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1959 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

{{short description|American college football season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox college sports team season

| year = 1959

| team = Alabama Crimson Tide

| sport = football

| image =

| image_size =

| conference = Southeastern Conference

| short_conf = SEC

| CoachRank = 13

| APRank = 10

| record = 7–2–2

| conf_record = 4–1–2

| head_coach = Bear Bryant

| hc_year = 2nd

| captain = Marlin Dyess

| captain2 = Jim Blevins

| stadium = Denny Stadium
Legion Field
Ladd Stadium

| bowl = Liberty Bowl

| bowl_result = {{Tooltip|L|Lost}} 0–7 vs. Penn State

}}

{{1959 Southeastern Conference football standings}}

The 1959 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1959 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 65th overall and 26th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his second year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and at Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished with a record of seven wins, two losses and two ties (7–2–2 overall, 4–1–2 in the SEC) and with a loss against Penn State in the inaugural Liberty Bowl.

The Crimson Tide opened the 1959 season with three consecutive games on the road. After they dropped the opener at Georgia, they rebounded with a victory at Houston and then played Vanderbilt to a 7–7 tie at Dudley Field. Alabama then defeated {{cfb link|year=1959|team=Chattanooga Mocs|title=Chattanooga}} in the first Denny Stadium game of the season and tied Tennessee 7–7 at Legion Field. On homecoming, the Crimson Tide defeated Mississippi State and then one week later defeated Tulane at Ladd Stadium. The win over Tulane was both the 100th Southeastern Conference victory in the history of the Alabama program and the 100th all-time victory for Bryant as a head coach.

Alabama then went on to upset Georgia Tech and as a result entered the polls the following week for the first time since the 1954 season. The Crimson Tide then closed the regular season with a wins over Memphis State and Auburn that snapped what was then a school record five-game Iron Bowl losing streak. Alabama next accepted an invitation to compete in the inaugural Liberty Bowl where they were upset by Penn State in the final game of the season.

Schedule

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 1959

| poll = AP

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 19

| w/l = l

| away = y

| opponent = Georgia

| site_stadium = Sanford Stadium

| site_cityst = Athens, GA

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 3–17

| attend = 40,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-georgia-slams-alabam/133125489/|title=Georgia slams Alabama, 17–3|newspaper=The Macon Telegraph & News|date=September 20, 1959|accessdate=October 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 26

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = Houston

| site_stadium = Rice Stadium

| site_cityst = Houston, TX

| score = 3–0

| attend = 27,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-singtons-field-go/133129669/|title=Sington's field goal puts Alabama over Houston, 3–0|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|date=September 27, 1959|accessdate=October 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 3

| w/l = t

| away = y

| opponent = Vanderbilt

| site_stadium = Dudley Field

| site_cityst = Nashville, TN

| score = 7–7

| attend = 27,967

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-selma-times-journal-tide-and-vandy-d/133129788/|title=Tide and Vandy deadlock third straight time, 7–7|newspaper=The Selma Times-Journal|date=October 4, 1959|accessdate=October 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 10

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Chattanooga

| opprank = 6 (small)

| site_stadium = Denny Stadium

| site_cityst = Tuscaloosa, AL

| score = 13–0

| attend = 20,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83997594/crimson-tide-defense-defeats-chattanooga/|work=The Selma Times-Journal|title=Crimson Tide defense defeats Chattanooga, 13–0|date=October 11, 1959|accessdate=August 23, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 17

| w/l = t

| opponent = Tennessee

| opprank = 14

| site_stadium = Legion Field

| site_cityst = Birmingham, AL

| gamename = Third Saturday in October

| score = 7–7

| attend = 42,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98807898/alabama-tennessee-tie/|work=The Huntsville Times|title=Alabama, Tennessee tie|date=October 18, 1959|accessdate=March 31, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 31

| w/l = w

| homecoming = y

| opponent = Mississippi State

| site_stadium = Denny Stadium

| site_cityst = Tuscaloosa, AL

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 10–0

| attend = 19,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-alabama-thrott/133129951/|title=Alabama throttles Maroons, 10 to 0|newspaper=The Montgomery Advertiser|date=November 1, 1959|accessdate=October 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 7

