| 2005Alabama Crimson Tide football | |
|---|---|
 | |
Cotton Bowl Classic champion (vacated) | |
| Conference | Southeastern Conference |
| Division | Western Division |
| Ranking | |
| Coaches | No. 8 |
| AP | No. 8 |
| Record | 0–2, 10 wins vacated (0–2 SEC, 6 wins vacated) |
| Head coach |
|
| Offensive coordinator | David Rader (3rd season) |
| Offensive scheme | Pro-style |
| Defensive coordinator | Joe Kines (5th season) |
| Base defense | 3–3–5 |
| Captains | |
| Home stadium | Bryant–Denny Stadium |
Seasons | |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 10Georgia x$ | 6 | – | 2 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 5 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 12Florida | 5 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vanderbilt | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 5LSU xy | 7 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 14Auburn x | 7 | – | 1 | 9 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 8Alabama | 6 | – | 2 | 10 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arkansas | 2 | – | 6 | 4 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi State | 1 | – | 7 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ole Miss | 1 | – | 7 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Championship:Georgia 34, LSU 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The2005 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented theUniversity of Alabama as a member of theSoutheastern Conference (SEC) during the2005 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by third-year head coachMike Shula, the Crimson Tide compiled an overall record of 10–2 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, placing third in the SEC's Western Division. The team started off the season at 9–0, notching wins overFlorida andTennessee, the two final games of the regular season againstLSU andAuburn. The Crimson Tide received a bid to theCotton Bowl Classic, where they defeatedTexas Tech on a last-second field goal. The team played home games atBryant–Denny Stadium inTuscaloosa, Alabama.
The season was marked by a notable catch by wide receiverTyrone Prothro, known to Alabama fans asThe Catch, againstSouthern Miss in the second game of the season. Prothro's career ended later that season as he suffered a broken leg against Florida. Prothro's catch wonESPN's Game Changing Performance for week two, and later theBest Play ESPY Award in all of sports for 2005.
In 2009, theNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) levied sanctions against Alabama, forcing the Crimson Tide to vacate all of their wins from the season.[1][2]
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 3 | 7:00 p.m. | Middle Tennessee* | PPV | W 26–7 (vacated) | 81,018 | ||
| September 10 | 7:45 p.m. | Southern Miss* |
| ESPN | W 30–21 (vacated) | 81,018 | |
| September 17 | 2:30 p.m. | atSouth Carolina | CBS | W 37–14 (vacated) | 82,968 | ||
| September 24 | 11:30 a.m. | Arkansas | No. 20 |
| JPS | W 24–13 (vacated) | 81,018 |
| October 1 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 5Florida | No. 15 |
| CBS | W 31–3 (vacated) | 81,018 |
| October 15 | 11:00 a.m. | atOle Miss | No. 6 | CBS | W 13–10 (vacated) | 60,135 | |
| October 22 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 17Tennessee | No. 5 |
| CBS | W 6–3 (vacated) | 81,018 |
| October 29 | 2:00 p.m. | Utah State* | No. 5 |
| PPV | W 35–3 (vacated) | 81,018 |
| November 5 | 2:30 p.m. | atMississippi State | No. 4 | CBS | W 17–0 (vacated) | 52,125 | |
| November 12 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 5LSU | No. 4 |
| CBS | L 13–16OT | 81,018 |
| November 19 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 11Auburn | No. 8 | CBS | L 18–28 | 87,451 | |
| January 2, 2006 | 10:00 a.m. | vs. No. 18Texas Tech* | No. 13 | FOX | W 13–10 (vacated) | 74,222 | |
| |||||||
| Week | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | RV | RV | RV | 20 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 8 |
| Coaches | 24 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 8 |
| Harris | Not released | 15 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 13 | Not released | |||
| BCS | Not released | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 15 | 13 | Not released | ||||||
