2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Division	Western Division
Ranking
AP	No. 11
Record	10–3 (6–2 SEC)
Head coach	Dennis Franchione (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Les Koenning (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator	Carl Torbush (2nd season)
Captain	6 Jarret Johnson Kenny King Kindal Moorehead Tyler Watts Ahmaad Galloway Lane Bearden
Home stadium	Bryant–Denny Stadium Legion Field
Seasons ← 2001 2003 →

2002 Southeastern Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Eastern Division
No. 3 Georgia x$		7	–	1					13	–	1
Florida		6	–	2					8	–	5
Tennessee		5	–	3					8	–	5
Kentucky		3	–	5					7	–	5
South Carolina		3	–	5					5	–	7
Vanderbilt		0	–	8					2	–	10
Western Division
Arkansas xy		5	–	3					9	–	5
No. 14 Auburn x		5	–	3					9	–	4
LSU x		5	–	3					8	–	5
Ole Miss		3	–	5					7	–	6
Mississippi State		0	–	8					3	–	9
No. 11 ^Alabama		6	–	2					10	–	3
Championship: Georgia 30, Arkansas 3
$ – BCS representative as conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant ^ – Alabama had the best division record, but did not participate in postseason play due to NCAA probation. Rankings from AP Poll

The 2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA", "Bama" or "The Tide") represented the University of Alabama in the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 108th overall season, 70th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and its 11th within the SEC Western Division. The team was led by head coach Dennis Franchione, in his second year, and played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of 10–3 (6–2 in the SEC) to finish in first place in the SEC West; however, the team was ineligible to compete in the 2002 SEC Championship Game or a bowl game due to a two-year postseason ban imposed as part of the penalty for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) violations.

The team was led by second-year head coach Dennis Franchione. The team began the season with a 4–1 record, only losing a very close game to then #8 ranked Oklahoma. On October 5, the Crimson Tide lost another hard-fought game to the #4 Georgia 27–25 at home. The team would then defeat their next five opponents by an average of 24.4 points. In the 2002 Iron Bowl, the team was defeated by the Auburn Tigers by a score of 17–7. The team would end their season by defeating Hawaii. Though the team finished at 10–3 (6–2) and atop the SEC West standings, they were ineligible to play in the postseason due to receiving NCAA sanctions in 2001.

On December 5, Franchione left Alabama to take a head coaching job at Texas A&M University. which was left vacant by the firing of R. C. Slocum.^[1]

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	11:30 a.m.	Middle Tennessee*		Legion Field Birmingham, AL	JPS	W 39–34	80,091
September 7	2:30 p.m.	at No. 2 Oklahoma*		Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK	ABC	L 27–37	75,564
September 14	6:00 p.m.	North Texas*		Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	PPV	W 33–7	79,818
September 21	6:00 p.m.	Southern Miss*		Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL	ESPN2	W 20–7	83,818
September 28	6:45 p.m.	at Arkansas		Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, AR	ESPN	W 30–12	73,551
October 5	2:30 p.m.	No. 7 Georgia	No. 22	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry, College GameDay)	CBS	L 25–27	83,818
October 19	2:30 p.m.	No. 21 Ole Miss	No. 24	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)	CBS	W 42–7	83,818
October 26	6:45 p.m.	at No. 16 Tennessee	No. 19	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (Third Saturday in October)	ESPN	W 34–14	107,722
November 2	1:00 p.m.	at Vanderbilt	No. 12	Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN	PPV	W 30–8	36,407
November 9	1:00 p.m.	Mississippi State	No. 11	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)	PPV	W 28–14	83,818
November 16	8:00 p.m.	at No. 14 LSU	No. 10	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry)	ESPN	W 31–0	92,012
November 23	2:30 p.m.	Auburn	No. 9	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (Iron Bowl)	CBS	L 7–17	83,818
November 30	6:45 p.m.	at Hawaii*	No. 14	Aloha Stadium Halawa, HI	ESPN	W 21–16	50,000
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^[2]

