( CNN ) -- Tuscaloosa and the University of Alabama paid tribute Saturday to first responders who aided neighbors staggered by the April 27 tornado that cut a swath through the city and killed 47 people . The Crimson Tide 's first football game since the storm included a video , a musical program and a moment of silence for the victims , among them six university students . A houndstooth ribbon painted on the field symbolized legendary coach Paul `` Bear '' Bryant and a community still in grief . `` It was just wonderful . It really was , '' the Rev . Kelvin Croom said of the observances . `` It was a time to come together . '' It was also a victorious day for No . 2 Alabama , which defeated Kent State University 48-7 . No one could have predicted how much of what happened off the sidelines this year would mean to Saturday 's contest . For the 101,000-plus fans who jammed the stands , the contest against the Golden Flashes was an opportunity to pause from rebuilding to enjoy the rites of autumn . Kent State sent four players in late July to help in the rebuilding and conduct a clinic for underprivileged kids . Since then , Alabama fans have expressed their appreciation . `` The ovation when we came on the field was pretty amazing , '' said Alan Ashby , assistant athletic director for communications at Kent State . `` The crowd was very supportive . '' `` I am an Alabama fan . Now I 'm ( also ) a Kent State fan . I saw the character and class of Kent State athletics , '' said Bob Johnson , executive director of Habitat for Humanity Tuscaloosa . Habitat and Alabama head coach Nick Saban 's `` Nick 's Kids Fund '' were instrumental in the building of a new home for a family displaced by the tornado . Saban , who played and coached at Kent State , wants to build 13 homes , to match the number of national championships the Crimson Tide has won . Last fall , Dana Dowling , her husband , Bob , and two teen children routinely yelled `` Roll Tide ! '' from their home near Brookwood , a community east of Tuscaloosa . On April , 27 , the front wall of the Dowlings ' mobile home blew in . The bedroom was sucked out . The roof was left unattached . Now , only days away from moving into their new home , the Dowlings attended the game as guests of the opposing team and visited with new Kent State head coach Darrell Hazell . More than 100 University of Alabama students , including gymnasts , cheerleaders and football and basketball players , pitched in on the Dowling residence , too . `` When one brother is down , we are all down , '' said Croom , pastor of College Hill Baptist Church , largely destroyed by the tornado . `` I absolutely adored all of the guys , '' Dowling said of the Kent State and Alabama volunteers . Athletes just wanted to help , rather than be recognized , she said . `` Not many people get what we got , '' Dowling said of the new residence and outpouring of love and support . The family could n't qualify for a conventional mortgage because Bob Dowling , who works as a disaster recovery technician , does n't receive checks 52 weeks a year , she said . By going with Habitat , the Dowlings will go from a $ 600 monthly mortgage to less than $ 400 . Kent State running back Jacquise Terry said he 's become closer to the three teammates who went with him from Ohio to Tuscaloosa . `` There is more to life than football . '' `` My heart is still going out to families , '' the Phenix City , Alabama , native told CNN Friday as he traveled on the team bus . The tragedy has touched almost everyone in the city . Alabama offensive tackle D.J . Fluker lost his apartment in the storm . He helped out with the Dowling home . Deep snapper Carson Tinker 's girlfriend , Ashley Harrison , was killed . `` Everyone expects him to be in a negative place , sad and down , '' said Alabama associate athletics director Jeff Purinton . `` He thinks it 's his responsibility to be positive . '' A scholarship has been established in Harrison 's memory . Visitors to Tuscaloosa still see scenes of devastation , though most of the debris has been removed . `` You make a turn and all of a sudden everything is gone , '' said Kent State 's Ashby . `` No limbs . No trees . Houses off their foundations . '' The Kent State athletes were heartened by the response they got during their visit , Ashby said . `` People came up and thanked us . One guy said , 'Roll Tide and go Flashes ! ' `` While the fact that Saban is a Kent State alum made a connection for the trip , `` We knew it was the right thing to do , '' Ashby said . Students on the Alabama campus agreed the game was an ideal time for the community to come together . `` I think that it means a return to normal , '' said Lance Ledbetter , a junior from Grant , Alabama . `` This whole community has been so upset about this tornado . Let 's take our mind off rebuilding for a second and get back to rooting on Alabama football . '' CNN 's Reynolds Wolf contributed to this report .
Program includes video , moment of silence . Alabama Crimson Tide plays its first game since April tornado . Ceremony honors first responders . Comment: