Southern Cal Trojans ©	Missouri Tigers
Played September 10, 1977 at Memorial Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Southern Cal ©	2	9	1	1	.864	4	0	1	.900	3	1	0	.750	2	0	0	1.000
Missouri	0

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

The 4^th ranked Southern Cal Trojans of coach John Robinson traveled to meet the Missouri Tigers coached by Al Onofrio to open the 1977 season.  The Tigers had won in Los Angeles in 1976 & looked to sweep the home & home series.  Led by All-Pac 8 RB Charles White on offense & All-American S Dennis Thurman on defense, the Trojans were primed to have an extended Belt reign.  Missouri featured All-Big 8 TE Kellen Winslow but the Trojans had not forgotten what happened the previous year -- a 46-25 Missouri upset.  White rushed for 155 yards with a touchdown to lead the Trojans to a 27-10 win.  White’s touchdown came on an 18-yard run in the 1^st quarter & when QB Rob Hertel found WR Randy Simmrin for a 25-yard touchdown pass, Southern Cal had a 14-0 halftime lead.  Missouri RB Rich Dansdill scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the 3^rd quarter & PK Jeff Brockhaus connected on a 25-yard field goal early in the 4^th quarter as the Tigers closed to 14-10.  Southern Cal scored the final two touchdowns of the game on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Hertel to TE William Gay & a 10-yard touchdown run by Hertel to secure the win.  Hertel threw for 203 yards with his 2 touchdowns & Simmrin added 5 catches for 107 yards to his score.  Missouri QB Phil Bradley threw for 58 yards in the loss.  Southern Cal finished the season 8-4 while the Tigers finished 4-7 in Onofrio’s final season.  Missouri would play for The Belt again in 1978.

 

 

 

Southern Cal Trojans ©	Oregon State Beavers
Played September 17, 1977 at Parker Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Southern Cal ©	2	10	1	1	.875	4	0	1	.900	4	1	0	.800	2	0	0	1.000
Oregon State	0	0	2	0	.000	0	2	0	.000

The 2^nd ranked, 1-0 Southern Cal Trojans of coach John Robinson opened the Pac 8 season with a game against the 1-0 Oregon State Beavers of coach Craig Fertig.  Oregon State rallied from a 10-0 deficit to tie the game at 10-10 before Southern Cal QB Rob Hertel connected with WR Randy Simmrin on a long touchdown pass as the Trojans overcame 6 turnovers to retained The Belt with a 17-10 victory over the Beavers.  Southern Cal had several potential scoring drives in the 1^st half but were unable to cash in because of penalties or missed field goal attempts.  Their one successful drive came after S Willie Crawford intercepted Oregon State QB John Norman at the Oregon State 44-yard line.  The Trojans drove for the touchdown with RB Lynn Cain scoring on the 1-yard run giving Southern Cal a 7-0 lead they held through halftime.  Oregon State got no further than the Southern Cal 48-yard line in the 1^st half as the Trojans dominated statistically.  Early in the 3^rd quarter, Southern Cal PK Art Sorce kicked a 31-yard field goal giving the Trojans a 10-0 lead.  Sorce had missed kicks of 26 & 33 yards in the 1^st half that came the Beavers within striking distance.  The Beavers’ touchdown came on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Norman to TE Terry Beck got Oregon State within 3 points at 10-7 late in the 3^rd quarter.  Southern Cal was driving after the kick-off only to have Cain fumble to the Beavers at the Oregon State 35-yard line.  The Trojan defense force a punt but then All-Pac 8 RB Charles White lost control of a handoff & Oregon State S Tom Stevens recovered for the Beavers at the Southern Cal 10-yard line.  Sensing an upset, many in the Corvallis crowd came out of the stands & circled the field.  Southern Cal’s defense stiffened & kept the Beavers out of the end zone but PK Kieron Walford tied the game at 10-10 early the final quarter.  On the next drive, Hertel used a brilliant play-fake to Cain the caught both the safety & cornerback for Oregon State cheating to help stop the run when Simmrin ran by.  Hertel hit him in stride for a 50-yard touchdown pass giving the Trojans the 17-10 lead they would not relinquish.  The Beavers drove to the Southern Cal 37 with just over 5 minutes to play but a 4^th down pass fell incomplete to end the threat.  Hertel threw for 140 yards with a touchdown but 2 interceptions while White rushed for 188 yards as Southern Cal outgained Oregon State 415-195.  Norman threw for 142 yards with a touchdown & 2 interceptions in the loss.  Southern Cal finished the season 8-4 while the Beavers finished 3-8.  Oregon State would play for The Belt again in 1979.

