Ten Memorable Athletic Moments in Alabama Football Lore

Though any such list is open to much debate here is this authors picks of ten great memorable athletic moments in Crimson Tide history.

1926 Rose Bowl Showcasing Pooley Hubert

Allison “Pooley” Hubert was not your typical college student by the standards of his day or this. He dropped out of high school to fight in World War I and afterwards won a scholarship to play football at Princeton.

Fate however reared it’s head and Pooley arrived too late to take his entrance exam so he ended up in college not too far from his Meridian, Mississippi home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and played football for Wallace Wade.

Because of his “advanced” years, teammates called him Poppa Pooley, but not just because of age, but how he could put this team on his shoulders and carry it to great things.

Though he excelled at defensive back, where he is remembered as one of the best ever, but this former tackle was moved to QB on offense and in this game showed the poise and skill that any coach would want from his leader.

Down 12-0 at the half, Coach Wade said he wasn’t concerned because he knew this team had a lot more fight in it and as they left the dressing room for the second half Coach Wade told Pooley, “Make it happen”.

Pooley took the team on his shoulders and kept pounding the line himself until Washington finally started giving ground. Finally Pooley drove in a score with yet another run right up the middle.

Momentum began to swing and the Pooley, not known for his throwing ability hit Johnny Mack Brown in perfect stride for a 50 yard TD and the crowed went wild.

Alabama had the lead and many expected more conservative plays with Pooley running the ball and the clock.

However, after a Washington fumble, Pooley went for the knockout and hit Brown yet once again on a dead run for another touchdown. Though Washington would come back and score another TD, the Tide held on to a 20-19 win.

Pooley’s last day as a player was perhaps his best. Though his playing history will recall him being one of the greatest defensive backs in Alabama history, this day it was his play at QB that lifted not only Alabama to national attention and began decades of greatness, but it cast a favorable light on the South as well.

The 1926 Rose Bowl was a day that would never be forgotten for Alabama fans, but they should not forget that it was Pooley Hubert who put that team on his shoulders and carried them to that win.

Paul “Bear” Bryant’s Broken Leg Game -1935

Back in those days, there was no rivalry to come close to the Alabama vs. Tennessee game.

There were so many famous quotes back and forth to fill a book. There were other heroic deeds done during this game on both sides.

One other remarkable moment in this series was in 1913 when W.T. “Bully” Vandegraff nearly lost his ear when he got tangled up with Tennessee's S.D. "Bull" Beyer.

He became so afraid that they would take him out of the game, that he tried to rip his own ear off his head to keep the dangling ear from being a distraction.

Bryant had heard all these stories and was in the locker room before kickoff nursing a cracked bone in his leg that made even walking painful.

Head Coach Thomas knew about the injury, but when assistant coach made a pre-game statement that he knew “Old 34” (Bryant’s number that day) was old enough for this game and all eyes fell on Bryant, he knew he must play.

Amid the hoops and hollers as they left the locker room Thomas grabbed Bryant by the jersey and asked, “Are you sure you can play?”

“Yes sir!” was all Bryant could remember saying as he joined his team mates.

Bryant went on to play what was perhaps his best game.

In the first half he set up two touchdowns with great catches and later helped put the game out of reach with a devastating block that sprang Dixie Howell, the Alabama quarterback around his end for another score.

An Alabama legend was born and little did we know at that time what an impact he would have at Alabama years later when he returned as the head coach.

Dixie Howell and the 1935 Rose Bowl Performance

Millard “Dixie” Howell proved to be a triple threat in this game that brought Alabama its fourth National Title and forever established Alabama as one of the nation’s premier football programs.

Dixie was such a threat to run or throw that teams were afraid to blitz too often fearing wide open middle of the field for him to drop passes off into.

In this game, Dixie ran for 111 yards, passed 9-13 for a 160 more yards and punted the ball six times for about a 44 yard average that kept Stanford pinned for most of day in this thrilling 29-13 dominating performance.

