1998 Alabama Crimson Tide football
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Record7–5 (4–4 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorNeil Callaway (1st year as OC 2nd overall)
Co-offensive coordinatorCharlie Stubbs (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorEllis Johnson (2nd season)
Captain
5
  • Calvin Hall
  • John David Phillips
  • Daniel Pope
  • Kelvin Sigler
  • Trevis Smith
Home stadiumBryant–Denny Stadium
(Capacity: 83,818)
Legion Field
(Capacity: 83,091)
1998 Southeastern Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Eastern Division
No. 1 Tennessee x$#  8 –0   13 –0  
No. 5 Florida  %  7 –1   10 –2  
No. 14 Georgia  6 –2   9 –3  
Kentucky  4 –4   7 –5  
Vanderbilt  1 –7   2 –9  
South Carolina  0 –8   1 –10  
Western Division
Mississippi State xy  6 –2   8 –5  
No. 16 Arkansas x  6 –2   9 –3  
Alabama  4 –4   7 –5  
Ole Miss  3 –5   7 –5  
LSU  2 –6   4 –7  
Auburn  1 –7   3 –8  
Championship: Tennessee 24, Mississippi State 14
  • # – BCS National Champion
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1998 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the college football season of 1998–99. The team's head coach was Mike DuBose, who was entering his second year at Alabama. They played their home games at both Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama and competed in the West Division of the Southeastern Conference. They improved upon a 4–7 record from the 1997 season by finishing the 1998 campaign with a 7–5 record and an appearance in the Music City Bowl. The win against Ole Miss during the season marked Alabama's first ever overtime victory.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 56:00 p.m.BYU*
ESPNW 38–3183,818[1]
September 1211:30 a.m.Vanderbilt
JPSW 32–783,091[2]
September 265:00 p.m.at ArkansasNo. 22
ESPN2L 6–4251,763[3]
October 311:30 a.m.No. 8 Florida
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
JPSL 10–1683,818[4]
October 102:00 p.m.Ole Missdagger
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
PPVW 20–17 OT83,818[5]
October 172:00 p.m.East Carolina*
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL
PPVW 23–2280,079[6]
October 242:30 p.m.at No. 3 Tennessee
CBSL 18–35107,289[7]
October 312:00 p.m.Southern Miss*
  • Bryant–Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
PPVW 30–2083,818[8]
November 72:30 p.m.at LSU
CBSW 22–1680,522[9]
November 1411:30 a.m.at Mississippi State
JPSL 14–2640,517[10]
November 216:30 p.m.Auburn
ESPNW 31–1783,091[11]
December 294:00 p.m.vs. Virginia Tech*
ESPNL 7–3841,600[12]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[13]

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRVRV2422————————————
Coaches PollRVRV2222————————————
BCSNot released———————Not released

Coaching staff

Name Position Consecutive seasons at Alabama
Mike DuboseHead coach2nd
Neil CallawayOffensive coordinator/Offensive line coach2nd
Ronnie CottrellAssistant head coach/Tight end1st
Charlie StubbsQuarterback coach1st
Dabo SwinneyWide receivers coach6th
Ivy WilliamsRunning backs coach4th
Ellis JohnsonDefensive coordinator/Outside linebackers coach2nd
Charlie HarbisonCornerbacks coach1st
Jeff RouzieSpecial teams coordinator/Inside linebackers coach8th
Jackie ShippDefensive line coach1st
Reference:[14]

Game summaries

BYU

1 2 3 4 Total
Cougars 0 14 10 7 31
Crimson Tide 14 10 0 14 38

The Crimson Tide debut a new east side upper deck and 81 new sky boxes in Bryant-Denny Stadium which set the attendance mark to 83,818. This record-breaking crowd watched as Shaun Alexander scored five touchdowns as the Crimson Tide held on to beat BYU.

StatisticsBYUAlabama
First downs2525
Total yards280339
Rushing yards98143
Passing yards182196
Turnovers32
Time of possession30:1929:41
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
BYUPassingKevin Feterik19–30, 182 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingWill Snowden4 carries, 27 yards
ReceivingMargin Hooks4 receptions, 65 yards
AlabamaPassingJohn David Phillips17–29, 188 yards
RushingShaun Alexander26 carries, 115 yards, 5 TD's
ReceivingQuincy Jackson11 receptions, 104 yards

Vanderbilt

1 2 3 4 Total
Commodores 7 0 0 0 7
Crimson Tide 7 7 11 7 32

Alabama would score 32 unanswered points after Vanderbilt took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter to win its first conference game of the year. The Alabama defense held Vanderbilt to -33 rushing yards and forced three interceptions. The Alabama offense was led by Shaun Alexander who rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns.

