It is impossible to know how deep into a roster a team will find game-changing plays. On Saturday afternoon in Columbia, the Alabama Crimson Tide went deep into its roster. Two Alabama football third and fourth-team running backs made key plays. It is unlikely the Crimson Tide would have won without their contributions.
In the game's fourth quarter, Missouri faked a punt and almost ran for a first down. On special teams, Alabama's No. 4 or possibly No. 5 running back, Dre Washington, was not fooled. He tackled the Missouri ball carrier a couple of feet short of the needed yardage. Calling his recognition and execution game-changing is an understatement.
When Jam Miller left the game due to injury, over 10 minutes were left in the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide's No. 3 running back, Daniel Hill, became Alabama's lead back in the game. Hill made a modest contribution as a runner, just 16 yards on six carries. Hill had one pass reception for one yard, but it was a huge play. On a 4th-and-1, Ty Simpson passed to Hill for the Crimson Tide's game-winning score. The play was an excellent call by Ryan Grubb. It required Grubb and Simpson's confidence that Alabama's little-used sophomore could execute the catch at a key moment in a hostile environment.
There were other pivotal plays in the game. Alabama needed them all to win. A few of them were interceptions by Dijon Lee and Bray Hubbard, Cole Adams' onside kick recovery of a spinning football, and the Alabama defensive front neutralizing Ahmad Hardy. Hardy went into the game averaging 7.09 yards per carry. He got only 4.3 ypc against the Crimson Tide. Another big play ended with a 4th down reception of 29 yards to freshman Lotzeir Brooks. Ty Simpson perfectly threw the pass.
After the game, Kalen DeBoer credited his team for their resiliency. He made another statement that would appear to be typical coach speak were it not for the Tide's 4th-down conversions. DeBoer said, "We're going to play to win." Instilling such a mindset in a team is a path to championships. And when that mindset goes deep into a roster, as it did on Saturday, the Alabama Crimson Tide is a tough team to beat.
Note: Game information and stats provided by Stat Broadcast