TUSCALOOSA | Good behavior in school put some Tuscaloosa children who otherwise wouldn't have been there in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.

Western Kentucky returned some of its ticket allotment to the University of Alabama unsold this week, and the Nick's Kids Fund, the charitable foundation of UA coach Nick Saban and wife Terry, paid to donate approximately 200 of them to the city school system.

"From the time we got them we did all we could to get the distributed to different schools for children who have displayed positive behavior," school board district 6 member Marvin Lucas said. "We've been working hard with an antibullying campaign, as well, and Nick's Kids has been very supportive of local schools for the last six years."

Although the returned tickets made a sellout uncertain until late in the week, UA confirmed a sellout of 101,821.

"Coach Saban obviously is a great example to us of how to get involved in the community and how to give back," UA offensive lineman Barrett Jones said. "He sets a high standard with that, and it's something he encourages us to do, too."

Injuries

Running back Jalston Fowler (knee) and H-back Brent Calloway (shoulder) were injured against the Hilltoppers, though there is no definitive word on their status yet.

"We don't know the extent of that," Saban said of Fowler. "We'll do an MRI in the morning."

Starting defenders Dee Milliner (cornerback) and Jesse Williams (nose guard) did not play Saturday. Milliner strained a hip flexor muscle late in the practice week, and although Saban said Milliner might have been able to play, he was held out for precautionary reasons. John Fulton played in his place. Williams, who sustained a mild concussion last week against Michigan, was expected to play and practiced through the week but awoke Saturday morning with a severe headache and also was withheld. Third-year sophomore Brandon Ivory helped replace Williams.

Wide receivers Christion Jones and Kevin Norwood scored two touchdowns each for the Crimson Tide, combining for six catches. It marked the first time in 62 years that two Alabama players caught two touchdown passes each in the same game. Quarterback AJ McCarron completed 14 of 19 passes for 219 yards and four scores.

"AJ is getting better and better," Jones said. "In practice from Monday to Friday, our timing is getting better and better."

McCarron's four touchdown passes tied a career high.

UA forced three fumbles by the Hilltoppers, the most it has caused for turnovers since Saban's first game as Alabama coach against Western Carolina in 2007. Saban said a strong turnover ratio this season would benefit his young defense.

"Last year as good as we were on defense, we didn't cause many fumbles; but it was a pretty good trade-off for as well as they played," Saban said. "This year, I think if we can be a really good turnover team and have a great turnover ratio, that would probably be very beneficial to us."

For the season, Alabama has forced seven turnovers and given away only one.

"It's always good to have a shutout. A goose egg is always good." - outside linebacker Adrian Hubbard on Alabama's overall defensive performance

Quotable II

"In this game our guys made plays, our guys got open, and our guys had the ball. We just put the ball on the ground. It was frustrating because it takes away from all the good things that our players did do. We just didn't take care of business offensively in this game." - Western Kentucky coach Willie Taggart

Linebacker C.J. Mosley led Alabama in tackles with 11. ... Saban said freshman nose guard Darren Lake, whom the staff had considered redshirting, played against Western Kentucky to help the depth in the absence of starter Williams. ... McCarron has not thrown an interception this season and has attempted consecutive 135 passes since his last one, 17 short of his personal record. ... Alabama is 19-0 in the month of September since 2008. ... Alabama's game captains were senior offensive guard Chance Warmack, senior long snapper Carson Tinker and senior defensive end Quinton Dial. ... The Crimson Tide improved to 51-3 when leading at the half under coach Nick Saban.

Reach Chase Goodbread at chase@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0196.