 

 

 

Texas Christian Horned Frogs	Southern Cal Trojans ©
Played September 24, 1977 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Texas Christian	0
Southern Cal ©	2	11	1	1	.885	4	0	1	.900	5	1	0	.833	2	0	0	1.000

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

The 2^nd ranked, 2-0 Southern Cal Trojans of coach John Robinson opened their home season against the 0-2 Texas Christian Horned Frogs coached by first-year coach F.A. Dry.  Having allowed 74 points in the first 2 games, the Horned Frogs seemed to have little hope of competing with the Trojans.  Southern Cal dominated in all facets of the game, rushing for 451 yards & using 69 players in the game as the Trojans routed the Horned Frogs 51-0 to retain The Belt.  The game was never in doubt as Southern Cal got field goals of 49 & 28 yards from PK Frank Jordan before All-Pac 8 RB Charles White scored on a 24-yard touchdown run as the Trojans took a 13-0 lead in the 1^st quarter.  RB Dwight Ford scored on a 9-yard touchdown run before Jordan hit his third field goal of the game, this one from 45 yards, giving the Trojans a 23-0 halftime lead.  The 3^rd quarter saw four more Southern Cal touchdowns with the first coming when LB Garry Cobb returned an interception from Texas Christian QB Don Harris for a 30-yard touchdown.  Southern Cal QB Rob Hertel threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to WR Calvin Sweeney before Ford scored his second touchdown of the game.  Ford’s score came on a sweep around the end & when he broke a couple of tackles, he was able to sprint away from the Horned Frogs defense for a 70-yard run.  The final points came on an 18-yard reverse by WR Kevin Williams.  Hertel threw for 96 yards with a touchdown as well as an interception in limited duty, RB Rod Connors rushed for 124 yards, while Ford added 117 yards rushing with his 2 scores.  Harris finished with 148 yards passing with 2 interceptions & All-SWC WR Mike Renfro had 3 catches for 54 yards in the loss.  Southern Cal finished the season 8-4 while the Horned Frogs finished 2-9.  Texas Christian would play for The Belt again in 1991.

 

 

 

Washington State Cougars	Southern Cal Trojans ©
Played September 30, 1977 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Washington State	0	0	2	0	.000					0	2	0	.000
Southern Cal ©	2	12	1	1	.893	5	0	1	.900	5	1	0	.833	2	0	0	1.000

 

 

The 2^nd ranked, 3-0 Southern Cal Trojans of coach John Robinson prepared to meet the 2-1 Washington State Cougars of coach Warren Powers who had claimed road wins over Nebraska & Michigan State.  Southern Cal’s All-Pac 8 RB Charles White & RB Doug Ford each rushed for 2 touchdowns & the Trojans jumped to a 24-0 lead on their way to a 41-7 rout of the Cougars.  Late in the 1^st quarter, Southern Cal put together an 11-play, 74-yard drive with Ford carrying the final 14 yards for the touchdown.  In the 2^nd quarter, the Trojans went 68 yards in 14 plays highlighted by a 23-yard pass from QB Rob Hertel to WR Randy Simmrin as Southern Cal faced a 3^rd & 10 from the Washington State 30-yard line.  White finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run giving the Trojans a 14-0 lead.  On the ensuing kick-off, Southern Cal LB Steve O’Gray recovered a fumble from Washington State WR Tyrone Gray giving the Trojans the ball again at the Washington State 21-yard line.  The Trojans were unable to get into the end zone but PK Frank Jordan kicked a 24-yard field goal for a 17-0 lead.  Late in the quarter, Ford broke loose for a 53-yard touchdown run for a 24-0 Southern Cal lead.  The 3^rd quarter was more of the same for the Trojans as RB Lynn Cain returned a punt to the Washington State 48-yard line & on the next play, Hertel connected with Simmrin for the 48-yard touchdown pass.  Jordan’s 21-yard field goal came after a 16-play drive that took up most of the quarter & shortly after, Southern Cal LB Ed Gutierrez recovered a fumble from Washington State RB Ray Williams at the Washington State 49-yard line.  Seven plays later, White scored his second touchdown of the game on a 4-yard run giving the Trojans a 41-0 lead entering the 4^th quarter.  The Cougars averted the shutout when QB Jack Thompson, “The Throwin’ Samoan”, threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to WR Brian Kelly with just 3:59 left in the game.  Hertel finished with 182 yards passing with a touchdown, Ford added 118 yards rushing to his 2 touchdowns, & White rushed for 128 yards with his 2 scores.  Thompson threw for 136 yards with a touchdown in the loss.  Southern Cal finished the season 8-4 while the Cougars finished 7-4.  Washington State would play for The Belt again in 1979.