Two of those passes were TD’s to Alabama’s All American end Don Hudson for 59 and 54 yards respectively. As a footnote, the “other” end was Paul “Bear” Bryant.

Because of his ability to launch TD passes at any time, this Alabama team had the nickname “Dixie’s Air Service”.

Despite having such great players, many felt Alabama was outmatched in this game. Even the press had declared that this time, those “Southern farm boys”, would be put in their place.

When Dixie wasn’t dazzling the fans with long TD throws, he was running Stanford’s defenders crazy trying to catch him as he broke through the line.

This was just one of the games in which Dixie did it all, but it was the biggest stage he ever had.

The 1954 Cotton Bowl and the “Phantom” Tackler

Alabama fullback Tommy Lewis did many things to be remembered for during his time at Alabama, but none will be remembered more than his 10 seconds on national TV when he jumped from the bench tackling running back Dickie Moegle as he went sprinting down the sidelines from his team's own 5 yard line in the 1954 Cotton Bowl against Rice.

Lewis himself had scored earlier as the team’s captain and fullback, and was all apologetic at half time as the teams were leaving the field.

He ran up to Moegle and tearfully apologized saying, “I don’t know what got into me. I hope they don’t string me up on these goalposts.”

Later when asked by Ed Sullivan, the famous television variety star of the day, what he was thinking when he leapt from the bench without a helmet on to tackle Dickie, he could only reply, “Mr. Sullivan, I guess I was just so full of Alabama.”

Alabama went on to lose that game to Rice 28-6 but in that loss another Alabama legend was born that proved what “So full of Alabama” was all about.

The 1969 First Televised Night Time Game Shootout Won by Scott Hunter

In 1969 Archie Manning was Mr. Football in the South. Like most first’s in Alabama lore, like the first televised Orange Bowl, which the Tide won very handily, this first night time televised game would be one to remember.

Playing the role of David against the Goliath of Alabama, Manning’s 504 yards of offense, (436 passing, 104 rushing) and his ability to rise after wicked hits may have earned him the respect of the nation and put him on the fast track for an NFL career, but it was Scott Hunter, who stole the victory.

Hunter completed 22 of 29 passes for 300 yards, including the game-winning 14-yard TD pass to Meridian, Miss., native George Ranager with 3:42 left in the game to win the game 33-32.

His ability to control the game with clear headed precision passes kept this track meet from getting out of hand.

This was a game that Coach Bryant had told Hunter that though Archie was making headlines, Hunter was making victories and that if he could make switch quarterbacks tomorrow, he wouldn’t.

Whether or not that was just a coach’s way of instilling confidence in his QB or not, it worked as Hunter averaged a 76% completion percentage compared to Manning’s 33 of 52 or a 63% average.

In this back and forth game filled with emotion, Hunter remained calm and always answered every Ole Miss scoring drive with one of his own.

It proved that if the need be, this team known for its defense, could win with offense too if it had to.

The 1967 “Run in the Mud”

In Birmingham, Alabama on December 2, 1967 fans braved the cold and rain to witness a game that would long live in Alabama history.

Days of continued rain had turned Legion Field into to muddy pig pen and neither side found the slippery conditions suitable for moving the ball.

Alabama was the number eight team in the country but Auburn felt they had the team to finally stop the Alabama streak they were building over them.

This Auburn senior class had not only lost every game against Alabama, but had never scored a touchdown against them as well.

There was much to play for this day for both sides.

Alabama decided to kick off as Bryant had decided these conditions were so bad, that the team with the ball was almost at a disadvantage having to hold on to such a slippery ball and that in the end, this game could be decided by the team that could pounce on a fumble at the right time.

That decision almost came back to bite him as Auburn almost ran the opening kickoff back. As Auburn’s return man Freddie Hyatt left all Tide defenders lying in the muck, there was only one left to beat at about the Auburn 40, but Probst got a leg and brought him down in a tackle that few would know at that time saved the game.

In the first half the entire game was played on Alabama’s side of the field. Auburn managed to move the ball several times getting oh so close but never getting points.