| w/l = w

| opponent = Tulane

| site_stadium = Ladd Stadium

| site_cityst = Mobile, AL

| score = 19–7

| attend = 29,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85644416/red-tide-bests-green-wave-in-kilowatt-co/|work=The Selma Times-Journal|title=Red Tide bests Green Wave in kilowatt contest, 19–7|date=November 8, 1959|accessdate=September 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 14

| w/l = w

| opponent = Georgia Tech

| opprank = 15

| site_stadium = Legion Field

| site_cityst = Birmingham, AL

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 9–7

| attend = 43,500

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-bama-stuns-georgia/133130071/|title='Bama stuns Georgia Tech|newspaper=Kingsport Times-News|date=November 15, 1959|accessdate=October 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 21

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 17

| opponent = Memphis State

| opprank = 8 (small)

| site_stadium = Denny Stadium

| site_cityst = Tuscaloosa, AL

| score = 14–7

| attend = 30,200

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-tide-edges-msu-14/133130289/|title=Tide edges MSU 14–7 in second half attack|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|date=November 22, 1959|accessdate=October 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 28

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| rank = 19

| opponent = Auburn

| opprank = 11

| site_stadium = Legion Field

| site_cityst = Birmingham, AL

| gamename = Iron Bowl

| score = 10–0

| attend = 44,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-decatur-daily-tide-rolls-over-auburn/133130467/|title=Tide rolls over Auburn 10–0|newspaper=The Decatur Daily|date=November 29, 1959|accessdate=October 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = December 19

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| rank = 10

| opponent = Penn State

| opprank = 12

| site_stadium = Philadelphia Municipal Stadium

| site_cityst = Philadelphia, PA

| gamename = Liberty Bowl, rivalry

| tv = NBC

| score = 0–7

| attend = 36,211

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-penn-state-win/133130591/|title=Penn State wins on sub's pass|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=December 20, 1959|accessdate=October 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html#1959 |title=1959 Alabama football schedule |work=RollTide.com |publisher=University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics |access-date=January 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125000700/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html |archive-date=November 25, 2011 }}

Game summaries

=Georgia=

{{See also|1959 Georgia Bulldogs football team}}

{{AFB game box start

|Visitor=Alabama

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=3 |V4=0

|Host=Georgia

|H1=3 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=7

|Date=September 19

|Location=Sanford Stadium
Athens, Georgia

|Attendance=40,000

}}

  • Sources:{{cite news |first=Charles |last=Land |title=Bulldog passes do trick as Tide falls, 17–3 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OYkfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=85kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6542%2C2413739 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=September 20, 1959 |page=11 |access-date=January 16, 2013}}{{cite news |first=Mercer |last=Bailey |agency=Associated Press |title=Tarkenton sparks Georgia over Alabama's Tide, 17–3 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MH5JAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mwsNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1080%2C3540797 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The News and Courier |date=September 20, 1959 |page=3D |access-date=January 16, 2013}}

{{AFB game box end}}

To open the 1959 season, Fran Tarkenton led the Georgia Bulldogs to a 17–3 victory over the Crimson Tide at Athens.1959 Season Recap The Bulldogs took an early 3–0 lead after Durward Pennington connected on a 35-yard field goal in the first quarter. Georgia then extended their lead further to 10–0 at halftime on a 40-yard Bill Godfrey touchdown run in the second quarter. After Alabama responded with their only points in the third on a 23-yard Fred Sington Jr. field goal, Tarkenton scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that made the final score 17–3. The 17 points scored were the most allowed by a Bryant led defense to that point, and the Georgia win marked their first in an opening game since their 1954 season. The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 23–18–4.{{Cite web|last=DeLassus |first=David |title=Alabama vs Georgia |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=1265 |access-date=January 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216010856/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=1265 |archive-date=December 16, 2013 }}

