Kentucky entered Saturday upset-minded, and Will Stein‘s Wildcats had that upset bid going strong deep into the 3rd quarter. Alabama, though, flipped a switch in the final 3 minutes of the 3rd quarter and scored the final 4 touchdowns to turn a second-half deficit into a blowout road win by the score of 45-17.
Keelon Russell and the Crimson Tide offense got off to a disastrous start with turnovers on the first 2 drives. The Wildcats took advantage of the early miscues and had a 17-13 lead at halftime.
For much of the 3rd quarter, Kentucky held onto the lead. UK managed to hold Alabama to just a field goal deep into the 3rd quarter. With just under 6 minutes to go in the quarter, the Wildcats imploded and the Crimson Tide took over, cruising to a 28-point road SEC victory.
The momentum swung when Alabama’s Devan Thompkins recorded a strip sack of Kentucky QB Kenny Michey. The Crimson Tide were set up on the Kentucky 21-yard-line and eventually marched in for a touchdown to take their first lead over UK.
BAMA HAS THE BALL pic.twitter.com/rRGVXhaOmi
— Always College Football (@AlwaysCFB) September 12, 2026
Trailing for the first time, Kentucky failed to get a rally going. The Wildcats’ next possession ended with a turnover on downs after a failed fake punt at their own 32-yard-line.
WTF is this fake punt??? 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/rHIYvd17j8
— College Sports Only (@CSOonX) September 12, 2026
That led to another touchdown, and Kentucky seemingly waived the white flag as the rout was on. The Crimson Tide scored all 32 points of the second half.
In the first half, Alabama’s only touchdown came via a pick-6. In the second half, Keelon Russell found Rico Scott for his only passing touchdown of the game. Daniel Hill, Trae’shawn Brown and EJ Crowell all found the end zone on the ground. Hill finished as Alabama’s top rusher with 104 yards on 18 carries.
With an SEC win under its belt, Alabama returns home for a nonconference game. The Crimson Tide host Florida State in Week 3, a revenge game for Kalen DeBoer‘s squad.
The Kentucky Wildcats will look to bounce back on the road at No. 10 Texas A&M.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
