Alabama improves to 5-0 on the year, after beating Kentucky 34-6 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts found rhythm in the second half, as he completed 20 of 33 passes (60.6 percent) for 262 yards and two touchdowns. Both of his scoring passes went to Calvin Ridley in the third quarter.
Hurts provided some nifty footwork on the ground as well, chiming in for 25 yards rushing. Running back Joshua Jacobs set career-highs in carries and yards against Kentucky, posting 100 yards rushing and a touchdown on 16 carries. He was credited with the first touchdown of the game; a one-yard run in the first quarter. Bo Scarbrough rushed for 22 yards on five carries, while Damien Harris had 11 yards on two carries.
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley secured a new career-high in receptions (11) and yards (174), while bringing in two touchdowns. His effort against the Wildcats notched him a second 100-yard outing this season.
Jacobs finished with three catches for 44 yards.
Defensive end Jonathan Allen and linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton anchored the Tide’s front seven with eight tackles apiece. Allen also had a sack and a tackle for loss. Ronnie Harrison totaled seven stops (55-yard touchdown, fumble recovery), and Reuben Foster put in six total tackles with a quarterback hurry.
Despite not playing in the first half, Tim Williams frustrated Kentucky’s offensive line. He collected four solo tackles, three tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a sack in the second half.
Defensively, Alabama managed to limit the Wildcats 161 total yards. Its front seven forced four sacks, two turnovers and allowed six third down conversions. Coach Saban open his post-game message by giving props to Kentucky. He said the Wildcats have a much better team than what everyone gives them credit for.
“On offense we struggled a little bit in the passing game, but we were able to run the ball effectively,” Saban said. “Defensively, we played pretty well. We got some sacks and some turnovers and scored on defense.”
“All in all, I think that it’s a good win for us.”
Alabama now faces a brutal stretch to its schedule that starts with Arkansas next week.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
