Tide takeover: Media reacts to Alabama's slow start, strong 2nd quarter to close first half against Kentucky
Like their fellow SEC division-leader Florida, Alabama appears to be taking part in “slow start Saturday.” The Crimson Tide were 31-point favorites against a UK squad dealing with significant absences.
Mark Stoops’ Wildcats played close to start but turnovers, penalties and points left on the field loomed large as the Crimson Tide woke up and got going.
Can’t turn the ball over inside the 10 and then turn around and drop an INT while getting a roughing the passer penalty and expect to beat Alabama.
— Derek Tyson (@DerekJTyson) November 21, 2020
Alabama’s second-touchdown, a record-breaker for DeVonta Smith, received wide praise for the wide receiver and Mac Jones:
A DART from Mac Jones to DeVonta Smith for a touchdown.
— Pat Dowd (@Pat_Dowd77) November 21, 2020
Pretty pass by Mac Jones to Smitty for an Alabama TD. Bought time and delivered a strike to the back of the end zone.
— Joseph Goodman (@JoeGoodmanJr) November 21, 2020
Mac out here throwing quarters again. Damn.
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) November 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/FTBBurner11/status/1330268952132526081
I'm going to keep whispering "Devonta Smith for Heisman" and see what happens.
— Barton Simmons (@bartonsimmons) November 21, 2020
C'mon SEC Network. Not a single replay of that absolute laser of a throw for a touchdown??
In any case, many thanks to Kentucky for repeatedly giving Alabama freebies in that sequence of eventa
— Roll ‘Bama Roll (@rollbamaroll) November 21, 2020
This throw from Mac Jones is stupid good pic.twitter.com/6XR30J2Fyi
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) November 21, 2020
Big league throw right here. https://t.co/5qWDvP645Y
— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) November 21, 2020
This throw is ridiculous https://t.co/jSPvX3wwQJ
— Matt Scalici (@MattScalici) November 21, 2020
The Wildcats were unable to answer on the following possession, missing a field goal. Once Bama got the ball back, it was Najee Harris time, again . The running back broke off a 42-yard run, his second TD of the day, extending UA’s lead to 21-3.
There goes Najee Harris💨💨💨
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 21, 2020
That’s the difference between scoring touchdowns and messing up field goal snaps.
— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) November 21, 2020
Damn Najee, go off.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) November 21, 2020
When you coordinate an SEC defense and you remember that Najee Harris could conceivable come back next year. pic.twitter.com/O5oaGCzFIi
— Alabama Pro Updates (@BamaProUpdates) November 21, 2020
Najee Harris's biggest knock is that he doesn't have breakaway speed for long touchdowns.
That 42-yarder was the longest of his career. And that lack of huge runs makes it even more impressive that his career YPC is so high without 80-yarders to boost the average
— Roll ‘Bama Roll (@rollbamaroll) November 21, 2020
Najee Harris could not rip off big touchdown runs prior to this year.
He has three this season of over 30 yards, including this one from 42 yards. The offseason training was huge for him. https://t.co/zFi444UoIy
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) November 21, 2020
Najee Harris: an Alabama player who is somehow extremely underrated. pic.twitter.com/sWLW4fAepi
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) November 21, 2020
Jones and Metchie connected for an 18-yard reception, making it 28-3. Jahleel Billingsley was a big contributor on the drive.
Alabama’s offense pic.twitter.com/VDNfWm43Fe
— Andrew Bone (@AndrewJBone) November 21, 2020
Mac Jones runs out of the pocket and finds Jahleel Billingsley
The TE is having himself a game 🔥pic.twitter.com/RZplz8q49S
— Alabama Diehards (@AlabamaDieHards) November 21, 2020
A career day for Jahleel Billingsley.
3 catches, 78 yards for him.
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) November 21, 2020
Alabama has had better halves of football this season. But … Tide 28, Kentucky 3.
— John Zenor (@jzenor) November 21, 2020
That fake screen is such vintage Lane Kiffin.
Sark is a master class offensive game plan builder.
— Roll ‘Bama Roll (@rollbamaroll) November 21, 2020
John Metchie- I hope you are ready for the next level, because kid, that’s where you’re going.#RollTide pic.twitter.com/Sn0El7tiIu
— Sidelines – Bama (Win it for Waddle) (@Sidelines_Bama) November 21, 2020
Alabama beat writer summed it up well. The Crimson Tide didn’t have its best half but still scored 28 points in less than 10 minutes time of possession.
Overall Alabama isn't playing that well and put up 28 in the first half with less than 10 minutes of possession.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) November 21, 2020
Nick Saban’s squad leads 28-3 at the break. Alabama leads total yardage 264-152. Jones is a razor-sharp 13-of-16 for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns. Harris has 9 carries for 62 yards and 2 TDs.
You got to give UK credit. They ate the clock up in the 1st quarter as Bama only had the ball twice the entire quarter… So far Bama has scored on 3 of 4 drives…
4 of 5 drives*
The throw to Smith was good, for sure, but let’s admit, you’d have to get 2 or 3 yardsticks to measure the distance between Mac and the closest UK defender.