COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Memphis State Upsets No. 15 Alabama on a Fourth-Quarter Field Goal, 13-10

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — John Butler never saw what Alabama will have a hard time forgetting.

Butler’s 47-yard, fourth-quarter field goal gave Memphis State a 13-10 upset over 15th-ranked Alabama on Saturday.

“When I hit it, I knew it was good,” said Butler, who earlier had bounced a 37-yard field goal inside the right upright on the final play of the first half. “The wind was in my face and I kept by head down. I never saw it (the kick). My holder tells me if it is good.”

The field goal aroused the Tigers, who held off Alabama during the final 8:28.

“They did what they had to do, and it was just a great, great win,” Memphis State Coach Charlie Bailey said.

“I am so proud of our football team. We were 1-3 and going into a game with Alabama. The kids worked hard during the week.”

The victory was the first for the Tigers in six meetings with the Crimson Tide, 4-2.

Alabama commited several costly mistakes, which Tide Coach Bill Curry said made his team undeserving of a victory.

“If we scored to go ahead, we committed a penalty on the play. If we had a chance to pin them down at their goal line, we didn’t,” Curry said. “They deserved to win. That’s really all there is to it.”