1986 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

{{Infobox college sports team season

| year = 1986

| team = Alabama Crimson Tide

| sport = football

| image =

| image_size =

| conference = Southeastern Conference

| short_conf = SEC

| CoachRank = 9

| APRank = 9

| record = 10–3

| conf_record = 4–2

| head_coach = Ray Perkins

| hc_year = 4th

| off_coach = George Henshaw

| oc_year = 4th

| off_scheme =

| def_coach = Joe Kines

| dc_year = 2nd

| def_scheme =

| captain = Mike Shula

| captain2 = Cornelius Bennett

| stadium = Bryant–Denny Stadium
Legion Field

| champion = Sun Bowl champion

| bowl = Sun Bowl

| bowl_result = {{Tooltip|W|Won}} 28–6 vs. Washington

}}

The 1986 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA", "Bama" or "The Tide") represented the University of Alabama in the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 94th overall and 53rd season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Ray Perkins, in his fourth year, and played their home games at both Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of ten wins and three losses (10–3 overall, 4–2 in the SEC) and with a victory in the Sun Bowl over Washington.

After opening the season with a victory over Ohio State in the Kickoff Classic, the Crimson Tide won their first seven games and eventually rise to as high as No. 2 in the rankings but lost to eventual national champion Penn State{{cite news |title=A midseason run for respect |first=Douglas S. |last=Looney |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1065417/1/index.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717103415/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1065417/1/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |newspaper=Sports Illustrated |publisher=SI.com |date=November 3, 1986 |access-date=February 21, 2012}} and lost out on an SEC championship after losses to LSU1986 Game Recaps, Game No. 10 and Auburn.1986 Game Recaps, Game No. 12 Highlights of the season included their first ever victory over Notre Dame and a 56–28 victory over Tennessee that snapped a four-game losing streak to the Vols.{{cite news |title=Vol-in tears |first=Ivan |last=Maisel |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1065390/1/index.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716172316/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1065390/1/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |newspaper=Sports Illustrated |publisher=SI.com |date=October 27, 1986 |access-date=February 21, 2012}}

After the season, Ray Perkins resigned on December 31, to become head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League.{{cite news |title=Perkins takes Tampa Bay coaching job |first=Jack |last=Wheat |page=1 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xzQdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=haUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6326%2C10034562 |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=December 31, 1986 |access-date=February 21, 2012}}

Schedule

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 1986

| poll = AP

| timezone = Central

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = {{tooltip|August 27|Wednesday}}

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| rank = 5

| opponent = Ohio State

| opprank = 9

| site_stadium = Giants Stadium

| site_cityst = East Rutherford, NJ

| gamename = Kickoff Classic

| tv = Raycom

| score = 16–10

| attend = 68,296

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71560819/alabama-capitalizes-on-osus-mistakes/|work=The Akron Beacon Journal|title=Alabama capitalizes on OSU's mistakes|date=August 28, 1986|accessdate=February 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 6

| time = 11:30 a.m.

| w/l = w

| rank = 5

| opponent = Vanderbilt

| site_stadium = Bryant–Denny Stadium

| site_cityst = Tuscaloosa, AL

| tv = TBS

| score = 42–10

| attend = 58,168

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71561018/bama-crashes-vandys-party-4210/|work=The Tennessean|title=Bama crashes Vandy's party, 42–10|date=September 7, 1986|accessdate=February 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 13

| time = 1:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 4

| opponent = Southern Miss

| site_stadium = Legion Field

| site_cityst = Birmingham, AL

| score = 31–17

| attend = 73,687

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71561143/usm-falls-short-in-bid-to-knock-off-tide/|work=Hattiesburg American|title=USM falls short in bid to knock off Tide|date=September 14, 1986|accessdate=February 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 20

| time = 12:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 4

| opponent = Florida

| opprank = 13

| site_stadium = Florida Field

| site_cityst = Gainesville, FL

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 21–7

| attend = 74,685

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71561267/bama-rules-gators-for-217-victory/|work=The Orlando Sentinel|title=Bama rules Gators for 21–7 victory|date=September 21, 1986|accessdate=February 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 4

