American college football season
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]
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance August 31 11:30 a.m. Middle Tennessee * JPS W 39–3480,091 September 7 2:30 p.m. at No. 2 Oklahoma * ABC L 27–3775,564 September 14 6:00 p.m. North Texas * PPV W 33–779,818 September 21 6:00 p.m. Southern Miss * Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL ESPN2 W 20–783,818 September 28 6:45 p.m. at Arkansas ESPN W 30–1273,551 October 5 2:30 p.m. No. 7 Georgia No. 22 CBS L 25–2783,818 October 19 2:30 p.m. No. 21 Ole Miss No. 24 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry ) CBS W 42–783,818 October 26 6:45 p.m. at No. 16 Tennessee No. 19 ESPN W 34–14107,722 November 2 1:00 p.m. at Vanderbilt No. 12 PPV W 30–836,407 November 9 1:00 p.m. Mississippi State No. 11 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry ) PPV W 28–1483,818 November 16 8:00 p.m. at No. 14 LSU No. 10 ESPN W 31–092,012 November 23 2:30 p.m. Auburn No. 9 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (Iron Bowl ) CBS L 7–1783,818 November 30 6:45 p.m. at Hawaii * No. 14 ESPN W 21–1650,000 *Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time
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2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football team roster Players Coaches Offense Defense Special teams Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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