 

 

 

Alabama Crimson Tide	Southern Cal Trojans ©
Played October 8, 1977 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Alabama	0	0	1	0	.000									0	1	0	.000
Southern Cal ©	2	13	1	1	.900	6	0	1	.929	5	1	0	.833	2	0	0	1.000

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

The top-ranked, 4-0 Southern Cal Trojans of coach John Robinson hosted Bear Bryant’s 7^th ranked, 3-1 Alabama Crimson Tide.  Alabama had lost at Nebraska earlier & this game would go a long way in determining how their season would play out.  Led by All-American TE Ozzie Newsome, QB Jeff Rutledge, & RB Tony Nathan the Crimson Tide offense was ready to claim their first Belt reign.  The young defense would have to mature quickly to make the dream a reality.  Nathan scored 2 touchdowns in the 4^th quarter but it was Alabama LB Barry Krauss interception of a 2-point conversion pass that sealed the Crimson Tide's 21-20 win & The Belt had a new champion.  Southern Cal scored the only points of the 1^st half when PK Frank Jordan hit a 32-yard field goal.  Alabama took the lead in the 3^rd quarter when All-SEC RB Johnny Davis carried in from 2 yards giving the Crimson Tide a 7-3 advantage.  Jordan’s 23-yard field goal came before Nathan’s touchdowns runs of 1 & 13 yards as Alabama had a 21-6 lead early in the final quarter.  Southern Cal QB Rob Hertel connected with WR Calvin Sweeney on a 10-yard touchdown pass with 6:46 left to play.  The 2-point conversion pass to RB Mosi Tatupu got the Trojans within 7 points at 21-14.  After forcing an Alabama punt, Southern Cal went 79 yards with RB Lynn Cain scoring the touchdown on a 1-yard run with 0:39 left.  Instead of settling for the tie, Coach Robinson chose to try for the win with a 2-point conversion.  Hertel was pressured & his desperation pass was intercepted by Krauss to secure the victory for the Crimson Tide.  Rutledge threw for just 8 yards completing 2 of 4 pass attempts while Nathan rushed for 76 yards with his 2 scores.  Hertel threw for 239 yards with a touchdown but 2 interceptions & WR Randy Simmrin had 6 catches for 120 yards in the loss.  The Trojans dominated statistically but 10 penalties for 124 yards helped to stall several drives.  Southern Cal finished the season 8-4 while the Crimson Tide finished 11-1, SEC Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally.  Southern Cal would play for The Belt again in 1978.

 

 

 

Tennessee Volunteers	Alabama Crimson Tide ©
Played October 15, 1977 at Legion Field

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Tennessee	1	6	1	1	.813	4	0	0	1.000	0	1	1	.250	2	0	0	1.000
Alabama ©	1	1	1	0	.500					1	0	0	1.000	0	1	0	.000

 

