No. 8 Alabama Secures SEC West Title, defeats Kentucky 49-21
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Deep in the heart of bourbon country, No. 8 Alabama defeated Mark Stoops’ Kentucky Wildcats 49-21 behind another electrifying performance from quarterback Jalen Milroe.
After posting a 4-touchdown performance vs. No. 14 LSU last weekend, Milroe followed it up by completing 15-of-22 passes for 240 yards and 6 total touchdowns against the Wildcats.
On defense, the Crimson Tide kept Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary contained — holding the former North Carolina State transfer to 158 yards on 17-for-31 passes while forcing a second-quarter interception.
It wasn’t much easier on the ground for the Wildcats, either, as Alabama’s defensive front held Kentucky to 93 yards rushing on 22 attempts — with 74 of those yards coming on a garbage time fourth-quarter run from running back Ramon Jefferson.
With the victory, the Crimson Tide clinched the SEC West title — securing their place in the 2023 SEC Championship game in Atlanta. It’ll be Alabama’s 15th appearance in the game, and the ninth under head coach Nick Saban.
Now standing at 9-1 (7-0 SEC), the Crimson Tide will look to finish strong over the final two weeks of the season with matchups against Chattanooga at home and Auburn on the road coming to conclude their regular season.
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Fourth Quarter:
- Final: Alabama 49, Kentucky 28.
- Touchdown Kentucky. Ray Davis scores from a yard out. 49-21 Alabama lead with 7:46 remaining in Q4.
- 7 play, 66 yard scoring drive for Alabama. Jam Miller punches it in from three yards out. Alabama leads 49-14 with 9:46 to go in Q4.
- Jalen Milroe's day is finished. Ty Simpson comes into the game for Alabama.
- Milroe punches it in for the 1-yard score. 41-14 Alabama lead with 14:48 to go in Q4.
- Call on the field stands. No touchdown.
Third Quarter:
- Jam Miller was stuffed initially, but play is under review to see if the running back's second effort snuck it over the line on 1st and goal. Third quarter comes to a conclusion.
- Kentucky's defense looks tired — Alabama's offense is driving with ease down the field once again. Ball on the 1 yard-line.
- Milroe punches it in for a 3-yard score. 35-14 Alabama lead with 6:29 to go in Q3.
- McClellan continues his big drive. 9-yard rush puts Alabama on the 3.
- Milroe completes a deep pass to Kobe Prentice for a gain of 30 yards on third down. Ball on the Kentucky 15.
- Illegal substitution for Alabama makes it 3rd and 18 on the Kentucky 45.
- McClellan takes one up the middle for a gain of 22. First down.
- Milroe fires a 7-yard completion to Isaiah Bond for the first down.
- First drive of the second half for Alabama starts with a 3-yard rush by Jase McClellan.
- Ray Davis punches it in for the 2-yard score. Touchdown Kentucky. 28-14 Alabama with 10:53 to go in Q3.
- Timeout Kentucky. Their first of the half. 12:18 to go in Q3.
- Leary evades the Alabama rush and completes a 9-yard pass to Key on the run. 3rd and 1 coming.
- McKinstry's pass deflection saves a touchdown on 1st down.
- Leary's pass to Kattus is complete for a gain of 28 yards. Ball on the Alabama 20 with 13:11 to go in Q3.
- Roughing the passer called on Alabama. First down Kentucky.
- 3rd and 10 coming for Kentucky after Leary's pass is batted down at the line.
- Leary complete the pass to Ray Davis for a gain of 12 yards. First down.
- Kentucky gets the ball to start Q3 on the 25.
Halftime Stats:
Halftime Stats as No. 8 Alabama leads Kentucky 28-7.
Statbroadcast
Second Quarter:
- 28-7 Alabama lead as we head to halftime. Alabama's defense continues to stymie the Wildcats in tough situations. With the exception of a lone mistake, Milroe has been impressive — they'll be hoping for a repeat performance over the final two quarters as they look to close this one out.
- Leary can't find Robinson on 3rd and 8. Kentucky's punt winds up in the endzone. Touchback. 0:35 left in the half.
- Burnip's punt is almost blocked, but it gets through. 40 yards. It'll be 1st and 10 for Kentucky on their own 32 yard-line. 1:44 to go in the half.
- Three-and-out for Alabama. Milroe forced to throw it away on 3rd and 13.
- Terrion Arnold makes a diving interception on 3rd and 12. Costly mistake for Leary. It'll be 1st and 10 for Alabama on their own 31 yard-line. 2:35 to go in the half.
- Leary completes one to Key for 6 yards to pick up the first down. Ball on the Alabama 38 with 3:37 to go in Q2.
- Milroe throws an interception on 3rd down. Inadvertent pass into traffic as he was trying to extend a broken play.
- Jalen Milroe makes a move and picks up 12 yards for the first down.
