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 Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time
[ 2]
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 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
