1963 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

The 1963 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1963 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 69th overall and 30th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his sixth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished season with nine wins and two losses (9–2 overall, 6–2 in the SEC) and with a victory over Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.

1963 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Sugar Bowl champion
Sugar Bowl, W 12–7 vs. Ole Miss
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 9
AP	No. 8
Record	9–2 (6–2 SEC)
Head coach	Bear Bryant (6th season)
Defensive coordinator	Gene Stallings (2nd season)
Captains	Steve Allen Benny Nelson
Home stadium	Denny Stadium Legion Field Ladd Stadium
Seasons ← 1962 1964 →

1963 Southeastern Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 7 Ole Miss $	5	–	0	–	1			7	–	1	–	2
No. 5 Auburn	6	–	1	–	0			9	–	2	–	0
No. 8 Alabama	6	–	2	–	0			9	–	2	–	0
Mississippi State	4	–	1	–	2			7	–	2	–	2
LSU	4	–	2	–	0			7	–	4	–	0
Georgia Tech	4	–	3	–	0			7	–	3	–	0
Florida	3	–	3	–	1			6	–	3	–	1
Tennessee	3	–	5	–	0			5	–	5	–	0
Georgia	2	–	4	–	0			4	–	5	–	1
Vanderbilt	0	–	5	–	2			1	–	7	–	2
Kentucky	0	–	5	–	1			3	–	6	–	1
Tulane	0	–	6	–	1			1	–	8	–	1
$ – Conference champion Rankings from AP Poll

The Crimson Tide opened the season with wins at Georgia, against Tulane in Mobile and at Vanderbilt en route to a 3–0 start. However, in their fourth game, Alabama was upset by Florida in what was coach Bryant's first loss at Denny Stadium as head coach. They rebounded the week that followed with a shutout victory over Tennessee and then won their next three games against Houston, Mississippi State and Georgia Tech.

In the annual Iron Bowl against Auburn, the Crimson Tide were defeated for the first time by the Tigers since the 1958 season. Although they lost, immediately after the game Alabama accepted an invitation to play Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl. Before the bowl, the Crimson Tide defeated Miami in their final game of the regular season. They then closed the season with a victory over Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance	Source
September 21	at Georgia	No. 3	Sanford Stadium Athens, GA (rivalry)		W 32–7	34,980	[1]
September 28	Tulane	No. 2	Ladd Stadium Mobile, AL		W 28–0	30,102	[2]
October 5	at Vanderbilt	No. 2	Dudley Field Nashville, TN		W 21–6	23,848	[3]
October 12	Florida	No. 3	Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)		L 6–10	42,309	[4]
October 19	Tennessee	No. 9	Legion Field Birmingham, AL (Third Saturday in October)		W 35–0	53,454	[5]
October 26	Houston*	No. 6	Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL		W 21–13	28,022	[6]
November 2	Mississippi State	No. 7	Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)		W 20–19	42,508	[7]
November 16	Georgia Tech	No. 7	Legion Field Birmingham, AL (rivalry)		W 27–11	53,938	[8]
November 30	vs. No. 9 Auburn	No. 6	Legion Field Birmingham, AL (Iron Bowl)		L 8–10	54,152	[9]
December 14	at Miami (FL)*	No. 8	Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL	CBS	W 17–12	26,967	[10]
January 1, 1964	vs. No. 7 Ole Miss*	No. 8	Tulane Stadium New Orleans, LA (Sugar Bowl, rivalry)	NBC	W 12–7	80,785	[11]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

^[12]

Game summaries

Georgia

See also: 1963 Georgia Bulldogs football team

1 2 3 4 Total • #3 Alabama 7 3 7 15 32 Georgia 7 0 0 0 7 Date: September 21 Location: Sanford Stadium Athens, GA Game attendance: 34,980 Sources:[13][14]

To open the 1963 season, the Crimson Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 32–7 on the road at Athens.^[13][14][15] The lone Georgia touchdown was set up in the first quarter when Ken Davis recovered a Joe Namath fumble at the Alabama 26-yard line. Seven plays later, Georgia led 7–0 after Fred Barber scored on a three-yard run.^[13][14] The Crimson Tide tied the game later in the quarter on a 47-yard Namath touchdown pass to Charles Stephens and then took a 10–7 halftime lead when Tim Davis connected on a 38-yard field goal in the second quarter.^[13][14] Mike Fracchia then scored the next pair of Alabama touchdowns on runs of five and one-yard before Preston Ridlehuber was tackled for a safety in the fourth quarter.^[13][14] A 41-yard Jack Hurlbut touchdown pass to Jimmy Dill late in the fourth made the final score 32–7.^[13][14] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 27–18–4.^[16]

