CONTINUING THE LEGACY
(1983-1989)


Perkins Assumes Command

Coach Paul Bryant's unexpected death on January 26, 1983 startled his loyal supporters across the country but the anguish was most deeply felt by the throng of Alabama fans. It was estimated that around one-half to one million people lined the highways of Bryant's funeral procession from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham's Elmwood Cemetary, just minutes from Legion Field. His legacy would continue to live on Saturday afternoons as his successor, Ray Perkins fielded a competitive team, finishing 8-4. The four losses were agonizingly close throughout the year, including a controversial 34-28 decision at Penn State. Replays clearly showed Preston Gothard caught a Walter Lewis pass for a touchdown in the game's final seconds. Officials ruled otherwise. Tennessee rallied for a 41-34 victory in an offensive shootout while Boston College did otherwise in a 20-13 contest played in a New England icestorm. If a torrential downpour and tornado threat were not enough to dampen the spirit of Bama fans, the running of Bo Jackson was worse in a 23-20 loss to Auburn. Despite the narrow losses, the emergence of freshmen stars Cornelius Bennett, Kerry Goode, Wes Neighbors and Curt Jarvis bode well for the future.

Only a win over Auburn could salve a 4-6 start of the '84 squad which had lost its one long-distance threat in the season opener vs. Boston College and its eventual Heisman winning QB Doug Flutie. For one half and a second half kickoff, Kerry Goode was the best player on the Legion Field carpet as he sliced through the Golden Eagles for 297 all-purpose yards. When he went down with a season-ending knee injury early in the third quarter, an entire season hinged on a December 1 date with Auburn. With a losing season clinched and a bowl streak of 25 halted, the Tide entered the Tiger game as decisive underdogs. Paul Ott Carruth starred on offenseand a determined defense led by Cornelius Bennett continually repelled the Auburn wishbone. Late in the game, needing but a field goal to win it, Pat Dye opted for a run at the endzone from a yard out. Miraculously Bo Jackson went the wrong direction and defensive back Rory Turner had a clear shot at the Auburn QB Brent Fullwood. When quizzed by the press after the game about his game-saving tackle, Turner said, "I just waxed the dude."

Gifted newcomers enhanced the promise of a brighter '85 and opening day vs. Georgia in Athens proved to be a showcase for one of those. Junior college transfer Al Bell snared a game winning TD pass from Mike Shula in the final seconds of a nationally-televised 20-16 upset of the Bulldogs. Narrow losses to Penn State and Tennessee set up the 7-2-1 Tide into a season finale with Auburn. A drive featuring brilliant use of the clock and the gifted toe of Van Tiffin proved to be the difference in a 25-23 win over the Tigers. Tiffin's 52-yarder on the game's final play is known among Bama supporters as simply "The Kick." While Tiffin became immortalized by Tide fans, a nod of appreciation should be given to Gene Jelks, who rushed for 192 yards and earned national Back of the Week honors. The man he outplayed that afternoon was Bo Jackson, a week away from being named the Heisman Trophy winner. It was the 50th game between Alabama and Auburn, and one of the series best contests ever played. Junior linebacker Cornelius Bennett and senior defensive tackle Jon Hand were All-Americans. A trip to the Aloha Bowl and a 24-3 win over Southern Cal capped a 9-2-1 year.

Facing one of its most challenging schedules ever, Alabama rolled early but could not seem to maintain an emotional peak down the streach of Ray Perkin's final season, one marked by the ecstasies of wins over the likes of Ohio State, Florida, Notre Dame and Tennessee and agonies of the defeats to Penn State, LSU and Auburn. Adding to the grief was the unexpected passing of defensive tackle Willie Ryles who collapsed during an August practice period and never regained consciousness. In April, runningback George Scruggs had been killed in a car accident which also left cornerback Vernon Wilkinson in serious condition. Tampa Bay's flirting with Perkins near the end of the season also became a media topic that pervaded the airwaves of radio talk shows and inundated the local papers. Despite the dissapointing finish, Alabama pummelled Washington 28-6 in the Sun Bowl with sophomore Bobby Humphrey running rampant and Cornelius Bennett dominating on defense. 1986 will also be remembered as the "Year of the Tackle," with Bennett's vicious sack of Notre Dame's QB Steve Beurlein which will forever be etched in the memories of Crimson Tide supporters. That play perhaps catapulted the gifted Bennett to the Lombardi Trophy, signifying the nation's Most Outstanding Lineman. Humphrey and placekicker Van Tiffin also earned All-American honors. Tiffin completed his career with a perfect mark from extra point range, 135 of 135!


CURRY AT THE CAPSTONE

Bill Curry's hiring as head coach at Alabama in '87 caused controversy among many followers, more for the way it was handled than for the man who was hired. Determined to earn his niche at Alabama, Curry coached Bama to a 7-5 record, including a 24-13 win over Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions. Junior running back Bobby Humphrey earned All-American honors in a roller-coaster season than included wins over Penn State, Tennessee and LSU and losses to Memphis State, Notre Dame and Auburn. Despite losing its final two games, Alabama earned an invitation to play Michigan in the Hall of Fame Bowl. A last second TD by the Wolverines spoiled Bama's hopes in a 28-24 decision. Due to renovation and expansion at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, all of Bama's home games were played at Legion Field in Birmingham.

Early on in '88 Crimson dreams of a run at the Heisman and SEC title prevailed in Tuscaloosa but an April injury to Bobby Humphrey's left foot ended thse aspirations five months before the season ever teed off. Humphrey gave it a go but in the second game of the year, he rebroke his foot and closed his Alabama career. Equally devastating that day was a season-ending knee injury to cornerback Gene Jelks. Despite key injuries, QB David Smith lead the Tide to a 9-3 season, including an MVP performance in the Sun Bowl, a 29-28 win over Army. One player who remained healthy, senior linebacker Derrick Thomas (#55), parlayed his unique skills into a season to be remembered and perhaps statistically never duplicated. For the year, Thomas had 27 sacks, 12 other tackles for losses, 44 QB hurries and two blocked kicks. His season was good enough to be named the 1988 Dick Butkus Award winner for nation's most outstanding linbacker. He was also named CBS Defensive Player of the Year, Washington Pigskin Player of the Year and SEC Male Athlete of the Year.

Backup QB Gary Hollingsworth became the starter after an injury sidelined Jeff Dunn and a Cinderella season evolved for a forgotten signal-caller and a determined team. After winning its first 10 games, including a 47-30 thriller over Tennessee and a last second field goal block by the defense for a 17-16 victory over Penn State, Curry's team had clinched a tie for the school's first SEC title since 1981. The historic showdown versus Auburn, the first matchup between the two schools in Auburn's backyard, proved disappointing for the second-ranked Tide which fell 30-20 to the Tigers. In the Sugar Bowl, Alabama played inspired football but not well enough to defeat eventual national champ Miami. Alabama's 10-2 squad featured two first team All-Americans, linebacker Keith McCants and cornerback John Mangum.

Despite a 26-10 record at Alabama, and what many felt was a semi-successful few years for Curry, he was subsiquently fired in January. The decision to fire Curry was about as controversial as his hiring. Many felt Curry's departure was due to his inablility to beat Auburn. Bill Curry was soon offered a job at Kentucky and Alabama was once again in search of a new head coach.


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