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Tennessee | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| •Alabama | 2 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 26 |
Sources:[6]
Alabama opened the 2005 season by defeating theMiddle TennesseeBlue Raiders 26–7.[6][7] Alabama scored first on a defensive play. Late in the first quarter,Mark Andersonsacked the Blue Raider quarterback Clint Marks for asafety and a 2–0 Crimson Tide lead.[8] Alabama then scored their first touchdown of the season in the second quarter on a one-yardTim Castille run to cap a 51-yard drive.[8] The Blue Raiders responded on the next drive with a 14-yard Marks touchdown pass to Nick McAfee to cut the Alabama lead to 9–7 at halftime.[8]
The Crimson Tide scored on their opening drive of the third quarter whenBrodie Croyle threw a 13-yard touchdown pass toTyrone Prothro.[8] Later in the quarter, Alabama extended their lead to 23–7 after Castille scored his second touchdown from one-yard out in the game.[8] Ryan Saxby then scored the final points of the game in the fourth with his 32-yardfield goal to make the final score 26–7.[8] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against the Blue Raiders to 2–0.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Miss | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| •Alabama | 10 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 30 |
Sources:[9]
After going down 21–17 at halftime, the Crimson Tide came-from-behind and defeated theSouthern MissGolden Eagles 30–21.[9][10] Alabama took an early 10–0 lead afterBrodie Croyle threw a 26-yard touchdown pass toD. J. Hall and Jamie Christensen connected on a 33-yard field goal.[11] The Golden Eagles then rallied with a pair of first-quarter touchdowns to take a 14–10 lead at the end of the quarter. The first came on a defensive score whenGerald McRathintercepted a Croyle pass and returned it 33-yards and the second on a 12-yard Dustin Almond pass to Anthony Perine.[11] Early in the second quarter Southern Miss extended their lead to 21–10 after Almond threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Perine.[11]
On their final offensive possession of the second quarter,Tyrone Prothro made one of the most memorable receptions in Alabama history. On a fourth-and-twelve, Croyle threw a 42-yardpass that Prothro caught on the back of Golden Eaglescornerback Jasper Faulk.[12] Prothro had to wrap his right arm around Faulk's neck and his left arm under Faulk's right armpit to catch the ball (which appeared on replays to be blocked from his view by Faulk), and then he had to maintain possession of the ball until his knee touched down at the one-yard line. Referred to as simplyThe Catch, the play won the 2006Best Play ESPY Award.[13] The Crimson Tide then cut the lead on the following play to 21–17 just before the half after Croyle connected withLe'Ron McClain on a one-yard touchdown reception.[9]
Alabama retook the lead in the third quarter afterTim Castille scored on a two-yard touchdown run, and led 23–21 after a failed Christensenextra point.[11] The final points of the game came early in the fourth quarter on the second two-yard Castille touchdown run of the evening to give the Crimson Tide the 30–21 victory.[9][10] For his 97 yards in kickoff returns and 34 yards punt returns,Tyrone Prothro was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.[14]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Alabama | 14 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 37 |
| South Carolina | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
Sources:[15]
In Alabama's first road game of the season, the Crimson Tide defeated theSouth CarolinaGamecocks 37–14, earning Mike Shula only his third road win all-time as Alabama's head coach.[15][16]Brodie Croyle scored first for the Crimson Tide on a 15-yard run to give Alabama a 7–0 lead after their opening drive.[17] South Carolina then tied the game at 7–7 on the ensuing drive with a one-yard Mike Davis touchdown run.[17] Alabama then retook the lead for good on the following possession when Croyle threw a 46-yard touchdown strike to Keith Brown.[17][18] Jamie Christensen then scored a pair of second-quarter touchdowns from 41 and 29 yards to give the Crimson Tide a 20–7 halftime lead.[17]
