Favorite Alabama Game You Attended In Person

[VirginiaTide57]

In date order . . .

- 1979, sat in the press box as a reporter for the Bristol Herald Courier (Bristol, VA/TN) as Bama beat Virginia Tech 31-7 at homecoming. My sister was a freshman and she attended the first half of the game, the only one she attended as a student! After the game went into the clubhouse and was able to participate in post game interview with Coach Bryant.

- Nov. 30, 1985, Van Tiffin’s 52-yard field goal gave Alabama a 25-23 victory over Auburn at Legion Field in Birmingham. Had to drive almost 12 hours to get home as I was a pallbearer at a Sunday morning funeral! I think I was the only sober person in the stands that day.

- Oct. 26, 2013, in Knoxville. My dad - who attended Susan Moore High School near Boaz in the 40’s - watched his last in person game as Bama beat Tennessee 45-10. My dad was obviously sick and the Tennessee fans were gracious and helpful as we made our way to our seats.

Roll Tide!

 

[FitToBeTide]

That wasn't the one where the bleachers collapsed, was it?

I believe you're thinking of the 1958 Bama vs LSU game at Ladd Memorial when the end zone bleaches collapsed. TIDE-HSV was at that game, I believe.

 

[stlimprov]

Some of you are mentioning your "first" Bama game you attended in person.

I honestly can't remember. My uncle worked for (and was friends with) the Drummonds in Walker Co. so we went to games all the time with tickets they gave him. We attended games in both T-town and B'ham regularly. We always parked at one house in B'ham near Legion Field because my uncle and dad got to know a guy they trusted who would watch the cars that were parked in his yard.

But, one of the first games I remember attending (that really sticks out) was an early-season Bama/Vandy game up in Nashville. It was so hot that I passed out while standing in line to get refreshments. I was with my uncle and aunt and after that happened, they wanted to leave because they were worried about me, but I insisted, as much as a 8-10-year-old could, that I was fine, so we stayed for the rest of the game.

The one "play" I distinctly remember is one that occurred near the goal line at the end of the field where our seats were. Vandy had pushed down to the 1 yard line and looked like they would score and then on the next play a Bama player (don't remember who or his position) shot a gap and literally picked off the pitch that was directed to a Vandy RB and he ran it back (IIRC) for a TD (or at least to reverse the field position drastically). It was such an exciting play!!!

@selmaborntidefan, can you remember this play and the year and outcome of that game? I'm pretty sure it would be late 70's and at most early 80's. Looking at the series' history, it would either be the '77, '79 or '81 game. I'd love to relive it if it's on video!!!

The 1981 game included a 33 yard fumble return for a td that looks similar to what you've described. See 0:07-0:15 on this video:

or 15:22 on this video:

The high temp in Nashville on September 26, 1981 was 85F.

77, 79, and 83 games don't list any fumble or interception returns for TD.

 

[GboyBama]

Sounds crazy, but the most memorable finish for me (in person) is the tie against Tennessee in '93. We absolutely stole the victory from them and the Legion Field crowd lost their minds when Deuce ran in the two point conversion to preserve Bebes's incredible unbeaten streak.

Honorable mention:
AU 1990
SEC-CG 1992
Miami 1992 NC
1996 at LSU
SEC-CG 1999
Clemson 2008
Texas 2009 NC
2013 at TA&M
SEC-CG 2023

 

[tusks_n_raider]

Sounds crazy, but the most memorable finish for me (in person) is the tie against Tennessee in '93. We absolutely stole the victory from them and the Legion Field crowd lost their minds when Deuce ran in the two point conversion to preserve Bebes's incredible unbeaten streak.

Honorable mention:
AU 1990
SEC-CG 1992
Miami 1992 NC
1996 at LSU
SEC-CG 1999
Clemson 2008
Texas 2009 NC
2013 at TA&M
SEC-CG 2023

100% agree about the ‘93 Tenn game.

That felt like as close to being a Win as possible and for Tenn it felt like a loss.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I believe that was Miss St’s only Conference win the entire season.

Yes.

MSU went 3-9 and their only wins were Jax State (FCS), UAB (3-9 in CUSA).......and us....

 

[selmaborntidefan]

But, one of the first games I remember attending (that really sticks out) was an early-season Bama/Vandy game up in Nashville. It was so hot that I passed out while standing in line to get refreshments. I was with my uncle and aunt and after that happened, they wanted to leave because they were worried about me, but I insisted, as much as a 8-10-year-old could, that I was fine, so we stayed for the rest of the game.

The one "play" I distinctly remember is one that occurred near the goal line at the end of the field where our seats were. Vandy had pushed down to the 1 yard line and looked like they would score and then on the next play a Bama player (don't remember who or his position) shot a gap and literally picked off the pitch that was directed to a Vandy RB and he ran it back (IIRC) for a TD (or at least to reverse the field position drastically). It was such an exciting play!!!

@selmaborntidefan, can you remember this play and the year and outcome of that game? I'm pretty sure it would be late 70's and at most early 80's. Looking at the series' history, it would either be the '77, '79 or '81 game. I'd love to relive it if it's on video!!!