                    Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

Coach Johnny Majors first year at Tennessee had started slowly.  His Volunteers brought a 2-3 record to Birmingham for the conference match-up with the 4^th ranked, 4-1 Alabama Crimson Tide of coach Bear Bryant.  Tennessee did have All-SEC punter Craig Colquitt but he would be needed too much for the Volunteers to win the game.  Alabama QB Jeff Rutledge ran for 2 touchdowns & threw for another as the Crimson Tide defeated Tennessee for the 7^th straight season with a 24-10 win that also retained The Belt.  The teams exchanged field goals in the 1^st quarter with Alabama getting a 20-yard kick from PK Roger Chapman & Tennessee’s PK Jim Gaylor connecting from 41 yards.  The Crimson Tide broke the game open late in the 2^nd quarter with Rutledge finishing a 78-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run giving Alabama a 10-3 lead.  Alabama got a break when Colquitt’s punt traveled only 23 yards giving the Crimson Tide another chance to score before halftime from the Tennessee 40-yard line.  It only took Rutledge two plays to get into the end zone as he hit All-American TE Ozzie Newsome for a 31-yard gain & carrying the final 9 yards himself for the touchdown with just 0:13 left in the half.  The missed extra-point attempt left Alabama with a 16-3 lead.  In the 3^rd quarter, Rutledge threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Newsome as the Crimson Tide took a 24-3 lead.  The Volunteers final points came on a 13-yard touchdown pass from QB Joe Hough to RB Kelsey Finch.  The game could have been a much bigger rout but Alabama failed to score from inside the Tennessee 35-yard line on six different occasions.  Rutledge finished with 82 yards passing with his touchdown while All-SEC RB Johnny Davis rushed for 103 yards.  Hough threw for 76 yards with a touchdown & an interception in the loss.  Alabama finished the season 11-1; SEC Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Volunteers finished 4-7.  Tennessee would play for The Belt again in 1980.

 

 

 

Louisville Cardinals	Alabama Crimson Tide ©
Played October 22, 1977 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Louisville	0
Alabama ©	1	2	1	0	.667	1	0	0	1.000	1	0	0	1.000	0	1	0	.000

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

The 3-2-1 Louisville Cardinals of coach Vince Gibson traveled to Tuscaloosa to battle the 5-1 Alabama Crimson Tide of coach Bear Bryant.  Alabama All-American TE Ozzie Newsome caught 2 touchdown passes to complement the Crimson Tide's 413 rushing yards in a 55-6 rout of the Cardinals to retain The Belt.  Newsome opened the scoring just 1:41 into the game when he caught a 67-yard touchdown pass from QB Jeff Rutledge.  On the last play of the 1^st quarter, RB Don Faust scored on a 2-yard touchdown run giving the Crimson Tide a 14-0 lead.  Late in the 2^nd quarter, RB Tony Nathan broke loose on a 71-yard touchdown run as Alabama pushed the lead to 21-0.  Following a fumble by Louisville, RB Steven Whitman finished the 1^st half scoring carrying in from 10 yards but the missed extra-point attempt still gave the Crimson Tide a 27-0 halftime lead.  Alabama opened the 3^rd quarter the same way they started the game with Newsome catching a 32-yard touchdown pass from Rutledge.  Another Cardinal fumble set-up a 32-yard touchdown pass from back-up QB Kevin Jones to WR Keith Pugh making the score Alabama 41 Louisville 0 with 12:04 left in the 3^rd quarter.  The Cardinals cracked the scoreboard when QB Randy Butler scored on a 1-yard touchdown run but even that went wrong as the extra-point attempt was no good.  Two more touchdowns came in the final quarter to finish the rout.  Back-up QB Steadman Shealy hit TE Tim Travis on a 5-yard touchdown pass & RB John Turpin 5-yard touchdown run.  Rutledge threw for 124 yards completing all 3 of his pass attempts for 2 touchdowns with Newsome catching all his passes.  Butler threw for just 48 yards while RB Calvin Prince rushed for 100 yards in the loss.  Alabama finished the season 11-1; SEC Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Cardinals finished 7-4-1.  Louisville would play for The Belt again in 2000.

 

 

 

Alabama Crimson Tide ©	Mississippi State Bulldogs
Played October 29, 1977 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, MS

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Alabama ©	1	3	1	0	.750	2	0	0	1.000	1	0	0	1.000	0	1	0	.000
Mississippi State	0

 

                         

 

