2005 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
Encyclopedia
The 2005 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama
during the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season
. This was the team's 73rd season in the SEC
. The 2005 squad collected a record of 10–2, however all ten wins were vacated in 2009 when the NCAA announced penalties against Alabama for violations that occurred during the season making the official record 0–2.
The Crimson Tide were led by head coach Mike Shula
who was entering his third season as head coach. The team started off the season at 9–0, which included wins over Florida
and . However, the team lost their two final regular season games against LSU
and Auburn
. The team received a bid to the 2006 Cotton Bowl Classic against Texas Tech. They defeated the Red Raiders on a last second field goal by Jamie Christensen.
The season was also marked by a notable catch by wide receiver Tyrone Prothro
, known to Alabama fans as The Catch. The receiver's career was ended later that season as he suffered a broken leg against Florida. Prothro's catch would win ESPN
's Game Changing Performance for week two, and later for the entire season.
Alabama opened the 2005 season by defeating the Middle Tennessee
Blue Raiders
26–7. Alabama scored first on a defensive play. Late in the first quarter, Mark Anderson sacked
the Blue Raider quarterback Clint Marks for a safety and a 2–0 Crimson Tide lead. Alabama then scored their first touchdown of the season in the second quarter on a one-yard Tim Castille
run to cap a 51-yard drive. The Blue Raiders responded on the next drive with a 14-yard Marks touchdown pass to Nick McAfee to cut the Alabama lead to 9–7 at halftime.
The Crimson Tide scored on their opening drive of the third quarter when Brodie Croyle
threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Prothro
. Later in the quarter, Alabama extended their lead to 23–7 after Castille scored his second touchdown from one-yard out in the game. Ryan Saxby then scored the final points of the game in the fourth with his 32-yard field goal to make the final score 26–7. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Blue Raiders to 2–0 (1–0 without NCAA vacations).
After going down 21–17 at halftime, the Crimson Tide came-from-behind and defeated the Southern Miss Golden Eagles
31–21. Alabama took an early 10–0 lead after Brodie Croyle
threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to D. J. Hall
and Jamie Christensen connected on a 33-yard field goal. The Golden Eagles then rallied with a pair of first quarter touchdowns to take a 14–10 lead at the end of the quarter. The first came on a defensive score when Gerald McRath
intercept
ed a Croyle pass and returned it 33-yards and the second on a 12-yard Dustin Almond pass to Anthony Perine. Early in the second quarter Southern Miss extended their lead to 21–10 after Almond threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Perine.
On their final offensive possession of the second quarter, Tyrone Prothro
made one of the most memorable receptions in Alabama history. On a fourth-and-twelve, Croyle threw a 42-yard pass
that Prothro caught on the back of Golden Eagles cornerback
Jasper Faulk. Referred to as simply The Catch, the play won the 2006 Best Play ESPY Award
. The Crimson Tide then cut the lead on the following play to 21–17 just before the half after Croyle connected with Le'Ron McClain
on a one-yard touchdown reception.
Alabama retook the lead in the third quarter after Tim Castille
scored on a two-yard touchdown run, and led 23–21 after a failed Christensen extra point
. The final points of the game came early in the fourth quarter on the second two-yard Castille touchdown run of the evening to give the Crimson Tide the 31–21 victory. For his 97 yards in kickoff returns and 34 yards punt returns, Tyrone Prothro
was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.
In the first road game of the season, Alabama defeated the South Carolina
Gamecocks
37–14 for what was then only the third road win all-time for head coach Mike Shula. Brodie Croyle
scored first for the Crimson Tide on a 15-yard run to give Alabama a 7–0 lead after their opening drive. South Carolina then tied the game at 7–7 on the ensuing drive with a one-yard Mike Davis touchdown run. Alabama then retook the lead for good on the following possession when Croyle threw a 46-yard touchdown strike to Keith Brown. Jamie Christensen then scored a pair of second quarter touchdowns from 41 and 29 yards to give the Crimson Tide a 20–7 halftime lead.
Christensen connected on a 27-yard field goal early in the third to extend the Alabama lead to 23–7. On the following Gamecock possession, a Carlos Thomas
fumble
was recovered by Alabama's Rudy Griffin at the South Carolina 39-yard line. Three plays later Kenneth Darby
scored on a 22-yard touchdown run to give the Crimson Tide a 30–7 lead entering the fourth quarter. With the second-string playing in the fourth, John Parker Wilson
threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Brown for the final Alabama points of the afternoon. The final touchdown came on the ensuing South Carolina drive when Blake Mitchell
threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Sidney Rice
to make the final 37–14 score. For his 145 rushing yards and one touchdown, Kenneth Darby was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week.
With this 24–13 victory over the Arkansas
Razorbacks
to open divisional play, Alabama secured their first 4–0 start since the 1996 season
. After a scoreless first quarter, Arkansas scored first with a 34-yard Chris Balseiro field goal. The Crimson Tide responded with a 43-yard Brodie Croyle
touchdown pass to D. J. Hall
to give Alabama a 7–3 halftime lead.
Arkansas quarterback Robert Johnson fumble
d the ball on the opening offensive possession of the second half. Simeon Castille
caused it with his quarterback sack
, and DeMeco Ryans
made the recovery at the Razorback 19-yard line. Three plays later Alabama extended their lead to 10–3 after a 36-yard Jamie Christensen field goal. On the second play of the fourth quarter, Tim Castille
scored on a one-yard touchdown run to take a 17–3 lead. On the following Arkansas possession, Peyton Hillis
made a 12-yard run and then Darren McFadden
scored on a 70-yard touchdown run to cut the Alabama lead to 17–10.
After holding the Crimson Tide to a three-and-out, the Razorbacks' Kyle Dickerson blocked a Jeremy Schatz punt
that was recovered by John Aaron Rees at the Alabama eleven-yard line. The Alabama defense was able to get a stop and hold Arkansas to a 27-yard Balseiro field goal. The Crimson Tide scored the final points of the game late in the fourth when Croyle connected again with Hall, and this time it was on a five-yard pass to make the final score 24–13. For his 15 tackle performance, DeMeco Ryans was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week; and for his 275 punting yards that included a 72 yard punt, Jeremy Schatz was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.
In what was Urban Meyer
's first game as the Florida
Gators
head coach against Alabama, the Crimson Tide was victorious 31–3. After fumbling the Florida punt after their first offensive series, Tyrone Prothro
responded on Alabama's first offensive play of the afternoon by taking a Brodie Croyle
slant pass 87-yards for a 7–0 Crimson Tide lead. On the ensuing Florida possession, Chris Harris intercept
ed a Chris Leak
pass and returned it to the Gators' two-yard line. Three plays later, Alabama had a 14–0 lead after a one-yard Tim Castille
touchdown run. Jamie Christensen added a 22-yard field goal to give the Crimson Tide a 17–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
On the first play of the second quarter, the Alabama defense completed a goal line stand after Mark Anderson and Freddie Roach combine to tackle DeShawn Wynn
at the one-yard line on fourth down. Chris Hetland then scored the only Florida points of the game on their next offensive possession with his 37-yard field goal. Following the Hetland field goal, Alabama again scored on a one-play drive when Croyle connected with Keith Brown for a 65-yard touchdown reception to give the Crimson Tide a 24–3 halftime lead. Prothro then scored the final points of the game early in the third quarter with his 15-yard touchdown reception to make the score 31–3.
Although Alabama did go on to win 31–3, the game is also notable as being the last played by Tyrone Prothro. Early in the fourth quarter, he broke both his tibia
and fibula after landing awkwardly in a failed attempt to make a touchdown reception on a fourth-and-five play. For his four tackle performance, Mark Anderson was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week; and for his 283 passing yards and three touchdowns, Brodie Croyle was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week.
In a game dominated by both defenses Alabama defeated their long-time rival, the Ole Miss
Rebels
13–10 in Oxford. After Tim Castille
failed to gain a first down on a fourth-and-one one the Rebels' six-yard line, both teams traded turnovers on successive drives. DeMeco Ryans
forced a fumble by Taye Biddle
that was recovered by Charlie Peprah
at the Alabama 16-yard line. On the following Alabama play, Travis Johnson caused D. J. Hall
to fumble that was recovered by Garry Pack. Three plays later Ole Miss took a 7–0 lead after Micheal Spurlock
threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Mario Hill. After Jamie Christensen missed a 38-yard field goal early in the second quarter, Ramzee Robinson
intercepted a Spurlock pass on the first play of the ensuing possession to set up a 43-yard Christensen field goal to make the score 7–3. The Rebels missed one and had a second field goal attempt blocked later in the quarter to give Ole Miss a 7–3 halftime lead.
On their first possession of the second half, Alabama scored their only touchdown of the game on a 48-yard Kenneth Darby
touchdown run. The Rebels tied the game up early in the fourth with a 24-yard Robert Bass field goal, but the Crimson Tide won the game with a 31-yard Christensen field goal as time expired to make the final score 13–10.
In a defensive struggle against long-time rival
Tennessee
, Alabama extended their overall, season record to 7–0 with this 6–3 victory over the Volunteers
. After trading fumble
s on two of the three opening possessions, Jamie Christensen missed a 50-yard field goal attempt late in the first quarter for Alabama. Neither team would have another scoring opportunity again until midway through the third quarter. After DeMeco Ryans
recovered a fumbled punt by Lucas Taylor at the 50-yard line, Christensen connected on a 33-yard field goal six plays later to give the Crimson Tide a 3–0 lead.
Tennessee tied the game at 3–3 on their first possession of the fourth quarter with a 32-yard James Wilhoit
field goal. On the Volunteers' next possession, Roman Harper
forced a Cory Anderson fumble into the endzone that was recovered by Alabama for a touchback
to keep the game tied at 3–3. The Crimson Tide responded with a ten-play, 63-yard drive and a 34-yard Christensen field goal to win the game 6–3 with only seconds remaining in the game. For his 11 tackle performance, DeMeco Ryans was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week and the Walter Camp Football Foundation Defensive Player of the Week; and for his two field goals in the victory, Jamie Christensen was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.
In what was the final regular season, non-conference game, Alabama defeated the Utah State
Aggies
35–3 on homecoming
in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide took a 21–0 halftime lead after a trio of Brodie Croyle
touchdown passes. The first came on a nine-yard pass to Ezekial Knight, the second on a one-yard pass to Le'Ron McClain
and the third on a 13-yard pass to D. J. Hall
. The Aggies scored their only points of the game on their opening drive of the second half when Justin Hamblin connected on a 24-yard field goal. After a Hall fumble resulted in an Aggie touchback on the following Alabama possession, Hamblin missed a 41-yard field goal on the ensuing possession to keep the score 21–3.
The Crimson Tide then scored their fourth touchdown later in the third on a 38-yard Kenneth Darby
touchdown run. With the reserves playing in the fourth quarter, Alabama scored their final points when John Parker Wilson
connected with Glen Coffee
for a nine-yard touchdown reception and a 35–3 Crimson Tide victory.
Against long-time rival Mississippi State
, the Alabama defense had its first shutout of the season and the offense did not have a touchdown in their 17–0 victory over the Bulldogs
. After a scoreless first, Jamie Christensen scored the first points of the game with his 38-yard field goal to give the Crimson Tide a 3–0 halftime lead.
On the opening kickoff of the second half, Jimmy Johns forced the Bulldogs' Derek Pegues
to fumble. Matt Miller recovered the fumble and returned it 15-yards for a touchdown and a 10–0 Alabama lead. On the ensuing Mississippi State drive, Michael Henig
threw an interception to Rudy Griffin that was returned 17-yards for an Alabama touchdown and a 17–0 victory.
With College GameDay in town, in what was the first loss of the season for the Crimson Tide, the LSU
Tigers
defeated Alabama 16–13 in overtime
. After Jamie Christensen missed a 46-yard field goal, on the following Alabama offensive possession in the first quarter he connected on a 28-yard field goal to give Alabama a 3–0 lead. The Crimson Tide then scored their only touchdown of the game early in the second quarter when Brodie Croyle
threw an eight-yard touchdown strike to D. J. Hall
to give Alabama a 10–0 halftime lead.
LSU tied the game up at 10–10 in the third quarter. They scored first on a one-yard Justin Vincent
touchdown run and then on a 42-yard Chris Jackson field goal. After a pair of missed Jackson field goals in the fourth quarter for LSU, the game went into overtime. Alabama went on offense first and managed to score on a 34-yard Jamie Christensen field goal to take a 13–10 lead. On the Tigers' possession, JaMarcus Russell
threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Bowe
to give LSU the victory 16–13.
A week after suffering their first loss of the season, the Auburn
Tigers
defeated Alabama 28–18 in the 2005 edition of the Iron Bowl
to keep the Crimson Tide of consideration for a BCS Bowl
game. Auburn took a 21–0 lead in the first quarter. The Tigers scored first on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Cox
to Benjamin Obomanu; second on an eight-yard Kenny Irons
touchdown run; and third on a 45-yard Obomanu touchdown run. After a Prechae Rodriguez
fumble
was recovered by Charlie Peprah
, Alabama scored their first points on the ensuing drive when Tim Castille
scored on a one-yard touchdown run to make the score 21–7. Auburn responded later in the second quarter with a five-yard Cox touchdown pass to Cole Bennett to give the Tigers a 28–7 lead at halftime.
The Crimson Tide scored on their first possession of the second half on a 43-yard Jamie Christensen field goal. After Auburn was able to get a defensive stand late in the fourth to ice the game, Alabama did score a late touchdown on a one-yard John Parker Wilson
touchdown run. A successful two-point conversion
pass from Wilson to D. J. Hall
made the final score 28–18. The Tigers' victory marked their fourth straight over the Crimson Tide.
On December 4 officials from the Cotton Bowl announced their 2006 contest would feature the Crimson Tide competing against the Texas Tech
Red Raiders
of the Big 12 Conference
. In a game that featured the nation's number one passing offense of Texas Tech against the nation's number one scoring defense of Alabama, the Crimson Tide won 13–10. Alabama scored their only touchdown of the game on just their second offensive play when Brodie Croyle
threw a 76-yard touchdown pass to Keith Brown for a 7–0 lead. The Red Raiders responded later in the quarter with a 34-yard Alex Trlica
field goal to cut the lead to 7–3. A scoreless second quarter saw the only scoring opportunities coming on a trio of failed field goal attempts. Alabama's Jamie Christensen missed a 39-yard field goal and the second blocked by Chris Hudler and recovered by Dwayne Slay
. The Red Raiders' Trlica had a 37-yard field goal blocked by Mark Anderson as time expired to give Alabama the 7–3 halftime lead.
Christensen extended the Alabama lead to 10–3 early in the third quarter with his 31-yard field goal. Texas Tech then tied the game up at 10–10 late in the fourth quarter after Cody Hodges
threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett Hicks
. The Crimson Tide responded on the following drive with Christensen kicking the game-winning field goal from 45-yards out as time expired to give Alabama the 13–10 victory.
by AFCA and the Associated Press. He also won the Lott Trophy
for 2005 season.
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
during the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season
2005 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the least amount of controversy surrounding the Bowl Championship Series title game in many years.To an extent it was a return to classic football...
. This was the team's 73rd season in the SEC
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...
. The 2005 squad collected a record of 10–2, however all ten wins were vacated in 2009 when the NCAA announced penalties against Alabama for violations that occurred during the season making the official record 0–2.
The Crimson Tide were led by head coach Mike Shula
Mike Shula
Mike Shula is an American football quarterback coach for the Carolina Panthers, an NFL team. Between 2003 and 2006, he was the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program.- Early life :...
who was entering his third season as head coach. The team started off the season at 9–0, which included wins over Florida
2005 Florida Gators football team
The 2005 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2005 college football season...
and . However, the team lost their two final regular season games against LSU
2005 LSU Tigers football team
The 2005 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2005–2006. Coached by Les Miles in his first season at LSU, the Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...
and Auburn
2005 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2005 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season. Despite having four starters from the 2004 team selected in the first round of 2005 NFL Draft, Auburn finished the season with a 9–3 record, including a 7–1 record in the Southeastern...
. The team received a bid to the 2006 Cotton Bowl Classic against Texas Tech. They defeated the Red Raiders on a last second field goal by Jamie Christensen.
The season was also marked by a notable catch by wide receiver Tyrone Prothro
Tyrone Prothro
Tyrone Prothro is a former American football wide receiver who played for the University of Alabama between 2003–2005.- Collegiate career :...
, known to Alabama fans as The Catch. The receiver's career was ended later that season as he suffered a broken leg against Florida. Prothro's catch would win ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's Game Changing Performance for week two, and later for the entire season.