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 2

| opponent = Notre Dame

| site_stadium = Legion Field

| site_cityst = Birmingham, AL

| tv = ABC

| score = 28–10

| attend = 75,808

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71561420/alabama-makes-quick-work-of-irish/|work=Chicago Tribune|title=Alabama makes quick work of Irish|date=October 5, 1986|accessdate=February 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 11

| time = 1:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| homecoming = y

| rank = 2

| opponent = Memphis State

| site_stadium = Bryant–Denny Stadium

| site_cityst = Tuscaloosa, AL

| score = 37–0

| attend = 60,210

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71561592/bama-overwhelms-downtrodden-tigers/|work=The Jackson Sun|title=Bama overwhelms downtrodden Tigers|date=October 12, 1986|accessdate=February 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 18

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 2

| opponent = Tennessee

| site_stadium = Neyland Stadium

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename = Third Saturday in October

| tv = ABC

| score = 56–28

| attend = 95,116

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71561746/bama-offense-destroys-vols/|work=Johnson City Press|title='Bama offense destroys Vols|date=October 19, 1986|accessdate=February 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 25

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| rank = 2

| opponent = Penn State

| opprank = 6

| site_stadium = Bryant–Denny Stadium

| site_cityst = Tuscaloosa, AL

| gamename = rivalry

| tv = ABC

| score = 3–23

| attend = 60,210

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71561921/move-over-miami-state-bombs-bama/|work=Sunday News|title=Move over Miami: State bombs Bama|date=October 27, 1986|accessdate=February 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 1

| time = 11:30 a.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 8

| opponent = Mississippi State

| opprank = 19

| site_stadium = Scott Field

| site_cityst = Starkville, MS

| gamename = rivalry

| tv = TBS

| score = 38–3

| attend = 42,700

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71562097/humphrey-tide-crush-reeling-dogs/|work=Clarion-Ledger|title=Humphrey, Tide crush reeling 'Dogs|date=November 2, 1986|accessdate=February 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 8

| time = 6:45 p.m.

| w/l = l

| rank = 6

| opponent = LSU

| opprank = 18

| site_stadium = Legion Field

| site_cityst = Birmingham, AL

| gamename = rivalry

| tv = ESPN

| score = 10–14

| attend = 75,808

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71562403/tigers-capitalize-on-low-tide-to-gig/|work=Alexandria Daily Town Talk|title=Tigers capitalize on low Tide to gig floundering Alabama|date=November 9, 1986|accessdate=February 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 15

| time = 1:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 11

| opponent = Temple

| site_stadium = Bryant–Denny Stadium

| site_cityst = Tuscaloosa, AL

| score = 24–14

| attend = 60,210

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71562596/owls-cant-stem-tide-palmer-gains-145/|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|title=Owls can't stem Tide; Palmer gains 145 yards|date=November 16, 1986|accessdate=February 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 29

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = l

| neutral = y

| rank = 7

| opponent = Auburn

| opprank = 14

| site_stadium = Legion Field

| site_cityst = Birmingham, AL

| gamename = Iron Bowl

| tv = ABC

| score = 17–21

| attend = 75,808

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71562758/tillmans-mistake-helps-auburn-over-bama/|work=The Montgomery Advertiser|title=Tillman's mistake helps Auburn over Bama|date=November 30, 1986|accessdate=February 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = {{tooltip|December 25|Thursday}}

| time = 1:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| rank = 13

| opponent = Washington

| opprank = 12

| site_stadium = Sun Bowl

| site_cityst = El Paso, TX

| gamename = Sun Bowl

| tv = CBS

| score = 28–6

| attend = 48,722

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71563042/bama-defense-shines-in-sun/|work=El Paso Times|title='Bama defense shines in Sun|date=December 26, 1986|accessdate=February 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