Tulane

See also: 1963 Tulane Green Wave football team

1 2 3 4 Total Tulane 0 0 0 0 0 • #2 Alabama 7 14 7 0 28 Date: September 28 Location: Ladd Stadium Mobile, AL Game attendance: 30,102 Sources:[17][18]

After their victory over Georgia to open the season, Alabama up one spot in the AP Poll to the No. 2 position.^[19] At Mobile, the Crimson Tide shutout the Tulane Green Wave 28–0 in their annual Ladd Stadium game of the season.^[15][17][18] Alabama took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter after Joe Namath scored on a one-yard touchdown run.^[17][18] The extended their lead to 21–0 at halftime after Benny Nelson scored on a 33-yard run and by Billy Piper on a 51-yard interception return.^[17][18] A 20-yard Hudson Harris touchdown run in the third quarter provided for the final margin in this 28–0 Crimson Tide win.^[17][18] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tulane to 21–10–3.^[20]

Vanderbilt

See also: 1963 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

1 2 3 4 Total • #2 Alabama 7 7 7 0 21 Vanderbilt 0 6 0 0 6 Date: October 5 Location: Dudley Field Nashville, TN Game attendance: 23,848 Sources:[21][22]

After their victory over Tulane, Alabama retained its No. 2 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt.^[23] At Nashville, the Crimson Tide defeated the Commodores 21–6 in a game that saw Benny Nelson score twice on long touchdown runs for Alabama.^[15][21][22] Midway through the first quarter, Nelson gave the Crimson Tide a 7–0 lead with his 50-yard touchdown run.^[21][22] Vanderbilt responded in the second quarter with a 25-yard Jon Cleveland touchdown pass to Toby Wilt; however the extra point was blocked and Alabama retained a 7–6 lead.^[21][22] Mike Fracchia then scored on a one-yard touchdown run that made the halftime score 14–6.^[21][22] Nelson then scored the final points of the game with his 97-yard kickoff return in the third quarter that made the final score 21–6.^[21][22] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 22–16–4.^[24]

Florida

See also: 1963 Florida Gators football team

1 2 3 4 Total • Florida 3 0 0 7 10 #3 Alabama 0 0 0 6 6 Date: October 12 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 42,309 Sources:[25][26]

After their closer than expected victory over Vanderbilt, Alabama dropped from the No. 2 to the No. 3 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Florida.^[27] In what was the first Tuscaloosa game of the season, the 17-point favorite Crimson Tide were upset by the Gators 10–6 in what was also coach Bryant's first loss as head coach at Denny Stadium.^[15][25][26] Bob Lyle gave the Gators an early 3–0 lead with his 42-yard field goal in the first quarter.^[25][26] The Alabama defense then produced a pair of goal line stands in the first half that resulted in a 3–0 Florida lead at halftime.^[25] After a scoreless third, Florida took a 10–0 lead in the fourth when Dick Kirk scored on a 42-yard touchdown run.^[25][26] With just over 2:00 left in the game, Joe Namath scored on a one-yard run to end the shutout bid, but Alabama still lost 10–6.^[25][26] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Florida to 8–5.^[28]

Tennessee

See also: 1963 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Third Saturday in October

1 2 3 4 Total Tennessee 0 0 0 0 0 • #9 Alabama 14 7 14 0 35 Date: October 19 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 53,454 Sources:[29][30]

Alabama dropped from the No. 3 position back into the No. 9 spot in the week leading into their game at Tennessee after their upset loss against Florida.^[31] Against the Volunteers, Alabama shutout Tennessee 35–0 in the first Legion Field game of the season.^[15][29][30] The Crimson Tide took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter after Benny Nelson scored on a 36-yard touchdown run.^[29][30] Joe Namath then was responsible for the remaining four touchdowns scored on the afternoon. He first threw a 26-yard scoring pass to Jimmy Dill late in the first and then threw a three-yard pass to Charles Stephens in the second that gave Alabama a 21–0 halftime lead.^[29][30] In the third, Namath threw his third touchdown pass to Hudson Harris from five-yards out then scored himself on a one-yard run that made the final score 35–0.^[29][30] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 21–19–6.^[32]

