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1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Consensus national champion SEC champion Sugar Bowl champion
Sugar Bowl, W 24–9 vs. Arkansas
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 1
AP	No. 1
Record	12–0 (6–0 SEC)
Head coach	Bear Bryant (22nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Mal Moore
Defensive coordinator	Ken Donahue
Captains	Don McNeal Steve Whitman
Home stadium	Bryant–Denny Stadium Legion Field
Seasons← 19781980 →

The 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 85th overall and 46th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 22nd year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season undefeated (12–0 overall, 6–0 in the SEC) and with a victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. For their collective efforts, the Crimson Tide were recognized as unanimous national champions for the 1979 season.

In 1979 the Alabama Crimson Tide capped off a decade of remarkable success with the program's seventh perfect season in college history after 1925, 1930, 1934, 1945, 1961, and 1966 (discounting the 1897 "season" in which Bama played and won only one game). The Tide defense recorded five shutouts and allowed only two teams to score in double digits. The offense scored thirty points or more seven times.

Despite this dominance Alabama had three close calls. Against Tennessee on October 20, Alabama fell behind 17–0 in the second quarter before rallying to win 27–17. Three weeks later, against LSU, all the Tide offense could scrape up was a single field goal, but it was enough to win 3–0. In the regular season finale against Auburn, after leading 14–3 at the half Alabama let Auburn take an 18–17 fourth quarter lead before winning 25–18. The Auburn and Tennessee games were the only two times in the 1979 season that Alabama trailed. A 24–9 victory over Arkansas capped a 12–0 season and national championship, Alabama's sixth wire service national title.

Schedule

Roster

Game summaries

At Georgia Tech

As they entered the 1979 season, Alabama was ranked as the No. 2 team in the first AP Poll prior to their season opener against Georgia Tech. Playing before a nationally televised audience, the Crimson Tide rushed for over 300 yards in this 30–6 victory over the Yellow Jackets. Alabama took a 6–0 lead in the first quarter after E. J. Junior intercepted a Mike Kelley pass and returned it 59-yards for a touchdown. Major Ogilvie then extended their lead to 12–0 with his one-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter.

The Crimson Tide took control of the game with a pair of third quarter touchdowns that extended their lead to 27–0. Steve Whitman scored first on a thirteen-yard run and this was followed by an eleven-yard Steadman S. Shealy touchdown run. After a late Gary DeNiro interception set up a 31-yard Alan McElroy field goal, Georgia Tech scored on a 36-yard Kelley touchdown pass to Leon Chadwick that made the final score 30–6 and prevented a shutout. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 25–19–3.

Baylor

Coming off their bye week, Alabama was still ranked as the No. 2 team in the AP Poll prior to their home opener against Baylor. Playing at Legion Field, the Crimson Tide shutout the Bears of the Southwest Conference 45–0 in what was the first all-time meeting between the schools. After taking a 6–0 lead on a pair of Alan McElroy field goals, Alabama led 14–0 at halftime after Major Ogilvie scored om a one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. A 33-yard McElroy field goal in the third brought the Crimson Tide lead to 17–0 before Alabama scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter and made the final score 45–0. Mark Nix scored the first pair on runs of two and eight-yards, followed by a one-yard Joe Jones run and John Hill scored the final points with his ten-yard touchdown run in the final minute of the game.

At Vanderbilt

After their victory over Baylor, Alabama was still ranked as the No. 2 team in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt. Playing at Nashville, the Crimson Tide defeated the Commodores by a blowout score of 66–3 in the conference opener. The Crimson Tide took a 14–0 first quarter lead behind touchdown runs of 65 and eight-yards by Steadman S. Shealy and Major Ogilvie. After Mike Woodard scored the only Vandy points with his 47-yard field goal, Alabama extended their lead to 32–3 at the half after Alan McElroy connected on a 21-yard field goal and touchdowns were scored on runs of 19 and one-yard by Shealy and Mark Nix.

The Crimson Tide continued their strong play into the second half as they scored five touchdowns and kept the Commodores scoreless on defense. Touchdowns were scored in the third on runs of three and one-yards by Steve Whitman and Joe Jones and in the fourth on a pair of three and a 14-yard run by Jones, Michael Landrum and John Hill. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 36–17–4.

Wichita State

As they prepared for their first Tuscaloosa game of the season, Alabama retained their No. 2 position in AP Poll prior to their game against Wichita State. In what was the only game ever played against the Shockers, the Crimson Tide won with this 38–0 shutout at Bryant–Denny Stadium. Alabama took a 28–0 lead into halftime behind a pair of touchdowns scored in each of the first two quarters. After Steadman S. Shealy connected with Keith Pugh on a 27-yard touchdown pass, Shealy scored on a three-yard run for a 14–0 first quarter lead. Major Ogilvie then gave the Crimson Tide a 28–0 halftime lead after he scored on touchdown runs of six and four-yards in the second. Alabama closed the game with an eight-yard Shealy touchdown run in the third and a 40-yard Alan McElroy field goal in the fourth that made the final score 38–0.