{{clear}}

=Houston=

{{See also-text|1959 Houston Cougars football team}}

{{AFB game box start

|Visitor=Alabama

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=3 |V4=0

|Host=Houston

|H1=0 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=0

|Date=September 26

|Location=Rice Stadium
Houston, Texas

|Attendance=27,000

}}

  • Source:{{cite news |first=Charles |last=Land |title=Alabama downs Houston on field goal, 3–0 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QIkfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=85kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6578%2C3343286 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=September 27, 1959 |page=11 |access-date=January 16, 2013}}

{{AFB game box end}}

A week after they opened the season with a loss at Georgia, the Crimson Tide shutout the Houston Cougars 3–0 in the first all-time meeting between the schools.{{Cite web |last=DeLassus |first=David |title=Alabama vs Houston |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=1476 |access-date=January 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201210823/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=1476 |archive-date=2014-02-01 |url-status=dead }} On a rainy evening, the only points scored came in the third quarter on a 25-yard Fred Sington Jr. field goal. In the game, the Crimson Tide defense had three interceptions, but was also penalized eight times for 99-yards in the victory.

{{clear}}

=Vanderbilt=

{{see also|1959 Vanderbilt Commodores football team}}

{{AFB game box start

|Visitor=Alabama

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=7

|Host=Vanderbilt

|H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=0

|Date=October 3

|Location=Dudley Field
Nashville, Tennessee

|Attendance=27,967

}}

  • Sources:{{cite news |first=Barney |last=Ballard |agency=Associated Press |title=Bama, Vandy play to 7–7 tie |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s48oAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5dUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1159%2C286038 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Gadsden Times |date=October 4, 1959 |page=9 |access-date=January 16, 2013}}{{cite news |first=Charles |last=Land |title=Bama and Vandy battle to third straight deadlock |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QhUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-pkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6899%2C374888 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=October 4, 1959 |page=9 |access-date=January 16, 2013}}

{{AFB game box end}}

For the third time in as many seasons, the Crimson Tide played the Vanderbilt Commodores to a tie, this time by a 7–7 margin in Nashville. After a scoreless first quarter, the Commodores took a 7–0 halftime lead after Tom Moore scored on a short touchdown run in the second quarter. Alabama tied the game early in the fourth quarter on a short Pat Trammell touchdown run, Russell Morris missed a 37-yard field goal attempt later in the quarter and the game ended tied 7–7. The tie brought Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 18–16–4.{{Cite web |last=DeLassus |first=David |title=Alabama vs Vanderbilt |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=3363 |access-date=January 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231175231/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=3363 |archive-date=2014-12-31 |url-status=dead }}

{{clear}}

=Chattanooga=

{{See also|1959 Chattanooga Moccasins football team}}

{{AFB game box start

|Visitor=Chattanooga

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Alabama

|H1=7 |H2=0 |H3=6 |H4=0

|Date=October 10

|Location=Denny Stadium
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

|Attendance=20,000

}}

  • Sources:{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Crimson Tide gets past Chattanooga |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ehosAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4MYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2533%2C4700948 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Florence Times |date=October 11, 1959 |page=4D |access-date=January 16, 2013}}{{cite news |first=Norman |last=Bassett |title=Umbrella defense prevails as Bama downs Mocs, 13–0 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SBUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-pkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5375%2C1367617 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=October 11, 1959 |page=1 |access-date=January 16, 2013}}

{{AFB game box end}}

In rainy conditions for the first home game of the 1959 season, the Crimson Tide shutout the Chattanooga Mocs 13–0 in Tuscaloosa. Alabama took a 7–0 first quarter lead when Robert Skelton scored on an 18-yard touchdown run. Pat Trammell then scored the second touchdown of the game in the third on a 54-yard run that made the score 13–0. For the game, Trammell rushed for 106 yards on 17 carries to lead the Crimson Tide. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Chattanooga to 8–0.{{Cite web|last=DeLassus |first=David |title=Alabama vs Tennessee–Chattanooga |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=3193 |access-date=January 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023092913/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=3193 |archive-date=October 23, 2011 }}

