Even No. 1 Alabama Needs Help from Role Players

Even teams loaded with talent like No. 1 Alabama needs unsung players to come up big sometimes.

That's what reserve linebacker Tana Patrick, fullback Jalston Fowler and freshman tight end O.J. Howard did on a huge stage against No. 18 LSU.

Patrick stripped the ball from fullback J.C. Copeland to prevent a touchdown. Fowler and Howard both caught touchdown passes.

Patrick says that was the biggest play of his career, and "it made me feel really good, just to contribute to the team." The senior plays mostly in goal line situations.

Fowler is largely a blocker back who has scored on four of his five receptions.

Howard is the only one of the three who seems like a future star for the Tide, which visits Mississippi State on Saturday.

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