Schedule
- Source: Rolltide.com All-time Football Results: 2005 Season
Coaching staff
| Name | Position | Seasons at Alabama | Alma Mater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Shula Mike Shula Mike Shula is an American football quarterback coach for the Carolina Panthers, an NFL team. Between 2003 and 2006, he was the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program.- Early life :... |
Head coach Head coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches... |
3 | Alabama (1987) |
| Chris Ball | Secondary | 3 | Missouri Western State Missouri Western State University Missouri Western State University is a public, co-educational university located in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The school enrolls 6,010 undergraduate students and 124 graduate students.-History:... (1986) |
| Bob Connelly | Offensive line Offensive line coach The offensive line coach is a coaching position in gridiron football that is in charge of the offensive line. This role is very common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The offensive line coach serves the offense, which is led by the offensive coordinator.... |
3 | Texas A&M–Commerce Texas A&M University–Commerce Texas A&M University–Commerce is a state university located in Commerce, Texas and a member of the Texas A&M University System, the second largest university within the system behind Texas A&M University in College Station.... (1994) |
| Charlie Harbison | Wide receivers Wide receivers coach A wide receivers coach is a coach in charge of the wide receivers in gridiron football. The wide receivers coach typically operates under a team's offensive coordinator. This coach also typically resides in the coach's box on gameday, often accompanied by or in place of the offensive coordinator.... |
3 | Gardner–Webb (1995) |
| Joe Kines Joe Kines -External links:... |
Defensive Coordinator Defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... |
3 | Jacksonville State (1967) |
| David Rader | Offensive Coordinator Offensive coordinator An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... |
3 | Tulsa Tulsa Golden Hurricane football The University of Tulsa's Golden Hurricane football team represents Tulsa in Conference USA. Tulsa is currently coached by first-year head coach Bill Blankenship. The football team was coached by Todd Graham until he accepted the head coaching job at Pittsburgh.... (1980) |
| Paul Randolph | Defensive line Defensive Line Coach A defensive line coach is a coach that is in charge of the defensive line in gridiron football. This position is very common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The defensive line coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator. A defensive line coach works primarily... |
3 | Tennessee–Martin (1990) |
| Dave Ungerer | Special teams, Tight ends Tight ends coach A tight ends coach is a coach in charge of the tight ends in American football. The tight ends coach typically operates under the team's offensive coordinator.... |
3 | Southern Connecticut State Southern Connecticut State University Southern Connecticut State University is one of four state universities in Connecticut, and is located in the West Rock neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut... (1980) |
| Sparky Woods Sparky Woods -External links:*... |
Running backs Running backs coach A running backs coach is a coach in charge of the running backs in gridiron football. The running backs coach typically operates under the team's offensive coordinator.... |
3 | Carson–Newman (1976) |
| Buddy Wyatt | Defensive line Defensive Line Coach A defensive line coach is a coach that is in charge of the defensive line in gridiron football. This position is very common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The defensive line coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator. A defensive line coach works primarily... |
3 | TCU TCU Horned Frogs football The TCU Horned Frogs football team is the intercollegiate football team of Texas Christian University. TCU competes as a member of the Mountain West Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, but will move to the Big 12 Conference for the 2012 season. TCU began playing football... (1989) |
Middle Tennessee
Sources:Alabama opened the 2005 season by defeating the Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University, commonly abbreviated as MTSU, is a public university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States....
Blue Raiders
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represents Middle Tennessee State University in NCAA Division I FBS football competition. The Blue Raiders, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, play their home games at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.Rick Stockstill has...
26–7. Alabama scored first on a defensive play. Late in the first quarter, Mark Anderson sacked
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
the Blue Raider quarterback Clint Marks for a safety and a 2–0 Crimson Tide lead. Alabama then scored their first touchdown of the season in the second quarter on a one-yard Tim Castille
Tim Castille
Timothy Nehemiah Castille is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-Arizona Cardinals:Castille was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as...
run to cap a 51-yard drive. The Blue Raiders responded on the next drive with a 14-yard Marks touchdown pass to Nick McAfee to cut the Alabama lead to 9–7 at halftime.
The Crimson Tide scored on their opening drive of the third quarter when Brodie Croyle
Brodie Croyle
John Brodie Croyle is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Alabama from 2002 to 2005...
threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Prothro
Tyrone Prothro
Tyrone Prothro is a former American football wide receiver who played for the University of Alabama between 2003–2005.- Collegiate career :...
. Later in the quarter, Alabama extended their lead to 23–7 after Castille scored his second touchdown from one-yard out in the game. Ryan Saxby then scored the final points of the game in the fourth with his 32-yard field goal to make the final score 26–7. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Blue Raiders to 2–0 (1–0 without NCAA vacations).
Southern Mississippi
Sources:After going down 21–17 at halftime, the Crimson Tide came-from-behind and defeated the Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Southern Miss Golden Eagles football
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles football program represents the University of Southern Mississippi in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The Eagles are members of Conference USA and player their home games at M. M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi...
31–21. Alabama took an early 10–0 lead after Brodie Croyle
Brodie Croyle
John Brodie Croyle is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Alabama from 2002 to 2005...
threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to D. J. Hall
D. J. Hall
Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton...
and Jamie Christensen connected on a 33-yard field goal. The Golden Eagles then rallied with a pair of first quarter touchdowns to take a 14–10 lead at the end of the quarter. The first came on a defensive score when Gerald McRath
Gerald McRath
Gerald McRath is an American football linebacker. He currently plays for the Tennessee Titans. McRath played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles....
intercept
Intercept
Intercept may refer to:*X-intercept, the point where a line crosses the x-axis*Y-intercept, the point where a line crosses the y-axis*Interception *The Mona Intercept, a 1980 thriller novel by Donald Hamilton...
ed a Croyle pass and returned it 33-yards and the second on a 12-yard Dustin Almond pass to Anthony Perine. Early in the second quarter Southern Miss extended their lead to 21–10 after Almond threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Perine.
