The early-season victory over Southern Miss came in dramatic fashion, as Alabama completed a 36-yard pass on 4th down for a go-ahead touchdown with under 30 seconds left in the game. The three games Alabama lost were also particularly noteworthy. The game against Arkansas featured a last-minute 4th-and-goal touchdown pass by Arkansas, giving them the win; however, replays later showed the ball was clearly not caught. This call, along with a missed twelve-men-on-the-field penalty on Arkansas' final drive led to the suspension of the officiating crew the following week. The 41–14 blowout loss to Tennessee marked the Vols first win over the Tide since 1985, ending Alabama's 9-game unbeaten streak. The season-ending loss at Auburn also featured a questionable last-minute call regarding a pass. Alabama QB Freddie Kitchens had apparently hit Curtis Brown for a late go-ahead touchdown, but officials ruled Brown out of bounds.
Despite five turnovers, Alabama was able to use a 23 point 4th quarter to survive a scare against Vanderbilt.
Statistics
Alabama
Vanderbilt
First downs
19
10
Total yards
372
208
Rushing yards
125
112
Passing yards
247
96
Turnovers
5
6
Time of possession
35:35
24:25
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Alabama
Passing
Brian Burgdorf
17–30, 198 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT's
Rushing
Dennis Riddle
29 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Toderick Malone
4 receptions, 66 yards, 1 TD
Vanderbilt
Passing
Damian Allen
8–23, 87 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT's
Rushing
Jermaine Johnson
16 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Sanford Ware
3 receptions, 50 yards
Southern Miss
1
2
3
4
Total
Golden Eagles
10
7
0
3
20
#13 Crimson Tide
0
3
14
7
24
For the second week in a row, Alabama would have to use a 4th quarter comeback to prevent an upset. Down 20–17 and facing a 4th and 16, Brian Burgdorf threw a 35 yard touchdown pass to Toderick Malone to give Alabama their first lead and the eventual win.
Statistics
Southern Miss
Alabama
First downs
14
18
Total yards
259
349
Rushing yards
101
84
Passing yards
158
265
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
30:09
29:51
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Southern Miss
Passing
Heath Graham
15–28, 158 yards 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Eric Booth
9 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Ryan Pearson
4 receptions, 52 yards
Alabama
Passing
Brian Burgdorf
19–27, 265 yards, 3 TD's
Rushing
Dennis Riddle
14 carries, 44 yards
Receiving
Toderick Malone
5 receptions, 131 yards, 1 TD
Arkansas
1
2
3
4
Total
Razorbacks
10
0
3
7
20
#13 Crimson Tide
3
14
2
0
19
Despite holding a 9 point lead in the third quarter, Alabama could not hold on and would lose to Arkansas for the first time ever in school history.
Bama defensive lineman Shannon Brown blocked a Georgia 27-yard field goal attempt. Deshea Townsend caught the ball and ran 90 yards for a touchdown. Defensive back Cedric Samuel returned a fumble 25 yards for a touchdown. DB Kevin Jackson took an interception back 36 yards for another score. UGA quarterback Hines Ward completed one pass and threw an interception before being replaced.[14]
For the first time since 1985, Tennessee would beat Alabama. The lose of 27 points was the largest margin of defeat at Legion Field since Tennessee replicated that score in 1969.
The Alabama defense scored the first nine points of this game. Dwayne Rudd sacked the Ole Miss quarterback who fumbled the ball out of the back end zone for a safety. Later in the first quarter, linebacker Ralph Staten would return an interception 61 yards for a touchdown.
Statistics
Alabama
Ole Miss
First downs
12
18
Total yards
239
304
Rushing yards
82
83
Passing yards
157
221
Turnovers
0
2
Time of possession
24:33
35:27
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Alabama
Passing
Brian Burgdorf
13–24, 157 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Dennis Riddle
15 carries, 53 yards
Receiving
Toderick Malone
4 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD
Ole Miss
Passing
Josh Nelson
19–38, 163 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Dou Innocent
20 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Dou Innocent
6 receptions, 68 yards
North Texas
1
2
3
4
Total
Mean Green
0
7
6
6
19
#18 Crimson Tide
0
10
14
14
38
After sleep walking through the first half, Alabama would use 28 points in the second half to pull away and win their 20th straight non conference game.
Statistics
North Texas
Alabama
First downs
9
20
Total yards
274
465
Rushing yards
14
219
Passing yards
260
246
Turnovers
4
4
Time of possession
24:03
35:57
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
North Texas
Passing
Josh Gulley
19–37, 183 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's
Rushing
Jason Mills
2 carries, 10 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Troy Redwine
5 receptions, 128 yards, 1 TD
Alabama
Passing
Brian Burgdorf
10–13, 136 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Brian Steger
19 carries, 97 yards
Receiving
Toderick Malone
4 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD
LSU
1
2
3
4
Total
Tigers
0
3
0
0
3
#16 Crimson Tide
0
3
0
7
10
Early in the fourth quarter, Deshea Townsend intercepted a Jamie Howard pass and returned it 17 yards to the LSU 21-yard line. A few plays later, Dennis Riddle would convert a 2-yard touchdown run that proved to be the difference in Alabama's 10-3 win.
Freddie Kitchens would make his first start for Alabama at quarterback as the tide would use defense and good clock management to beat Mississippi State.
Despite gaining a season high 478 yards of offense and a valiant comeback effort in the second half, Alabama could not score enough points to beat Auburn.