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2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

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2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Ranking
APNo. 11
Record10–3 (6–2 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorLes Koenning (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorCarl Torbush (2nd season)
Captain
6
  • Jarret Johnson
  • Kenny King
  • Kindal Moorehead
  • Tyler Watts
  • Ahmaad Galloway
  • Lane Bearden
Home stadiumBryant–Denny Stadium
Legion Field
Seasons
← 2001
2003 →
2002 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Eastern Division
No. 3 Georgia x$   7 1     13 1  
Florida   6 2     8 5  
Tennessee   5 3     8 5  
Kentucky   3 5     7 5  
South Carolina   3 5     5 7  
Vanderbilt   0 8     2 10  
Western Division
Arkansas xy   5 3     9 5  
No. 14 Auburn x   5 3     9 4  
LSU x   5 3     8 5  
Ole Miss   3 5     7 6  
Mississippi State   0 8     3 9  
No. 11 ^Alabama   6 2     10 3  
Championship: Georgia 30, Arkansas 3
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • ^ – Alabama had the best division record, but did not participate in postseason play due to NCAA probation.
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA", "Bama" or "The Tide") represented the University of Alabama in the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 108th overall season, 70th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and its 11th within the SEC Western Division. The team was led by head coach Dennis Franchione, in his second year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of 10–3 (6–2 in the SEC) to finish in first place in the SEC West; however, the team was ineligible to compete in the 2002 SEC Championship Game or a bowl game due to a two-year postseason ban imposed as part of the penalty for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) violations.

The team was led by second-year head coach Dennis Franchione. The team began the season with a 4–1 record, only losing a very close game to then #8 ranked Oklahoma. On October 5, the Crimson Tide lost another hard-fought game to the #4 Georgia 27–25 at home. The team would then defeat their next five opponents by an average of 24.4 points. In the 2002 Iron Bowl, the team was defeated by the Auburn Tigers by a score of 17–7. The team would end their season by defeating Hawaii. Though the team finished at 10–3 (6–2) and atop the SEC West standings, they were ineligible to play in the postseason due to receiving NCAA sanctions in 2001.

On December 5, Franchione left Alabama to take a head coaching job at Texas A&M University. which was left vacant by the firing of R. C. Slocum.[1]

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 3111:30 a.m.Middle Tennessee*JPSW 39–3480,091
September 72:30 p.m.at No. 2 Oklahoma*ABCL 27–3775,564
September 146:00 p.m.North Texas*PPVW 33–779,818
September 216:00 p.m.Southern Miss*
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL
ESPN2W 20–783,818
September 286:45 p.m.at ArkansasESPNW 30–1273,551
October 52:30 p.m.No. 7 GeorgiaNo. 22
CBSL 25–2783,818
October 192:30 p.m.No. 21 Ole MissdaggerNo. 24
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
CBSW 42–783,818
October 266:45 p.m.at No. 16 TennesseeNo. 19ESPNW 34–14107,722
November 21:00 p.m.at VanderbiltNo. 12PPVW 30–836,407
November 91:00 p.m.Mississippi StateNo. 11
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
PPVW 28–1483,818
November 168:00 p.m.at No. 14 LSUNo. 10ESPNW 31–092,012
November 232:30 p.m.AuburnNo. 9
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (Iron Bowl)
CBSL 7–1783,818
November 306:45 p.m.at Hawaii*No. 14ESPNW 21–1650,000
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[2]

Roster

[edit]
2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
QB 14 Tyler Watts Sr
C 51 Evan Mathis So
C 58 Alonzo Ephraim Sr
WR 80 Zach Fletcher Jr
WR 84 Triandos Luke Jr
QB 12 Brodie Croyle Fr
WR 19 Josh Averett So
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
LB 6 Derrick Pope Jr
LB 8 Freddie Roach Fr
SS 10 Carlos Andrews Jr
CB 41 Roman Harper Fr
DE 54 Kindal Moorehead Sr
DE 91 Chris Harris Fr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
PK 8 Gabe Giardina Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster

Coaching staff

[edit]
Name Position Consecutive seasons at Alabama
Dennis Franchione Head coach 2nd
Les Koenning Offensive coordinator/quarterback coach 2nd
Kenith Pope Assistant head coach/wide receivers coach 2nd
Jim Bob Helduser Offensive line coach 2nd
Mark Tommerdahl Special teams coordinator/tight end coach 2nd
Lee Fobbs Running backs coach 2nd
Carl Torbush Defensive coordinator/ Linebackers coach 2nd
Chris Thurmond Cornerbacks coach 2nd
Melvin Smith Safeties coach 1st
Stan Eggen Defensive line coach 2nd
Reference:[3]

Game summaries

[edit]

Middle Tennessee

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Middle Tennessee 0 11 3 20 34
Alabama 22 0 7 10 39

In the only game that Alabama would play at Legion Field in 2002, the Crimson Tide would score a season opening win for the first time since 1999.

Statistics MTSU Alabama
First downs 22 22
Total yards 385 430
Rushing yards 183 194
Passing yards 202 236
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 30:02 29:58
Team Category Player Statistics
MTSU Passing Andrico Hines 16–24, 165 yards, 1 INT
Rushing ReShard Lee 11 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Tyrone Calico 7 receptions, 75 yards
Alabama Passing Tyler Watts 16–22, 236 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Ahmaad Galloway 15 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Triandos Luke 9 receptions, 85 yards

Oklahoma

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Alabama 3 0 14 10 27
#3 Oklahoma 9 14 0 14 37

The first road game of the year for Alabama would prove to be one of the most exciting game of the year. Despite trailing 23-3 at halftime, Alabama roared back in the second half with 24 unanswered points to take a 27-23 lead late into the 4th quarter. Oklahoma however, scored the last 14 points to win 37-27.

Statistics Alabama Oklahoma
First downs 14 12
Total yards 288 283
Rushing yards 96 –23
Passing yards 192 306
Turnovers 3 1
Time of possession 36:44 23:16
Team Category Player Statistics
Alabama Passing Tyler Watts 16–32, 185 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Ahmaad Galloway 18 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Sam Collins 6 receptions, 82 yards
Oklahoma Passing Nate Hybl 16–30, 251 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Kejuan Jones 3 carries, 12 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Mark Clayton 4 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TD

North Texas

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
North Texas 0 7 0 0 7
Alabama 3 16 7 7 33

In the first game of the season at Bryant-Denny Stadium, The Crimson Tide would go over 500 yards of offense for the first time this season and win their first non-conference game at Bryant Denny Stadium since 1999. This game also was the first time since 1986 Alabama would not sellout their game at Bryant-Denny Stadium snapping a streak of 56 straight sellouts in Tuscaloosa.

Statistics North Texas Alabama
First downs 11 25
Total yards 131 534
Rushing yards 50 336
Passing yards 91 198
Turnovers 2 3
Time of possession 26:14 33:46
Team Category Player Statistics
North Texas Passing Andrew Smith 9–18, 70 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Patrick Cobbs 14 carries, 58 yards
Receiving George Marshall 6 receptions, 39 yards, 1 TD
Alabama Passing Tyler Watts 12–15, 161 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Shaud Williams 7 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Donald Clarke 3 receptions, 80 yards

Southern Miss

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Southern Miss 0 0 7 0 7
Alabama 7 7 0 6 20

For the second straight week, Alabama would hold their opponent to under 150 yards of total offense to win their third game of the season. This would be Ahmaad Galloway final game at Alabama as he would tear his ACL in the 4th quarter.

