game
2001–02 NCAA football bowl games
The 2001-02 NCAA College Football Bowl Games post-season schedule followed the 2001 NCAA Division I FBS regular season in college football. The Miami Hurricanes won the National Championship over Nebraska, 37-14.-Non-BCS bowls:-New Orleans Bowl:...
season, took place on December 27, 2001, at Independence Stadium in Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide
2001 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2001 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama during 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. They began their season trying to improve upon a 3–8 record during the 2000 season. This was the team's 69th season in the SEC. This marked Dennis Franchiones first ...
, representing the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
(SEC), and the of the Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
(Big 12). Alabama won the game, 14–13 in what was the first all-time game between the programs. It was also the first bowl game for Dennis Franchione
Dennis Franchione
Dennis Wayne Franchione , also known as Coach Fran, is an American football coach. He is currently the head football coach at Texas State University, a position he held from 1990 to 1991, when the school was known as Southwest Texas State University, and resumed in 2011...
at Alabama and the second bowl game for Dan McCarney
Dan McCarney
-External links:* * * * *...
at Iowa State.
Alabama
The 2001 Alabama squad finished the regular season with a 6–5 record in head coach Dennis FranchioneDennis Franchione
Dennis Wayne Franchione , also known as Coach Fran, is an American football coach. He is currently the head football coach at Texas State University, a position he held from 1990 to 1991, when the school was known as Southwest Texas State University, and resumed in 2011...
's first season leading the Crimson Tide. Through eight games, the Crimson Tide were 3–5 with losses to , South Carolina
2001 South Carolina Gamecocks football team
The 2001 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the Southeastern Conference. The Gamecocks were led by Lou Holtz in his third season as USC head coach, and played their home games in Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC.Carolina followed up one of...
, Ole Miss, Tennessee
2001 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 2001 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2001 college football season. The team was coached by Phillip Fulmer. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium and competed in the Eastern Division of the SEC...
and LSU
2001 LSU Tigers football team
The 2001 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2001–2002. Coached by Nick Saban, the Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. LSU went 10–3 and won the SEC West and represented the division in the 2001...
. However, Alabama was able to win their final three games against , Auburn
2001 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2001 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season.They posted a 7–5 record, including a record of 5–3 in the Southeastern Conference...
and to finish the regular season bowl eligible with a 6–5 record.
On December 9, Alabama accepted a bid to play in the Independence Bowl for the first time in school history. There was some controversy with the selection of Alabama instead over Ole Miss, as the Rebels (which did not go to a bowl in 2001) had beaten Alabama that year and had a better record of 7–4. Presumably, Alabama was selected because it had a larger fan base and Ole Miss had just played in the Independence Bowl in 1998 and 1999. The appearance marked the 51st all-time bowl appearance for Alabama.
Iowa State
Iowa State finished the regular season with a 7–4 record with losses against Nebraska2001 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 2001 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Frank Solich and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
, Texas A&M
2001 Texas A&M Aggies football team
The 2001 Texas A&M Aggies football team completed the season with a 8-4 record. The Aggies had a regular season Big 12 record of 4-4.-Schedule:-McNeese State:-Wyoming:-Oklahoma State:-Notre Dame:-Baylor:-Colorado:...
, Kansas State
2001 Kansas State Wildcats football team
The 2001 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 2001. The team's head football coach was Bill Snyder. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. 2001 saw the wildcats finish with a record of 6-6, and a 3-5 record in Big...
and . On December 9, Iowa State accepted a bid to play in the Independence Bowl for the first time in school history. The appearance marked the fifth all-time bowl appearance for the Cyclones.
Game summary
Iowa State would put the first points on the board off of a 36-yard Tony YelkTony Yelk
Tony Yelk attended high school in Poynette Wisconsin. He is a National Football League place kicker. He is currently a free agent. Yelk left high school as a highly decorated prep. He attended college on athletic scholarhship and played college football at Iowa State University. Yelk was a 4...
field goal to lead 3–0 in the first quarter. After reaching the 1-yard line on a 33-yard by Lane Danielsen to close the quarter, the Cyclones would score the game's first touchdown on a 1-yard run by Joe Woodley to give State a 10–0 lead. Alabama would respond later in the quarter with an 8-yard touchdown run by Andrew Zow to close the gap to 10–7. Yelk would then miss a 25-yard field goal with 0:26 remaining in the quarter to keep the score 10–7 at the half.
Third quarter scoring would be limited to a single, 41-yard Yelk field goal to bring the Cyclones lead to 13–7 going into the fourth. With 5:31 remaining in the contest, Waine Bacon
Waine Bacon
Waine Bacon was an American football defensive back....
blocked a Yelk punt with the recovery occurring on the Iowa State 29 yard line. Two plays later, Zow hit Terry Jones for a 27-yard touchdown reception, and the extra point gave the Crimson Tide a 14–13 lead. The Cyclones just missed a 47-yard field goal attempt with 0:46 remaining in the fourth, which would have given State the lead and potential victory. Subsequent to the game there was some question about whether or not the field goal was actually good, as it sailed directly over one of the uprights. The victory sent Alabama to a 7–5 overall record for the season.