The 1995 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1995 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Gene Stallings, the Crimson Tide compiled an overall record of 8–3 with a mark of 5–3 in conference play, tying for second place in the SEC's Western Division. Due to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sanctions, Alabama was not eligible for postseason play. The team played home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
The early-season victory over Southern Miss came in dramatic fashion, as Alabama completed a 36-yard pass on a fourth down for a go-ahead touchdown with under 30 seconds left in the game. The three games Alabama lost were also particularly noteworthy. The game against Arkansas featured a last-minute fourth-and-goal touchdown pass by Arkansas, giving them the win; however, replays later showed the ball was clearly not caught. This call, along with a missed 12-men-on-the-field penalty on Arkansas' final drive led to the suspension of the officiating crew the following week. The 41–14 blowout loss to Tennessee marked the Vols' first win over the Tide since 1985, ending Alabama's nine-game unbeaten streak in the rivalry. The season-ending loss at Auburn also featured a questionable last-minute call. Alabama quarterback Freddie Kitchens had apparently hit Curtis Brown for a late go-ahead touchdown, but officials ruled Brown out of bounds.
Schedule
Game summaries Vanderbilt
Despite a sloppy performance that included five turnovers, Alabama found a way to escape. Fueled by a furious 23-point fourth quarter, the Crimson Tide rallied from behind to survive a major upset bid from Vanderbilt.
Trailing 19–10 in the third quarter, Alabama answered with a quick 72-yard, five-play drive, capped by Dennis Riddle's 1-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to two. Vanderbilt then fumbled on its ensuing possession, setting up a 32-yard field goal by Michael Proctor that gave the Tide a 20–19 lead.
After the defense forced a three-and-out, Alabama appeared poised to seize control. Instead, Riddle fumbled, and Eric Vance scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown, putting Vanderbilt back in front, 25–20.
The Tide responded immediately with a 58-yard scoring drive, ending with Brian Burgdorf's 4-yard touchdown pass to Toderick Malone to reclaim the lead. Brad Ford then put the game away with his second interception of the night, returning it for a touchdown to seal Alabama's 33–25 victory.
Statistics AlabamaVanderbilt First downs 19 10 Total yards 372 208 Rushing yards 125 112 Passing yards 247 96 Turnovers 5 6 Time of possession 35:35 24:25 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Brian Burgdorf 17–30, 198 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT's Rushing Dennis Riddle 29 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD Receiving Toderick Malone 4 receptions, 66 yards, 1 TDVanderbilt Passing Damian Allen 8–23, 87 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT's Rushing Jermaine Johnson 16 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD Receiving Sanford Ware 3 receptions, 50 yards
Southern Miss
For the second straight week, Alabama found itself on the verge of an upset—but once again, the Crimson Tide rose to the occasion. Trailing 20–17 late in the fourth quarter and facing a daunting 4th-and-16, Brian Burgdorf delivered under pressure, firing a perfect 35-yard touchdown pass to Toderick Malone. The score gave Alabama its first lead of the day and completed yet another thrilling fourth-quarter comeback, keeping the Crimson Tide's winning ways alive.
Statistics Southern MissAlabama First downs 14 18 Total yards 259 349 Rushing yards 101 84 Passing yards 158 265 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 30:09 29:51 Team Category Player StatisticsSouthern Miss Passing Heath Graham 15–28, 158 yards 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Eric Booth 9 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD Receiving Ryan Pearson 4 receptions, 52 yardsAlabama Passing Brian Burgdorf 19–27, 265 yards, 3 TD's Rushing Dennis Riddle 14 carries, 44 yards Receiving Toderick Malone 5 receptions, 131 yards, 1 TD
Arkansas
Alabama appeared to be in control after a safety extended its lead to nine points in the third quarter, but the Crimson Tide couldn't put the Razorbacks away, ultimately falling to Arkansas for the first time in program history.
The game was also marred by a controversial officiating error in the closing moments—one that resulted in the suspension of the SEC officiating crew the following week. On Arkansas's final drive, the Razorbacks faced second-and-goal from the Alabama 3-yard line. Although the pass fell incomplete, Arkansas had 12 players on the field, a penalty that went uncalled. Had the infraction been enforced, Arkansas would have faced third-and-goal from the 18-yard line instead of remaining at the 3. The missed call significantly improved Arkansas's scoring opportunity and, given Alabama's defensive stand to that point, could have altered the outcome of the game.
Statistics ArkansasAlabama First downs 13 11 Total yards 270 213 Rushing yards 89 123 Passing yards 181 90 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 32:39 27:21 Team Category Player StatisticsArkansas Passing Barry Lunney Jr. 15–26, 181 yards, 1 TD Rushing Madre Hill 26 carries, 105 yards Receiving Anthony Eubanks 3 receptions, 59 yardsAlabama Passing Brian Burgdorf 6–17, 90 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Dennis Riddle 22 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD Receiving Curtis Brown 2 receptions, 55 yards, 1 TD
Georgia
With Georgia playing without its starting quarterback and tailback, Alabama took full advantage, cruising to a 31–0 victory for its first road SEC shutout since 1990.
The Crimson Tide's defense and special teams dominated from start to finish, either scoring points themselves or setting up the offense with excellent field position. Defensive back Cedric Samuel gave Alabama an early boost by returning a fumble 25 yards for a touchdown. Late in the second quarter, as Georgia attempted to cut the deficit to a one-possession game, defensive lineman Shannon Brown blocked a 27-yard field-goal attempt. The loose ball was scooped up by Deshea Townsend, who raced 90 yards for a touchdown to give Alabama complete control heading into halftime. Kevin Jackson later capped the defensive showcase with a 36-yard interception return for another score.