{{cite web|url=https://rolltide.com/sports/2016/6/10/sports-m-footbl-archive-m-footbl-archive-1986-html.aspx?id=192 |title=1986 Alabama football archives |work=RollTide.com |publisher=University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics |accessdate=February 20, 2021}}

Rankings

{{Ranking movements

| poll1title = AP

| poll1firstweek = 0

| poll1lastweek = 14

| poll1_0=5

| poll1_1=4

| poll1_2=4 (1)

| poll1_3=3

| poll1_4=2 (1)

| poll1_5=2 (2)

| poll1_6=2 (2)

| poll1_7=2 (3)

| poll1_8=8

| poll1_9=6 (1)

| poll1_10=11

| poll1_11=9

| poll1_12=7

| poll1_13=13

| poll1_14=9

| poll1_15=

| poll1_16=

| poll1_17=

| poll1_18=

| poll1_19=

| poll2title = Coaches

| poll2firstweek =0

| poll2lastweek =14

| poll2_0=6 (1)

| poll2_1=4 (1)

| poll2_2=4

| poll2_3=3 (1)

| poll2_4=2 (1)

| poll2_5=2

| poll2_6=2 (3)

| poll2_7=2 (3)

| poll2_8=8

| poll2_9=6

| poll2_10=15

| poll2_11=9

| poll2_12=7

| poll2_13=14

| poll2_14=9

| poll2_15=

| poll2_16=

| poll2_17=

| poll2_18=

| poll2_19=

| poll2_20=

}}

Game summaries

=Ohio State=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Alabama

|V1=3 |V2=3 |V3=0 |V4=10

|Host=Ohio St

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

|Date=August 27

|Location=Giants Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=Raycom Sports

}}

{{see also|1986 Ohio State Buckeyes football team|Kickoff Classic}}

=Vanderbilt=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Vanderbilt

|V1= 0|V2=0 |V3=3 |V4=7

|Host=Alabama

|H1=3 |H2= 11|H3=14 |H4=14

|Date=September 6

|Location=Bryant-Denny Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=58,168

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=TBS

}}

=Southern Mississippi=

=At Florida=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Alabama

|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=14 |V4=7

|Host=Florida

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

|Date=September 20

|Location=Florida Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=74,685

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

=Notre Dame=

=Memphis State=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Memphis St

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

|Host=Alabama

|H1=10 |H2=7 |H3=3 |H4=17

|Date=October 11

|Location=Bryant-Denny Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=60,210

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=

}}

Homecoming

=At Tennessee=

=Penn State=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Penn St

|V1=0 |V2=14 |V3=3 |V4=6

|Host=Alabama

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

|Date=October 25

|Location=Bryant-Denny Stadium

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=60,210

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=ABC

}}

{{see also|1986 Penn State Nittany Lions football team|Alabama–Penn State football rivalry}}

