Alabama Football: The 51 year history of Crimson Tide – FSU games
By Ronald Evans
October 12, 1974, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 8 – FSU 7
Alabama football, rejuvenated by the Bryant wishbone era, had come close to a national championship in 1973. Going into the New Years Eve Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame, Alabama was ranked No. 1 and the Irish were ranked No. 3.
The one point loss to the Irish, 24-23 cost the Tide the national championship. The Tide would win a national championship in 1974, despite losing to the Irish again, this time in the Orange Bowl, 13-11.
The Tide won 11 straight before the Orange Bowl, including a nail-biter in Tuscaloosa against lowly FSU. FSU had gone 0-11 in 1973. The prospects were not much better in 1974 under new head coach Darrell Mudra. The Noles would finish 1974 1-10 but they came very close to upsetting Alabama football in Tuscaloosa.
On a blistering hot October afternoon in front of 58,000 Alabama football fans, FSU outplayed the Tide most of the game. The Noles gained more first downs, more rushing yards and more passing yards.
The Tide trailed 7-3 late in the fourth quarter. FSU had a fourth down inside its own five-yard line. Rather than risking a blocked punt, FSU Coach Mudra decided to take a safety, trimming the FSU lead to 7-5.
A good return by Willie Shelby on the free kick got the Tide started. Ozzie Newsome made a spectacular one-handed catch, only the Tide’s fourth completion of the game.
With 36 seconds left in the game, Bucky Berrey made a 36-yard field goal to gain the 8-7 Alabama football victory. Alabama was lucky to win.