StatisticsVanderbiltAlabama
First downs1316
Total yards145400
Rushing yards–33221
Passing yards178179
Turnovers31
Time of possession25:3136:08
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
VanderbiltPassingDavid Wallace18–40, 167 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's
RushingJared McGrath7 carries, 16 yards
ReceivingTavarus Hogans5 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD
AlabamaPassingJohn David Phillips19–30, 179 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingShaun Alexander20 carries, 206 yards, 3 TD's
ReceivingMichael Vaughn8 receptions, 73 yards

Arkansas

1 2 3 4 Total
#22 Crimson Tide 3 3 0 0 6
Razorbacks 0 14 7 21 42

Despite only trailing by eight at the half, Alabama would be shut out in the second half and lose by 36 points. This would be the largest margin of defeat since the 1957 Iron Bowl.

StatisticsAlabamaArkansas
First downs726
Total yards152445
Rushing yards104206
Passing yards48239
Turnovers13
Time of possession31:0928:51
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingJohn David Phillips9–21, 48 yards, 1 INT
RushingShaun Alexander21 carries, 48 yards
ReceivingMichael Vaughn & Quincy Jackson2 receptions, 13 yards
ArkansasPassingClint Stoerner13–29, 239 yards, 3 TD's
RushingMadre Hill20 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingMichael Snowden3 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TD's

Florida

1 2 3 4 Total
#8 Gators 6 7 3 0 16
Crimson Tide 3 0 7 0 10

Despite being outgained by over 200 yards, Alabama had an opportunity driving at the end of the game to try to win, but a late interception by Andrew Zow gave Florida the win. Florida had 6 possessions inside the Alabama 12 yard line 3 resulting in turnovers, 3 resulting in field goals that kept Alabama in the game.

StatisticsFloridaAlabama
First downs2311
Total yards467240
Rushing yards11141
Passing yards356199
Turnovers32
Time of possession33:3826:22
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
FloridaPassingDoug Johnson10–20, 187 yards, 1 INT
RushingTerry Jackson25 carries, 135 yards
ReceivingTravis McGriff9 receptions, 213 yards, 1 TD
AlabamaPassingAndrew Zow12–26, 185 yards, 1 INT
RushingShaun Alexander16 carries, 57 yards
ReceivingCalvin Hall5 receptions, 84 yards

Ole Miss

1 2 3 4OT Total
Rebels 0 7 7 30 17
Crimson Tide 3 7 0 73 20

A 22-yard game-winning field goal by Ryan Pflugner in overtime gave the Crimson Tide its first overtime victory in its second try. The Rebels, who tied it late in the 4th quarter with a field goal to force overtime, threw an interception on their first possession which put Alabama in a score and win scenario.

StatisticsOle MissAlabama
First downs2618
Total yards471434
Rushing yards221162
Passing yards250272
Turnovers12
Time of possession34:4225:18
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ole MissPassingRomaro Miller22–36, 230 yards 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingDeuce McAllister24 carries, 188 yards
ReceivingCory Peterson6 receptions, 60 yards
AlabamaPassingAndrew Zow15–30, 272 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingShaun Alexander22 carries, 125 yards
ReceivingShaun Alexander3 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD

East Carolina

1 2 3 4 Total
Pirates 0 0 19 3 22
Crimson Tide 14 7 2 0 23

Despite having a 21–0 lead at the half, a blocked extra point ran back for two points in the third quarter was the difference in the second half for Alabama. East Carolina outscored Alabama 22–2 in the second half but, never could take the lead away from Alabama.

StatisticsEast CarolinaAlabama
First downs1420
Total yards258331
Rushing yards8496
Passing yards174235
Turnovers13
Time of possession25:4334:17
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
East CarolinaPassingDavid Garrard14–25, 139 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingDavid Garrard16 carries, 34 yards
ReceivingMarcellus Harris3 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD
AlabamaPassingAndrew Zow21–39, 235 yards, 2 TD's, 2 INT's
RushingShaun Alexander22 carries, 86 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingQuincy Jackson5 receptions, 66 yards

Tennessee

1 2 3 4 Total
Crimson Tide 3 0 8 7 18
#3 Volunteers 7 7 7 14 35

Tennessee for the 4th year in a row beat Alabama in what was a close game up until Peerless Price ran a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown after the Crimson Tide had cut the lead to three. Alabama would not get closer than the ten point lead after that.

StatisticsAlabamaTennessee
First downs2122
Total yards319348
Rushing yards142231
Passing yards177117
Turnovers10
Time of possession30:1629:44
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingAndrew Zow18–39, 177 yards 1 INT
RushingShaun Alexander26 carries, 132 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingQuincy Jackson4 receptions, 35 yards
TennesseePassingTee Martin10–14, 117 yards
RushingTravis Henry22 carries, 113 yards, 2 TD's
ReceivingCedrick Wilson6 receptions, 76 yards

Southern Miss

1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Eagles 7 3 7 3 20
Crimson Tide 3 17 7 3 30

Behind a career-high 361 yards passing from Andrew Zow, the Crimson Tide amassed 499 yards of offense as they beat Southern Miss in their final game at Bryant-Denny Stadium this season.

StatisticsSouthern MissAlabama
First downs1628
Total yards388499
Rushing yards64138
Passing yards324361
Turnovers10
Time of possession23:1736:43
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern MissPassingLee Roberts17–34, 281 yards 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingDerrick Nix18 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingSherrod Gideon7 receptions, 192 yards, 1 TD
AlabamaPassingAndrew Zow26–35, 361 yards, 3 TD's
RushingShaun Alexander36 carries, 141 yards
ReceivingMichael Vaughn4 receptions, 96 yards, 3 TD's

LSU

1 2 3 4 Total
Crimson Tide 0 0 7 15 22
Tigers 0 6 10 0 16

The Crimson Tide trailed 16–7 with less than 3 minutes to go in the game when they were able to score a touchdown with 2:24 left making the score 16–14. Alabama would recover an onside kick and drive down the field and with 38 seconds to go in the game Andrew Zow hit Michael Vaughn on a deflected pass in the end zone and with the two point conversion Alabama led 22–16. An interception by Marcus Spencer would seal one of the greatest comebacks in Alabama History. This game was also the first time both teams came into the game not ranked since 1990.

StatisticsAlabamaLSU
First downs1727
Total yards369486
Rushing yards85272
Passing yards284214
Turnovers02
Time of possession27:3132:29
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingAndrew Zow17–27, 284 yards, 3 TD's
RushingShaun Alexander22 carries, 109 yards
ReceivingQuincy Jackson4 receptions, 138 yards, 2 TD's
LSUPassingHerb Tyler21–31, 214 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's
RushingKevin Faulk30 carries, 201 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingLarry Foster7 receptions, 81 yards

Mississippi State

1 2 3 4 Total
Crimson Tide 0 0 14 0 14
Bulldogs 0 17 3 6 26

J.J. Johnson broke a Mississippi State school record for rushing yards in a game at 237 as Mississippi State would win its third straight meeting over Alabama. Despite a 20–0 deficit in the third quarter, Alabama rallied to cut the lead to six but that was as close as they could get.

StatisticsAlabamaMississippi State
First downs1922
Total yards295456
Rushing yards39264
Passing yards256192
Turnovers21
Time of possession26:5733:03
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlabamaPassingAndrew Zow16–32, 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingShaun Alexander20 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingShaun Alexander5 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD
Mississippi StatePassingWayne Madkin10–17, 192 yards
RushingJ.J. Johnson36 carries, 237 yards, 2 TD's
ReceivingJ.J. Johnson3 receptions, 75 yards

Auburn

1 2 3 4 Total
Tigers 10 7 0 0 17
Crimson Tide 0 14 7 10 31

Despite trailing 17–0 in the second quarter, Alabama would score the final 31 points of the game to win the Iron Bowl. Four turnovers for Auburn helped the Crimson Tide get back and eventually pull away from Auburn. This would be the last Iron Bowl ever to be played at Legion Field in Birmingham.

StatisticsAuburnAlabama
First downs1817
Total yards308329
Rushing yards100101
Passing yards228208
Turnovers42
Time of possession27:2732:33
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AuburnPassingGabe Gross14–34, 208 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's
RushingDemontray Carter22 carries, 102 yards
ReceivingClifton Robinson4 receptions, 92 yards
AlabamaPassingAndrew Zow16–23, 191 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingShaun Alexander27 carries, 109 yards, 2 TD's
ReceivingQuincy Jackson3 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD

Virginia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total
Hokies 7 3 14 14 38
Crimson Tide 0 7 0 0 7

The first ever Music City Bowl had an exciting first half with Alabama trailing Virginia Tech 10–7 at the half. The second half was all Virginia Tech as they would outscore the Crimson Tide 28–0 to beat Alabama. The lose would end the Crimson Tide season at 7–5.

StatisticsVirginia TechAlabama
First downs1415
Total yards278274
Rushing yards20750
Passing yards71224
Turnovers14
Time of possession25:5134:09
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Virginia TechPassingAl Clark7–14, 71 yards, 1 INT
RushingAl Clark9 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingRicky Hall1 reception, 20 yards
AlabamaPassingAndrew Zow19–35, 224 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT's
RushingShaun Alexander21 carries, 68 yards
ReceivingShaun Alexander8 receptions, 87 yards

References

  1. ↑ "Cougars get steam-rolled by speedy Crimson Tide". The Salt Lake Tribune. September 6, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "Sacked again - Even early touchdown can't jumpstart Vandy". The Tennessean. September 13, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Tide hog-tied, 42–6". The Anniston Star. September 27, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Road warriors". The Orlando Sentinel. October 4, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Rebels stub toe in OT". The Clarion-Ledger. October 11, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Tide turns on Pirates' kicking blunders". The News and Observer. October 18, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Rolled tide". The Jackson Sun. October 25, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Bama hurts Eagles again". Hattiesburg American. November 1, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Heartache valley". The Daily Advertiser. November 8, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Deja vu: Dogs need 2 more wins all over again". The Clarion-Ledger. November 15, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Tidal wave - Alabama digs out of 2-TD hole". The Montgomery Advertiser. November 22, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Tide rolled over - Virginia Tech on top early in easy win". The Tennessean. December 30, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "1998 Alabama football archives". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  14. ↑ 1998 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide, p. 2
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