Houston

See also: 1963 Houston Cougars football team

1 2 3 4 Total Houston 0 7 0 6 13 • #6 Alabama 7 0 7 7 21 Date: October 26 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 28,022 Sources:[33][34]

As a result of their shutout win over Tennessee, the Crimson Tide moved into the No. 6 position in the AP poll prior to their game against Houston.^[35] Against a winless Cougars squad, Alabama struggled to a 21–13 victory at Denny Stadium.^[15][33][34] After a seven-yard Joe Namath touchdown pass to Benny Nelson gave the Crimson Tide a 7–0 lead in the first, a 41-yard Jack Skrog touchdown pass to Mike Spratt in the second for Houston tied the game 7–7 at halftime.^[33][34] The Crimson Tide retook the lead in the third on a 35-yard Nelson touchdown run and extended it to 21–7 on a 12-yard Namath touchdown pass to Ray Ogden early in the fourth.^[33][34] The Cougars then cut the lead to 21–13 after Spratt scored on a 75-yard touchdown run, but were unable to complete the comeback in the loss.^[33][34] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Houston to 5–0.^[36]

Mississippi State

See also: 1963 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team

1 2 3 4 Total Mississippi State 0 12 7 0 19 • #7 Alabama 3 10 0 7 20 Date: November 2 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL Game attendance: 42,508 Sources:[37][38]

Although they did defeat Houston in their previous contest, Alabama dropped into the No. 7 ranking as they prepared to play Mississippi State.^[39] On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide scored a game-winning touchdown in the final four minutes of the game and defeated the Bulldogs 20–19.^[15][37][38] After Alabama took an early 3–0 lead on a 43-yard Tim Davis field goal in the first, State responded and took a 12–3 lead in the second quarter. The Bulldogs scored touchdowns on a one-yard Dan Bland run and on a 45-yard Larry Swearengen interception return of a Joe Namath pass.^[37][38] Alabama responded later in the quarter with a 40-yard Namath touchdown pass to Jimmy Dill and a 31-yard Davis field goal and took a 13–12 halftime lead.^[37][38] After a four-yard Swearengen run gave the Bulldogs a 19–13 lead in the third quarter, Namath scored the game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter with just over four minutes left in the game. The Davis extra point that ensued provided for the final margin in Alabama's 20–19 win.^[37][38] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 35–10–3.^[40]

Georgia Tech

See also: 1963 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team

1 2 3 4 Total Georgia Tech 0 3 8 0 11 • #7 Alabama 7 7 0 13 27 Date: November 16 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 53,938 Sources:[41][42]

Coming off their bye week prior to their game against Georgia Tech, the Crimson Tide retained the No. 7 position in the AP poll.^[43] Behind strong performances on both sides of the ball, Alabama defeated the Yellow Jackets 27–11 at Legion Field.^[15][41][42] The Crimson Tide scored first on a 44-yard Ray Ogden touchdown run for a 7–0 first quarter lead.^[41][42] In the second, Tech scored on a 41-yard Billy Lothridge field goal and Alabama scored on a one-yard Benny Nelson touchdown run that made the halftime score 14–3.^[41][42] The Jackets responded with a two-yard Lothridge touchdown run in the third that cut the Crimson Tide lead to 14–11.^[41][42] Alabama then closed the game with fourth-quarter touchdowns scored on runs of six-yards by Nelson and one-yard by Joe Namath.^[41][42] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 23–19–3.^[44]

Auburn

See also: 1963 Auburn Tigers football team

Iron Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total • #9 Auburn 3 0 7 0 10 #6 Alabama 0 0 8 0 8 Date: November 30 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game attendance: 54,152 Sources:[45][46]

In the week prior to their game against Auburn, Alabama moved into the No. 6 position in the AP poll and the Tigers were in the No. 9 position.^[47] In the annual Iron Bowl game, Alabama was defeated by the Tigers for the first time since the 1958 season in this 10–8 loss at Legion Field.^[15][45][46] Auburn scored first on a 32-yard Woody Woodall field goal in the first quarter and maintained their 3–0 lead through halftime.^[45][46] The Tigers then extended their lead to 10–0 in the third quarter when Mailon Kent threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Tucker Frederickson.^[45][46] Benny Nelson then scored the only Alabama touchdown later in the quarter on an 80-yard run that made the final score 10–8.^[45][46] Although they lost, after the game the Crimson Tide officially accepted an invitation to play in the Sugar Bowl against Ole Miss.^[48] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 13–14–1.^[49]

Miami

See also: 1963 Miami Hurricanes football team

1 2 3 4 Total • #8 Alabama 14 3 0 0 17 Miami 0 0 0 12 12 Date: December 14 Location: Orange Bowl Stadium Miami, FL Game attendance: 26,967 Sources:[50][51]

This game against the Miami was originally scheduled to be played on Friday, October 18, but was subsequently moved to December 7 in order to be televised on CBS.^[52] Due to the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the annual Army–Navy Game was pushed back to December 7. As such, CBS requested the Miami-Alabama game be postponed to December 14 in order to avoid conflict that would result from televising both games on the same day.^[52][53] The rescheduling of this game also pushed back the start of the annual Orange Blossom Classic from the afternoon to evening of December 14.^[52][53]

After their loss against Auburn, Alabama dropped into the No. 8 position in the final AP poll of the 1963 season.^[54] In the week that led to their game at Miami, coach Bryant suspended starting quarterback Joe Namath for both this game and the Sugar Bowl as he violated team rules.^[55] On homecoming at the Orange Bowl, Alabama survived a late Miami rally and defeated the Hurricanes 17–12.^[15][50][51]

The Crimson Tide took a 14–0 first quarter lead after touchdowns were scored by Gary Martin on a 100-yard kickoff return and by Benny Nelson on a one-yard Benny Nelson run.^[50][51] A 35-yard Tim Davis field goal in the second quarter made the halftime score 17–0 in favor of the Crimson Tide.^[50][51] The score remained unchanged until Miami rallied with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns that made the final score 17–12.^[50][51] The first came on a nine-yard George Mira pass to Nick Spinelli and the second on a one-yard Pete Banaszak run.^[50][51] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Miami to 5–2.^[56]

Ole Miss

See also: 1963 Ole Miss Rebels football team and Alabama–Ole Miss football rivalry

1964 Sugar Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total • #8 Alabama 3 6 3 0 12 #7 Ole Miss 0 0 0 7 7 Date: January 1, 1964 Location: Tulane Stadium New Orleans, LA Game attendance: 80,785 Sources:[57][58]

After their loss in the Iron Bowl on November 30, Alabama officially accepted an invitation to play the SEC champion Ole Miss Rebels for the first time since the 1944 season in a Sugar Bowl that featured a pair of SEC teams.^[48][59] As each team entered the game, Mississippi finished in the No. 7 position and Alabama in the No. 8 position in the final AP poll of the season.^[54] With starting quarterback Joe Namath still suspended, the Crimson Tide offense struggled, but four Tim Davis field goals proved to be enough for Alabama to win 12–7 over the Rebels.^[57][58]

Davis gave the Crimson Tide a 12–0 lead as then entered the fourth quarter after connecting from 31-yards in the first, 46 and 22-yards in the second and 48-yards in the third quarter.^[57][58] Ole Miss responded in the fourth quarter with their only points on a five-yard Perry Lee Dunn touchdown pass to Larry Smith that made the final score 12–7.^[57][58] For his four field goal performance, Davis was named the Sugar Bowl MVP.^[60] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Ole Miss 17–3–2.^[61]

NFL/AFL Draft

Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1962 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL) between the 1963 and 1965 drafts. These players included the following:

Year	Round	Overall	Player name	Position	NFL/AFL team
1964 NFL draft [62]	5	61	Benny Nelson	Halfback	Detroit Lions
	5	69	Steve Wright	Tackle	Green Bay Packers
	11	151	Eddie Versprille	Running back	Cleveland Browns
1964 AFL Draft [63]	8	59	Steve Wright	Offensive tackle	New York Jets
	12	94	Benny Nelson	Defensive back	Houston Oilers
1965 NFL draft [62]	1	12	Joe Namath	Quarterback	St. Louis Cardinals
	3	40	Ray Ogden	End	St. Louis Cardinals
	9	120	Frank McClendon	Tackle	Minnesota Vikings
	10	131	Gaylon McCullough	Center	Dallas Cowboys
1965 AFL Draft [64]	1	1	Joe Namath	Quarterback	New York Jets
	8	58	Ray Ogden	Tight end	Houston Oilers
	19	147	Frank McClendon	Tackle	Oakland Raiders
1966 NFL draft [62]	11	156	Steve Sloan	Quarterback	Atlanta Falcons
	15	216	Tom Tolleson	Wide receiver	Atlanta Falcons
	15	226	Steve Bowman	Running back	New York Giants
1966 AFL Draft [65]	17	150	Tom Tolleson	Wide receiver	New York Jets
	20	179	Steve Bowman	Halfback	Oakland Raiders