Christensen connected on a 27-yard field goal early in the third to extend the Alabama lead to 23–7.[17] On the following Gamecock possession, aCarlos Thomasfumble was recovered by Alabama's Rudy Griffin at the South Carolina 39-yard line.[17][19] Three plays laterKenneth Darby scored on a 22-yard touchdown run to give the Crimson Tide a 30–7 lead entering the fourth quarter.[17][18] With the second-string playing in the fourth,John Parker Wilson threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Brown for the final Alabama points of the afternoon.[17] The final touchdown came on the ensuing South Carolina drive whenBlake Mitchell threw a six-yard touchdown pass toSidney Rice to make the final 37–14 score.[15][16] For his 145 rushing yards and one touchdown, Kenneth Darby was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week.[20]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
| • #20Alabama | 0 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 24 |
Sources:[21]
With this 24–13 victory over theArkansasRazorbacks to open divisional play, Alabama secured their first 4–0 start since the1996 season.[21][22] After a scoreless first quarter, Arkansas scored first with a 34-yard Chris Balseiro field goal.[23] The Crimson Tide responded with a 43-yardBrodie Croyle touchdown pass toD. J. Hall to give Alabama a 7–3 halftime lead.[23]
Arkansas quarterback Robert Johnsonfumbled the ball on the opening offensive possession of the second half.Simeon Castille forced the fumble with aquarterback sack, andDeMeco Ryans made the recovery at the Razorback 19-yard line.[23] Three plays later Alabama extended their lead to 10–3 after a 36-yard Jamie Christensen field goal.[23] On the second play of the fourth quarter,Tim Castille scored on a one-yard touchdown run to take a 17–3 lead.[23] On the following Arkansas possession,Peyton Hillis made a 12-yard run and thenDarren McFadden scored on a 70-yard touchdown run to cut the Alabama lead to 17–10.[21][22]
After holding the Crimson Tide to athree-and-out, the Razorbacks' Kyle Dickerson blocked a Jeremy Schatzpunt that was recovered by John Aaron Rees at the Alabama eleven-yard line.[24] The Alabama defense was able to get a stop and hold Arkansas to a 27-yard Balseiro field goal.[21][24] The Crimson Tide scored the final points of the game late in the fourth when Croyle connected again with Hall, and this time it was on a five-yard pass to make the final score 24–13.[21][25] For his 15tackle performance, DeMeco Ryans was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week; and for his 275 punting yards that included a 72-yard punt, Jeremy Schatz was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.[26]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #5 Florida | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| • #15Alabama | 17 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 31 |
Sources:[27]
In what wasUrban Meyer's first game as theFloridaGators head coach against Alabama, the Crimson Tide was victorious 31–3.[27][28] After fumbling the Florida punt after their first offensive series,Tyrone Prothro responded on Alabama's first offensive play of the afternoon by taking aBrodie Croyle slant pass 87-yards for a 7–0 Crimson Tide lead.[28][29] On the ensuing Florida possession, Chris Harrisintercepted aChris Leak pass and returned it to the Gators' two-yard line.[29] Three plays later, Alabama had a 14–0 lead after a one-yardTim Castille touchdown run.[29] Jamie Christensen added a 22-yard field goal to give the Crimson Tide a 17–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.[29]
On the first play of the second quarter, the Alabama defense completed agoal line stand afterMark Anderson and Freddie Roach combine to tackleDeShawn Wynn at the one-yard line on fourth down.[29] Chris Hetland then scored the only Florida points of the game on their next offensive possession with his 37-yard field goal.[29] Following the Hetland field goal, Alabama again scored on a one-play drive when Croyle connected with Keith Brown for a 65-yard touchdown reception to give the Crimson Tide a 24–3 halftime lead.[27][28] Prothro then scored the final points of the game early in the third quarter with his 15-yard touchdown reception to make the score 31–3.[29]
