The 1972 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1972 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 78th overall season and 39th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 15th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with ten wins and two losses (10âÂÂ2 overall, 7âÂÂ1 in the SEC), as SEC champions and with a loss to Texas in the Cotton Bowl Classic.
Alabama opened the season with a non-conference victory over Duke. They then shut out Kentucky in their conference opener, and then easily won their next three games, over Vanderbilt, Georgia and Florida. In a top-ten match-up against rival Tennessee, they scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns en route to a 17âÂÂ10 victory. Next, the Crimson Tide defeated Southern Miss and Mississippi State to set up a top-ten match-up against LSU.
With a 35âÂÂ21 victory over the Tigers, Alabama captured the SEC championship for the 1972 season. The Crimson Tide next defeated Virginia Tech on homecoming and set up another top ten match-up Iron Bowl to close the regular season. Auburn defeated Alabama behind a pair of fourth-quarter blocked-punt returns in a game referred to as simply "Punt Bama Punt". The Crimson Tide then closed their season with a second-consecutive defeat, this time against Texas in the Cotton Bowl Classic.
Alabama opened the 1972 season ranked as the No. 7 team in the preseason AP Poll as they entered their game against Duke. At Legion Field, the Crimson Tide scored 21 unanswered points in the second half en route to a 35âÂÂ12 victory over the Blue Devils to open the 1971 season. Alabama opened the game with a 14âÂÂ0 lead after they scored on their first two possessions, on a pair of touchdown runs of eight-yards by Paul Spivey and one-yard by Joe LaBue. However, Duke was able to make the halftime score 14âÂÂ12 after they scored on a pair of Robert Albright touchdown passes. The first was from 11-yards to Mark Landon and the second to Mike Bomgardner from eight-yards out.
After Terry Davis extended the Crimson Tide lead to 21âÂÂ12 with his two-yard run in the third, Alabama closed the game with a pair of touchdown runs in the fourth quarter. The first was scored by Steve Bisceglia on a 39-yard run and the second by Wilbur Jackson on a 12-yard run. In the game, Alabama outgained the Blue Devils in rushing yards 333 to 156.
Coming off their bye week, the Crimson Tide retained their No. 7 team in the AP Poll prior to their game against Kentucky. In what was the first meeting against the Wildcats since their victory in 1947, Alabama won 35âÂÂ0 at Birmingham. The Crimson Tide took a 14âÂÂ0 lead in the first quarter after Terry Davis threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Wayne Wheeler and then scored himself on a three-yard run. Still up only 14âÂÂ0 as the teams entered the second half, Alabama extended their lead to 21âÂÂ0 on a three-yard Steve Bisceglia touchdown run.
The Crimson Tide then closed the game with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. The first came on a nine-yard Bisceglia run and the second on a 48-yard Gary Rutledge pass to Ralph Stokes that made the final score 35âÂÂ0. In their previous meeting, Kentucky was led by head coach Bear Bryant, who since that time had moved on and was Alabama's head coach for this game.
After their victory over Kentucky, Alabama moved into the No. 6 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt. Behind a 28-point second quarter, the Crimson Tide defeated the Commodores 48âÂÂ21 in the first Denny Stadium game of the season. After Alabama took a 6âÂÂ0 lead on a four-yard Wilbur Jackson touchdown run, Vanderbilt responded and took a 7âÂÂ6 lead on a one-yard Walter Overton later in the first quarter. The Crimson Tide responded with four touchdowns in the second quarter and took a 34âÂÂ7 halftime lead. The points were scored on runs of three and 16-yards by Ellis Beck, one-yard by Terry Davis and one-yard by Steve Dean.
In the second half, both teams traded touchdowns in each of the final two quarters. In the third, Gary Rutledge scored on a seven-yard run for Alabama and Steve Burger responded for Vanderbilt with his three-yard run. Finally in the fourth quarter, Rutledge scored on a five-yard run for the Crimson Tide and Stephen Lainhart followed with a 51-yard touchdown pass to Douglas Martin for the Commodores that made the final score 48âÂÂ21.