Freshman squad

Prior to the 1972 NCAA University Division football season, NCAA rules prohibited freshmen from participating on the varsity team, and as such many schools fielded freshmen teams.^[66][67] For the 1963 season, the Alabama freshmen squad was coached by Sam Bailey and finished their season with a record of three wins and one loss (3–1).^[68] After a 10–6 loss to Mississippi State to open the season, Alabama rebounded with a 3–0 victory over Tulane at Denny Stadium.^[69] Dudley Kerr scored the Tide's only points with his 29-yard field goal in the second quarter.^[69]

In their third game, the Baby Tide defeated Auburn 21–14 at Cliff Hare Stadium.^[70] Alabama took an early 6–0 lead when Wayne Trimble threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Kent Busbee in the first quarter. They extended it to 21–0 with second-quarter touchdowns scored by John Mosely on a pair of one-yard runs.^[70] Auburn responded with a 21-yard Tom Bryan touchdown run that made the halftime score 21–7.^[70] After a scoreless third, the Tigers made the final score 21–14 after Bryan threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Scotty Long.^[70]

Alabama then closed the season with a 17–16 victory over a previously undefeated Ole Miss freshmen team in Tuscaloosa.^[68] The Rebels' scored on their opening possession on an 18-yard Joe Graves touchdown pass to James McCraney for a 7–0 lead.^[68] After a 41-yard Jimmy Keys field goal late in the second extended the Ole Miss lead to 10–0, Graves threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to McCraney with only 0:04 remaining in the first half for a 16–0 halftime lead.^[68] Alabama rallied in the third quarter with a pair of touchdowns that cut the Rebels' lead to 16–14. The first came when Louis Thompson recovered a Graves fumble in the endzone and the second on a 48-yard Wayne Trimble pass to Kent Busbee.^[68] A game-winning, 36-yard Dudley Kerr field goal late in the fourth quarter made the final score 17–16.^[68]

Personnel

Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Steve Allen Athens, Alabama Guard Mickey Andrews Ozark, Alabama Halfback Joe Elwood Bessemer, Alabama Tackle Ron Bird Covington, Kentucky Tackle Clark Boler Northport, Alabama Tackle Steve Bowman Pascagoula, Mississippi Fullback Paul Crane Prichard, Alabama Center Tim Davis Columbus, Georgia Placekicker Jimmy Dill Mobile, Alabama End John Farner Attalla, Alabama Tackle Ron Durby Memphis, Tennessee Tackle Grady Elmore Ozark, Alabama Halfback Mike Fracchia Memphis, Tennessee Fullback Wayne Freeman Fort Payne, Alabama Guard Hudson Harris Tarrant, Alabama Halfback Butch Henry Selma, Alabama End Jack Hurlbut Houston, Texas Quarterback Dan Kearley Talladega, Alabama Defensive tackle Al Lewis Covington, Kentucky Guard Gary Martin Dothan, Alabama Halfback Frankie McClendon Guntersville, Alabama Tackle Gaylon McCollough Enterprise, Alabama Center Larry McGill Panama City, Florida Halfback Joe Namath Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania Quarterback Benny Nelson Huntsville, Alabama Halfback Ray Ogden Jesup, Georgia Halfback Billy Piper Poplar Bluff, Missouri Halfback Jackie Sherrill Biloxi, Mississippi Fullback Jim Simmons Piedmont, Alabama Tackle Steve Sloan Cleveland, Tennessee Quarterback Charles Stephens Thomasville, Alabama End Tommy Tolleson Talladega, Alabama End Eddie Versprille Norfolk, Virginia Fullback Bill Wieseman Louisville, Kentucky Guard Steve Wright Louisville, Kentucky Tackle Reference:[71]