On the fourth possession Auburn ground it down to the Alabama five yard line for a first and goal.

That is when Alabama’s defense dug in. Finally on 4th down at the three yard line Shug Jordan called off the field goal team, this team was finally going to score a touchdown against this team and it was going to happen now!

Auburn halfback Richard Plagge took a handoff and seemed to find a hole, but a Bama man slapped an ankle causing Plagge to have to take an extra step and that was all it took for defenders to close in and stop him at the two.

When the Tide couldn’t move if off the goal line, an ensuing punt gave the ball back to Auburn inside Bama territory again.

This time when the drive failed, Jordan sent out the field goal unit, but with the wind whipping in his face and treacherous footing, Auburn kicker Riley’s boot came nowhere near the goal post.

Bama had dodged another bullet.

The next possession got Alabama its first movement of the chains and unfortunately the only one of the first half, but when they punted, Coach Bryant halfway smiled at Stabler when he came to the sideline and muttered, “So, I see you CAN make a first down after all.”

Late in the second quarter Auburn had once again driven to the Alabama 6-yard line and on fourth and two, Shug once again was determined to score a TD. Once again the Tide defense rose to the occasion and stopped them one yard short.

Though Auburn had played the entire first half on Alabama’s side of the field, they had nothing to show for it, but as they walked to the locker room for half time, both coaches were thinking the wind would be at Auburn’s back in the second half and it they continue to play like this, the game would be theirs.

The wind did prove to be a huge factor in the second half. A gust caused Bama’s first punt to only travel 16 yards and Auburn was once again in Tide territory, but with the wind at their back.

When the drive stalled at the 21, Shug called on Riley again, and with the wind at his back, the kick went straight through the goal posts for a 3-0 lead.

After trading punts the fumble Bryant was sure would happen finally did, but it happened to his own team.

With the ball deep inside Bama’s side of the field, Auburn failed to score a TD, but called on Riley once again, but this time the slippery, muddy ball was mishandled by the Auburn holder and Alabama dodged yet another bullet.

Stabler was frantic to get something going, he finally managed to get the Tide’s second first down of the day but later he tried to force a pass in the stiff wind and it hung too long and was picked off. As he came to the sideline he refused to look at Coach Bryant and went to the bench.

Dennis Holman a friend and team mate sat next to him and said, we’ll have another shot and we’ll make it count.

Sure enough, it happened. Late in the game Auburn was driving for what seemed to be game winning drive when an Auburn lineman lined up off sides.

It negated a play that would have given Auburn a first down on the Tide 15. Now facing a fourth down at the 32 yard line a decision had to be made.

Figuring that Bama had just had two first downs all day, Jordan decided to punt and give the ball back to Alabama deep near the goal line and let the clock run out.

It was the smart play, but the slipperyness Bryant had counted on all day long finally came to their advantage when the snap was mishandled by the punter giving Alabama the ball at the 46.

Coach Bryant had instilled in this team that great plays happened only when everyone worked together and believed in one another.

With their first big break of the game Stabler led the Tide out to take advantage of their first good field position of the game.

Fans on both sides sensed this was it. For the first two plays it was the Auburn fans who hoped as the Tigers stopped Alabama for two short gains.

On third and three with the ball at the Auburn 47, Stabler called an option and there was little doubt in his mind he’d ever toss it to the back.

In later years Stabler said he told himself as he came to the line that this was his moment and he knew his team was not about to let him down and he in turn would not fail either.

At the snap Kenny ran to the right and only a yard past the line of scrimmage, his buddy Holman made the block that sprang him to get the yardage he needed for the first down, milliseconds later, Mike Hall made another block that allowed Stabler a better angle for a quick swing to the outside and it was all over.

“Snake” Stabler had slithered his way through to mud to get to the outside and the last remaining patches of grass to get his footing, and race down the sidelines for the score.

On a day when Alabama’s offense was just pitiful, that one moment changed the game. Alabama won 7-3 and “The run in the mud” was forevermore an Alabama moment to be cherished.

