American college football season
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 [ edit ]
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance Source September 5 6:00 p.m. BYU * ESPN W 38–3183,818 [1]
September 12 11:30 a.m. Vanderbilt JPS W 32–783,091 [2]
September 26 5:00 p.m. at Arkansas No. 22 ESPN2 L 6–4251,763 [3]
October 3 11:30 a.m. No. 8 Florida Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry ) JPS L 10–1683,818 [4]
October 10 2:00 p.m. Ole Miss Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry ) PPV W 20–17 OT 83,818 [5]
October 17 2:00 p.m. East Carolina * Legion Field Birmingham, AL PPV W 23–2280,079 [6]
October 24 2:30 p.m. at No. 3 Tennessee CBS L 18–35107,289 [7]
October 31 2:00 p.m. Southern Miss * Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry) PPV W 30–2083,818 [8]
November 7 2:30 p.m. at LSU CBS W 22–1680,522 [9]
November 14 11:30 a.m. at Mississippi State JPS L 14–2640,517 [10]
November 21 6:30 p.m. Auburn ESPN W 31–1783,091 [11]
4:00 p.m. vs. Virginia Tech * ESPN L 7–3841,600 [12]
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time
[13]
Rankings [ edit ]
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final AP RV RV 24 22 — — — — — — — — — — — — Coaches Poll RV RV 22 22 — — — — — — — — — — — — BCS Not released — — — — — — — Not released
Game summaries [ edit ]
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.
Statistics
BYU
Alabama
First downs
25
25
Total yards
280
339
Rushing yards
98
143
Passing yards
182
196
Turnovers
3
2
Time of possession
30:19
29:41
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
BYU
Passing
Kevin Feterik
19–30, 182 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Will Snowden
4 carries, 27 yards
Receiving
Margin Hooks
4 receptions, 65 yards
Alabama
Passing
John David Phillips
17–29, 188 yards
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
26 carries, 115 yards, 5 TD's
Receiving
Quincy Jackson
11 receptions, 104 yards
Vanderbilt [ edit ]
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.
Statistics
Vanderbilt
Alabama
First downs
13
16
Total yards
145
400
Rushing yards
–33
221
Passing yards
178
179
Turnovers
3
1
Time of possession
25:31
36:08
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Vanderbilt
Passing
David Wallace
18–40, 167 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's
Rushing
Jared McGrath
7 carries, 16 yards
Receiving
Tavarus Hogans
5 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD
Alabama
Passing
John David Phillips
19–30, 179 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
20 carries, 206 yards, 3 TD's
Receiving
Michael Vaughn
8 receptions, 73 yards
Arkansas [ edit ]
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 .
Statistics
Alabama
Arkansas
First downs
7
26
Total yards
152
445
Rushing yards
104
206
Passing yards
48
239
Turnovers
1
3
Time of possession
31:09
28:51
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Alabama
Passing
John David Phillips
9–21, 48 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
21 carries, 48 yards
Receiving
Michael Vaughn & Quincy Jackson
2 receptions, 13 yards
Arkansas
Passing
Clint Stoerner
13–29, 239 yards, 3 TD's
Rushing
Madre Hill
20 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Michael Snowden
3 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TD's
Florida [ edit ]
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.
Statistics
Florida
Alabama
First downs
23
11
Total yards
467
240
Rushing yards
111
41
Passing yards
356
199
Turnovers
3
2
Time of possession
33:38
26:22
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Florida
Passing
Doug Johnson
10–20, 187 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Terry Jackson
25 carries, 135 yards
Receiving
Travis McGriff
9 receptions, 213 yards, 1 TD
Alabama
Passing
Andrew Zow
12–26, 185 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
16 carries, 57 yards
Receiving
Calvin Hall
5 receptions, 84 yards
Ole Miss [ edit ]
1
2
3
4 OT
Total
Rebels
0
7
7
3 0
17
Crimson Tide
3
7
0
7 3
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.
Statistics
Ole Miss
Alabama
First downs
26
18
Total yards
471
434
Rushing yards
221
162
Passing yards
250
272
Turnovers
1
2
Time of possession
34:42
25:18
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Ole Miss
Passing
Romaro Miller
22–36, 230 yards 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Deuce McAllister
24 carries, 188 yards
Receiving
Cory Peterson
6 receptions, 60 yards
Alabama
Passing
Andrew Zow
15–30, 272 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
22 carries, 125 yards
Receiving
Shaun Alexander
3 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD
East Carolina [ edit ]
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.
Statistics
East Carolina
Alabama
First downs
14
20
Total yards
258
331
Rushing yards
84
96
Passing yards
174
235
Turnovers
1
3
Time of possession
25:43
34:17
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
East Carolina
Passing
David Garrard
14–25, 139 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
David Garrard
16 carries, 34 yards
Receiving
Marcellus Harris
3 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD
Alabama
Passing
Andrew Zow
21–39, 235 yards, 2 TD's, 2 INT's
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
22 carries, 86 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Quincy Jackson
5 receptions, 66 yards
Tennessee [ edit ]
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.
