It was not pretty at first, but Alabama football rolled over Kentucky 45-17 in its SEC opener.
The No. 12 Crimson Tide kicked into gear after Southern California transfer edge rusher Devan Thompkins sacked Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey and stripped him of the ball, resulting in four straight touchdowns and 29 of the team’s 32 unanswered points in the second half. Alabama’s defense also allowed just 62 total yards after halftime, with just two of those yards coming on the ground.
The Crimson Tide rushed for 150 yards in the second half after accumulating a measly five yards in the opening 30 minutes. It was also penalized just once in the second half after tallying seven penalties in the first half.
The win also served as head coach Kalen DeBoer’s first when trailing at the break since arriving in Tuscaloosa, after he entered the game 0-7 in such situations. It was also his second win as a double-digit favorite on the road over an unranked opponent.
“We know that wherever we go, we’re gonna get everyone’s best,” he said. “It’s just Alabama on the road. That’s the environment; it’s going to be amped up.”
Alabama began the second half with a three-and-out, but the floodgates opened as the Crimson Tide’s defense battered Minchey. True freshman EJ Crowell punched in a go-ahead score for Alabama after the aforementioned fumble, and the Crimson Tide never trailed after the three-yard score with three minutes left in the third quarter.
Junior and starting running back Daniel Hill continued a strong opening to 2026 with a 104-yard performance on 18 carries. He also punched in a touchdown with 24 seconds to play in the third quarter that put Alabama firmly ahead by two scores and snatched the momentum in the Crimson Tide’s favor.
A reenergized Kentucky fanbase sold out Kroger Field and was loud early, as first-year head coach Will Stein called for fans to scream obscenities at Alabama players and encouraged them to “sneak a flask in.”
Stein got his wish early.
A raucous atmosphere greeted Alabama sophomore starting quarterback Keelon Russell, who struggled to handle the environment to begin the game and committed three costly turnovers, two of which resulted in points for the Wildcats. A cleaner second half followed, which included Russell’s first passing touchdown since being named the starter.
“As the second half went along, I think they helped take some pressure off Keelon,” DeBoer said of the running backs. “Staying ahead of the chains [and] not having the penalties we had in the first half really allowed us to play a good, good half of football.”
The Crimson Tide’s defense kept the team in the game early while Russell experienced growing pains in his second start. Linebacker Luke Metz picked off Minchey and tied the game with a pick-six shortly after the Wildcats opened the scoring on a pick-six of Russell.
Thompkins and fellow transfer Caleb Woodson combined for four sacks and recorded 18 total tackles as Kentucky failed to muster any offense after the break.
Alabama will return to the gridiron next week against Florida State in a rematch of last season’s stunning Week 1 upset. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT and can be found on ABC.
Hence then, the article about no 12 alabama scores 32 unanswered topples kentucky in sec opener was published today ( ) and is available on The Crimson White ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( No. 12 Alabama scores 32 unanswered, topples Kentucky in SEC opener )
Also on site :
- I Thought I’d Met a Great Guy. When He Refused to Treat His Genital Infection, I Did Something I Never Wanted to Do.
- 2006 No. 1 Hit, Written by a 15-Year-Old High School Freshman, Ranks as One of the ‘Greatest Country Songs of All Time’
- 2009 Lady Gaga Hit Written on a Tour Bus in Norway Named One of the Greatest Songs of the 21st Century