The 2000 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by Mike DuBose in his fourth and final season as head coach, the Crimson Tide compiled an overall record of 3–8 with a mark of 3–5 in conference play, tying for fifth place at the bottom of the SEC's Western Division standings. The team played home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
Despite a preseason No. 3 ranking Alabama finished with a losing record. The 2000 season was filled with several close losses. A 30–28 loss at LSU was the Tide's first loss in Baton Rouge in 31 years, ending a 14–0–1 streak Alabama had posted there since 1969. A 9–0 defeat at the hands of in-state rival Auburn came on a cold and rainy afternoon and marked the first Iron Bowl played in Tuscaloosa since 1901. For the first time since the 1956 season, Alabama failed to win any out-of-conference games and became the first team from an AQ conference to lose to UCF, falling 40–38 at home on a last-second field goal. On November 1, athletic director Mal Moore announced that DuBose would resign at the end of the season.
Schedule
Rankings
Game summaries UCLA
The Preseason hype at Alabama was through the roof as the reigning SEC Champions came into a match up against UCLA ranked third in the country. Despite that, Alabama was physically dominated by UCLA offense as they pulled off the upset. This game marked the first meeting between the two schools since the Liberty Bowl in the 1976 season.
Statistics AlabamaUCLA First downs 16 26 Total yards 265 396 Rushing yards 146 171 Passing yards 119 225 Turnovers 3 0 Time of possession 22:41 37:19 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Andrew Zow 8–23, 92 yards, 1 INT Rushing Jason McAddley 1 carry, 56 yards Receiving Freddie Milons 5 receptions, 49 yardsUCLA Passing Ryan McCann 14–24, 194 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing DeShaun Foster 42 carries, 187 yards, 3 TD's Receiving Freddie Mitchell 4 receptions, 91 yards, 1TD
Vanderbilt
Alabama used an 18-point fourth quarter to pull away and beat Vanderbilt for the 16th straight time. This would be the last conference game Alabama would play at Legion Field.
Statistics VanderbiltAlabama First downs 13 14 Total yards 257 349 Rushing yards 85 292 Passing yards 172 57 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 28:11 31:49 Team Category Player StatisticsVanderbilt Passing Greg Zolman 12–26, 172 yards Rushing Ray Perkins 8 carries, 45 yards Receiving Dan Stricker 5 receptions, 121 yardsAlabama Passing Tyler Watts 3–6, 37 yards Rushing Ahmaad Galloway 13 carries, 172 yards, 1 TD Receiving Sam Collins 1 reception, 22 yards
Southern Miss
Alabama would be shut out for the first time since 1997 as Southern Miss used a pick six and a scoop and score to beat Alabama at Legion Field for the first time since 1990. After the game, Mike Dubose offered his resignation to Mal Moore but, was rejected by Moore.
Statistics Southern MissAlabama First downs 12 15 Total yards 210 217 Rushing yards 51 95 Passing yards 159 122 Turnovers 1 4 Time of possession 30:08 29:52 Team Category Player StatisticsSouthern Miss Passing Jeff Kelly 14–23, 159 yards 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Derrick Nix 23 carries, 80 yards Receiving Leroy Handy 4 receptions, 55 yardsAlabama Passing Andrew Zow 8–18, 65 yards, 1 INT Rushing Ahmaad Galloway 12 carries, 22 yards Receiving Freddie Milons 7 receptions, 43 yards
Arkansas
Despite having the lead for the majority of the second half, Arkansas 13-play, 80-yard drive, capped off by a 9-yard touchdown pass from Robby Hamilton to Marcellus Poydras with 1:04 to go, gave Arkansas the lead and the eventual win.
Statistics AlabamaArkansas First downs 22 20 Total yards 343 324 Rushing yards 226 151 Passing yards 117 173 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 33:56 26:04 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Tyler Watts 8–20, 117 yards, 1 TD Rushing Brandon Miree 29 carries, 96 yards, 2 TD's Receiving Terry Jones Jr. 2 receptions, 53 yardsArkansas Passing Robby Hampton 20–33, 173 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT Rushing Cedric Cobbs 18 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD Receiving George Wilson 4 receptions, 47 yards
South Carolina
Milos Lewis had two critical 4th quarter interceptions that allowed Alabama to hold on the beat #23 South Carolina. The win kept Alabama's perfect record against South Carolina all time (10–0).
Statistics South CarolinaAlabama First downs 20 18 Total yards 349 350 Rushing yards 85 146 Passing yards 264 204 Turnovers 4 2 Time of possession 28:28 31:32 Team Category Player StatisticsSouth Carolina Passing Phil Petty 7–19, 151 yards, 2 TD's, 2 INT's Rushing Derek Watson 12 carries, 42 yards Receiving Jermale Kelly 6 receptions, 107 yards, 2 TD'sAlabama Passing Andrew Zow 14–26, 149 yards, 1 INT Rushing Ahmaad Galloway 16 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD Receiving Antonio Carter 9 receptions, 75 yards
Ole Miss
Alabama's 45 points are the most of any team in a game under Mike Dubose and the most for any Alabama team since 1993 in a rout of Ole Miss.
