Alabama Football I The Kalen DeBoer Show: Kentucky

Second Half Surge Propels No. 12/12 Alabama Past Kentucky, 45-17 The Crimson Tide outscored the Wildcats, 32-0, in the second half to win its SEC opener LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 12/12 Alabama football team (2-0, 1-0 SEC) used a dominant second-half performance to claim victory in its Southeastern Conference opener, defeating Kentucky (1-1, 0-1 SEC) inside Kroger Field by a final score of 45-17. The Crimson Tide posted 343 yards of offense on the game, including 215 in the second half, while holding the Wildcats to just 62 yards after halftime and 209 total yards for the contest. Trailing 17-13 at halftime, Alabama posted a second-half shutout and scored 32 of its 45 points across the final two quarters. Keelon Russell finished the afternoon 188 passing yards on a 16-of-23 clip with one touchdown and two interceptions. Daniel Hill had a strong day on the ground, amassing a career-high 104 yards to go along with a touchdown. Trae’shawn Brown and EJ Crowell both tallied rushing touchdowns in the contest. Lotzier Brooks led six Crimson Tide receivers that caught passes with five receptions for 54 yards and a successful catch on a two-point conversion. Ryan Coleman-Williams tallied four receptions for 43 yards. Rico Scott scored Alabama’s first receiving touchdown of the season and finished the night with 44 yards on three receptions. Defensively, the Tide was led by Caleb Woodson with 12 tackles, including two for loss, and two sacks. Luke Metz returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown to go along with eight tackles. Devan Thompkins also tallied a pair of sacks to go along with six tackles, including two for loss. Notes Alabama is now 68-22-3 on-field in Southeastern Conference openers. The Tide has won 34 of its last 35 league openers, including each of its last 11 and all three under Kalen DeBoer. Dating to 1993, the Crimson Tide has won each of its last 20 SEC openers that have been played on the road. The Tide now holds a 62-28-3 on-field record in SEC road openers, including victories in 18 of its last 20 attempts. Alabama is now 10-0 all-time in SEC road openers against Kentucky. Tonight’s victory marked the 40th time Alabama has beaten Kentucky. The Crimson Tide now hold a 40-2-1 advantage in the all-time series and have won the last nine meetings. How It Happened FIRST QUARTER 10:11 – UK | On the third play of Alabama’s first drive, Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace intercepted a pass from Keelon Russell and returned the ball two yards for a touchdown. (7-0, Kentucky) 6:35 – UA | The Tide responded with a defensive touchdown of its own, as Luke Metz intercepted a pass from Kenny Minchey and returned the ball 34 yards for the touchdown. (7-7) SECOND QUARTER 14:56 – UK | On the first play of the second quarter, Minchey connected with Henry Boyer for a 20-yard touchdown pass to finish a 13-play, 83-yard drive. (14-7, Kentucky) 9:27 – UA | Conor Talty converted a 25-yard field goal to cap an 11-play, 68-yard drive. (14-10, Kentucky) 2:09 – UA | Talty made a field goal for the second consecutive drive for the Tide, scoring from 41 yards after an eight-play, 44-yard drive. (14-13, Kentucky) 0:00 – UK | An Adam Zaoagui 39-yard field goal as time expired followed a nine-play, 33-yard drive. THIRD QUARTER 7:10 – UA | Aided by a fourth-down conversion near midfield, Alabama scored the first points of the second half via Talty’s third field goal of the day. His try was good from 34 yards to cap a nine-play, 43-yard drive. (17-16, Kentucky) 3:00 – UA | After the Tide recovered a fumble deep in Kentucky territory, a five-play, 21-yard drive culminated in a three-yard rushing touchdown from EJ Crowell. (23-17, Alabama) 0:24 – UA | Beginning in Kentucky territory after stopping a fake punt, Alabama added to its lead with a three-yard rushing touchdown from Daniel Hill to cap a two-play, 34-yard drive where Hill gained every yard. Russell completed a pass to Lotzier Brooks for a successful two-point conversion attempt. (31-17, Alabama) FOURTH QUARTER 9:08 – UA | Russell found Rico Scott for a five-yard touchdown reception at the end of a nine-play, 74-yard drive. (38-17, Alabama) 4:11 – UA | The Crimson Tide found the end zone for the fifth and final time in the game on a Trae’shawn Brown four-yard touchdown run to complete a five-play, 43-yard drive. (45-17, Alabama)