Although Alabama did go on to win 31–3, the game is also notable as being the last played by Tyrone Prothro. Early in the fourth quarter, he broke both histibia andfibula after landing awkwardly in a failed attempt to make a touchdown reception on a fourth-and-five play.[29][30] For his fourtackle performance, Mark Anderson was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week; and for his 283 passing yards and three touchdowns, Brodie Croyle was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week.[31]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • #6Alabama | 0 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 13 |
| Ole Miss | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
Sources:[32]
In a game dominated by both defenses Alabama defeated theirlong-time rival, theOle MissRebels 13–10 in Oxford.[32][33] AfterTim Castille failed to gain a first down on a fourth-and-one on the Rebels' six-yard line, both teams traded turnovers on successive drives.[34]DeMeco Ryans forced a fumble byTaye Biddle that was recovered byCharlie Peprah at the Alabama 16-yard line.[34] On the following Alabama play, Travis Johnson causedD. J. Hall to fumble that was recovered by Garry Pack. Three plays later Ole Miss took a 7–0 lead afterMicheal Spurlock threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Mario Hill.[33][34] After Jamie Christensen missed a 38-yard field goal early in the second quarter,Ramzee Robinson intercepted a Spurlock pass on the first play of the ensuing possession to set up a 43-yard Christensen field goal to make the score 7–3.[34] The Rebels missed one and had a second field goal attempt blocked later in the quarter to give Ole Miss a 7–3 halftime lead.[34]
On their first possession of the second half, Alabama scored their only touchdown of the game on a 48-yardKenneth Darby touchdown run.[33][34] The Rebels tied the game up early in the fourth with a 24-yard Robert Bass field goal, but the Crimson Tide won the game with a 31-yard Christensen field goal as time expired to make the final score 13–10.[33][34]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #17 Tennessee | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| • #5Alabama | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
Sources:[35]
In a defensive struggle againstlong-time rivalTennessee, Alabama extended their overall season record to 7–0 with a 6–3 victory over theVolunteers.[35][36] After tradingfumbles on two of the three opening possessions, Jamie Christensen missed a 50-yard field goal attempt late in the first quarter for Alabama.[37] Neither team would have another scoring opportunity again until midway through the third quarter. AfterDeMeco Ryans recovered a fumbled punt by Lucas Taylor at the 50-yard line, Christensen connected on a 33-yard field goal six plays later to give the Crimson Tide a 3–0 lead.[36][38]
Tennessee tied the game at 3–3 on their first possession of the fourth quarter with a 32-yardJames Wilhoit field goal.[37] In their next possession, the Volunteers reached thered zone, but on a third-and-goal play,Roman Harper forced a Cory Anderson fumble that bounced through the Alabama end zone, resulting in atouchback.[36][37] The touchback kept the game tied at 3–3 and returned possession to the Crimson Tide with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.[36][37] Alabama responded with a ten-play, 63-yard drive and a 34-yard Christensen field goal, taking a 6–3 lead with only seconds remaining in the game.[36][38] In Tennessee's final possession,DeMeco Ryans intercepted a pass byErik Ainge as time expired, sealing the Crimson Tide's victory.[36] For his 11tackle performance, DeMeco Ryans was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week and the Walter Camp Football Foundation Defensive Player of the Week; and for his two field goals in the victory, Jamie Christensen was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.[39][40]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah State | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| • #5Alabama | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
Sources:[41]
In what was the final regular season, non-conference game, Alabama defeated theUtah StateAggies 35–3 onhomecoming in Tuscaloosa.[41][42] The Crimson Tide took a 21–0 halftime lead after a trio ofBrodie Croyle touchdown passes. The first came on a nine-yard pass to Ezekial Knight, the second on a one-yard pass toLe'Ron McClain and the third on a 13-yard pass toD. J. Hall.[43] The Aggies scored their only points of the game on their opening drive of the second half when Justin Hamblin connected on a 24-yard field goal.[43] After a Hall fumble resulted in an Aggie touchback on the following Alabama possession, Hamblin missed a 41-yard field goal on the ensuing possession to keep the score 21–3.[43]