Statistics Ole MissAlabama First downs 12 21 Total yards 237 464 Rushing yards 74 168 Passing yards 163 296 Turnovers 4 2 Time of possession 28:52 31:08 Team Category Player StatisticsOle Miss Passing Romaro Miller 15–31, 127 yards 1 TD, 3 INT's Rushing Joe Gunn 11 carries, 32 yards Receiving Joe Gunn 5 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TDAlabama Passing Andrew Zow 18–22, 261 yards, 1 INT Rushing Brandon Miree 12 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD Receiving Antonio Carter 8 receptions, 157 yards
Tennessee
For the 6th year in a row, Tennessee found a way to beat Alabama extending their longest win streak against the Crimson Tide. This match up was the first time both teams came into the game not ranked since 1988.
Statistics AlabamaTennessee First downs 14 18 Total yards 225 309 Rushing yards 44 96 Passing yards 181 213 Turnovers 3 0 Time of possession 24:48 35:12 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Andrew Zow 14–29, 181 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's Rushing Brandon Miree 8 carries, 29 yards Receiving Antonio Carter 5 receptions, 73 yardsTennessee Passing Casey Clausen 17–24, 213 yards, 2 TD's Rushing Travis Henry 23 carries, 81 yards Receiving Cedrick Wilson 7 receptions, 67 yards, 2 TD's
UCF
Alabama could not overcome 5 turnovers as a Javier Beorlegui 37 yard field goal gave UCF the upset win on Homecoming for Alabama. This was the 2nd time under Mike Dubose that Alabama had lost its Homecoming game. On the Wednesday following the game, Mike Dubose was informed that he would not return as head coach in 2001. Coach Dubose was allowed to remain as head coach until the end of the season.
Statistics UCFAlabama First downs 25 20 Total yards 378 429 Rushing yards 95 179 Passing yards 283 250 Turnovers 2 5 Time of possession 33:11 26:49 Team Category Player StatisticsUCF Passing Ryan Schneider 27–48, 283 yards 3 TD's, 1 INT Rushing Corey Baker 18 carries, 46 yards Receiving Tyson Hinshaw 8 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TD'sAlabama Passing Andrew Zow 15–30, 250 yards, 2 TD's, 4 INT's Rushing Brandon Miree 13 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD Receiving Jason McAddley 3 receptions, 57 yards
LSU
For the first time since 1969, Alabama lost at Tiger Stadium behind 16 fourth quarter points from LSU after Alabama had taken the lead at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Alabama scored with seven seconds left to cut the lead to two but, failed to recover the onside kick. This lost guaranteed Alabama second losing season under Mike Dubose and third since 1957.
Statistics AlabamaLSU First downs 19 20 Total yards 314 408 Rushing yards 164 133 Passing yards 150 275 Turnovers 3 0 Time of possession 29:35 30:25 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Andrew Zow 15–32, 150 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT Rushing Ahmaad Galloway 21 carries, 129 yards, 1 TD Receiving Freddie Milons 7 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TDLSU Passing Josh Booty 18–31, 275 yards, 4 TD's, 1 INT Rushing LaBrandon Toefield 21 carries, 85 yards Receiving Josh Reed 8 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TD's
Mississippi State
Alabama gave up a season high 538 total yards of total offense as Mississippi State beat Alabama for the third straight time in Starkville.
Statistics AlabamaMississippi State First downs 12 22 Total yards 312 538 Rushing yards 31 276 Passing yards 281 262 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 25:07 34:53 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Andrew Zow 13–31, 281 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's Rushing Brandon Miree 11 carries, 23 yards Receiving Antonio Carter 4 receptions, 95 yardsMississippi State Passing Wayne Madkin 18–27, 262 yards, 1 TD Rushing Dontae Walker 16 carries, 117 yards Receiving Larry Huntington 2 receptions, 75 yards
Auburn
For the first time since 1901, the Iron Bowl would be played in Tuscaloosa and the first time ever at Bryant Denny Stadium. However, freezing rain, sleet, and Damon Duval's three field goals would spoil the return as Auburn would shut out Alabama for the first time since 1987. This would be the last game for Mike Dubose as head coach and would be the last time to date Alabama has been shut out. This along with the Southern Miss shut out earlier in the season, would be the first time Alabama has been shut out more than once in a season since 1957.
Statistics AuburnAlabama First downs 17 8 Total yards 301 135 Rushing yards 162 23 Passing yards 139 112 Turnovers 3 1 Time of possession 37:45 22:15 Team Category Player StatisticsAuburn Passing Ben Leard 10–20, 139 yards, 2 INT's Rushing Rudi Johnson 37 carries, 130 yards Receiving Lorenzo Diamond 3 receptions, 59 yardsAlabama Passing Andrew Zow 12–29, 112 yards, 1 INT Rushing Ahmaad Galloway 9 carries, 16 yards Receiving Jason McAddley 3 receptions, 45 yards
Coaching staff Mike Dubose Head coach 4th Neil Callaway Offensive coordinator/Offensive line coach 4th Ronnie Cottrell Assistant head coach/Tight end 3rd Charlie Stubbs Quarterback coach 3rd Dabo Swinney Wide receivers coach 8th Ivy Williams Running backs coach 6th Ellis Johnson Defensive coordinator/Outside linebackers coach4th Charlie Harbison Cornerbacks coach3rd Jeff Rouzie Special teams coordinator/Inside linebackers coach 10th Lance Thompson Defensive line coach 2ndReference:1999 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide, p. 2
References