After their victory over Vanderbilt, Alabama moved into the No. 4 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Georgia. Playing for the first time since a loss to Georgia in 1965, the Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 25âÂÂ7 in their first road game of the season. Alabama scored their only points in the first half on a five-yard Wilbur Jackson touchdown run in the first quarter.
In the third quarter, Terry Davis first threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Wayne Wheeler and later scored on a one-yard run that made the score 19âÂÂ0. After Jimmy Poulos scored Georgia's only points with his 17-yard touchdown run in the fourth, Alabama closed the game with a two-yard Steve Bisceglia that made the final score 25âÂÂ7.
After their victory over Georgia, Alabama moved into the No. 3 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Florida. Against the Gators, the Crimson Tide rallied from an early 7âÂÂ0 deficit and defeated Florida 24âÂÂ7 at Denny Stadium. Florida took an early 7âÂÂ0 lead behind a 60-yard Nat Moore touchdown run. However, the Gators were unable to score again as Alabama responded with 24 unanswered points. After a 13-yard Paul Spivey touchdown run tied the game 7âÂÂ7 later in the first, a 31-yard Bill Davis field goal in the second gave the Crimson Tide a 10âÂÂ7 halftime lead. They then closed the game with a pair of touchdown runs that made the final score 24âÂÂ7. The first came on a four-yard Terry Davis run in the third and then on a one-yard Ralph Stokes run in the fourth.
After their victory over Florida, Alabama retained their No. 3 position and Tennessee moved into the No. 10 position in the AP Poll prior to their game at Neyland Stadium. Against the Volunteers, Alabama scored two touchdowns in the final 2:39 of the game for a 17âÂÂ10, come-from-behind victory at Knoxville. After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide took a 3âÂÂ0 lead into halftime after Bill Davis connected on a 31-yard field goal in the second. Tennessee then took a 7âÂÂ3 lead on a two-yard Condredge Holloway touchdown run in the third, and extended it to 10âÂÂ3 with a 36-yard Ricky Townsend field goal in the fourth quarter.
With 2:39 left in the game, Alabama took possession at the Vols 48-yard line, and three plays later Wilbur Jackson scored on a two-yard run. On the Tennessee possession that ensued, John Mitchell recovered a Holloway fumble at the Vols' 17-yard line. On the next play, Terry Davis gave Alabama a 17âÂÂ10 lead with his touchdown run with just over one minute left in the game.
After their come-from-behind victory over Tennessee, Alabama moved into the No. 2 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Southern Miss. Although they only led the Golden Eagles 7âÂÂ3 at halftime, 41 second half points resulted in a 48âÂÂ11 Alabama victory at Legion Field. In what was a very low scoring first half, the Crimson Tide scored on a two-yard Steve Bisceglia touchdown run and the Golden Eagles on a 32-yard Ricky Palmer field goal for a 7âÂÂ3 halftime score.
Alabama then dominated the second half and scored five offensive touchdowns in six total possessions en route to the 48âÂÂ11 victory. Third quarter touchdowns were scored on runs of 12, 16 and five-yards by Bisceglia, Wilbur Jackson and Paul Spivey. Southern Miss responded with their lone points of the second half early in the fourth when Buddy Palazzo connected with Marshall Veal on a 12-yard touchdown pass. The Crimson Tide then closed the game with touchdowns on a 64-yard Gary Rutledge pass to Wayne Wheeler, a 15-yard Robin Cary interception return and on a 13-yard Robert Fraley pass to Pete Pappas for the 48âÂÂ11 win.
