57 days until kickoff. Name the Bama greats to wear jersey #57.I
The list has to start with Dwight Stephenson
The greatest performance would have been in the 1978 Sugar Bowl against Tom Cousineau, perhaps the greatest linebacker in tOSU history. That day Stephenson, a freshman may have demonstrated to the world just how great he could be, as the tOSU linebacker was single handily destroyed by #57. “The plan,” center Dwight Stephenson said, “was to take it right to them.” And 16 of Alabama’s first 17 plays went right into the teeth of the Buckeye defense. The Crimson Tide held the ball for eight minutes, gaining 60 yards, while Ohio State appeared to be just hanging on, even at that early stage. David Sadler, Green, Bob Cryder and Jim Bunch, the ‘Bama offensive line, thrashed their opposition as the Tide backs consistently gained yardage off tackle. The drive ended short of points when quarterback Jeff Rutledge was stopped on a two-yard pickup on fourth-and-goal from the 5.
The first 17 plays Bama went straight at tOSU’s strength and that was Stephenson on Cousineau and the freshman won each time.