The Crimson Tide then scored their fourth touchdown later in the third quarter on a 38-yardKenneth Darby touchdown run.[43] With the reserves playing in the fourth quarter, Alabama scored their final points whenJohn Parker Wilson connected withGlen Coffee for a nine-yard touchdown reception and a 35–3 Crimson Tide victory.[42][43]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • #4Alabama | 0 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 17 |
| Mississippi State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sources:[44]
Againstlong-time rivalMississippi State, the Alabama defense had its firstshutout of the season and the offense did not have a touchdown in their 17–0 victory over theBulldogs.[44][45] After a scoreless first quarter, Jamie Christensen scored the first points of the game with his 38-yard field goal to give the Crimson Tide a 3–0 halftime lead.[44]
On the opening kickoff of the second half, Jimmy Johns forced the Bulldogs'Derek Pegues to fumble. Matt Miller recovered the fumble and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown and a 10–0 Alabama lead.[46] On the ensuing Mississippi State drive,Michael Henig threw aninterception to Rudy Griffin that was returned 17 yards for an Alabama touchdown and a 17–0 victory.[46][47]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • #5LSU | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 16 |
| #4 Alabama | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
Sources:[48]
WithCollege GameDay in town, in what was the first loss of the season for the Crimson Tide, theLSUTigers defeated Alabama 16–13 inovertime.[48][49] After Jamie Christensen missed a 46-yard field goal, on the following Alabama offensive possession in the first quarter he connected on a 28-yard field goal to give Alabama a 3–0 lead.[50] The Crimson Tide then scored their only touchdown of the game early in the second quarter whenBrodie Croyle threw an eight-yard touchdown strike toD. J. Hall to give Alabama a 10–0 halftime lead.[50]
LSU tied the game up at 10–10 in the third quarter. They scored first on a one-yardJustin Vincent touchdown run and then on a 42-yard Chris Jackson field goal.[50] After a pair of missed Jackson field goals in the fourth quarter for LSU, the game went into overtime.[50] Alabama went on offense first and managed to score on a 34-yard Jamie Christensen field goal to take a 13–10 lead.[50] On the Tigers' possession,JaMarcus Russell threw an 11-yard touchdown pass toDwayne Bowe to give LSU the victory 16–13.[50]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #8 Alabama | 0 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 18 |
| • #11Auburn | 21 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Sources:[51]
A week after Alabama suffered their first loss of the season, theAuburnTigers defeated Alabama 28–18 in the 2005 edition of theIron Bowl, keeping the Crimson Tide out of consideration for aBCS Bowl game.[51][52] Auburn took a 21–0 lead in the first quarter. The Tigers scored first on a seven-yard touchdown pass fromBrandon Cox toBenjamin Obomanu; second on an eight-yardKenny Irons touchdown run; and third on a 45-yard Obomanu touchdown run.[53] After aPrechae Rodriguezfumble was recovered byCharlie Peprah, Alabama scored their first points on the ensuing drive whenTim Castille scored on a one-yard touchdown run to make the score 21–7.[53] Auburn responded later in the second quarter with a five-yard Cox touchdown pass to Cole Bennett to give the Tigers a 28–7 lead at halftime.[53]
The Crimson Tide scored on their first possession of the second half on a 43-yard Jamie Christensen field goal.[53] After Auburn was able to get a defensive stand late in the fourth to ice the game, Alabama did score a late touchdown on a one-yardJohn Parker Wilson touchdown run.[53] A successfultwo-point conversion pass from Wilson toD. J. Hall made the final score 28–18.[53] The Tigers' victory marked their fourth straight over the Crimson Tide.[54]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #18 Texas Tech | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| • #13Alabama | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