The 2^nd ranked, 6-1 Alabama Crimson Tide of coach Bear Bryant traveled to Jackson, Mississippi to battle coach Bob Tyler’s 3-4 Mississippi State Bulldogs in the SEC Conference match-up.  Alabama’s offense rushed for 311 yards with 4 touchdowns as the Crimson Tide rolled to a 37-7 win over the Bulldogs to retain The Belt.  Alabama jumped to a 7-0 lead when RB Tony Nathan broke loose for a 59-yard touchdown run.  The Crimson Tide pushed the lead to 14-0 when RB Don Faust scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.  Mississippi State got on the scoreboard in the 2^nd quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run by RB J.O. Doss midway through the quarter.  Alabama responded with a 30-yard touchdown pass from QB Jeff Rutledge to WR Keith Pugh coming just 0:24 before halftime giving the Crimson Tide a 21-7 advantage.  In the 3^rd quarter, Alabama got touchdown runs of 1 yard from All-SEC RB Johnny Davis & 22 yards from QB Steadman Shealy giving the Crimson Tide a 30-7 lead entering the 4^th quarter.  The only points of the final quarter came when PK Roger Chapman connected on a 37-yard field goal just 5 seconds into the quarter.  Rutledge finished with 95 yards passing with a touchdown while Nathan added 115 yards rushing to his score.  Mississippi State QB Bruce Threadgill threw for 189 yards with 2 interceptions in the loss.  Alabama finished the season 11-1; SEC Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Bulldogs finished 5-6 but forfeited all games to record a 0-11 season due to NCAA violations.  Mississippi State would play for The Belt again in 1987.

 

 

 

Alabama Crimson Tide ©	Louisiana State Tigers
Played November 5, 1977 at Tiger Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Alabama ©	1	4	1	0	.800	2	0	0	1.000	2	0	0	1.000	0	1	0	.000
Louisiana State	0

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

The 2^nd ranked, 7-1 Alabama Crimson Tide of coach Bear Bryant battled the 18^th ranked, 5-2 Louisiana State Tigers coached by Charlie McClendon.  Alabama RB Tony Nathan scored 2 touchdowns & threw for another while the suffocating defense held Louisiana State to just 17 yards passing as the Crimson Tide rolled to a 24-3 win over the Tigers to retain The Belt.  Alabama got the only points of the 1^st quarter when PK Roger Chapman kicked a 44-yard field goal giving the Crimson Tide a 3-0 lead.  Early in the 2^nd quarter, Louisiana State tied the game at 3-3 when PK Mike Conway connected on a 31-yard field goal.  Nathan gave Alabama the lead when he finished a 15-play, 94-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run coming with just 0:14 left in the 2^nd quarter as the Crimson Tide took a 10-3 lead to intermission.  Late in the 3^rd quarter, Nathan scored on another 1-yard touchdown run giving Alabama a 17-3 lead.  After a short punt gave the Crimson Tide the ball at the Louisiana State 49-yard line, Alabama took 5 plays to get into the end zone again.  The touchdown came on a halfback option pass from Nathan to WR Keith Pugh from 20 yards.  Louisiana State tried to rally behind the passing of back-up QB David Woodley & the running of All-American RB Charles Alexander but they could not get the Tigers into the end zone.  Alabama QB Jeff Rutledge finished with 62 yards passing while All-SEC RB Johnny Davis rushed for 126 yards.  For the Tigers, starting QB Steve Ensminger did not complete a pass in 7 attempts, Woodley threw for just 17 yards & Alexander rushed for 110 yards.  Alabama finished the season 11-1; SEC Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Tigers finished 8-4.  Louisiana State would play for The Belt again in 1979.

 

 

 

Miami Hurricanes	Alabama Crimson Tide ©
Played November 12, 1977 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Miami, FLA	0	0	1	0	.000	0	1	0	.000
Alabama ©	1	5	1	0	.833	2	0	0	1.000	3	0	0	1.000	0	1	0	.000

 

Belt Records: Miami                         0-1-0 (Overall), 0-1-0 (H), 0-0-0 (A), 0-0-0 (N)

Alabama (1)                5-1-0 (Overall), 2-0-0 (H), 3-0-0 (A), 0-1-0 (N)