1979 The Goal Line Stand

You simply can’t have a list of “Greatest Moments” in Alabama sports without this moment.

In fact you’d be hard pressed to leave off any great moments list in all of sports. This one play defines the phrase.

Barry Kraus was not the greatest linebacker at Alabama, he was not close to the having that title in really any area you measure that position except for heart.

In fact, his moment almost never came as he was close to being kicked off the team by Coach Bryant for a team violation.

I’ve met Barry and had him recount that day and according to Kraus, only his tear and snot dripping plea to stay allowed him to have the chance for this one great moment.

That moment that solidified his place in Alabama history and added to the Tide’s own reputation of “Rising” when you have to came in the 1979 Sugar Bowl in a National Championship show down in front of an entire national audience.

In a game dominated by defense, late in the fourth quarter Penn State’s star Matt Millen forced a fumble on the Bama 19 yard line and following a Penn State first down, the Lions had first and goal with 4 shots from the eight yard line.

It was gut check time for Alabama’s defense.

A first down run of 2 yards made it second and eight. A short pass play made it third and four and the next play Matt Sujey took it right up the middle just inches short of a TD. And that set up the play of a lifetime.

As Kraus recalls the fourth and goal play, Alabama’s defensive coordinator was sure that Jo Pa would try and muscle it in with a run.

Suhey had just almost done it and covered about 4 yards with his last burst up the middle.

Alabama would sell out against the run committing every man to seal the line.

“Had they have thrown the ball there would have been 4 open receivers in the end zone.” Kraus told me, “But I was as sure as Coach Donahue that it was going to be a run.”

“I would like to say that it was me who stopped that play, but it was a designed play we had practiced many times,” Said Kraus. “The line was supposed to submarine, the corners sealed the outside. I took one step backwards to not get caught up in the wash and to get some room for some forward momentum.

"Rich Wingo was supposed to take on the lead blocker and he did, my job was to stop the jumper if there was one and that’s just what happened.

“We both leapt for the hole at the same time. He had the height on me and bent me backward. I planted my legs and pushed for all I had. I thought my back was breaking, a nerve was pinched, my arm went numb and just when I thought I thought I could feel pushing me over, Murray Legg comes over us pushes us both over.” he recalled.

“I wasn’t sure we had stopped him, it was that close. I was just still in pain lying there when my best friend Mary Lyons grabbed me and starting shouting, “We stopped them!” said Barry.

All eleven men did exactly what they had practiced hard to do. Had everyone not done their job on that play, Kraus’ heroism would have been in vain. Had Wingo not taken on the lead blocker or Legg not finished the play then things may have been different.

But in the end the play boiled down to one of those man on man situations where one becomes a hero and one becomes a footnote.

1989 – The Blocked Kick

Sometimes there are heroes who make the big play such as Kenny Stabler and his before mentioned run in the mud and sometimes it’s the player you’d least expect to be one to have that magical moment that brings home the win.

On October 28th 1989 on clear and sunny perfect football day in Penn State’s home stadium, Thomas Rayam would be that man.

With 13 seconds left in a game that was typical of many of the hard fought Alabama vs. Penn State games, the Tide was hanging on to a now precarious 17-16 lead with 13 seconds left to go and Penn State lining up for what was in reality a field goal shorter than an extra point.

Tarasi, the Penn State kicker, had already hit 3 field goals this day and Joe Paterno had more faith in him at that moment than in risking another “Goal line stand” moment.

So with 13 seconds left and no time outs the ball was snapped from about the one foot line.

What happened next was another one of those moments where luck may help, but planning is better. Alabama coach Bill Curry had the team practice a “Desperation block” play since spring training.

It was a special play that had two of Bama’s tallest players line up in the middle and rush like running backs toward the middle of the line where Bama linemen would submarine the opposing line, bringing them down to these two men could leap over them, arms extended and hopefully block a kick.

As the ball was snapped, Rayam saw not only his line do a superb job in submarining the offensive line, but an opening large enough for him to leap through.