Statistics Southern Miss Alabama
First downs 8 20
Total yards 145 372
Rushing yards 35 351
Passing yards 110 21
Turnovers 5 3
Time of possession 20:49 39:11
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Miss Passing Micky D'Angelo 8–27, 110 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Derrick Nix 14 carries, 61 yards
Receiving Marvin Young 2 receptions, 35 yards
Alabama Passing Brodie Croyle 4–15, 15 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Shaud Williams 21 carries, 137 yards
Receiving Sam Collins 2 receptions, 10 yards

Arkansas

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Alabama 14 3 3 10 30
Arkansas 0 7 3 2 12

Shaud Williams would take the opening play 80 yards for a touchdown as the Crimson Tide beat Arkansas on the road for the first time since 1996.

Statistics Alabama Arkansas
First downs 18 13
Total yards 552 299
Rushing yards 267 172
Passing yards 285 127
Turnovers 1 2
Time of possession 33:46 26:14
Team Category Player Statistics
Alabama Passing Brodie Croyle 12–24, 285 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Santonio Beard 21 carries, 134 yards
Receiving Shaud Williams 2 receptions, 88 yards
Arkansas Passing Matt Jones 7–18, 127 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Cedric Cobbs 13 carries, 70 yards
Receiving George Wilson 3 receptions, 54 yards

Georgia

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
#7 Georgia 7 7 3 10 27
#22 Alabama 3 6 3 13 25

Georgia would use a Billy Bennett 32 yard field goal to beat Alabama in the first meeting between teams since 1995.

Statistics Georgia Alabama
First downs 22 16
Total yards 385 306
Rushing yards 194 133
Passing yards 224 197
Turnovers 3 2
Time of possession 30:16 29:44
Team Category Player Statistics
Georgia Passing David Greene 15–27, 224 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Musa Smith 21 carries, 126 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Terrence Edwards 5 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD
Alabama Passing Brodie Croyle 16–29, 197 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Ray Hudson 3 carries, 45 yards
Receiving Dre Fulgham 3 receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD

Ole Miss

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
#21 Ole Miss 7 0 0 0 7
#24 Alabama 14 7 7 14 42

Santonio Beard tied Shaun Alexander record of five rushing touchdowns in a game as Alabama dominated Ole Miss on Homecoming.

Statistics Ole Miss Alabama
First downs 15 18
Total yards 223 456
Rushing yards 53 265
Passing yards 219 222
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 31:25 28:35
Team Category Player Statistics
Ole Miss Passing Eli Manning 18–32, 219 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Robert Williams 8 carries, 23 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Chris Collins 3 receptions, 62 yards
Alabama Passing Brodie Croyle 6–11, 179 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Santonio Beard 13 carries, 138 yards, 5 TD
Receiving Dre Fulgham 3 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD

Tennessee

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
#19 Alabama 7 7 10 10 34
#16 Tennessee 0 7 7 0 14

For the first time since 1994, Alabama beat Tennessee snapping a seven year win streak that the Vols had. To date, this was the longest streak by any opponent over the Tide.

Statistics Alabama Tennessee
First downs 14 17
Total yards 300 222
Rushing yards 210 102
Passing yards 128 163
Turnovers 2 6
Time of possession 32:49 27:11
Team Category Player Statistics
Alabama Passing Brodie Croyle 5–7, 128 yards
Rushing Santonio Beard 16 carries, 65 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Zach Fletcher 1 reception, 56 yards
Tennessee Passing Casey Clausen 14–26, 161 yards, 3 INT
Rushing Jabari Davis 7 carries, 26 yards
Receiving Tony Brown 4 receptions, 40 yards

Vanderbilt

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
#12 Alabama 7 6 7 10 30
Vanderbilt 0 0 0 8 8

For the second year in a row, the Crimson Tide traveled to Vanderbilt and for the 18th straight time Alabama would beat Vanderbilt. This would be the last time Alabama would play Vanderbilt until 2006 snapping a 50 consecutive seasons streak of playing.