On their final offensive possession of the second quarter, Tyrone Prothro
Tyrone Prothro
Tyrone Prothro is a former American football wide receiver who played for the University of Alabama between 2003–2005.- Collegiate career :...
made one of the most memorable receptions in Alabama history. On a fourth-and-twelve, Croyle threw a 42-yard pass
Forward pass
In several forms of football a forward pass is when the ball is thrown in the direction that the offensive team is trying to move, towards the defensive team's goal line...
that Prothro caught on the back of Golden Eagles cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Jasper Faulk. Referred to as simply The Catch, the play won the 2006 Best Play ESPY Award
Best Play ESPY Award
The Best Play ESPY Award has been conferred annually since 2002 on the play in a single regular season or playoff game contested professionally under the auspices of one of the four major North American leagues or collegiately under the auspices of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
. The Crimson Tide then cut the lead on the following play to 21–17 just before the half after Croyle connected with Le'Ron McClain
Le'Ron McClain
- Baltimore Ravens :McClain signed with the Ravens on July 27, 2007. He scored his first career touchdown on a Kyle Boller pass against the San Diego Chargers on November 25, 2007...
on a one-yard touchdown reception.
Alabama retook the lead in the third quarter after Tim Castille
Tim Castille
Timothy Nehemiah Castille is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-Arizona Cardinals:Castille was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as...
scored on a two-yard touchdown run, and led 23–21 after a failed Christensen extra point
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
. The final points of the game came early in the fourth quarter on the second two-yard Castille touchdown run of the evening to give the Crimson Tide the 31–21 victory. For his 97 yards in kickoff returns and 34 yards punt returns, Tyrone Prothro
Tyrone Prothro
Tyrone Prothro is a former American football wide receiver who played for the University of Alabama between 2003–2005.- Collegiate career :...
was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.
South Carolina
Sources:In the first road game of the season, Alabama defeated the South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
Gamecocks
South Carolina Gamecocks football
The South Carolina Gamecocks football team represents the University of South Carolina in NCAA Division I college football. The Gamecocks have been a member of the Southeastern Conference since 1992. Steve Spurrier is the current head coach, and the team plays its home games at Williams-Brice...
37–14 for what was then only the third road win all-time for head coach Mike Shula. Brodie Croyle
Brodie Croyle
John Brodie Croyle is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Alabama from 2002 to 2005...
scored first for the Crimson Tide on a 15-yard run to give Alabama a 7–0 lead after their opening drive. South Carolina then tied the game at 7–7 on the ensuing drive with a one-yard Mike Davis touchdown run. Alabama then retook the lead for good on the following possession when Croyle threw a 46-yard touchdown strike to Keith Brown. Jamie Christensen then scored a pair of second quarter touchdowns from 41 and 29 yards to give the Crimson Tide a 20–7 halftime lead.
Christensen connected on a 27-yard field goal early in the third to extend the Alabama lead to 23–7. On the following Gamecock possession, a Carlos Thomas
Carlos Thomas
Carlos Thomas is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
was recovered by Alabama's Rudy Griffin at the South Carolina 39-yard line. Three plays later Kenneth Darby
Kenneth Darby
Kenneth Darby is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Darby has also been a member of the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at Alabama.-Early...
scored on a 22-yard touchdown run to give the Crimson Tide a 30–7 lead entering the fourth quarter. With the second-string playing in the fourth, John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Brown for the final Alabama points of the afternoon. The final touchdown came on the ensuing South Carolina drive when Blake Mitchell
Blake Mitchell
Lewis Blake Mitchell was a college football quarterback for the South Carolina Gamecocks. He is currently on the roster of the South Carolina Force.-High School Years:...
threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Sidney Rice
Sidney Rice
-Minnesota Vikings :Rice was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a four year contract with the Vikings in 2007....
to make the final 37–14 score. For his 145 rushing yards and one touchdown, Kenneth Darby was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week.
Arkansas
Sources:With this 24–13 victory over the Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
Razorbacks
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
to open divisional play, Alabama secured their first 4–0 start since the 1996 season
1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1996–97 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference. Gene Stallings led the Crimson Tide to a 10–3 record in his final year with the program...
. After a scoreless first quarter, Arkansas scored first with a 34-yard Chris Balseiro field goal. The Crimson Tide responded with a 43-yard Brodie Croyle
Brodie Croyle
John Brodie Croyle is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Alabama from 2002 to 2005...
touchdown pass to D. J. Hall
D. J. Hall
Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton...
to give Alabama a 7–3 halftime lead.
Arkansas quarterback Robert Johnson fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
d the ball on the opening offensive possession of the second half. Simeon Castille
Simeon Castille
Simeon Castille is an American football cornerback who is currently playing for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
caused it with his quarterback sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
, and DeMeco Ryans
DeMeco Ryans
DeMeco Ryans is an American football linebacker in the NFL for the Houston Texans. He played college football at the University of Alabama.- High school career :...
made the recovery at the Razorback 19-yard line. Three plays later Alabama extended their lead to 10–3 after a 36-yard Jamie Christensen field goal. On the second play of the fourth quarter, Tim Castille
Tim Castille
Timothy Nehemiah Castille is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-Arizona Cardinals:Castille was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as...
scored on a one-yard touchdown run to take a 17–3 lead. On the following Arkansas possession, Peyton Hillis
Peyton Hillis
Hillis was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.-2008 Season:At the start of the 2008 season, Hillis was listed as the Broncos' starting fullback...
made a 12-yard run and then Darren McFadden
Darren McFadden
Darren McFadden is an American football running back who currently plays for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League . He played college football for the University of Arkansas from 2005 to 2007...
scored on a 70-yard touchdown run to cut the Alabama lead to 17–10.