Statistics AlabamaGeorgia First downs 11 15 Total yards 227 213 Rushing yards 110 142 Passing yards 117 71 Turnovers 0 6 Time of possession 28:18 31:42 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Brian Burgdorf 7–13, 100 yards Rushing Dennis Riddle 17 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD Receiving Tony Johnson 2 receptions, 51 yardsGeorgia Passing Brian Smith 9–20, 60 yards, 2 INT's Rushing Larry Bowie (running back) 24 carries, 94 yards Receiving Juan Daniels 1 reception, 18 yards
North Carolina State
Alabama extended its non-conference winning streak to 19 games with a hard-fought 27–11 Homecoming victory over NC State. The Wolfpack had a chance in the third quarter to trim the deficit to one possession, but a missed field goal proved costly. The Crimson Tide capitalized immediately, marching 73 yards in 10 plays before Brian Burgdorf connected with Dennis Riddle for an 11-yard touchdown pass. The scoring drive stretched Alabama's lead to 17 points and put the game firmly under the Tide's control.
Statistics NC StateAlabama First downs 22 21 Total yards 380 356 Rushing yards 159 150 Passing yards 221 206 Turnovers 2 2 Time of possession 32:24 27:36 Team Category Player StatisticsNC State Passing Terry Harvey 10–23, 142 yards, 1 INT Rushing Tremayne Stephens 15 carries, 77 yards Receiving Mike Guffie 3 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TDAlabama Passing Brian Burgdorf 17–25, 196 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT Rushing Dennis Riddle 18 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD Receiving Toderick Malone 5 receptions, 61 yards
Tennessee
Tennessee ended a decade of frustration against Alabama with a commanding 41–14 victory, its first win in the series since 1985. The Volunteers seized control immediately, scoring on the game's first play from scrimmage when Peyton Manning connected with Joey Kent for an 80-yard touchdown. Tennessee added touchdowns on each of its next two possessions and never looked back, overwhelming the Crimson Tide from start to finish.
The 27-point loss marked Alabama's largest defeat at Legion Field since 1969—ironically, also a 41–14 loss to Tennessee.
Statistics TennesseeAlabama First downs 21 21 Total yards 496 303 Rushing yards 167 75 Passing yards 329 228 Turnovers 1 5 Time of possession 30:25 29:35 Team Category Player StatisticsTennessee Passing Peyton Manning 20–29, 301 yards, 3 TD's Rushing Jay Graham 17 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD Receiving Joey Kent 5 receptions, 117 yards, 1 TDAlabama Passing Freddie Kitchens 20–43, 204 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT's Rushing Dennis Riddle 13 carries, 60 yards Receiving Curtis Brown 6 receptions, 61 yards
Ole Miss
Alabama responded emphatically to its loss to Tennessee with a 23–9 victory over Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide defense set the tone from the opening snap, accounting for the game's first nine points.
On just the second play from scrimmage, Dwayne Rudd sacked Ole Miss quarterback Josh Nelson in the end zone, forcing a fumble that resulted in a safety. The Rebels' next possession proved equally costly, as linebacker Ralph Staten intercepted a Nelson pass and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown, giving Alabama an early 9–0 advantage.
The game's defining moment came late in the first half. After an Ole Miss punt and an Alabama penalty backed the Tide up to its own 2-yard line, the offense responded with one of its most impressive drives of the season. Alabama marched 98 yards in 11 plays, capped by Brian Steger's 4-yard touchdown run, extending the lead and firmly putting the game under the Crimson Tide's control.
Statistics AlabamaOle Miss First downs 12 18 Total yards 239 304 Rushing yards 82 83 Passing yards 157 221 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 24:33 35:27 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Brian Burgdorf 13–24, 157 yards, 1 TD Rushing Dennis Riddle 15 carries, 53 yards Receiving Toderick Malone 4 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TDOle Miss Passing Josh Nelson 19–38, 163 yards, 1 INT Rushing Dou Innocent 20 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD Receiving Dou Innocent 6 receptions, 68 yards
North Texas
Alabama finally wore down North Texas in the second half, pulling away for a 38–19 victory to extend its non-conference winning streak to 20 games. Despite entering as a 33-point underdog, the Mean Green gave the Crimson Tide an early scare, limiting Alabama to just 13 yards of offense in the first quarter.
North Texas capitalized on excellent field position following a failed Alabama fake punt to take a 7–0 lead in the second quarter. The Tide finally got on the board late in the half when Cedric Samuel intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown, tying the game at 7–7.
Following Samuel's interception return, Alabama seized control by scoring 17 unanswered points to build a 24–7 lead, appearing ready to cruise to victory. North Texas, however, refused to go away, putting together a 67-yard touchdown drive to cut the deficit to 24–13. The Mean Green then caught another break when Alabama muffed a punt, giving them possession in Crimson Tide territory. But just as momentum began to shift, Ralph Staten halted the threat with an interception. Alabama capitalized on the turnover with a methodical 55-yard touchdown drive, restoring a comfortable cushion and putting the game out of reach on the way to a 38–19 victory.
Statistics North TexasAlabama First downs 9 20 Total yards 274 465 Rushing yards 14 219 Passing yards 260 246 Turnovers 4 4 Time of possession 24:03 35:57