Statistics Alabama Vanderbilt
First downs 24 9
Total yards 428 162
Rushing yards 157 46
Passing yards 271 116
Turnovers 0 2
Time of possession 36:22 23:38
Team Category Player Statistics
Alabama Passing Tyler Watts 15–21, 176 yards
Rushing Tyler Watts 14 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Triandos Luke 9 reception, 102 yards
Vanderbilt Passing Jay Cutler 7–18, 116 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Kwane Doster 15 carries, 33 yards
Receiving Kwane Doster 2 receptions, 43 yards

Mississippi State

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Mississippi State 3 11 0 0 14
#11 Alabama 14 7 7 0 28

Alabama used their offense in the first half and their defense in the second half to preserve second straight win against the Bulldogs for the first time since 1994-95. This game was not televised making it the first Alabama game since 1995 not to be on live television.

Statistics Mississippi State Alabama
First downs 17 21
Total yards 246 409
Rushing yards 107 165
Passing yards 139 244
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 31:19 28:41
Team Category Player Statistics
Mississippi State Passing Kevin Fant 19–33, 127 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Jerious Norwood 9 carries, 58 yards
Receiving Justin Jenkins 4 receptions, 35 yards
Alabama Passing Tyler Watts 16–22, 223 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Santonio Beard 14 carries, 68 yards
Receiving Triandos Luke 7 receptions, 128 yards, 2 TD

LSU

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
#10 Alabama 0 14 0 17 31
#14 LSU 0 0 0 0 0

Alabama defense would record a shutout for the first time since 1997 as they defeated the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge.

Statistics Alabama LSU
First downs 27 14
Total yards 477 196
Rushing yards 300 131
Passing yards 177 65
Turnovers 1 2
Time of possession 34:36 25:24
Team Category Player Statistics
Alabama Passing Tyler Watts 11–20, 177 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Shaud Williams 16 carries, 131 yards
Receiving Sam Collins 5 reception, 115 yards
LSU Passing Marcus Randall 6–17, 39 yards
Rushing Marcus Randall 6 carries, 54 yards
Receiving Devery Henderson 3 receptions, 25 yards

Auburn

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
Auburn 14 3 0 0 17
#9 Alabama 0 0 7 0 7

Alabama would trail for the first time since the Georgia game earlier in the season as Auburn would upset Alabama to continue their undefeated mark in Iron Bowl's played in Tuscaloosa.

Statistics Auburn Alabama
First downs 14 17
Total yards 298 320
Rushing yards 129 111
Passing yards 169 209
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 29:43 30:17
Team Category Player Statistics
Auburn Passing Jason Campbell 10–18, 169 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Tre Smith 25 carries, 126 yards
Receiving Marcel Willis 3 receptions, 59 yards
Alabama Passing Tyler Watts 11–21, 126 yards
Rushing Shaud Williams 7 carries, 48 yards
Receiving Dre Fulgham 2 receptions, 58 yards

Hawaii

[edit]
1 2 3 4 Total
#14 Alabama 0 14 0 7 21
Hawaii 0 0 3 13 16

Alabama would clinch 10 wins for the first time since 1999 as Alabama beat Hawaii to end the season 10-3. This would be Dennis Franchione's last game as coach at Alabama; he left to be Texas A&M head coach on December 4, 2002.

Statistics Alabama Hawaii
First downs 18 21
Total yards 373 360
Rushing yards 280 –12
Passing yards 93 372
Turnovers 5 1
Time of possession 38:55 21:05
Team Category Player Statistics
Alabama Passing Tyler Watts 8–15, 81 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Shaud Williams 23 carries, 160 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Sam Collins 3 reception, 42 yards, 1 TD
Hawaii Passing Timmy Chang 26–53, 373 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT
Rushing Chad Kapanui 1 carry, 10 yards
Receiving Jeremiah Cockheran 9 receptions, 207 yards, 1 TD

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Franchione bolts Alabama for Texas A&M". CNN. Archived from the original on May 29, 2003. Retrieved February 10, 2008.
  2. ^ "All-time Football Results: 2002 Season". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  3. ^ 2002 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide, p. 2