- Alabama's Jaheim Oatis gets trough for the sack. Turnover on downs for Kentucky. 7:10 remaining in Q2.
- Timeout Alabama. Their first of the half. Nick Saban is livid.
- Kentucky is going for it on 4th and 1. Ball on the 8.
- Gain of 33 for Kentucky on the throw from Leary. Ball on the Alabama 17.
- Milroe flings one to Roydell Williams for the 26-yard touchdown. Alabama leads 28-7 with 10:14 left in Q2.
- Three-and-out for Kentucky. Kool-Aid McKinstry fields the ball cleanly, and the Alabama fans at Kroger Field give a noticeable round of applause.
First Quarter:
- 55-yard punt for Burnip. Ball on the Kentucky 13.
- Milroe can't complete the long-ball to Hale on 3rd and 4. Out comes James Burnip.
- 3rd and 4 coming for Alabama after a four-yard rush by Miller.
- Devin Leary fires a 6-yard touchdown to Robinson. 21-7 Alabama with 1:30 remaining in Q1.
- Jaheim Oatis brings Ray Davis down for a loss of four. 2nd and 6.
- Alabama commits pass interference on 3rd and 5. It'll be 1st and 2 on the Kentucky 2 yard-line. Wildcats hoping to punch it in for the score here.
- Ruling on the field stands. It'll be 1st and 10 for Kentucky on the Alabama 32.
- Alabama forces a three-and-out, but Kool-Aid McKinstry muffs it. Recovered by Kentucky. Play is under further review.
- Milroe punches it in for Alabama. It's 21-0 with 5:12 left in Q1.
- Fumble by Kentucky, recovered by Caleb Downs at the 1-yard line.
- Milroe taken down for a loss of five on second down, but throws a beautiful deep ball on the run for a 40-yard touchdown to Kobe Prentice on 3rd and 12.
- Milroe with a big completion to Isaiah Bond on first down. 17 yards.
- Crimson Tide defense forces a quick three-and-out by the Wildcats. Leary taken down hard by Dallas Turner, others on third down.
- Jalen Milroe connects with Amari Niblack over the middle for the 26-yard touchdown. It's only the second opening drive touchdown of the season for Alabama.
- Kendrick Law takes a jet sweep for 11 yards on first down.
- Timeout Kentucky. Their first of the half. It'll be 1st and 10 for Alabama on the Kentucky 37 when we return.
- Milroe fires one to Kobe Prentice for 6 yards. First down.
- Roydell Williams picks up 2 yards, Milroe comes back in. 2nd and 8 coming.
- Milroe is up, but will come out for a play after injuring his leg. Ty Simpson is in the game at quarterback.
- Jalen Milroe is shaken up on the play after 16 yard rush to pick up the first down.
- First completion of the day for Milroe is to Jase McClellan for a pickup of four yards.
- Jase McClellan with a gain of four to pick up the first down.
- First play of the game is a gain of five courtesy of a Jalen Milroe rush.
- Kentucky has won the toss and defers to Alabama. The Crimson Tide will start with the ball.
Pregame:
- Alabama's captains today are Chris Braswell, Roydell Williams and J.C. Latham.
- Alabama and Kentucky take the field.
- We're 20 minutes until kickoff here in Lexington. Senior day festivities have begun for the Wildcats.
- Alabama defensive back DeVonta Smith is on the field warming up. He's available today for the first time all season. He's lining up with the third team safeties.
- Nick Saban says on his radio show that wide receiver Jermaine Burton is sick and may not play today - Deontae Lawson, Jaylen Key and Ja'Corey Brooks are also unavailable.
- The specialists are the first in full uniform on the field for Alabama.
- It's a beautiful Kentucky morning — light breeze, clear skies, 47 degree weather as we're approximately 85 minutes from kickoff.
- Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary just embraced for a hug and quick chat.
- Alabama has taken the field for warmups.
How to Watch: Alabama vs. Kentucky
Who: No. 8 Alabama (8-1, 6-0 SEC) vs. Kentucky (6-3, 3-3 SEC)
When: Saturday | 11:00 a.m. CT
Where: Kroger Field | Lexington, Ky.
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network: Play-By-Play: Eli Gold | Analyst: Tyler Watts | Sideline: Christian Miller
Series: Alabama leads 38-2-1
Last meeting: Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passed for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Crimson Tide shellacked the Wildcats 63-3 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide gained full control of the SEC West in a 42-28 victory over Brian Kelly's No. 14 LSU Tigers, as Alabama's Jalen Milroe set a school record with four rushing touchdowns from the quarterback position — breaking the previous record of three.
Last time out, Kentucky: Struggling Wildcat quarterback Devin Leary passed for 156 yards and two touchdowns, completing 13 of his 22 passes en-route to a 24-3 victory over Mississippi State.