2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class QB 14 Tyler Watts Sr C 51 Evan Mathis So C 58 Alonzo Ephraim Sr WR 80 Zach Fletcher Jr WR 84 Triandos Luke Jr QB 12 Brodie Croyle Fr WR 19 Josh Averett So	Defense Pos. # Name Class LB 6 Derrick Pope Jr LB 8 Freddie Roach Fr SS 10 Carlos Andrews Jr CB 41 Roman Harper Fr DE 54 Kindal Moorehead Sr DE 91 Chris Harris Fr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class PK 8 Gabe Giardina Jr	Head coach Dennis Franchione Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster

Name	Position	Consecutive seasons at Alabama
Dennis Franchione	Head coach	2nd
Les Koenning	Offensive coordinator/quarterback coach	2nd
Kenith Pope	Assistant head coach/wide receivers coach	2nd
Jim Bob Helduser	Offensive line coach	2nd
Mark Tommerdahl	Special teams coordinator/tight end coach	2nd
Lee Fobbs	Running backs coach	2nd
Carl Torbush	Defensive coordinator/ Linebackers coach	2nd
Chris Thurmond	Cornerbacks coach	2nd
Melvin Smith	Safeties coach	1st
Stan Eggen	Defensive line coach	2nd
Reference:[3]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Middle Tennessee	0	11	3	20	34
Alabama	22	0	7	10	39

In the only game that Alabama would play at Legion Field in 2002, the Crimson Tide would score a season opening win for the first time since 1999.

Statistics	MTSU	Alabama
First downs	22	22
Total yards	385	430
Rushing yards	183	194
Passing yards	202	236
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	30:02	29:58

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
MTSU	Passing	Andrico Hines	16–24, 165 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	ReShard Lee	11 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Tyrone Calico	7 receptions, 75 yards
Alabama	Passing	Tyler Watts	16–22, 236 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Ahmaad Galloway	15 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Triandos Luke	9 receptions, 85 yards

	1	2	3	4	Total
Alabama	3	0	14	10	27
#3 Oklahoma	9	14	0	14	37

The first road game of the year for Alabama would prove to be one of the most exciting game of the year. Despite trailing 23-3 at halftime, Alabama roared back in the second half with 24 unanswered points to take a 27-23 lead late into the 4th quarter. Oklahoma however, scored the last 14 points to win 37-27.

Statistics	Alabama	Oklahoma
First downs	14	12
Total yards	288	283
Rushing yards	96	–23
Passing yards	192	306
Turnovers	3	1
Time of possession	36:44	23:16

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alabama	Passing	Tyler Watts	16–32, 185 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Ahmaad Galloway	18 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Sam Collins	6 receptions, 82 yards
Oklahoma	Passing	Nate Hybl	16–30, 251 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Kejuan Jones	3 carries, 12 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Mark Clayton	4 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TD

	1	2	3	4	Total
North Texas	0	7	0	0	7
Alabama	3	16	7	7	33

In the first game of the season at Bryant-Denny Stadium, The Crimson Tide would go over 500 yards of offense for the first time this season and win their first non-conference game at Bryant Denny Stadium since 1999. This game also was the first time since 1986 Alabama would not sellout their game at Bryant-Denny Stadium snapping a streak of 56 straight sellouts in Tuscaloosa.

Statistics	North Texas	Alabama
First downs	11	25
Total yards	131	534
Rushing yards	50	336
Passing yards	91	198
Turnovers	2	3
Time of possession	26:14	33:46

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Texas	Passing	Andrew Smith	9–18, 70 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Patrick Cobbs	14 carries, 58 yards
	Receiving	George Marshall	6 receptions, 39 yards, 1 TD
Alabama	Passing	Tyler Watts	12–15, 161 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Shaud Williams	7 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Donald Clarke	3 receptions, 80 yards

	1	2	3	4	Total
Southern Miss	0	0	7	0	7
Alabama	7	7	0	6	20

For the second straight week, Alabama would hold their opponent to under 150 yards of total offense to win their third game of the season. This would be Ahmaad Galloway final game at Alabama as he would tear his ACL in the 4th quarter.

