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Alabama Football: A Tie Is Like Kissing Your Sister – 10 Crimson Tide Tie Games

By Ronald Evans

Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Fans gather around the College Gameday set prior to the Battle at Bristol football game between the Virginia Tech Holies and Tennessee Volunteers at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Fans gather around the College Gameday set prior to the Battle at Bristol football game between the Virginia Tech Holies and Tennessee Volunteers at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama Football: Nashville TN Oct. 3, 1959; Birmingham, AL Oct. 4, 1958

1959 Alabama 7 – Vanderbilt 7

1958 Alabama 0 – Vanderbilt 0

In 1959, the Tide traveled to Nashville to face the Dores. Alabama was 1-1 with a loss to Georgia and a win against Houston. In the two games, the Tide offense only managed two field goals.

Against Vandy, Alabama had first half opportunities to score but failed to do so. Vandy led 7-0 at halftime. Alabama ‘s offense got enough boost from the passing of Pat Trammell to tie the game at 7-7 in the third quarter. The fourth quarter was scoreless for both teams and the game ended in a 7-7 tie.

Going into the 1958 game Alabama had beaten Vanderbilt only twice in eleven years. Vanderbilt coach Art Guepe had been in Nashville since 1952 and his best season had been 1955 when he led Vandy to an 8-3 record.

Alabama opened the 1958 season and the Bryant era in Mobile against an LSU powerhouse. LSU led by Paul Dietzel was coming off a 5-5 season in 1957 but riding the powerful legs of Billy Cannon the Bengal Tigers would win the SEC and National Championship. In 1959 Billy Cannon would win the Heisman Trophy. The Tide fought hard in the Bryant Alabama coaching debut but fell 13-3.

The following Saturday Alabama hosted Vanderbilt in Birmingham. Vandy had already beaten Georgia and Missouri and their powerful rushing attack had success gaining yards against the Crimson Tide.

The toughened Bryant built Alabama defense gave up yardage but no points. Alabama had little offensive success against the Commodores and hung on for the 0-0 tie.

For most of Paul Bryant’s coaching career, he was disdainful of tying a football game. You have to think that at least this one time, in the second game of his Alabama coaching career, that a tie was not as bad as kissing your sister.

Next: Alabama's All-Time Team

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