Sources:[55]
On December 4 officials from the Cotton Bowl announced their 2006 contest would feature the Crimson Tide competing against theTexas TechRed Raiders of theBig 12 Conference.[56] In a game that featured the nation's number one passing offense of Texas Tech against the nation's number one scoring defense of Alabama, the Crimson Tide won 13–10.[55][56][57] Alabama scored their only touchdown of the game on just their second offensive play whenBrodie Croyle threw a 76-yard touchdown pass to Keith Brown for a 7–0 lead.[55][57] The Red Raiders responded later in the quarter with a 34-yardAlex Trlica field goal to cut the lead to 7–3.[55] A scoreless second quarter saw the only scoring opportunities coming on a trio of failed field goal attempts. Alabama's Jamie Christensen missed a 39-yard field goal and the second blocked by Chris Hudler and recovered byDwayne Slay.[58] The Red Raiders' Trlica had a 37-yard field goal blocked byMark Anderson as time expired to give Alabama the 7–3 halftime lead.[58]
Christensen extended the Alabama lead to 10–3 early in the third quarter with his 31-yard field goal.[55] Texas Tech then tied the game up at 10–10 late in the fourth quarter afterCody Hodges threw a 12-yard touchdown pass toJarrett Hicks.[58] The Crimson Tide responded on the following drive with Christensen kicking the game-winning field goal from 45-yards out as time expired to give Alabama the 13–10 victory.[57][58]
| Name | Position | Seasons at Alabama | Alma mater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Shula | Head coach | 3 | Alabama (1987) |
| Chris Ball | Secondary | 3 | Missouri Western State (1986) |
| Bob Connelly | Offensive line | 3 | Texas A&M–Commerce (1994) |
| Charlie Harbison | Wide receivers | 3 | Gardner–Webb (1995) |
| Joe Kines | Defensive Coordinator | 3 | Jacksonville State (1967) |
| David Rader | Offensive coordinator | 3 | Tulsa (1980) |
| Paul Randolph | Defensive line | 3 | Tennessee–Martin (1990) |
| Dave Ungerer | Special teams,Tight ends | 3 | Southern Connecticut State (1980) |
| Sparky Woods | Running backs | 3 | Carson–Newman (1976) |
| Buddy Wyatt | Defensive line | 3 | TCU (1989) |
| Gabe Giardina | Graduate assistant | 2 | Alabama (2004) |
Following the SEC Championship Game, the conference named its award winners. DeMeco Ryans was named by the coaches' as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.[59] Kenneth Darby, Roman Harper and Ryans were named to the Coaches' All-SEC First Team.[60] Mark Anderson, Tyrone Prothro and Freddie Roach were named to the Coaches' All-SEC Second Team.[60] Antoine Caldwell, B. J. Stabler, Nick Walker and Bobby Greenwood were named to the 2005 Freshman All-SEC Team.[61] In addition to his conference awards, Ryans was also named to the2005 College Football All-America Team by AFCA and the Associated Press.[62] He also won theLott Trophy for 2005 season.[63]
In October 2007, the athletic department discovered a potential NCAA-violation present throughout the athletics program.[64] The violations stemmed from athletes from several sports, including football, receiving improper benefits as a result of a failure in the distribution system of textbooks to student athletes from the university.[64] In essence, student athletes received textbooks for classes that they were not taking. Although it was not admitted that any excess textbooks amounted to an improper payment, it was possible that some athletes signed up for classes, received free textbooks, and then sold the textbooks. After a prolonged investigation, in June 2009 the NCAA ruled all athletes that received improper benefits related to the textbook distribution system were deemed ineligible.[65] As such, as part of the penalties imposed on the football program, all victories which those included in the inquiry participated, were officially vacated from the all-time record.[65] The penalty to vacate victories does not result in a loss (or forfeiture) of the affected contests or award a victory to the opponent.[66] As such, all ten victories from the 2005 season (Middle Tennessee, Southern Mississippi, South Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Utah State, Mississippi State and Texas Tech) were vacated making the official record for the season zero wins and two losses (0–2).[65]