After holding the Crimson Tide to a three-and-out, the Razorbacks' Kyle Dickerson blocked a Jeremy Schatz punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
that was recovered by John Aaron Rees at the Alabama eleven-yard line. The Alabama defense was able to get a stop and hold Arkansas to a 27-yard Balseiro field goal. The Crimson Tide scored the final points of the game late in the fourth when Croyle connected again with Hall, and this time it was on a five-yard pass to make the final score 24–13. For his 15 tackle performance, DeMeco Ryans was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week; and for his 275 punting yards that included a 72 yard punt, Jeremy Schatz was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Florida
Sources:In what was Urban Meyer
Urban Meyer
Urban Frank Meyer, III is an American football coach and former player. He is head football coach at Ohio State University, having been hired for the position in November 2011...
's first game as the Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
Gators
Florida Gators football
The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference...
head coach against Alabama, the Crimson Tide was victorious 31–3. After fumbling the Florida punt after their first offensive series, Tyrone Prothro
Tyrone Prothro
Tyrone Prothro is a former American football wide receiver who played for the University of Alabama between 2003–2005.- Collegiate career :...
responded on Alabama's first offensive play of the afternoon by taking a Brodie Croyle
Brodie Croyle
John Brodie Croyle is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Alabama from 2002 to 2005...
slant pass 87-yards for a 7–0 Crimson Tide lead. On the ensuing Florida possession, Chris Harris intercept
Intercept
Intercept may refer to:*X-intercept, the point where a line crosses the x-axis*Y-intercept, the point where a line crosses the y-axis*Interception *The Mona Intercept, a 1980 thriller novel by Donald Hamilton...
ed a Chris Leak
Chris Leak
Christopher Patrick Leak is an American professional football player who is currently a quarterback for the Jacksonville Sharks of the Arena Football League. He played college football for the University of Florida, and led the Florida Gators to victory in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game...
pass and returned it to the Gators' two-yard line. Three plays later, Alabama had a 14–0 lead after a one-yard Tim Castille
Tim Castille
Timothy Nehemiah Castille is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-Arizona Cardinals:Castille was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as...
touchdown run. Jamie Christensen added a 22-yard field goal to give the Crimson Tide a 17–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
On the first play of the second quarter, the Alabama defense completed a goal line stand after Mark Anderson and Freddie Roach combine to tackle DeShawn Wynn
DeShawn Wynn
DeShawn Wynn is an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League. Wynnn played college football for the University of Florida. He was drafted by the NFL's Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft, and has also played for the New...
at the one-yard line on fourth down. Chris Hetland then scored the only Florida points of the game on their next offensive possession with his 37-yard field goal. Following the Hetland field goal, Alabama again scored on a one-play drive when Croyle connected with Keith Brown for a 65-yard touchdown reception to give the Crimson Tide a 24–3 halftime lead. Prothro then scored the final points of the game early in the third quarter with his 15-yard touchdown reception to make the score 31–3.
Although Alabama did go on to win 31–3, the game is also notable as being the last played by Tyrone Prothro. Early in the fourth quarter, he broke both his tibia
Tibia
The tibia , shinbone, or shankbone is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates , and connects the knee with the ankle bones....
and fibula after landing awkwardly in a failed attempt to make a touchdown reception on a fourth-and-five play. For his four tackle performance, Mark Anderson was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week; and for his 283 passing yards and three touchdowns, Brodie Croyle was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week.
Ole Miss
Sources:In a game dominated by both defenses Alabama defeated their long-time rival, the Ole Miss
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
Rebels
Ole Miss Rebels football
The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
13–10 in Oxford. After Tim Castille
Tim Castille
Timothy Nehemiah Castille is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-Arizona Cardinals:Castille was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as...
failed to gain a first down on a fourth-and-one one the Rebels' six-yard line, both teams traded turnovers on successive drives. DeMeco Ryans
DeMeco Ryans
DeMeco Ryans is an American football linebacker in the NFL for the Houston Texans. He played college football at the University of Alabama.- High school career :...
forced a fumble by Taye Biddle
Taye Biddle
RaTavious Anton "Taye" Biddle is an American football wide receiver for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He was previously with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
that was recovered by Charlie Peprah
Charlie Peprah
Charles Yaw "Charlie" Peprah is an American football safety for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the 5th round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
at the Alabama 16-yard line. On the following Alabama play, Travis Johnson caused D. J. Hall
D. J. Hall
Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton...
to fumble that was recovered by Garry Pack. Three plays later Ole Miss took a 7–0 lead after Micheal Spurlock
Micheal Spurlock
Michael Curtis Spurlock is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Mario Hill. After Jamie Christensen missed a 38-yard field goal early in the second quarter, Ramzee Robinson
Ramzee Robinson
Ramzee Robinson is an American football cornerback who is currently plays for the Cleveland Browns. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the last pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, earning the title of Mr. Irrelevant. He played college football at Alabama.Robinson has also been a member of the...
intercepted a Spurlock pass on the first play of the ensuing possession to set up a 43-yard Christensen field goal to make the score 7–3. The Rebels missed one and had a second field goal attempt blocked later in the quarter to give Ole Miss a 7–3 halftime lead.
On their first possession of the second half, Alabama scored their only touchdown of the game on a 48-yard Kenneth Darby
Kenneth Darby
Kenneth Darby is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Darby has also been a member of the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at Alabama.-Early...
touchdown run. The Rebels tied the game up early in the fourth with a 24-yard Robert Bass field goal, but the Crimson Tide won the game with a 31-yard Christensen field goal as time expired to make the final score 13–10.
Tennessee
Sources:In a defensive struggle against long-time rival
Third Saturday in October
The Third Saturday in October, also known as the Alabama–Tennessee football rivalry, is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Tennessee Volunteers football team of the University of Tennessee...
Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
, Alabama extended their overall, season record to 7–0 with this 6–3 victory over the Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
. After trading fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
s on two of the three opening possessions, Jamie Christensen missed a 50-yard field goal attempt late in the first quarter for Alabama. Neither team would have another scoring opportunity again until midway through the third quarter. After DeMeco Ryans
DeMeco Ryans
DeMeco Ryans is an American football linebacker in the NFL for the Houston Texans. He played college football at the University of Alabama.- High school career :...
recovered a fumbled punt by Lucas Taylor at the 50-yard line, Christensen connected on a 33-yard field goal six plays later to give the Crimson Tide a 3–0 lead.
Tennessee tied the game at 3–3 on their first possession of the fourth quarter with a 32-yard James Wilhoit
James Wilhoit
James Howell Wilhoit II was the placekicker for the University of Tennessee football team between 2003 and 2006.- High school :...
field goal. On the Volunteers' next possession, Roman Harper
Roman Harper
Roman Harper is an American football safety with the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. He was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama...
forced a Cory Anderson fumble into the endzone that was recovered by Alabama for a touchback
Touchback
In American football, a touchback is a ruling which is made and signaled by an official when the ball becomes dead behind or above a goal line and the team who is attacking that goal line is responsible for the ball being there. Responsibility is determined by which team gave the ball the impetus...
to keep the game tied at 3–3. The Crimson Tide responded with a ten-play, 63-yard drive and a 34-yard Christensen field goal to win the game 6–3 with only seconds remaining in the game. For his 11 tackle performance, DeMeco Ryans was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week and the Walter Camp Football Foundation Defensive Player of the Week; and for his two field goals in the victory, Jamie Christensen was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Utah State
Sources:In what was the final regular season, non-conference game, Alabama defeated the Utah State
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
Aggies
Utah State Aggies football
The Utah State Aggies are a college football team that competes in the Western Athletic Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I, representing Utah State University. The Utah State college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Romney Stadium since 1968...
35–3 on homecoming
Homecoming
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide took a 21–0 halftime lead after a trio of Brodie Croyle
Brodie Croyle
John Brodie Croyle is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Alabama from 2002 to 2005...
touchdown passes. The first came on a nine-yard pass to Ezekial Knight, the second on a one-yard pass to Le'Ron McClain
Le'Ron McClain
- Baltimore Ravens :McClain signed with the Ravens on July 27, 2007. He scored his first career touchdown on a Kyle Boller pass against the San Diego Chargers on November 25, 2007...
and the third on a 13-yard pass to D. J. Hall
D. J. Hall
Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton...
. The Aggies scored their only points of the game on their opening drive of the second half when Justin Hamblin connected on a 24-yard field goal. After a Hall fumble resulted in an Aggie touchback on the following Alabama possession, Hamblin missed a 41-yard field goal on the ensuing possession to keep the score 21–3.
The Crimson Tide then scored their fourth touchdown later in the third on a 38-yard Kenneth Darby
Kenneth Darby
Kenneth Darby is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Darby has also been a member of the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at Alabama.-Early...
touchdown run. With the reserves playing in the fourth quarter, Alabama scored their final points when John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
connected with Glen Coffee
Glen Coffee
Glenwood Razeem Coffee, Jr is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played one season before retiring in 2010. He played college football at Alabama.-Freshman:In...
for a nine-yard touchdown reception and a 35–3 Crimson Tide victory.
Mississippi State
Sources:Against long-time rival Mississippi State
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
, the Alabama defense had its first shutout of the season and the offense did not have a touchdown in their 17–0 victory over the Bulldogs
Mississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
. After a scoreless first, Jamie Christensen scored the first points of the game with his 38-yard field goal to give the Crimson Tide a 3–0 halftime lead.
On the opening kickoff of the second half, Jimmy Johns forced the Bulldogs' Derek Pegues
Derek Pegues
Derek Alan Pegues is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent.-Personal:He is the cousin of former NFL Linebacker Dwayne Rudd...
to fumble. Matt Miller recovered the fumble and returned it 15-yards for a touchdown and a 10–0 Alabama lead. On the ensuing Mississippi State drive, Michael Henig
Michael Henig
Michael David Henig, Jr. was an American football quarterback. Henig served as backup to Omarr Conner earlier in his career before assuming the starting role late in 2005. His 2006 season was marked by injuries, but he was the MSU starting quarterback for 2007...
threw an interception to Rudy Griffin that was returned 17-yards for an Alabama touchdown and a 17–0 victory.
LSU
Sources:With College GameDay in town, in what was the first loss of the season for the Crimson Tide, the LSU
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
Tigers
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
defeated Alabama 16–13 in overtime
Overtime
Overtime is the amount of time someone works beyond normal working hours. Normal hours may be determined in several ways:*by custom ,*by practices of a given trade or profession,*by legislation,...
. After Jamie Christensen missed a 46-yard field goal, on the following Alabama offensive possession in the first quarter he connected on a 28-yard field goal to give Alabama a 3–0 lead. The Crimson Tide then scored their only touchdown of the game early in the second quarter when Brodie Croyle
Brodie Croyle
John Brodie Croyle is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Alabama from 2002 to 2005...
threw an eight-yard touchdown strike to D. J. Hall
D. J. Hall
Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton...
to give Alabama a 10–0 halftime lead.
LSU tied the game up at 10–10 in the third quarter. They scored first on a one-yard Justin Vincent
Justin Vincent
Justin Vincent is a former American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
touchdown run and then on a 42-yard Chris Jackson field goal. After a pair of missed Jackson field goals in the fourth quarter for LSU, the game went into overtime. Alabama went on offense first and managed to score on a 34-yard Jamie Christensen field goal to take a 13–10 lead. On the Tigers' possession, JaMarcus Russell
JaMarcus Russell
JaMarcus Trenell Russell is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. Russell played college football for the LSU Tigers where he finished 21–4 as a starter and was named MVP of the 2007 Sugar Bowl. The Oakland Raiders selected Russell with the first overall pick of the 2007...
threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Bowe
Dwayne Bowe
-2007:On August 5, 2007, Bowe signed a five-year contract with the Chiefs, after holding out the first week of practice at training camp.Bowe scored his first NFL touchdown on a pass from Damon Huard in the first half of the Chiefs' game against the Chicago Bears on September 16, 2007.In his rookie...
to give LSU the victory 16–13.