At Florida

Tennessee

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Virginia Tech

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Mississippi State

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At LSU

Alabama beat LSU 3-0 by kicking a field goal and holding LSU to 0 points. By kicking that field goal, they were awarded 3 points. By LSU not scoring a touchdown or kicking a field goal, they were awarded 0 points. The Alabama team was present with their uniforms and played in the game. LSU was also present wearing their uniforms and they, too, played in the game.

At the end of the game, the game was ruled over and Alabama deemed the winner from having 3 more points (from the aforementioned field goal) than LSU. It is rumored many fans were present and Alabama fans were said to chant "Roll Tide" at various points in the game. At the end of what was a 60 minute exchange of football plays, Alabama was awarded the win.

Miami (FL)

at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Date: November 17
• Game attendance: 54,500
• TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels & Frank Broyles

The contest versus the Hurricanes marked the first national television broadcast from Bryant–Denny Stadium. Portable light standards had to be brought in by ABC, since the Tuscaloosa stadium lacked permanent fixtures at the time. It also marked the Alabama homecoming for former Crimson Tide assistant Howard Schnellenberger, in his first season at Miami.

Vs. Auburn

References

1. All-time results Archived 2011-11-25 at the Wayback Machine
2. "1979 game recaps" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 1, 2011. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
3. "Tide floods Tech's revival, 30–6". The Atlanta Journal. September 9, 1979. Retrieved February 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Alabama feasts on Bear meat, 45–0". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 23, 1979. Retrieved February 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Bama greatness still puzzling". The Tennessean. September 30, 1979. Retrieved February 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Alabama blasts Wichita State 38–0". The Wichita Eagle. October 7, 1979. Retrieved February 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Gators hit bottom, crushed 40–0 by Alabama". Tampa Bay Times. October 14, 1979. Retrieved February 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Alabama rallies to top UT 27–17". The Tennessean. October 21, 1979. Retrieved February 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Alabama's substitutes wear out Va. Tech, 31–7". Daily Press. October 28, 1979. Retrieved February 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Alabama is still the best". Clarion-Ledger. November 4, 1979. Retrieved February 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "McElroy field goal wins it". The Montgomery Advertiser. November 11, 1979. Retrieved February 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Bowl-bound(?) Bama demolished Hurricanes". The Palm Beach Post. November 18, 1979. Retrieved February 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Defense holds off Tigers". The Montgomery Advertiser. December 2, 1979. Retrieved February 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Bama Number 1 - Crimson Tide didn't 'give it away' in Sugar Bowl". The Shreveport Journal. January 2, 1980. Retrieved February 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "1979 Alabama football archive". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
16. "1979 Schedule & Results: 1979 National Champions". CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
17. ^ Browning, Al (September 9, 1979). "Tide hits Atlanta like Sherman did". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1A. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
18. ^ Meade, Doug (September 9, 1979). "Alabama dominates Georgia Tech in 30–6 breeze". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
19. "Rivalry Finder: Alabama vs. Georgia Tech". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
20. ^ Browning, Al (September 23, 1979). "Tide massacres hopeful Baylor". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1A. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
21. ^ "Tide swamps Baylor, 45–0". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. September 23, 1979. p. 2C. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
22. "Southern Cal holds No. 1, widens lead over UA". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. September 18, 1979. p. 11. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
23. "Rivalry Finder: Alabama vs. Baylor". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
24. ^ Browning, Al (September 30, 1979). "Tide waltzes by Vandy, 66–3". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1A. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
25. ^ "Tide nails Vanderbilt by 66–3". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Associated Press. September 30, 1979. p. 5C. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
26. "Leaders hold their spots in AP college football". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. September 25, 1979. p. 11. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
27. "Rivalry Finder: Alabama vs. Vanderbilt". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
28. ^ Browning, Al (October 7, 1979). "It's no shocker; Bama wins 38–0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1A. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
29. ^ Goens, Steve (October 7, 1979). "Alabama buries Shockers". The Florence Times. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
30. "USC holds No. 2 in AP Poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 2, 1979. p. 12. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
31. "Rivalry Finder: Alabama vs. Wichita State". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
32. Ocala Star-Banner. 1979 Oct 14. Retrieved 2018-Oct-28.
33. ^ Recap

• 1979 Southeastern Conference football season
• Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons
• College football national champions
• Southeastern Conference football champion seasons
• Sugar Bowl champion seasons
• College football undefeated seasons
• 1979 in sports in Alabama