As they entered their game against Mississippi State, Alabama retained their No. 2 position in the AP Poll. Against the Bulldogs, the Crimson Tide won 58âÂÂ14 en route to their 25th consecutive victory at Denny Stadium. Alabama took a 17âÂÂ0 lead in the first quarter behind touchdown runs of 28 and one-yard by Terry Davis and Steve Bisceglia and a 22-yard field goal by Bill Davis. After the Bulldogs responded with a one-yard Wayne Jones touchdown run early in the second, the Crimson Tide extended their lead to 30âÂÂ6 at halftime behind a 15-yard David McMakin blocked punt return and one-yard Ellis Beck touchdown run.
In the third, both teams traded touchdowns. Alabama scored first on a 44-yard Davis pass to Wayne Wheeler and State followed with a 47-yard Frank Dowsing punt return that made the score 37âÂÂ14. The Crimson Tide then closed the game with a trio of fourth quarter touchdowns on a 20-yard Gary Rutledge pass to Wheeler and runs of one and two-yards by Robert Fraley and Vern Wilmot.
After their victory over Mississippi State, Alabama retained their No. 2 position and LSU was in the No. 6 position in the AP Poll prior to their match-up at Birmingham. Playing in a regionally televised game on ABC, Alabama defeated the previously undefeated Tigers 35âÂÂ21 at Legion Field and captured the 1972 conference championship. LSU took a 7âÂÂ0 first quarter lead on a 21-yard Bert Jones touchdown pass to Jimmy LeDoux. Alabama responded with a 25-yard Terry Davis touchdown pass to Wayne Wheeler in the second that tied the game 7âÂÂ7 at halftime.
In the third, the Crimson Tide took a 21âÂÂ7 lead behind touchdowns scored on a 29-yard Davis pass to Wheeler and on a 25-yard Davis run. LSU then cut the lead to 21âÂÂ14 on a five-yard Jones pass to Charles Williamson later in the quarter. In the fourth, Alabama scored on touchdown runs of one and 52-yards by Steve Bisceglia and Joe LaBue, and LSU scored on a three-yard Jones run that made the final score 35âÂÂ21.
After their victory over LSU, Alabama retained their No. 2 position prior to their match-up against Virginia Tech at Tuscaloosa. After their 52âÂÂ13 victory over the Hokies on homecoming at Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide accepted an invitation to play in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Alabama opened with a pair of first quarter touchdowns on runs of 67-yards by Wilbur Jackson and two-yards by Terry Davis. They next extended their lead to 31âÂÂ0 at halftime behind a 36-yard Bill Davis field goal and touchdown runs of nine-yards by Jackson and two-yards by Randy Billingsley.
After the Crimson Tide extended their lead on a one-yard Steve Bisceglia touchdown run in the third, the Hokies scored their first points on a five-yard J. B. Barber touchdown run that made the score 38âÂÂ6. The game concluded after both teams traded touchdowns in the final quarter. After Gary Rutledge scored for Alabama with his one-yard run, Don Strock threw a ten-yard touchdown pass to Craig Valentine. The Crimson Tide then made the final score 52âÂÂ13 after Robert Fraley threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Pete Pappas late in the fourth quarter.
As they entered their annual rivalry game against Auburn, Alabama retained their No. 2 position and the Tigers were in the No. 9 position in the AP Poll prior to their match-up in the Iron Bowl. In what was one of the most memorable games in the history of the rivalry, Auburn won 17âÂÂ16 after they scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns on blocked punt returns in a game subsequently deemed "Punt Bama Punt". After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 9âÂÂ0 halftime lead after Steve Bisceglia scored on a three-yard touchdown run and Bill Davis connected on a 24-yard field goal. The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 16âÂÂ0 after Wilbur Jackson scored on a six-yard touchdown run in the third before Auburn started their dramatic comeback in the fourth.
The Tigers scored their first points on a 42-yard Gardner Jett field goal that cut the lead to 16âÂÂ3. Late in the quarter, Bill Newton blocked a Greg Gantt punt and David Langner returned it 25-yards for an Auburn touchdown and cut the lead further to 16âÂÂ10. After the Tigers defense forced another Alabama punt on the next series, Newton blocked a second Greg Gantt punt and Langner returned it 20-yards for the 17âÂÂ16 victory.
