football team football team variously alabama tide represented ncaa division football season overall season season member sec 18th team led head coach year played home games stadium alabama finished season undefeated record sec national champions looking build successes campaign alabama entered season favorite win meet sec championship game alabama closed regular season record including wins ranked teams met sec championship rematch contest alabama victorious final score following day final bowl championship series standings unveiled ranked alabama meet ranked texas crimson tide defeated capture alabama earned sec championship inception 22nd sec title victory texas gave alabama 13th national championship football eighth wire service title poll began ninth perfect season season included victories previous national champions florida texas season marked time player alabama won trophy won award stanford running award winners included won award jack defensive coordinator won award nation assistant coach players named consensus selections unanimous selections season campaign completed perfect regular season record wins georgia longtime rival tennessee state rival auburn end game losing streak tide went lose final games postseason end season lost sec championship game alabama reached coaches polls time final polls regular season time weeks fourteen tide reached rankings time school history weeks fourteen team finished season final ranking coaches polls february alabama signed recruiting class according rivals recruiting class according scout spring practice began march concluded annual day game april televised live espn crimson team defeated white team score fans named game june sanctioned alabama major violations ncaa policies result athletes received improper benefits ncaa sports including football penalty football program forced vacate victories seasons addition placed years probation ending june university stated textbooks materials identified investigation profit athletes involved eligibility remaining pay additional materials identified inquiry alabama appealed ruling late june unsuccessful committee upheld sanctions march sec media days july voters selected alabama florida win divisions ballots choosing florida win sec championship game voters selected defensive selected arenas return specialist august alabama players different preseason award watch lists included jones fred award award award trophy jones award trophy johnson arenas jim award walker award returning starters alabama returning starters previous season including defense offense special teams notable departures previous year offensive line quarterback running safety recruiting class alabama recruiting class highlighted seven players espn trent richardson kelly eddie alabama signed recruiting class according rivals recruiting class according scout football program received letters intent national signing day february schedule computer ratings calculated alabama strength schedule difficult teams calculated difficult teams rankings alabama schedule officially released december accordance conference rules alabama faced opponents arkansas auburn miss faced opponents official sec rival tennessee kentucky south_carolina alabama play sec opponents georgia regular season schedule met florida sec championship game alabama played non conference games season opener tide played chick game virginia tech georgia dome atlanta non conference schedule included games football championship subdivision alabama played texas time cotton bowl classic source time football results season depth chart starters coaching staff prior season alabama changes coaching staff alabama lost defensive head coach january hired defensive coordinator linebacker coach january hired linebacker coach tennessee following week named nfl team new assistant head linebacker coach auburn new associate head linebacker coach game notes virginia tech defeating inaugural chick game alabama announced december return edition tide dominated play game tech total offense yards mistakes penalties poor play special teams allowed hang fourth quarter points sealed alabama victory scored field goals yards early lead responded yard return touchdown tech lead following recovery deep territory tide retook lead yard field goal early second quarter intercepted pass ensuing possession tech led successful yard field goal alabama responded driving yards touchdown lead big plays coming yard run passes yards score coming yard roy run virginia tech possession personal pass interference penalty carried williams scoring yard touchdown run score remained half missed yard field goal end second quarter quarter ball tech long run lone scoring opportunity team quarter point fourth quarter hit yard completion yard line scored touchdown play successful point conversion pass gave alabama lead ensuing recovered tide tech following alabama drive stalled fourth field goal score poor coverage penalties set yard williams run cut lead late fourth quarter alabama quickly struck rushed yards completed yard pass threw yard touchdown lead threatened score alabama won opener led tide yards rushing carries pair touchdowns named sec offensive player week victory improved alabama time record golden proved tougher opponent alabama expected half tide pulled away victory home opener alabama opened scoring yard field goal followed yard touchdown pass gave lead followed touchdown returning ensuing yards bringing score responded yard field goal extend lead early second quarter following bounds set golden ensuing yard drive resulted yard touchdown pass gave lead responded yard drive culminating yard touchdown run half trent richardson continued alabama scoring quarter yard touchdown run extend lead yard punt return set richardson second score yard touchdown run play fourth quarter alabama led scored tide final points yard touchdown run bring final score alabama total offense rushing