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

The 2^nd ranked, 8-1 Alabama Crimson Tide of coach Bear Bryant had one final tune-up before their annual battle with Auburn. The 3-5 Miami Hurricanes coached by Lou Saban stood presented the opposition.  Alabama QB Jeff Rutledge threw 2 touchdown passes to TE Rick Neal & RB Tony Nathan rushed for 2 touchdowns as the Crimson Tide rolled to a 36-0 victory over the Hurricanes.  After a scoreless 1^st quarter, Rutledge & Neal connected on a 5-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the 2^nd quarter.  Nathan's 1-yard touchdown run pushed the lead to 12-0 before PK Roger Chapman hit a 27-yard field goal giving the Crimson Tide a 15-0 halftime lead.  A 7-yard touchdown pass from Rutledge to Neal accounted for the only points of the 3^rd quarter.  In the final quarter, Nathan scored his second touchdown, this one on a 2-yard run, & back-up QB Kevin Jones scored on a 12-yard run to complete the rout.  Rutledge threw for 165 yards with 2 touchdowns while All-American TE Ozzie Newsome had 4 catches for 106 yards.  Miami QB Kenny McMillan completed just 2 of 8 passes for 15 yards with an interception the loss.  Alabama finished the season 11-1; SEC Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Hurricanes finished 3-8.  Miami would play for The Belt again in 1984.

 

 

 

Auburn Tigers	Alabama Crimson Tide ©
Played November 26, 1977 at Legion Field

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Auburn	0
Alabama ©	1	6	1	0	.857	3	0	0	1.000	3	0	0	1.000	0	1	0	.000

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

The 1977 Iron Bowl saw its first Belt match-up with the 5-5 Auburn Tigers coached by Doug Barfield traveling to Birmingham to battle the 2^nd ranked, 9-1 Alabama Crimson Tide coached by Bear Bryant.  Having lost 4 straight to Alabama, Auburn hoped they could reverse the tread.  Alabama QB Jeff Rutledge threw for 2 touchdowns & RB Tony Nathan rushed for 2 touchdowns as the Crimson Tide retained The Belt with a 48-21 victory over the Tigers.  Late in the 1^st quarter with the game still scoreless, Auburn RB Joe Cribbs took a handoff & scampered 87 yards for a touchdown giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead.  Alabama responded with an 8-play, 70-yard drive with Rutledge throwing a 30-yard touchdown pass to WR Bruce Bolton to tie the game at 7-7 with 13:49 left in the half.  Late in the 2^nd quarter, the Crimson Tide put together another 8-play drive; this one covered 58 yards & was capped by All-SEC RB Johnny Davis’ 12-yard touchdown run giving Alabama a 14-7 halftime edge.  The Crimson Tide dominated the 3^rd quarter with Nathan scoring his touchdowns from 1 & 2 yards to put Alabama in front 28-7 to start the 4^th quarter.  In the 1^st half, Auburn’s touchdown had come on a 2-play drive with Cribbs long run.  Now in the 4^th quarter, the Tigers scored on another 2-play drive with QB Charlie Trotman throwing a 74-yard touchdown pass to WR Byron Franklin but Auburn still trailed 28-14 with 13:27 left to play.  Alabama came back with a 7-play, 80-yard drive with RB Mitch Ferguson carrying in from 1 yard for the score.  Auburn followed with a quick turnover that gave the ball back to the Crimson Tide at the Auburn 42-yard line.  Rutledge took advantage of the error on the next play when he hit All-American TE Ozzie Newsome on a 42-yard touchdown pass giving the Crimson Tide a 41-14 lead.  The teams traded touchdowns in the last 5 minutes with Alabama QB Steadman Shealy scoring on a 15-yard touchdown run & Auburn RB William Andrews scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run for the final points.  Rutledge finished with 193 yards passing with 2 touchdowns as well as rushing for 102 yards, Davis rushed for 104 yards with his score, & Newsome had 4 catches for 119 yards with his touchdown.  For the Tigers, Trotman threw for 135 yards with a touchdown but also an interception while Cribbs finished with 133 yards rushing with his score.  Alabama finished the season 11-1; SEC Champions & ranked 2^nd nationally while the Tigers finished 6-5, which included a forfeit from Mississippi State for NCAA violations.  Auburn would play for The Belt again in 1983.

 

 

 

Alabama Crimson Tide ©	Ohio State Buckeyes
The Sugar Bowl Played January 2, 1978 at the Louisiana Superdome

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Alabama ©	1	7	1	0	.875	4	0	0	1.000	3	0	0	1.000	0	1	0	.000
Ohio State	2	9	2	1	.792	5	0	1	.917	4	0	0	1.000	0	2	0	.000

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None