In what was the finale of the 1972 season, Alabama was upset by the Texas Longhorns 17âÂÂ13 in the Cotton Bowl. The Crimson Tide took a 10âÂÂ0 first quarter lead behind a 50-yard Greg Gantt field goal and a 31-yard Wilbur Jackson touchdown run. Second quarter field goals of 24-yards by Billy Schott of Texas and 30-yards by Bill Davis of Alabama made the halftime score 13âÂÂ3.
In the third, the Longhorns scored on a three-yard Alan Lowry touchdown run and Lowey then scored the game-winning points with his 34-yard touchdown run in the fourth.
Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1972 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) in the 1973, 1974 and 1975 drafts. These players included:
Prior to the 1972 NCAA University Division football season, NCAA rules prohibited freshmen from participating on the varsity team, and as such many schools fielded freshman teams. The Alabama freshman squad was led by coach Clem Gryska for the 1972 season and finished with a record of four wins and one loss (4âÂÂ1). The Baby Tide opened the season with a 14âÂÂ7 loss to Georgia Tech before 7,000 fans at Grant Field. Ray Bolden scored Alabama's only points with his two-yard touchdown run and the offense had six turnovers in the loss. Although they had eight fumbles in their game at Vanderbilt, the Baby Tide won the game 21âÂÂ13. After Vandy took a 7âÂÂ0 lead on a six-yard Larry Polston touchdown run in the first, Alabama responded three minutes later and tied the game when Alan Pizzitola returned an interception 25-yards for a score. The Commodores retook a 13âÂÂ7 lead early in the second quarter after Ed Oaks threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Matt Gossage and retained their lead through halftime. The Baby Tide then closed the game with a pair of third quarter touchdown runs for the 21âÂÂ13 victory. The first came on a six-yard Joey Bolton run and the second on a five-yard Willy Shelby run.
In their first home game of the season, Alabama defeated Tennessee 34âÂÂ21 at Denny Stadium. With just over four minutes left in the game and the score tied 21âÂÂ21, the Baby Tide scores a pair of late touchdowns after Tennessee turnovers for a 34âÂÂ21 victory. Both touchdowns were scored by, Richard Todd first from 35-yards and the second from two-yards out. Against Tulane, Alabama rallied from a 10-point deficit with just under six minutes left in the game for a 21âÂÂ20 victory at Denny Stadium. Alabama took a 7âÂÂ0 lead on the third play of the game when Willy Shelby scored on an 82-yard touchdown run. However, The Green Wave responded with a pair of touchdowns on a one-yard Gary Rudick run and a 67-yard Wyatt Washington punt return that made the score 14âÂÂ7 in their favor at the end of the first quarter. A 39-yard Mike Davis field goal cut the Tulane lead to 14âÂÂ10 at halftime. After a one-yard Wally Harris touchdown run early in the fourth extended the Green Wave lead to 20âÂÂ10, Alabama closed the game with a 29-yard Davis field goal and an 11-yard Mike Stock touchdown run for the 21âÂÂ20 victory.
In their final game at Auburn, the Baby Tide for the third consecutive game came from behind and defeated the Tigers 17âÂÂ14. After a scoreless first, a 24-yard Mike Davis field goal gave Alabama a 3âÂÂ0 lead in the second quarter. However, Auburn took a 7 halftime lead after Mitzie Jackson scored on a short run in the final second of the first half. The Tigers then extended their lead to 14âÂÂ3 early in the third quarter when Jack Verucchi scored on a 40-yard touchdown run that capped their opening drive of the second half. Alabama then closed the game with touchdowns on a short Richard Todd run in the third and on a Stock run in the fourth. This game also marked the final played by a freshman team at Alabama as the NCAA changed their rules and allowed freshmen to compete with the varsity squad starting in 1973.
General
Specific