Statistics
Alabama
Tennessee
First downs
21
22
Total yards
319
348
Rushing yards
142
231
Passing yards
177
117
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
30:16
29:44
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Alabama
Passing
Andrew Zow
18–39, 177 yards 1 INT
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
26 carries, 132 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Quincy Jackson
4 receptions, 35 yards
Tennessee
Passing
Tee Martin
10–14, 117 yards
Rushing
Travis Henry
22 carries, 113 yards, 2 TD's
Receiving
Cedrick Wilson
6 receptions, 76 yards
Southern Miss [ edit ]
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.
Statistics
Southern Miss
Alabama
First downs
16
28
Total yards
388
499
Rushing yards
64
138
Passing yards
324
361
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
23:17
36:43
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Southern Miss
Passing
Lee Roberts
17–34, 281 yards 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Derrick Nix
18 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Sherrod Gideon
7 receptions, 192 yards, 1 TD
Alabama
Passing
Andrew Zow
26–35, 361 yards, 3 TD's
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
36 carries, 141 yards
Receiving
Michael Vaughn
4 receptions, 96 yards, 3 TD's
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.
Statistics
Alabama
LSU
First downs
17
27
Total yards
369
486
Rushing yards
85
272
Passing yards
284
214
Turnovers
0
2
Time of possession
27:31
32:29
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Alabama
Passing
Andrew Zow
17–27, 284 yards, 3 TD's
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
22 carries, 109 yards
Receiving
Quincy Jackson
4 receptions, 138 yards, 2 TD's
LSU
Passing
Herb Tyler
21–31, 214 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's
Rushing
Kevin Faulk
30 carries, 201 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Larry Foster
7 receptions, 81 yards
Mississippi State [ edit ]
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.
Statistics
Alabama
Mississippi State
First downs
19
22
Total yards
295
456
Rushing yards
39
264
Passing yards
256
192
Turnovers
2
1
Time of possession
26:57
33:03
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Alabama
Passing
Andrew Zow
16–32, 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
20 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Shaun Alexander
5 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD
Mississippi State
Passing
Wayne Madkin
10–17, 192 yards
Rushing
J.J. Johnson
36 carries, 237 yards, 2 TD's
Receiving
J.J. Johnson
3 receptions, 75 yards
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.
Statistics
Auburn
Alabama
First downs
18
17
Total yards
308
329
Rushing yards
100
101
Passing yards
228
208
Turnovers
4
2
Time of possession
27:27
32:33
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Auburn
Passing
Gabe Gross
14–34, 208 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's
Rushing
Demontray Carter
22 carries, 102 yards
Receiving
Clifton Robinson
4 receptions, 92 yards
Alabama
Passing
Andrew Zow
16–23, 191 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
27 carries, 109 yards, 2 TD's
Receiving
Quincy Jackson
3 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD
Virginia Tech [ edit ]
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.
Statistics
Virginia Tech
Alabama
First downs
14
15
Total yards
278
274
Rushing yards
207
50
Passing yards
71
224
Turnovers
1
4
Time of possession
25:51
34:09
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Virginia Tech
Passing
Al Clark
7–14, 71 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Al Clark
9 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Ricky Hall
1 reception, 20 yards
Alabama
Passing
Andrew Zow
19–35, 224 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT's
Rushing
Shaun Alexander
21 carries, 68 yards
Receiving
Shaun Alexander
8 receptions, 87 yards
Coaching staff [ edit ]
References [ edit ]
^ "Cougars get steam-rolled by speedy Crimson Tide" . The Salt Lake Tribune . September 6, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Sacked again - Even early touchdown can't jumpstart Vandy" . The Tennessean . September 13, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Tide hog-tied, 42–6" . The Anniston Star . September 27, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Road warriors" . The Orlando Sentinel . October 4, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Rebels stub toe in OT" . The Clarion-Ledger . October 11, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Tide turns on Pirates' kicking blunders" . The News and Observer . October 18, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Rolled tide" . The Jackson Sun . October 25, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Bama hurts Eagles again" . Hattiesburg American . November 1, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Heartache valley" . The Daily Advertiser . November 8, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Deja vu: Dogs need 2 more wins all over again" . The Clarion-Ledger . November 15, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Tidal wave - Alabama digs out of 2-TD hole" . The Montgomery Advertiser . November 22, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Tide rolled over - Virginia Tech on top early in easy win" . The Tennessean . December 30, 1998. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "1998 Alabama football archives" . RollTide.com . University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved February 20, 2021 .
^ 1998 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide , p. 2
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