Alabama was victorious in Lexington today over the Kentucky Wildcats, coming away with a 49-21 win on the road to clinch an SEC West title, and at minimum, a date with the Georgia Bulldogs in Atlanta.
The Tide got off to perhaps their best start of the entire season, jumping out to a 21-0 lead, with the offense cooking early. While Jalen Milroe suffered a leg injury on the first drive of the game on a big carry, he only came out for one play and proceeded to hit Amari Niblack for a 26-yard strike and an opening drive touchdown.
It was Alabama’s first opening drive touchdown since the season opener against Middle Tennessee State:
Alabama scores on their first drive of the game ?
Milroe ➡️ Amari Niblack for a 26-yard TD pic.twitter.com/neNimVywGH
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) November 11, 2023
After forcing a quick Kentucky three-and-out, Milroe went right back to work, scoring on a four play drive that ended in a deep ball for a 40-yard score to a wide open Kobe Prentice:
Jalen Milroe to Kobe Prentice for the 40-yard TD ? pic.twitter.com/fLq4Pcw1jK
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) November 11, 2023
After that, it was the defense’s turn to get in on the action, with Terrion Arnold forcing a fumble which was recovered by Caleb Downs, returned to the one and finished off by a Jalen Milroe sneak:
Caleb Downs gets in on the action with the fumble recovery ?? pic.twitter.com/wLhQ5M8akd
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) November 11, 2023
Things looked like they were about to get completely out of hand with Kentucky having to punt again down 21-0, but a Kool-Aid McKinstry muffed return followed by a Kentucky quick score allowed the Cats back into it, making the score 21-7.
Alabama went up 28-7 via some Milroe magic, dancing around and floating it up to Roydell Williams for a 26-yard score. Milroe would throw a bad pick late in the half on 3rd down, but the defense held firm to keep the Tide up 21 entering halftime:
Jalen Milroe ➡️ Roydell Williams
Alabama goes up 28-7 pic.twitter.com/f5KiJ3HwNn
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) November 11, 2023
After Kentucky scored on its first possession of the second half to cut the Tide lead to 14, Alabama went right down the field punched it in via Jalen Milroe’s 5th total touchdown of the game.
Following a stop for the defense, the Tide took right back over and got down to the one yard line where, you guessed it, Milroe punched it in for his SIXTH total touchdown of the game to extend the Alabama lead to 42-14.
That would be the end of Milroe’s day, finishing 16/23 for 240 yards passing, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 36 rushing yards, and 3 scores on the ground.
Ty Simpson entered the game for Alabama in the 4th quarter and came in to lead a scoring drive where he made a couple of really nice throws as well as a 3rd and 8 scramble.
A Jam Miller touchdown would finish it off to extend Alabama’s lead to 49-14, capping off a 66-yard scoring drive.
Kentucky was able to put one more score up on the board to cut the lead to 28, but that would do it for the afternoon, with an overall Tide performance that was extremely encouraging on both sides of the ball in a matchup which many called a trap game for Alabama.
Next up for the Tide will be UT-Chattanooga in the home finale before heading to The Plains for the Iron Bowl as Alabama tries to get to Atlanta with one loss and keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.