offense set time alabama record completing consecutive pass attempts yards touchdown yard touchdown rushing performance richardson named victory improved alabama time record golden alabama second consecutive matchup opponent season resulted second consecutive victory tide defeated north texas mean green opened scoring yard touchdown run followed yard touchdown pass quarter lead tide continued scoring second quarter touchdowns yard run yard pass followed yard field goal gave alabama lead half quarter extended lead following touchdown runs yard respectively reached end zone yard touchdown pass alabama closed game fourth quarter points yard field goal yard grant touchdown run alabama mean green yards total offense points alabama game beating texas scored defeating completing passes tied school record overall completion percentage game notable head coach high school head coach led texas class high school football championship victory improved alabama time record mean green arkansas visit head coach alabama opened conference play defeating arkansas scoreless quarter big touchdown plays yard run yard pass tide half arkansas responded early quarter cut lead hit yard touchdown reception reach end zone tide responded unanswered touchdowns scored yard touchdown pass followed touchdowns yard pass yard run bringing final score alabama yards total offense threw career highs yards touchdowns yard carry touchdown performance richardson named victory improved alabama time record ncaa kentucky alabama trip lexington road game season tide defeated kentucky alabama scored opening drive returned opening yards set yard touchdown early lead kentucky responded pair yard field goals score end quarter tide extended lead late second quarter following nearly seven minute play yard touchdown drive passes yards yard run moved field culminating yard touchdown pass tide seconds remaining half kentucky ball catching short pass returned yards alabama touchdown tide ahead halftime second play quarter intercepted mike pass giving alabama possession plays later scored yard run making score following interception set yard field goal reached end zone time ensuing drive connected yard touchdown reception bringing score tide responded yard touchdown reception complete play yard drive kentucky scored afternoon final points fourth quarter yard touchdown run final score kentucky effort better alabama previous opponents gained yards total offense held alabama threw touchdowns giving season interception rushed yards carries tackles solo interception forced pass break named sec defensive player week week victory improved alabama time record miss largest crowd witness game stadium alabama defeated long time rival miss rebels alabama struggled ball end zone afternoon drives stalled mississippi drives resulted field goal day special teams contributions included blocked punt second quarter recovered punt return quarter struggled completing passes yards ran career high yards accounted alabama touchdown yard run second quarter alabama defense excellent day pass overall tide held rebels yards total offense single field goal quarter center named sec offensive week named field goal performance victory team sixth row rebels improved alabama time record miss ncaa south_carolina south_carolina trip tide defeated south_carolina homecoming second play start game intercepted stephen pass returned yards touchdown alabama lead struggled threw pair quarter offensive possessions south_carolina ball return second interception possession recovered tide continued drive kicked field goal alabama ahead following failed yard field goal attempt second quarter south_carolina answered driving alabama yard line defense held offense consecutive result yard field goal score following possession ran yards south_carolina drive stalled field goal south_carolina responded quick drive ended yard field goal time expired half score scoreless quarter alabama took possession following punt taking direct formation rushed yards carries took pitch yards touchdown sealing alabama victory alabama offense turned ball times game committing games yards rushing marked consecutive career high effort highest single game total alabama history performances named sec offensive player week named trophy impact player week victory improved alabama time record ncaa tennessee edition saturday october defensive struggle surprise finish crimson tide defeated tennessee volunteers defensive struggle teams field goals accounted alabama scoring tennessee defense stopping tide consecutive drives alabama defense responded pass quarter ensuing drive resulted yard field goal lead responded yard field goal tied game hit field goals yards lincoln missed yard attempt end half leaving score halftime scoreless fourth tennessee drove alabama blocked lincoln field goal ensuing possession hit yard field goal bring score late fourth lost time collegiate career giving tennessee possession alabama remaining game drove ball yards culminating yard touchdown pass cut gap followed successful kick attempt regained possession ball yard line tennessee yards false start completed pass yards yard line clock final seconds tennessee time outs ball stop clock seconds left set lincoln yard field goal attempt win game knocked broke line blocked lincoln field goal time expired preserving alabama victory perfect season performances named sec defensive week named week sec west divisional championship line alabama defeated long time rival secure spot sec championship game following scoreless quarter took possession play quarter embarked play yard drive ended yard touchdown pass lead returned ensuing punt yards alabama tide drove settling yard field goal score team mount sustained drive rest half start second half alabama received took possession started getting ball drive responsible yard reception rushes yards advanced ball tiger plays later hit touchdown pass kentucky game alabama