Auburn
Sources:A week after suffering their first loss of the season, the Auburn
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
Tigers
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
defeated Alabama 28–18 in the 2005 edition of the Iron Bowl
Iron Bowl
The Iron Bowl is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Alabama Crimson Tide football team of the University of Alabama and the Auburn Tigers football team of Auburn University. The series is considered one of the best and most hard-fought rivalries in all of sports...
to keep the Crimson Tide of consideration for a BCS Bowl
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
game. Auburn took a 21–0 lead in the first quarter. The Tigers scored first on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Cox
Brandon Cox
Brandon Cox , is a former American football quarterback, who played collegiately for Auburn University...
to Benjamin Obomanu; second on an eight-yard Kenny Irons
Kenny Irons
Kenny Irons is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
touchdown run; and third on a 45-yard Obomanu touchdown run. After a Prechae Rodriguez
Prechae Rodriguez
Prechae Rodriguez is a Canadian football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He was originally signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
was recovered by Charlie Peprah
Charlie Peprah
Charles Yaw "Charlie" Peprah is an American football safety for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the 5th round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, Alabama scored their first points on the ensuing drive when Tim Castille
Tim Castille
Timothy Nehemiah Castille is an American football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Alabama.-Arizona Cardinals:Castille was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as...
scored on a one-yard touchdown run to make the score 21–7. Auburn responded later in the second quarter with a five-yard Cox touchdown pass to Cole Bennett to give the Tigers a 28–7 lead at halftime.
The Crimson Tide scored on their first possession of the second half on a 43-yard Jamie Christensen field goal. After Auburn was able to get a defensive stand late in the fourth to ice the game, Alabama did score a late touchdown on a one-yard John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson
John Parker Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. college football at the University of Alabama, he went undrafted during the 2009 NFL Draft, before signing with the Falcons as a free agent.-Freshman:After leading Hoover High School to...
touchdown run. A successful two-point conversion
Two-point conversion
In American and Canadian football, a two-point conversion is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point convert immediately after it scores a touchdown...
pass from Wilson to D. J. Hall
D. J. Hall
Martinez D. Hall is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Alabama.-Early years:Hall attended Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton...
made the final score 28–18. The Tigers' victory marked their fourth straight over the Crimson Tide.
Texas Tech
Sources:On December 4 officials from the Cotton Bowl announced their 2006 contest would feature the Crimson Tide competing against the Texas Tech
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
Red Raiders
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
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...
. In a game that featured the nation's number one passing offense of Texas Tech against the nation's number one scoring defense of Alabama, the Crimson Tide won 13–10. Alabama scored their only touchdown of the game on just their second offensive play when Brodie Croyle
Brodie Croyle
John Brodie Croyle is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Alabama from 2002 to 2005...
threw a 76-yard touchdown pass to Keith Brown for a 7–0 lead. The Red Raiders responded later in the quarter with a 34-yard Alex Trlica
Alex Trlica
Alex Trlica was a kicker for the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team.As of January 9, 2007, Trlica held the NCAA record for successful point after tries. During his college career, he made 233 consecutive PATs without a miss...
field goal to cut the lead to 7–3. A scoreless second quarter saw the only scoring opportunities coming on a trio of failed field goal attempts. Alabama's Jamie Christensen missed a 39-yard field goal and the second blocked by Chris Hudler and recovered by Dwayne Slay
Dwayne Slay
Dwayne Slay is a football safety who played collegiate football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Later he also played professionally in the NFL for the Chicago Bears and for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL....
. The Red Raiders' Trlica had a 37-yard field goal blocked by Mark Anderson as time expired to give Alabama the 7–3 halftime lead.
Christensen extended the Alabama lead to 10–3 early in the third quarter with his 31-yard field goal. Texas Tech then tied the game up at 10–10 late in the fourth quarter after Cody Hodges
Cody Hodges
Cody Hodges is a philanthropist, motivational speaker, and former professional American football player, playing in the National Football League, Arena Football League. Hodges is best known for his one season as the starting quarterback for the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2005 season. He led...
threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett Hicks
Jarrett Hicks
Jarrett Hicks is an American football player.-Career:Collegiately, Hicks was a wide receiver for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Out of college, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers of the NFL...
. The Crimson Tide responded on the following drive with Christensen kicking the game-winning field goal from 45-yards out as time expired to give Alabama the 13–10 victory.
Rankings
Awards
Following the SEC Championship Game, the conference named its award winners. DeMeco Ryans was named by the coaches' as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Kenneth Darby, Roman Harper and Ryans were named to the Coaches' All-SEC First Team. Mark Anderson, Tyrone Prothro and Freddie Roach were named to the Coaches' All-SEC Second Team. Antoine Caldwell, B. J. Stabler, Nick Walker and Bobby Greenwood were named to the 2005 Freshman All-SEC Team. In addition to his conference awards, Ryans was also named to the 2005 College Football All-America Team2005 College Football All-America Team
The 2005 College Football All-America Team is composed of the following All-American Teams: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Weekly, ESPN, CBS Sports, College...
by AFCA and the Associated Press. He also won the Lott Trophy
Lott Trophy
The Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. IMPACT is an acronym for: integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. The award purports to equally recognize the personal character of the winning player as well as...
for 2005 season.