🏈 Memories of the '73 UPI National Champs

[AFF]

Or: Ramblings of a doddering old man.


When they announced the players from the 1973 UPI National Championship team at halftime of the Kentucky game, I went flashing back 35 years. That team had ONE HECK of an offense. Seriously - check the link at bottom for some stats.

I remember each week I'd get a piece of notebook paper and write the final score of the Alabama game using very large characters. I'd add some impressive stats from that game then I'd tape it up along side the others on my bedroom wall like some sort of a shrine.

We were bulldozing EVERYONE that year. I didn't think we could lose. Even if we got behind, you knew it was just a matter of time until they came back - which they always did. At least, until that loss to Notre Dame (24-23) which just about KILLED me. I was depressed for weeks. Of course, there was the one kid in Athens Middle School who was a big Notre Dame fan. And, like any good sport, I kicked the crap out of him! :twisted: That made me feel a little better. Gawd, I hated that kid!


At the game this past Saturday, there was only a slight smattering of applause for these guys. I felt bad for them. Anyway, I'm sure some of you old timers (bear facts?) remember the games well.

'73 UPI NC team honored at half vs. Ky.



Roll Tide

 

[austexbama]

Buck up there AFF I don't think your old at all :lol:

 

[bamascott2]

We were bulldozing EVERYONE that year. I didn't think we could lose. Even if we got behind, you knew it was just a matter of time until they came back - which they always did. At least, until that loss to Notre Dame (24-23) which just about KILLED me. I was depressed for weeks. Of course, there was the one kid in Athens Middle School who was a big Notre Dame fan. And, like any good sport, I kicked the crap out of him! :twisted: That made me feel a little better. Gawd, I hated that kid!

Ahh, yes...the genesis of my hatred for Notre Dame.

And the hate was cemented forever the next year in the Orange Bowl.

 

[Guest]

366 rushing yards per GAME!?!? Holy schmoly!!!!!!!

 

[AFF]

366 rushing yards per GAME!?!? Holy schmoly!!!!!!!

You ain't kiddin. What got me was the rushing yards against Virginia Tech - 748.

748 rushing yards in a game!

Wow!

 

[AFF]

We were bulldozing EVERYONE that year. I didn't think we could lose. Even if we got behind, you knew it was just a matter of time until they came back - which they always did. At least, until that loss to Notre Dame (24-23) which just about KILLED me. I was depressed for weeks. Of course, there was the one kid in Athens Middle School who was a big Notre Dame fan. And, like any good sport, I kicked the crap out of him! :twisted: That made me feel a little better. Gawd, I hated that kid!

Ahh, yes...the genesis of my hatred for Notre Dame.

And the hate was cemented forever the next year in the Orange Bowl.

I have, over the years, grown to appreciate ND's history as well. Don't get me wrong - I still hate them.

And yes - that WAS the beginning of my hatred as well. Born entirely of their success against us.

Those were some really good games, though.

 

[AFF]

Buck up there AFF I don't think your old at all :lol:

That's comforting coming from somebody older 'n dirt themselves. :lol:

Roll Tide

 

[BamaHeat]

Roll Tide old folks :lol:

Happy B-Day to me!(47)

 

[AFF]

Roll Tide old folks :lol:

Happy B-Day to me!(47)

Happy Birthday to BamaHeat!!!


Welcome to the old fart club, guy.


Seriously, I hope this birthday finds you and your family well.


Roll Tide

 

[bear facts]

We were bulldozing EVERYONE that year. I didn't think we could lose. Even if we got behind, you knew it was just a matter of time until they came back - which they always did. At least, until that loss to Notre Dame (24-23) which just about KILLED me. I was depressed for weeks. Of course, there was the one kid in Athens Middle School who was a big Notre Dame fan. And, like any good sport, I kicked the crap out of him! :twisted: That made me feel a little better. Gawd, I hated that kid!

Ahh, yes...the genesis of my hatred for Notre Dame.

And the hate was cemented forever the next year in the Orange Bowl.

I hear ya, both.

AFF, nothing to be proud of, but I actually took my first drink after that 24-23 defeat. Dang, I can't think of too many other losses that hurt as badly as that one. :cry:

bamascott2, my dislike for Notre Dame (and all other Northern football teams) actually began in 1966.

1966 College Football Season

 

[bear facts]

Roll Tide old folks :lol:

Happy B-Day to me!(47)

Good to see a few others nearing membership into the OFC.

Happy Birthday, Old Man!

 

[bear facts]

366 rushing yards per GAME!?!? Holy schmoly!!!!!!!

You ain't kiddin. What got me was the rushing yards against Virginia Tech - 748.

748 rushing yards in a game!

Wow!

AFF, that was my first Alabama game to attend. One of my high school football coaches got a little road trip up and brought his receivers to that game.

James Taylor (not the singer but a 3rd or 4th string back) rushed for over 200 yards (or close to it). Final score was 77-6.

Bama was up 70-6 at the end of the third quarter and could have easily tacked on a 100 points if Coach Bryant had chosen to so. Of course, he had too much class.

Those 748 rushing yards, btw, set a new NCAA record at the time. I remember looking forward to watching Wilbur Jackson run that evening (night game), but he may not have even played a whole quarter.

 

[Guest]

366 rushing yards per GAME!?!? Holy schmoly!!!!!!!

You ain't kiddin. What got me was the rushing yards against Virginia Tech - 748.

748 rushing yards in a game!

Wow!

James Taylor (not the singer but a 3rd or 4th string back) rushed for over 200 yards (or close to it). Final score was 77-6.

Bama was up 70-6 at the end of the third quarter and could have easily tacked on a 100 points if Coach Bryant had chosen to so. Of course, he had too much class.