ensuing drive stalled tide punt downed alabama yard line plays later sacked safety making score returned free kick drove yards touchdown big play coming yard run point conversion attempt failed leaving score favor alabama received relied seven rushes yards accounted offense drive ended yard field goal making score following alabama took possession yard line completed screen pass jones turned yard touchdown successful point conversion alabama led went play yard alabama drive consumed game time ended yard field goal left seal alabama victory alabama won championship clinched berth sec championship game florida clinched east day victory rushed yards jones receiving yards victory improved alabama time record tigers playing largest crowd witness game davis wade stadium wearing black time history alabama cruised victory long time rival scoreless quarter alabama scored pair touchdowns second lead touchdown came yard reception second yard run yard field goal extended lead scored points night yard field goal ensuing returned ball yards play hit yard touchdown reception score intercepted pass alabama bulldog offensive series following play scored touchdown yard run bring final score game threw yards touchdowns passing rushed yards touchdowns held total yards pass performance left guard named sec offensive week victory improved alabama time record ncaa senior day alabama college football football championship subdivision defeated stopped possession alabama reached end zone consecutive possessions running lead half quarter touchdowns included yard run yard run yard reception second quarter touchdowns scored yard punt return yard run quarter points coming yard field goal final points afternoon came yard roy touchdown run fourth set time sec record seventh punt return touchdown named week led offense yards touchdowns pulled early second quarter alabama total offense recorded defensive shutout defeating auburn victory improved alabama time record auburn year alabama victory contest auburn tigers ended tide victory regular season tigers entered game took ball alabama initial struck quickly auburn fourth play raced yards reverse touchdown auburn lead run longest allowed tide yard run arkansas auburn successfully executed kick retained possession ball kick auburn drove yards plays scoring yard touchdown pass trailed game seven points season found quarter early second quarter alabama completed play yard drive scoring yard run backup trent richardson key plays yard pass yard pass richardson exchange gave alabama good starting position auburn tide quickly struck hitting tight end yard touchdown pass left game tied halftime quarter auburn scored quick strike tigers took possession punt rushed yards hit yard completion auburn completion marked longest play allowed defense season longest pass play gave alabama opportunity returning ensuing yards auburn struggled entire game rushed yards yards held gain fourth alabama turned ball downs auburn went arenas set tide returning punt yards auburn yard line alabama drove auburn settling field goal cut deficit alabama kicked plays later auburn quarterback threw interception gave alabama possession auburn tide drove tigers drive stalled forcing field goal score quarter ended auburn continued hang point lead team progress possessions early fourth quarter exchange alabama got ball began soon known drive richardson opened yard rush completed yard pass plays later completed yard pass jones advancing ball tide plays later second pass jones yards led plays fourth pass jones fourth auburn yard line second auburn chose different target hitting richardson auburn yard line yard run richardson auburn tigers called time left richardson took ball yards auburn leaving tide team called time succession left alabama offensive coaches called running play head coach unwilling settle field goal overruled decision demanded pass completed yard touchdown pass string giving alabama lead completed seven consecutive passes drive missing point conversion attempt failed lead points auburn took possession following took run plays advance ball seconds completed yard pass alabama ball pass fell incomplete game alabama survived beating auburn despite yards held yards rushing florida alabama faced florida sec championship game rematch contest tide capturing 22nd conference championship following victory tide struck driving yards opening possession kicked yard field goal lead following florida possession alabama responded play yard touchdown drive drive completed key passes rushed yards touchdown taking lead following missed extra point ensuing possession hit yard field goal score end quarter alabama scored second quarter yard field goal complete yard drive extend lead florida followed turned touchdown drive game rushes yards yards quarterback trophy winner followed yard touchdown pass florida cut lead offensive play took short pass raced yards yard line ran touchdown yards play ended half yard field goal halftime score florida opened quarter tide offensive series second half completed yard pass maze followed yard personal foul penalty bringing ball red zone play completed drive yard touchdown pass tight end alabama took lead florida got possession ball alabama taking ball yard line quarter alabama held ball rest quarter fourth game time play yard drive rushed yards drive scored yard touchdown run early fourth quarter increase lead florida mounted late drive reached alabama threw interception end zone florida possession turned ball downs alabama tide able run clock secure victory yard touchdown passing performance named game mvp rushed rushed yards victory gave alabama 22nd sec title inception years longest time program gone sec championship victory improved alabama time record ncaa vacation victory alabama earned sec championship inception 22nd sec title texas following victories respective conference championship games december final bowl championship series