{{clear}}

=Tennessee=

{{See also|1959 Tennessee Volunteers football team}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Third Saturday in October

|Visitor=#14 Tennessee

|V1=7 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Alabama

|H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=0

|Date=October 17

|Location=Legion Field
Birmingham, Alabama

|Attendance=42,000

}}

  • Sources:{{cite news |first=Charles |last=Land |title=Alabama battles Vols to 7–7 tie |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TxUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-pkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7412%2C2405510 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=October 18, 1959 |page=11 |access-date=January 17, 2013}}{{cite news |first=Ton |last=Dygard |agency=Associated Press |title=Underdog Alabama gains 7–7 tie with Tennessee |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=j4BJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sQsNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1275%2C3197949 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The News and Courier |date=October 18, 1959 |page=4D |access-date=January 17, 2013}}

{{AFB game box end}}

In their annual rivalry game against Tennessee, Alabama played the No. 14 Volunteers to a 7–7 tie in Birmingham. Tennessee took an early 7–0 lead in the first quarter. Bill Majors scored on a two-yard touchdown run that capped a nine-play, 45-yard drive. The Crimson Tide responded in the second quarter when Pat Trammell threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Stanley Bell that tied the score 7–7. The only other scoring opportunity came late in the fourth quarter, and after Frank Sington Jr. missed an eight-yard field goal for Alabama, the game ended in a 7–7 tie. The tie brought Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 18–18–6.{{Cite web|last=DeLassus |first=David |title=Alabama vs Tennessee |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=3180 |access-date=January 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014173115/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=3180 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 }}

{{clear}}

=Mississippi State=

{{see also|1959 Mississippi State Maroons football team}}

{{AFB game box start

|Visitor=Mississippi State

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Alabama

|H1=0 |H2=3 |H3=7 |H4=0

|Date=October 31

|Location=Denny Stadium
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

|Attendance=19,000

}}

  • Sources:{{cite news |first=Charles |last=Land |title=Bama gains homecoming victory |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LfocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6895%2C56257 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=November 1, 1959 |page=9 |access-date=January 17, 2013}}{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Bama whips Miss State |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=K2QzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=y-oFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5954%2C257423 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Miami News |date=November 1, 1959 |page=4C |access-date=January 17, 2013}}

{{AFB game box end}}

On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, Alabama shutout the Mississippi State Maroons 10–0 and secured their first conference victory of the 1959 season. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 3–0 halftime lead after Fred Sington Jr. connected on a 25-yard field goal. They then extended their lead to 10–0 in the third quarter when Bobby Skelton threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Stanley Bell. The Crimson Tide defense was dominant in the victory as they had four interceptions for the game. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 31–10–3.{{Cite web|last=DeLassus |first=David |title=Alabama vs Mississippi State |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=2049 |access-date=January 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023093940/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=2049 |archive-date=October 23, 2011 }}

{{clear}}

=Tulane=

{{See also|1959 Tulane Green Wave football team}}

{{AFB game box start

|Visitor=Tulane

|V1=0 |V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Alabama

|H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=6 |H4=6

|Date=November 7

|Location=Ladd Stadium
Mobile, Alabama

|Attendance=29,000

}}

  • Sources:{{cite news |first=Charles |last=Land |title=Bama finds punch, runs over Tulane, 19–7 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NPocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7224%2C1018077 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=November 8, 1959 |page=9 |access-date=January 17, 2013}}{{cite news |agency=UPI |title=Crimson Tide hands Tulane 19–7 licking |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gPQlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C3cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7024%2C3569002 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |date=November 8, 1959 |page=4C |access-date=January 17, 2013}}

{{AFB game box end}}

In their annual home game at Ladd Stadium in Mobile, the Crimson Tide overcame five turnovers and defeated the Tulane Green Wave 19–7. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 7–0 lead after Marlin Dyess scored on a four-yard touchdown run. The Greenies responded later in the quarter with a 10-yard Phil Nugent touchdown pass to Pete Abadie that tied the game 7–7 at halftime. The Crimson Tide then scored a pair of second half touchdowns. The first came in the third quarter on a 22-yard Bobby Skelton pass to Tommy Brooker and the second in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard W. E. Richardson run. The win was both the 100th Southeastern Conference victory in the history of the Alabama program and the 100th victory for Bryant as a head coach. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tulane to 18–10–2.{{Cite web |last=DeLassus |first=David |title=Alabama vs Tulane |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=3267 |access-date=January 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227093118/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=3267 |archive-date=2013-12-27 |url-status=dead }}

