In a disappointing home finale, Kentucky Wildcats couldn’t keep up with the No. 8 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, ultimately losing the match 49-21 at Kroger Field. Ray Davis stood out for Kentucky, scoring two touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to counter Alabama’s dominance.
Kentucky’s quarterback, Devin Leary, completed 17 of 31 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown. However, the team struggled to find their rhythm against a formidable Alabama defense. Despite their best efforts, Kentucky’s record now stands at 6-4 overall and 3-4 in the Southeastern Conference.
Freshman Ty Bryant emerged as Kentucky’s standout defensive player, making a game-high eight tackles. But it was Alabama who struck first in the game, with Jalen Milroe connecting with Amari Niblack for a 26-yard touchdown pass. Alabama quickly established a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, leaving Kentucky on the backfoot.
Kentucky couldn’t find a response, and Alabama capitalized on their possessions. Milroe connected with Kobe Prentice for a 40-yard touchdown pass, extending Alabama’s lead to 14-0. The Tide continued to dominate when Milroe himself scored a one-yard touchdown run, pushing their advantage to 21-0.
However, Kentucky wasn’t ready to give up. The team capitalized on a fumble by Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry, recovering the ball at the Alabama 32-yard line. Leary seized the opportunity and threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Tayvion Robinson, finally bringing Kentucky onto the scoreboard at 21-7.
In the second quarter, Alabama maintained their control. Milroe found Roydell Williams for a 26-yard touchdown pass, increasing their lead to 28-7. Both teams failed to score for the remainder of the first half, with the Tide holding onto their significant advantage going into halftime.
The Wildcats came out strong in the third quarter and quickly scored a touchdown. Davis rushed for a two-yard touchdown to bring Kentucky closer at 28-14. However, Alabama responded with a touchdown drive of their own, with Milroe scoring a three-yard rushing touchdown, extending their lead to 35-14.
As the third quarter ended, Alabama held a commanding 35-14 advantage. They didn’t let up in the final quarter either, as Milroe scored another one-yard rushing touchdown to make it 42-14. Alabama continued to dominate, ultimately sealing their victory with a score of 49-14.
Despite the loss, Kentucky showed some fight in the closing stages of the game. Ramon Jefferson’s impressive 74-yard run set up Davis for his second touchdown of the day. The Wildcats narrowed Alabama’s lead to 49-21 with 7:46 remaining on the clock.
Kentucky will now look to bounce back when they face South Carolina in their final SEC game of the season. The Cats’ next matchup will take place on Saturday, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the action live on the SEC Network.