standings unveiled pitting ranked ranked game held rose bowl actual rose bowl game ohio_state beat oregon days earlier alabama came game having beaten texas compiling time record alabama won toss elected receive opening losing thirteen yards sack penalty called fake punt resulted texas interception alabama yard line initial possession texas quarterback suffered hit forced leave game suffering nerve throwing shoulder return freshman replaced quarterback settled field goal lead ensuing kick texas retained possession ball alabama failed field kick advanced ball yards kicked field goal ahead tide went ahead second quarter threw yards passing alabama yards came completion advanced ball texas plays later ran yards alabama went ahead exchange took possession texas yard line second play trent richardson burst hole middle raced yards untouched touchdown extending lead texas continued struggle offense absence possession texas drive ended intercepted gilbert pass alabama following short punt late quarter drove texas increased lead following successful yard field goal appeared locker room leading gaining yards rush middle texas called time seconds left ball texas gilbert threw pass ball batted arms alabama defensive yards touchdown halftime score having sacked times half considerable success rushing ball alabama came rushing halftime attempting passes 3rd quarter gilbert struggled early game started find rhythm efforts texas receivers catch pass thrown line game yard touchdown pass gilbert cut lead early fourth missed yard field goal ensuing possession drove yards scored touchdown yard reception successful point conversion pulled score points following alabama punt texas gained possession yard line second play drive laid hit gilbert forced alabama recovered texas plays later rushed yards game ran score gave alabama lead following drive gilbert threw second interception arenas trent richardson touchdown seconds left final score performances named game offensive mvp named defensive mvp alabama beat texas time history won championship game won national championship alabama thirteenth claimed eighth national championship vote poll coaches poll coming ninth perfect season coming alabama school major college history joining ohio state rankings entering season ranked coaches week seven alabama moved ranking poll ranking coaches poll initial rankings dropping low following victory florida sec championship game alabama captured ranking coaches polls final rankings following victory texas championship game alabama selected unanimous team coaches poll season following victory texas national championship team arrived regional airport evening january thousand fans greet arrival january public national championship celebration attended spectators speakers event included head coach alabama athletic director championship trophies available public viewing early march team invited white_house obama greeted team offered remarks championship season victory team member coach received championship rings designed university issued title ring issued title ring winning sec championship rings distributed annual day weekend following april day celebrations team captains honored ceremony base recognition fifth alabama head coach win national championship university unveiled statue coach walk champions outside day festivities april final statistics victory texas alabama final team statistics released defensive ball ranked second scoring defense points game second total defense yards game second rushing defense yards game tenth passing defense yards game conference leaders scoring total rushing defense offense nationally ranked 12th rushing offense yards game 22nd scoring offense points game 42nd total offense yards game passing offense yards game individually led sec average field goals points game awards weeks following multiple alabama players recognized field performances variety awards team awards banquet december named permanent captains squad time named valuable players named defensive players year johnson named offensive players year conference sec recognized players individual performances awards alabama swept major individual awards sec team named offensive player year named defensive player year named coach year addition defensive named sec team arenas return specialist named sec second team players named coaches sec team including arenas defensive return specialist named coaches sec second team trent richardson named freshman sec team national season number alabama players named national award winners finalists alabama trophy winner closest margin victory history award stanford finalist walker award won award jack award national award finalists included award defensive coordinator won award nation assistant coach addition individual awards players named national american teams named american team named american second team named arenas named arenas named america team selections teams consensus unanimous selections star games seven alabama players selected postseason star games appeared texas nation game participated east west shrine game played armour senior bowl nfl draft draft eligible declared eligibility nfl draft alabama players seniors invited nfl scouting combine invited alabama players tight end offensive defensive linebacker defensive backs draft alabama seven players selected round selections 8th jackson 20th houston second round picks arenas 50th 57th round pick seventh round picks washington dallas respectively signed free agents following season declared eligibility nfl draft alabama players seniors invited nfl scouting combine invited players offensive quarterback defensive end running wide receiver draft alabama set school record players selected round round selections 3rd buffalo bills jones 6th atlanta carpenter 25th seattle 28th selected seventh round signed free agent july nfl labor dispute resolved
2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team