Those 748 rushing yards, btw, set a new NCAA record at the time. I remember looking forward to watching Wilbur Jackson run that evening (night game), but he may not have even played a whole quarter.

I saw that team several times. It was just an incredible offensive group, and not terrible on defense. I can still picture the key play in the ND game. We had punted dead inside their five yard line late in the game. On third and long, Clements aired it out. It looked like David McMakin went for an int on that pass when he could have knocked it down. They got their first down and were able to run out the clock.

The Va Tech gome was an amazing offensive explosion. The singer James Taylor may have gotten a hundred or so yards that night.

The next two weeks resulted in a pair of blowouts and the most dominant offensive games in Tide lore. On Oct. 27, Alabama beat Virginia Tech 77-6 in front of 57,009 fans at Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide set records for most total offense (833), highest average yards per play (11.9), most rushing yards (748) and most extra points (11) in the win over Tech.

11.9 yards per play. That says it all. [/b]

 

[AFF]

366 rushing yards per GAME!?!? Holy schmoly!!!!!!!

You ain't kiddin. What got me was the rushing yards against Virginia Tech - 748.

748 rushing yards in a game!

Wow!

James Taylor (not the singer but a 3rd or 4th string back) rushed for over 200 yards (or close to it). Final score was 77-6.

Bama was up 70-6 at the end of the third quarter and could have easily tacked on a 100 points if Coach Bryant had chosen to so. Of course, he had too much class.

Those 748 rushing yards, btw, set a new NCAA record at the time. I remember looking forward to watching Wilbur Jackson run that evening (night game), but he may not have even played a whole quarter.

I saw that team several times. It was just an incredible offensive group, and not terrible on defense. I can still picture the key play in the ND game. We had punted dead inside their five yard line late in the game. On third and long, Clements aired it out. It looked like David McMakin went for an int on that pass when he could have knocked it down. They got their first down and were able to run out the clock.

The Va Tech gome was an amazing offensive explosion. The singer James Taylor may have gotten a hundred or so yards that night.

The next two weeks resulted in a pair of blowouts and the most dominant offensive games in Tide lore. On Oct. 27, Alabama beat Virginia Tech 77-6 in front of 57,009 fans at Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide set records for most total offense (833), highest average yards per play (11.9), most rushing yards (748) and most extra points (11) in the win over Tech.

11.9 yards per play. That says it all. [/b]

Yeah, I believe the halftime announcer said we had 4 running backs with more than 100 yards in that game.

 

[CrimsonPirate]

I saw my first (and only) Iron Bowl that year, although it wasn't called the Iron Bowl then. If I remember correctly, Wilbur Jackson went 80 yards on Bama's first play from scrimmage and the Tide never looked back. Ken Bernich, Auburn's All-America linebacker, said after the game that, "the best team didn't win today." Go figger.

Factor, my "intense dislike" for Notre Dame goes back to 1966, too. We got royally screwed when Ara decided to "tie one for the Gipper."

Oh. And, you 40-somethings just think you're old.

 

[BigAl]

366 rushing yards per GAME!?!? Holy schmoly!!!!!!!

You ain't kiddin. What got me was the rushing yards against Virginia Tech - 748.

748 rushing yards in a game!

Wow!

James Taylor (not the singer but a 3rd or 4th string back) rushed for over 200 yards (or close to it). Final score was 77-6.

Bama was up 70-6 at the end of the third quarter and could have easily tacked on a 100 points if Coach Bryant had chosen to so. Of course, he had too much class.

Those 748 rushing yards, btw, set a new NCAA record at the time. I remember looking forward to watching Wilbur Jackson run that evening (night game), but he may not have even played a whole quarter.

I saw that team several times. It was just an incredible offensive group, and not terrible on defense. I can still picture the key play in the ND game. We had punted dead inside their five yard line late in the game. On third and long, Clements aired it out. It looked like David McMakin went for an int on that pass when he could have knocked it down. They got their first down and were able to run out the clock.

The Va Tech gome was an amazing offensive explosion. The singer James Taylor may have gotten a hundred or so yards that night.

The next two weeks resulted in a pair of blowouts and the most dominant offensive games in Tide lore. On Oct. 27, Alabama beat Virginia Tech 77-6 in front of 57,009 fans at Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide set records for most total offense (833), highest average yards per play (11.9), most rushing yards (748) and most extra points (11) in the win over Tech.

11.9 yards per play. That says it all. [/b]

Yeah, I believe the halftime announcer said we had 4 running backs with more than 100 yards in that game.

Seems like i vaguely remember going to that game.

 

[Guest]

I have that 1973 Sugar Bowl.

Please explain to me how we lost!!??

 

[AFF]

I saw my first (and only) Iron Bowl that year, although it wasn't called the Iron Bowl then. If I remember correctly, Wilbur Jackson went 80 yards on Bama's first play from scrimmage and the Tide never looked back. Ken Bernich, Auburn's All-America linebacker, said after the game that, "the best team didn't win today." Go figger.

Factor, my "intense dislike" for Notre Dame goes back to 1966, too. We got royally screwed when Ara decided to "tie one for the Gipper."

Oh. And, you 40-somethings just think you're old.

35-0 and the best team didn't win? Man, the more things change, the more Barners stay the same.

I guess being old is relative and a matter of perspective. I'm about twice the age of half the posters on this board - which makes me feel older than I am sometimes. Heck, I've had one of my cars longer than some of these posters have been alive (20 years). :lol:

Roll Tide

 

[AFF]

I have that 1973 Sugar Bowl.

Please explain to me how we lost!!??

Notre Dame cheated!

 

[bamascott2]

I have that 1973 Sugar Bowl.

Please explain to me how we lost!!??

Notre Dame cheated!

I do remember that the last two minutes of that game lasted about a half hour.

Damn Ara!