{{clear}}

=Georgia Tech=

{{see also|1959 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team}}

{{AFB game box start

|Visitor=#15 Georgia Tech

|V1=7 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Alabama

|H1=6 |H2=3 |H3=0 |H4=0

|Date=November 14

|Location=Legion Field
Birmingham, Alabama

|Attendance=43,500

}}

  • Sources:{{cite news |first=Jimmy |last=Bryan |title=Sington's field goal lifts Tide over Tech |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JwkpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3NUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=816%2C1542219 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Gadsden Times |date=November 15, 1959 |page=8 |access-date=January 17, 2013}}{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Alabama wins on field goal |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VaMhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qJkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5283%2C6320344 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=Reading Eagle |date=November 15, 1959 |page=29 |access-date=January 17, 2013}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Behind a 43-yard game-winning Fred Sington Jr. field goal, the Crimson Tide upset the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 9–7 at Legion Field. Tech took an early 7–0 after Gary O'Steen fumbled the opening kickoff that gave the Yellow Jackets possession at the Alabama 27-yard line. Six plays later Marvin Tibbetts scored on a two-yard run. Alabama's only touchdown drive was set up on their next possession after Tech fumbled a punt that was recovered by W. E. Richardson at their 49-yard line. Eight plays later, Marlin Dyess scored on a 10-yard run, but Bryant then elected to go for a two-point conversion that was unsuccessful and the Jackets led 7–6. What proved to be the game-winning field goal came on a 43-yard Sington kick in the second quarter that made the score 9–7. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 20–18–3.{{Cite web |last=DeLassus |first=David |title=Alabama vs Georgia Tech |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=1273 |access-date=January 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023092823/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=1273 |archive-date=2011-10-23 |url-status=dead }}

{{clear}}

=Memphis State=

{{See also-text|1959 Memphis State Tigers football team}}

{{AFB game box start

|Visitor=Memphis State

|V1=0 |V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=#17 Alabama

|H1=0 |H2=0 |H3=8 |H4=6

|Date=November 21

|Location=Denny Stadium
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

|Attendance=30,200

}}

  • Sources:{{cite news |first=Arthur Ray |last=Shaw |title=Tide overcomes deficit to trip Memphis State |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LgkpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3NUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=638%2C2259097 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Gadsden Times |date=November 22, 1959 |page=9 |access-date=January 17, 2013}}{{cite news |agency=UPI |title=Alabama fights back to win over Memphis State |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lektAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WzEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1743%2C2379201 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=Rome News-Tribune |date=November 22, 1959 |page=8 |access-date=January 17, 2013}}

{{AFB game box end}}

After their upset victory over Georgia Tech, the Crimson Tide entered the polls for the first time since the 1954 season in the No. 17 position.{{cite news |first=Charles |last=Land |title=Alabama, Memphis State meet tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PvocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7174%2C2773308 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=November 20, 1959 |page=8 |access-date=January 17, 2013}} Down 7–0 at halftime to underdog Memphis State, the Crimson Tide rallied with a pair of second half touchdowns and defeated the Tigers 14–7 at Denny Stadium. After a scoreless first quarter, Memphis took a 7–0 lead after Jimmy Wright scored on a one-yard touchdown run that capped an 84-yard drive. Alabama then took an 8–7 lead in the third quarter when W. E. Richardson scored on a fourth-and-three touchdown run followed it with a successful two-point conversion. Mal Moore then threw a four-yard touchdown pass to William Rice in the fourth quarter that made the final score 14–7. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Memphis State to 2–0.{{Cite web |last=DeLassus |first=David |title=Alabama vs Memphis |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=1931 |access-date=January 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023111255/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=1931 |archive-date=2011-10-23 |url-status=dead }}