1) The 1981 game was a 7pm kickoff, so PROBABLY NOT that one.
2) The high temps at the 1977 and 1979 game were 81 (1977) and 77 (1979)
3) Gerald Ford attended the 1979 game.
4) Vanderbilt had three turnovers in 1977 (2 fumbles, 1 INT), five turnovers in the 1979 (four fumbles, one INT), and in 1981 they had five (four INT, one fumble)

The play you're describing would almost have to be an INT - because in 1979, you were not allowed to advance a fumble. Given that 1979 was the blowout, my suspicion is that that's the game, but I cannot find anything that suggests who made the play.

 

[Tideflyer]

2009: mt cody and the blocked kick

'nuf said

Mine too. When he blocked it, the noise was actually physically painful, at least where I was. Goal Line Stand Sugar Bowl for the national championship is a close second

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I just want all of you who attended the 1985 Iron Bowl to know I'm jealous of you and despise you to the depths of my soul.

There was an Auburn guy I know who was at that game. He said that when Alabama was back at their own 11, he figured the game was in the bag. But then all of a sudden they're near midfield. Hey, it's 52 yards, there's no way he's gonna make it. Even after the kick it was, "well, it didn't look good from here."

But he said the worst part of all was having to walk back to the car through all those Tide fans celebrating, cheering, and knowing you'd had the game in hand and lost it like that. And then there was mall Christmas shopping with all the bumper stickers and scores on shirts, etc.

Thing is - if you asked any Auburn player in that game to name the lowest point of their playing career, I think to a man they'd all say the 1985 Iron Bowl, but they shouldn't. They could have just rolled over and died, but the fight they retained gave us 15 of the best minutes of football I've ever seen.

One thing I want to know - who was the guy who caught the Van Tiffin field goal when it cleared the uprights? You'd think someone would have interviewed him in the last 40 years - but most of us didn't even notice it at the time (I didn't until years later when I'd watched the game for the 6,000th time).

 

[selmaborntidefan]

i was ushering with the boy scouts that day and the wilcox interception happened right in front of us. we were always ushering in the end zone section next to the student section

I recall you sharing this previously

That same day, I was at a Boy Scout campout in Caledonia, Mississippi where we were preparing for the upcoming camporee (that was held 13-15 November 1981, the weekend we played Penn St and Bryant tied the Stagg record). At the time I was a Second Class scout and we were practicing fire building, lashings, and knot tying for the competition - and at one point I got into the truck with Dr. McKenzie (it was kinda warm that day (although it was near freezing in the morning, the temperature peaked at 4pm at 71 degrees with zero wind - which would have been late third quarter or start of the fourth.

I got home for that final MSU drive, and I nearly had a heart attack when Wilcox saved our behinds.

For those who don't recall how high risk the wishbone offense was:
1) Both Alabama and MSU ran the wishbone (Bulldog Coach Emory Bellard had invented it)
2) the two teams combined for an astonishing 18 fumbles
3) 11 of those fumbles were lost, seven by Alabama
4) in addition, MSU threw two interceptions, including on the final attempted play of the game
5) yes, you're reading correctly: the two teams combined for 13 turnovers and 18 fumbles

Even with 13 turnovers, there were still 12 punts......

 

[BAMAVILLE]

94 Georgia game. One of the best comebacks pre-Saban era. One of my best friends was being recruited by Bama at the time so went on the OV that game with him. Also met DT afterwards so definitely a memorable game experience

 

[BamaMoon]

Sounds crazy, but the most memorable finish for me (in person) is the tie against Tennessee in '93. We absolutely stole the victory from them and the Legion Field crowd lost their minds when Deuce ran in the two point conversion to preserve Bebes's incredible unbeaten streak.

Honorable mention:
AU 1990
SEC-CG 1992
Miami 1992 NC
1996 at LSU
SEC-CG 1999
Clemson 2008
Texas 2009 NC
2013 at TA&M
SEC-CG 2023

I was there for that one. Didn't feel quite as unexciting as "kissing your sister" but I think the ole Bear would agree a loss would have been a lot worse.

 

[BamaMoon]

1) The 1981 game was a 7pm kickoff, so PROBABLY NOT that one.
2) The high temps at the 1977 and 1979 game were 81 (1977) and 77 (1979)
3) Gerald Ford attended the 1979 game.
4) Vanderbilt had three turnovers in 1977 (2 fumbles, 1 INT), five turnovers in the 1979 (four fumbles, one INT), and in 1981 they had five (four INT, one fumble)

The play you're describing would almost have to be an INT - because in 1979, you were not allowed to advance a fumble. Given that 1979 was the blowout, my suspicion is that that's the game, but I cannot find anything that suggests who made the play.

I did a little digging and think it might be '79 too. I had ruled out 81.

I wish I had your memory Selma! Thanks!

 

[tusks_n_raider]

94 Georgia game. One of the best comebacks pre-Saban era. One of my best friends was being recruited by Bama at the time so went on the OV that game with him. Also met DT afterwards so definitely a memorable game experience

That was one of my favorite games as a kid.

Seeing Barker outduel Zeier was awesome.

I was lucky enough to have taped it on VHS and I watched it probably more than any other game I had at the time other than the ‘93 Sugar Bowl.