Statistics	Southern Miss	Alabama
First downs	8	20
Total yards	145	372
Rushing yards	35	351
Passing yards	110	21
Turnovers	5	3
Time of possession	20:49	39:11

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Southern Miss	Passing	Micky D'Angelo	8–27, 110 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Derrick Nix	14 carries, 61 yards
	Receiving	Marvin Young	2 receptions, 35 yards
Alabama	Passing	Brodie Croyle	4–15, 15 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Shaud Williams	21 carries, 137 yards
	Receiving	Sam Collins	2 receptions, 10 yards

	1	2	3	4	Total
Alabama	14	3	3	10	30
Arkansas	0	7	3	2	12

Shaud Williams would take the opening play 80 yards for a touchdown as the Crimson Tide beat Arkansas on the road for the first time since 1996.

Statistics	Alabama	Arkansas
First downs	18	13
Total yards	552	299
Rushing yards	267	172
Passing yards	285	127
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	33:46	26:14

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alabama	Passing	Brodie Croyle	12–24, 285 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Santonio Beard	21 carries, 134 yards
	Receiving	Shaud Williams	2 receptions, 88 yards
Arkansas	Passing	Matt Jones	7–18, 127 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Cedric Cobbs	13 carries, 70 yards
	Receiving	George Wilson	3 receptions, 54 yards

	1	2	3	4	Total
#7 Georgia	7	7	3	10	27
#22 Alabama	3	6	3	13	25

Georgia would use a Billy Bennett 32 yard field goal to beat Alabama in the first meeting between teams since 1995.

Statistics	Georgia	Alabama
First downs	22	16
Total yards	385	306
Rushing yards	194	133
Passing yards	224	197
Turnovers	3	2
Time of possession	30:16	29:44

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Georgia	Passing	David Greene	15–27, 224 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Musa Smith	21 carries, 126 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Terrence Edwards	5 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD
Alabama	Passing	Brodie Croyle	16–29, 197 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Ray Hudson	3 carries, 45 yards
	Receiving	Dre Fulgham	3 receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD

	1	2	3	4	Total
#21 Ole Miss	7	0	0	0	7
#24 Alabama	14	7	7	14	42

Santonio Beard tied Shaun Alexander record of five rushing touchdowns in a game as Alabama dominated Ole Miss on Homecoming.

Statistics	Ole Miss	Alabama
First downs	15	18
Total yards	223	456
Rushing yards	53	265
Passing yards	219	222
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	31:25	28:35

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ole Miss	Passing	Eli Manning	18–32, 219 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Robert Williams	8 carries, 23 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Chris Collins	3 receptions, 62 yards
Alabama	Passing	Brodie Croyle	6–11, 179 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Santonio Beard	13 carries, 138 yards, 5 TD
	Receiving	Dre Fulgham	3 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD

	1	2	3	4	Total
#19 Alabama	7	7	10	10	34
#16 Tennessee	0	7	7	0	14

For the first time since 1994, Alabama beat Tennessee snapping a seven year win streak that the Vols had. To date, this was the longest streak by any opponent over the Tide.

Statistics	Alabama	Tennessee
First downs	14	17
Total yards	300	222
Rushing yards	210	102
Passing yards	128	163
Turnovers	2	6
Time of possession	32:49	27:11

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alabama	Passing	Brodie Croyle	5–7, 128 yards
	Rushing	Santonio Beard	16 carries, 65 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Zach Fletcher	1 reception, 56 yards
Tennessee	Passing	Casey Clausen	14–26, 161 yards, 3 INT
	Rushing	Jabari Davis	7 carries, 26 yards
	Receiving	Tony Brown	4 receptions, 40 yards

	1	2	3	4	Total
#12 Alabama	7	6	7	10	30
Vanderbilt	0	0	0	8	8

For the second year in a row, the Crimson Tide traveled to Vanderbilt and for the 18th straight time Alabama would beat Vanderbilt. This would be the last time Alabama would play Vanderbilt until 2006 snapping a 50 consecutive seasons streak of playing.

