UA-KY: Crimson Tide shakes off rust to roll Kentucky

Action from Saturday’s game between Alabama and Kentucky. The Crimson Tide won easily, 63-3, at Bryant-Denny Stadium. (Alabama Media Relations)

By GRAHAM DUNN

TUSCALOOSA – Rust wasn’t exactly falling off the players for the Alabama Crimson Tide as they took the field against Kentucky on Saturday.

But after watching the first couple of series, particularly on defense, it would have been appropriate.

“The energy, the intensity, the attention to detail early on in the game was not what we wanted it to be, but I think we played better and better and better as the game went on,” stated coach Nick Saban.

Alabama would shake off the cobwebs from a two-week layoff to make easy work of the Wildcats, 63-3. But if not for a couple of big special teams mistakes in the first half by Kentucky, the ease of victory may not have materialized so quickly.

“We are moving the ball, grinding out tough yards,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “Not getting the field goal when we got the snap over our head really hurt our momentum. We have got to do a better job of converting in the red zone.”

The Wildcats drove into Bama territory twice on successive possessions. The first came trailing 7-3. Kentucky reached the Bama 6-yard line but was forced to attempt a field goal. The snap on the try went awry sailing over holder Colin Goodfellow’s head and all the way to the Tide 42-yard line.

Following the snafu, Alabama needed just four plays to add to its lead.

On the next possession, Kentucky drove into Tide territory again only to have the drive stall at the 25-yard line. Matt Ruffolo was called on to try a 42-yard field goal but the snap again was mishandled leading to a miss.

It would be the last time Kentucky would threaten to score the rest of the evening as Alabama’s defense held the Wildcats to 34 total yards on their seven remaining possessions.

“A lot of the plays that got them down the field, I believe we were messing up assignments,” stated Tide linebacker Christian Harris, “Once we figured that out, we focused on doing our job, letting plays come to you. We bend but don’t break so I think we stood our ground pretty well.”

Stoops’ concern going in was having to keep up with the Tide explosive plays. Mac Jones started early, connecting with DeVonta Smith on the first scoring drive to set up a Najee Harris touchdown run.

Jones later hit Smith for what was an SEC record breaker for total touchdowns and Smith would add another later to reach the total of 33 for his career.

“I don’t think there is anybody that holds up the core values better than Smitty,” Saban said. “He came back because he wanted to have a productive year, get a little bigger and stronger and improve his NFL draft status. I certainly thin he has demonstrated that in a positive way.”

Alabama finished with 509 yards in total offense while giving up just 179 yards. The Tide defense has not given up a touchdowns since the third quarter of the Tennessee game on Oct. 24.

For the first time this season, Alabama was able to “empty” the bench and play several freshmen, including running backs Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams. Both scored late touchdowns.

Attention now turns to Auburn and the annual Iron Bowl next Saturday, although the players seemed ambivalent to the notion that next week was more important than any of the previous seven games.

“We’ll come in and watch film on a routine Sunday,” Smith said. “We will treat it like any other game.”