{{clear}}

=Auburn=

{{See also|1959 Auburn Tigers football team}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Iron Bowl

|Visitor=#11 Auburn

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=#19 Alabama

|H1=0 |H2=3 |H3=7 |H4=0

|Date=November 28

|Location=Legion Field
Birmingham, Alabama

|Attendance=44,000

}}

  • Sources:{{cite news |first=Charles |last=Land |title=Tide tame Tigers, 10–0 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RfocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6144%2C3847310 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=November 29, 1959 |page=1 |access-date=January 17, 2013}}{{cite book |last=Griffin |first=John Chandler |title=Alabama vs. Auburn: Gridiron Grudge Since 1893 |year=2001 |publisher=Hill Street Press |location=Athens, Georgia |isbn= 1-58818-044-1 |pages=160–162 |chapter=1959: Bear guides Bama to big bowl game}}

{{AFB game box end}}

As they entered their season finale against No. 11 Auburn, the Crimson Tide dropped two spots to the No. 19 position after their closer than expected game against Memphis State.{{cite news |first=Jack |last=Hand |agency=Associated Press |title=Alabama drops to No. 19 in national football poll |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QfocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6938%2C3394030 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=November 24, 1959 |page=10 |access-date=January 17, 2013}} At Legion Field in the annual Iron Bowl game, Alabama shutout the Tigers 10–0 and won their first game against their rival since the 1953 season. After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama took a 3–0 halftime lead on a 27-yard Tommy Brooker field goal. They extended their lead further to 10–0 in the third quarter on a 39-yard Bobby Skelton touchdown pass to Marlin Dyess. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 10–13–1.{{Cite web|last=DeLassus |first=David |title=Alabama vs Auburn |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=220 |access-date=January 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014172303/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=220 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 }}

{{clear}}

=Penn State=

{{See also|1959 Penn State Nittany Lions football team|1959 Liberty Bowl}}

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Liberty Bowl

|Visitor=#10 Alabama

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=#12 Penn State

|H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=0

|Date=December 19

|Location=Philadelphia Municipal Stadium
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

|Attendance=36,211

}}

  • Sources:{{cite news |title=Penn State outplays Crimson Tide, 7–0 |first=Charles |last=Land |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=December 20, 1959 |page=1 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FB8fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7076%2C2919090 |access-date=January 17, 2013}}{{cite news |title=Penn State wins, 7–0, on fake field goal |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Miami News |date=December 20, 1959 |page=C1 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A0I0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=yOoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3390%2C1594954 |access-date=January 17, 2013}}

{{AFB game box end}}

After their victory over Auburn in their season finale, Bryant turned down an invitation to play in the Bluegrass Bowl.{{cite news |title=Bowl declined |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=November 29, 1959 |page=1 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RfocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5315%2C3847301 |access-date=January 17, 2013}} However, two days later they accepted an invitation to compete in the inaugural Liberty Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first all-time meeting between the schools.{{cite news |title=Tide going to Liberty Bowl |first=Charles |last=Land |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=December 1, 1959 |page=1 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CB8fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6762%2C9929 |access-date=January 17, 2013}}{{Cite web |last=DeLassus |first=David |title=Alabama vs Penn State |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=2514 |access-date=January 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114439/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/alabama/opponents_records.php?teamid=2514 |archive-date=2014-08-26 |url-status=dead }} As they entered their contest against Penn State, Alabama finished the season with the No. 10 ranking and the Nittany Lions with the No. 12 ranking.{{cite news |title=Alabama finished No. 10 |first=John |last=Chandler |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=December 8, 1959 |page=6 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DB8fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EJoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6767%2C1160109 |access-date=January 17, 2013}} At Municipal Stadium, Alabama was upset 7–0 by Penn State with the only touchdown scored in the second quarter on a 17-yard touchdown reception by Roger Kochman from Galen Hall on a fake field goal attempt. This bowl game marked the beginning of a school record 25 consecutive bowl appearances.{{cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Billy |title=Reality of a losing record stuns the Tide |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RDUdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pqUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4083%2C2642965 |page=1B |work=The Tuscaloosa News |publisher=Google News |date=November 11, 1984 |access-date=January 17, 2013}}

{{clear}}

Personnel

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-2}}

=Varsity letter winners=

class="wikitable" border="1"
;