Statistics	Alabama	Vanderbilt
First downs	24	9
Total yards	428	162
Rushing yards	157	46
Passing yards	271	116
Turnovers	0	2
Time of possession	36:22	23:38

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alabama	Passing	Tyler Watts	15–21, 176 yards
	Rushing	Tyler Watts	14 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Triandos Luke	9 reception, 102 yards
Vanderbilt	Passing	Jay Cutler	7–18, 116 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Kwane Doster	15 carries, 33 yards
	Receiving	Kwane Doster	2 receptions, 43 yards

	1	2	3	4	Total
Mississippi State	3	11	0	0	14
#11 Alabama	14	7	7	0	28

Alabama used their offense in the first half and their defense in the second half to preserve second straight win against the Bulldogs for the first time since 1994-95. This game was not televised making it the first Alabama game since 1995 not to be on live television.

Statistics	Mississippi State	Alabama
First downs	17	21
Total yards	246	409
Rushing yards	107	165
Passing yards	139	244
Turnovers	2	0
Time of possession	31:19	28:41

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Mississippi State	Passing	Kevin Fant	19–33, 127 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Jerious Norwood	9 carries, 58 yards
	Receiving	Justin Jenkins	4 receptions, 35 yards
Alabama	Passing	Tyler Watts	16–22, 223 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Santonio Beard	14 carries, 68 yards
	Receiving	Triandos Luke	7 receptions, 128 yards, 2 TD

	1	2	3	4	Total
#10 Alabama	0	14	0	17	31
#14 LSU	0	0	0	0	0

Alabama defense would record a shutout for the first time since 1997 as they defeated the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge.

Statistics	Alabama	LSU
First downs	27	14
Total yards	477	196
Rushing yards	300	131
Passing yards	177	65
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	34:36	25:24

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alabama	Passing	Tyler Watts	11–20, 177 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Shaud Williams	16 carries, 131 yards
	Receiving	Sam Collins	5 reception, 115 yards
LSU	Passing	Marcus Randall	6–17, 39 yards
	Rushing	Marcus Randall	6 carries, 54 yards
	Receiving	Devery Henderson	3 receptions, 25 yards

	1	2	3	4	Total
Auburn	14	3	0	0	17
#9 Alabama	0	0	7	0	7

Alabama would trail for the first time since the Georgia game earlier in the season as Auburn would upset Alabama to continue their undefeated mark in Iron Bowl's played in Tuscaloosa.

Statistics	Auburn	Alabama
First downs	14	17
Total yards	298	320
Rushing yards	129	111
Passing yards	169	209
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	29:43	30:17

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Auburn	Passing	Jason Campbell	10–18, 169 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Tre Smith	25 carries, 126 yards
	Receiving	Marcel Willis	3 receptions, 59 yards
Alabama	Passing	Tyler Watts	11–21, 126 yards
	Rushing	Shaud Williams	7 carries, 48 yards
	Receiving	Dre Fulgham	2 receptions, 58 yards

	1	2	3	4	Total
#14 Alabama	0	14	0	7	21
Hawaii	0	0	3	13	16

Alabama would clinch 10 wins for the first time since 1999 as Alabama beat Hawaii to end the season 10-3. This would be Dennis Franchione's last game as coach at Alabama; he left to be Texas A&M head coach on December 4, 2002.

Statistics	Alabama	Hawaii
First downs	18	21
Total yards	373	360
Rushing yards	280	–12
Passing yards	93	372
Turnovers	5	1
Time of possession	38:55	21:05

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alabama	Passing	Tyler Watts	8–15, 81 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Shaud Williams	23 carries, 160 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Sam Collins	3 reception, 42 yards, 1 TD
Hawaii	Passing	Timmy Chang	26–53, 373 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT
	Rushing	Chad Kapanui	1 carry, 10 yards
	Receiving	Jeremiah Cockheran	9 receptions, 207 yards, 1 TD