“I hit that hole and jumped as high as I could raising my arms as high as I could. I couldn’t turn my head down to see where the ball was as I knew that stop my full extension, so I made my best guess and just leapt.” Rayam would say later. “The instant I felt the ball hit my hand, I knew I guessed well.”

It would be the only play Rayam would ever be remembered for by the Tide faithful, but it was a play that immortalized him forever and like others I’ve mentioned became a moment that will be discussed and seen forever.

Thanks and credit go to Daniel Moore and New Life Art for the illustration.

1992 Sugar Bowl National Championship and “The Strip”

In January of 1992 Gene Stallings brought a bunch of Davids to meet a team full of Golaiths.

Miami had been on a streak of big wins and National Championships for much of the decade and few gave Alabama much of a chance to stop them.

The group expected to have the hardest time was Alabama’s secondary.

Miami had a Heisman Award winning quarterback in Geno Torretta and a bevy or record setting receivers including head loudmouth Lamar Thomas who boasted to the press, “There’s not one man in Alabama’s secondary. They haven’t got anyone that can play man on man with any of us.”

Talk like that only inflamed not only the entire Alabama team, but also George Teague, Alabama’s defensive back. He resolved himself to play his best game.

In that game, Bama’s offense did a good job of taking advantage of most scoring opportunities, but the defense made the new Heisman winner look like a second rate scrub and the Miami receivers, heralded as the best in the nation, had made zero impact in the game thus far.

Following three interceptions two so far by Teague with one being returned for a touchdown Miami was desperately trying to scratch its way back into the game or at least salvage a little respectability, when Torretta finally found a wide open Lamar Thomas streaking down the sideline and hit him in perfect stride for what appeared to a sure touchdown.

“I remember being out of position,” Teague said later laughing, “Watching Gino throw the ball, I remember watching Lamar catch it, and I remember panicking, like, ‘Oh God, please don’t score!’ The next thing I remember is me having the ball, turning and running the other way.”

Somehow a man that wasn’t supposed to be as fast as Thomas not only caught him from behind, but stripped him of the ball and took it the other way.

It was the final castration of not only that loud mouthed Thomas, but the entire Miami team.

Though an eight point underdog at best, Alabama went on to totally beat Miami 34-13 for a 29 point swing from Las Vegas and most had thought would happen.

It was a beating so severe that it ended Miami’s run as a national power and they have never risen from the ashes to contend for championships again.

Though Derrick Lassic won the MVP in that game, George Teague had the moment that everyone would remember.

2005 - Tyronne Protho and

2005 was Mike Shula’s only 10 win season but in the second game of the year, no one was sure just what this team was made of.

After a less than impressive 26-7 win over lowly Middle Tennessee State, Alabama had to tangle with the always pesky Southern Miss Eagles.

The game was in danger of becoming a Southern Miss rout of Alabama, when behind 21-10, Brodie Croyle heaved a 42 yard desperation pass into tight coverage.

How tight? So tight Prothro had to reach around the receiver and catch the ball on the defender’s own back, a feat so incredible it made ESPN and Pontiac's "Game changing moment" for that season.

Though initially ruled a TD, the ball upon review was placed at the one where Bama punched it in to bring themselves back in the game. It instantly became an Alabama moment in history.

“I had a look at the ball coming, but the defender blocked me at the last moment so I just reached out where I thought it be and it was there.” Protho later recalled. “As we fell I squeezed that ball with all my might and somehow, it didn’t come out. I don’t think the defender had a clue what had just happened.”

Though Prothro would go on to tally 279 all purpose yards in that game including a sizzling 52 yard reception of the first play from scrimmage and 97 yards of kickoff returns including a 66 yard return, no play would match that catch or the importance it made in renewing the team’s hope that they could prevail.

That play turned the Tide and Alabama went on to win a hard fought 30-21 victory. Many who saw the play have commented that it was perhaps the greatest catch of all time.

And there you have them, Alabama’s ten most memorable athletic moments, at least in this humble writer’s opinion. I can only hope that one day they’ll all be eclipsed by even more memorable moments.