=At Mississippi State=

=LSU=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=LSU

|V1=0 |V2=14 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=Alabama

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

|Date=November 8

|Location=Legion Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=75,808

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=ESPN

}}

=Temple=

=Auburn=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=

|Visitor=Auburn

|V1=0 |V2=7 |V3=0 |V4=14

|Host=Alabama

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

|Date=November 29

|Location=Legion Field

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=75,808

|Weather=

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=

|TVStation=ABC

}}

=Vs. Washington (Sun Bowl)=

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Washington vs. Alabama

|Visitor=No. 12 Huskies

|V1=0 |V2=6 |V3=0 |V4=0

|Host=No. 13 Crimson Tide

|H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=14 |H4=7

|Date=December 25

|Location=Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX

|StartTime=

|TimeZone=

|ElapsedTime=

|Attendance=48,722

|Weather={{convert|45|F}}, Sunny, Wind NNE {{convert|4|mph|abbr=on}}

|Referee=

|TVAnnouncers=Brent Musburger, Ara Parseghian, John Dockery

|TVStation=CBS

}}

Roster

{{American football roster/Header

| year = 1986

| team = Alabama Crimson Tide

| teamcolors = yes

| offensive_players =

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Doug|last=Allen|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Marco|last=Battle|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Albert|last=Bell|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=John|last=Cassimus|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=David|last=Casteal|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Bill|last=Condon|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Howard|last=Cross|num=85|pos=TE|class=So|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Kerry|last=Goode|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Murry|last=Hill|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Bobby|last=Humphrey|num=26|pos=RB|class=So|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Gene|last=Jelks|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=David|last=Johnson|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Joe|last=King|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Wes|last=Neighbors|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Greg|last=Payne|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Greg|last=Richardson|num=17|pos=WR|class=Sr|link=y|dab=Greg Richardson (American football)}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Carlos|last=Robinson|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Larry|last=Rose|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Mike|last=Shula|num=11|pos=QB|class=Sr|link=y|note=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=David|last=Smith|pos=QB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Angelo|last=Stafford|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Clay|last=Whitehurst|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Bo|last=Wright|pos=RB}}

| defensive_players=

{{American football roster/Player|first=Cornelius|last=Bennett|num=97|pos=LB|class=Sr|link=y|note=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=George|last=Bethune|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Britton|last=Cooper|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Vantriese|last=Davis|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Wayne|last=Davis|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Greg|last=Gilbert|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Chris|last=Goode|num=36|pos=CB|class=Jr|link=y|dab=Chris Goode (American football)}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Curt|last=Jarvis|pos=DL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Kermit|last=Kendrick|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Freddie|last=Robinson|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Randy|last=Rockwell|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Derrick|last=Slaughter|pos=DL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Cliff|last=Thomas|pos=DL}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Derrick|last=Thomas|num=55|pos=LB|class=So|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Ricky|last=Thomas|pos=DB}}

| special_teams_players=

{{American football roster/Player|first=Chris|last=Mohr|num=5|pos=P|class=So|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|first=Van|last=Tiffin|num=3|pos=K|class=Sr|link=y}}

}}

{{American football roster/Footer

| head_coach = *Ray Perkins

| asst_coach =

| accessdate=

}}

Awards and honors

Cornelius Bennett: Lombardi Award, SEC Player of the Year, Unanimous First-team All-American

1987 NFL Draft

class="wikitable" width="80%"
align="center" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle\|Alabama Crimson Tide\|color=white}}" \| Player	Position	Round	Pick	NFL club
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Cornelius Bennett	Outside Linebacker	1	2	Indianapolis Colts
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Freddie Robinson	Defensive back	6	142	Indianapolis Colts
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Greg Richardson	Wide receiver	6	156	Minnesota Vikings
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Curt Jarvis	Defensive tackle	7	169	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Wayne Davis	Linebacker	9	229	St. Louis Cardinals
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Wes Neighbors	Center	9	231	Houston Oilers
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Chris Goode	Defensive back	10	253	Indianapolis Colts
align="center" bgcolor="" \| Mike Shula	Quarterback	12	313	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
align="center" bgcolor=""

{{cite web|website=pro-football-reference.com|title=1987 NFL Draft|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1987.htm|access-date=September 1, 2019|archive-date=December 21, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221193418/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1987.htm|url-status=dead}}

References

General

{{cite book |title=1987 Alabama Football Media Guide |chapter=1986 Game Recaps |year=1987 |publisher=UA Athletics Media Relations Office |location=Tuscaloosa, Alabama |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/86-m-footbl-recaps.pdf |access-date=February 21, 2012 |archive-date=October 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026232131/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/86-m-footbl-recaps.pdf |url-status=dead }}

Specific

Alabama

Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons

Category:Sun Bowl champion seasons

Alabama Crimson Tide football