Coaching staff Name Position Seasons at Alabama Alma Mater Bear Bryant Head coach 6 Alabama (1936) Sam Bailey Assistant coach 6 Ouachita Baptist (1949) Jim Blevins Assistant coach 2 Alabama (1960) Jim Goostree Assistant coach 7 Tennessee (1952) Clem Gryska Assistant coach 4 Alabama (1948) Dude Hennessey Assistant coach 4 Kentucky (1955) Pat James Assistant coach 6 Kentucky (1951) Carney Laslie Assistant coach 7 Alabama (1934) Ken Meyer Assistant coach 1 Denison (1950) Charley Pell Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1962) Hayden Riley Assistant coach 6 Alabama (1948) Howard Schnellenberger Assistant coach 3 Kentucky (1956) Jimmy Sharpe Assistant coach 1 Alabama (1962) Gene Stallings Assistant coach 6 Texas A&M (1957) Reference:[72]

References

General

• "1963 Season Recaps" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 25, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
• "2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book" (PDF). Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 17, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2013.

Specific

1. "Bama whips Georgia 32–7 in SEC duel". The Paducah Sun-Democrat. September 22, 1963. Retrieved October 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
2. "Crimson Tide rolls early, hangs on to beat Tulane". The Montgomery Advertiser. September 29, 1963. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "Vandy falls to Alabama in SEC game". The Jackson Sun. October 6, 1963. Retrieved October 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Underdog Gators in 10–6 football shocker over 3rd ranked Bama". The Decatur Daily. October 13, 1963. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Bama passes crush Tennessee by 35–0". The Courier-Journal. October 20, 1963. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Injury-riddled Tide pounds Houston, 21–13". Waco Tribune-Herald. October 27, 1963. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Tide's Bryant proud after Alabama rally". The Montgomery Advertiser. November 3, 1963. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Infantry wins day for Tide". The Birmingham News. November 17, 1963. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Auburn gets Tide, Orange bid". The Nashville Tennessean. December 1, 1963. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Miami bows to Alabama". The Baltimore Sun. December 15, 1963. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Davis boots Bama over Rebels, 12–7". The Selma Times-Journal. January 2, 1964. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "1963 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
13. Land, Charles (September 22, 1963). "Alabama whips Georgia, 32–7". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
14. "Crimson Tide powers over Georgia Bulldogs, 32 to 7". Rome News-Tribune. Associated Press. September 22, 1963. p. 8. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
15. 1963 Season Recap
16. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
17. Land, Charles (September 29, 1963). "Tide rolls over Tulane, 28–0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
18. Atkins, Stan (September 29, 1963). "Alabama rips Tulane 28–0 in second half". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. p. 16. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
19. "Tide second in grid poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. September 24, 1963. p. 8. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
20. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
21. Halbrooks, Hap (October 6, 1963). "Vandy tries, but fails". The Florence Times. p. 11. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
22. "Benny Nelson paces Bama victory, 21–6". The Miami News. Associated Press. October 6, 1963. p. 2C. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
23. Chandler, John (October 1, 1963). "Sooners capture top spot in poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
24. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
25. Martin, Buddy (October 13, 1963). "Biggest Gator victory yet". Ocala Star-Banner. p. 25. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
26. Crittenden, John (October 13, 1963). "Florida holds on to upset Alabama". The Miami News. p. 1C. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
27. "Bama third in grid poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 8, 1963. p. 10. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
28. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Florida". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
29. Land, Charles (October 20, 1963). "Namath fires Tide to 35–0 win over Vols". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
30. "Alabama crushes Tennessee 35–0 with bruising defense". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Press. October 20, 1963. p. C2. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
31. "Texas climbs into college poll lead". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. October 15, 1963. p. 3B. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
32. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
33. Thomas, Ronnie (October 27, 1963). "Nelson, Namath pace Bama by snarling Cougars, 21–13". The Gadsden Times. p. 21. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
34. "Tide rises over tough Cougars, 21–13". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. October 27, 1963. p. 2C. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
35. "Eyes of poll pretenders still look up to Texas". The Evening Independent. Associated Press. October 22, 1963. p. 14A. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
36. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Houston". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
37. "Alabama wins, 20–19 on Namath passes". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press International. November 3, 1963. p. 4-4. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
38. Thomas, Ronnie (November 3, 1963). "State washed by Tide". The Gadsden Times. p. 23. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
39. Fullerton, Hugh Jr. (October 29, 1963). "Auburn moves past Tide into fifth place in poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
40. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
41. Halbrooks, Hap (November 17, 1963). "'Bama hammers Tech, 27–11". The Florence Times. p. 14. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
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