! Player

! Hometown

! Position

Charles Allen

| Athens, Alabama

| Tackle

Stanley Bell

| Anniston, Alabama

| End

Jim Blevins

| Moulton, Alabama

| Tackle

Bobby Boylston

| Atlanta

| Tackle

Tommy Brooker

| Demopolis, Alabama

| End

James Cain

| Pensacola, Florida

| tackle

Donald Cochran

| Birmingham, Alabama

| Guard

Marlin Dyess

| Elba, Alabama

| Halfback

Milton Frank

| Huntsville, Alabama

| Guard

Leon Fuller

| Nederland, Texas

| Halfback

William Hannah

| Indianapolis, Indiana

| Tackle

Roy Holsomback

| West Blocton, Alabama

| Guard

Connell Johnson

| High Point, North Carolina

| Halfback

Bud Moore

| Birmingham, Alabama

| End

Duff Morrison

| Memphis, Tennessee

| Halfback

Billy Neighbors

| Northport, Alabama

| Tackle

Richard O’Dell

| Lincoln, Alabama

| End

John O’Linger

| Scottsboro, Alabama

| Center

Robert O'Steen

| Anniston, Alabama

| Fullback

James Patton

| Tuscumbia, Alabama

| End

Gary Phillips

| Dothan, Alabama

| Guard

John Paul Poole

| Florence, Alabama

| End

William Rice

| Troy, Alabama

| Guard

Jerry Rich

| Attalla, Alabama

| Halfback

W. E. Richardson

| Jasper, Alabama

| Halfback

Norbie Ronsonet

| Biloxi, Mississippi

| End

Jack Rutledge

| Birmingham, Alabama

| Guard

Wayne Sims

| Columbiana, Alabama

| Guard

Fred Sington Jr.

| Birmingham, Alabama

| Tackle

Bobby Skelton

| Pell City, Alabama

| Quarterback

Laurien "Goobie" Stapp

| Birmingham, Alabama

| Quarterback/Placekicker

Ravis Stickney

| Key West, Florida

| Fullback

Pat Trammell

| Scottsboro, Alabama

| Quarterback

William "Buddy" Wesley

| Talladega, Alabama

| Fullback

Tommy White

| West Blocton, Alabama

| Fullback

colspan="3" style="font-size: 8pt" align="center"|Reference:{{cite book |title=2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book |year=2012 |chapter=All-Time Tide Football Lettermen |publisher=University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office |location=Tuscaloosa, Alabama |pages=187–201}}

{{Col-2}}

=Coaching staff=

class="wikitable" border="1" style="font-size:90%;"
NamePositionSeasons at
Alabama		Alma Mater
Bear BryantHead coachalign=center| 2Alabama (1936)
Sam BaileyAssistant coachalign=center| 2Ouachita Baptist (1949)
Charlie BradshawAssistant coachalign=center| 1Kentucky (1950)
Jerry ClaiborneAssistant coachalign=center| 2Kentucky (1950)
Phil CutchinAssistant coachalign=center| 2Kentucky (1943)
Bob FordAssistant coachalign=center| 1Memphis State (1955)
Jim GoostreeAssistant coachalign=center| 3Tennessee (1952)
Pat JamesAssistant coachalign=center| 2Kentucky (1951)
Bobby Drake KeithAssistant coachalign=center| 2Texas A&M (1957)
Carney LaslieAssistant coachalign=center| 3Alabama (1934)
Hayden RileyAssistant coachalign=center| 2Alabama (1948)
Gene StallingsAssistant coachalign=center| 2Texas A&M (1957)
colspan="4" style="font-size: 8pt" align="center"|Reference:{{cite book |title=2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book |year=2012 |chapter=All-Time Assistant Coaches |publisher=University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office |location=Tuscaloosa, Alabama |pages=202–203}}

{{Col-2}}

{{Col-end}}

References

General

{{refbegin}}

  • {{cite web |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/59-m-footbl-recaps.pdf |title=1959 Season Recaps |work=RollTide.com |publisher=University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics |access-date=January 15, 2013 |format=PDF |archive-date=April 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425164910/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/59-m-footbl-recaps.pdf |url-status=dead }}

{{refend}}

Specific

{{Reflist}}

{{Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}

Alabama

Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons

Alabama Crimson Tide football