LEXINGTON, Ky. — Alabama came into Commonwealth Stadium and did what it hadn’t done in an SEC game all year: dominate on both sides of the ball from start to finish.
The No. 1 Crimson Tide put up 668 yards of total offense and held Kentucky to just 170 yards, en route to a 48-7 victory that could have been much bigger, thanks to some early miscues.
AJ McCarron threw for a personal-best 359 yards, and T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake both went over 100 yards rushing. It’s the first time in program history that that Alabama has had a 300-yard passer and two 100-yard rushers in the same game.
“It’s always big to have balance on offense,” McCarron said. “That’s our number one thing. We made plays in the running game and passing. So at the same time we didn’t make some plays when we had chances. Just have to capitalize.”
On the Crimson Tide’s first possession of the game, wide receiver Kenny Bell dropped a pass on third down that would have moved the chains. Then Drake and Yeldon fumbled on the next two drives.
But Alabama scored on its next eight drives to finish the game.
“I was really proud of the way we dominated the line of scrimmage offensively,” coach Nick Saban said. “AJ had a really good game, made a lot of plays, made a lot of explosive plays passing. Everybody’s got to be accountable to do their role so that we can be the best team than we can be.”
The Wildcats were held to just 62 yards in the first half. Quarterback Jalen Whitlow sustained an ankle injury in the first quarter and didn’t return. Maxwell Smith finished the night 7-of-16 passing for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Kentucky’s lone touchdown came on a 30-yard pass from Smith to Javess Blue in the third quarter.
Drake and Yeldon each scored two touchdowns on the ground. Kevin Norwood caught a 20-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter for the only Alabama score through the air. Freshman running back Altee Tenpenny punched in a seven-yard rush late in the game to cap the scoring.
Norwood led all receivers with 81 yards and a touchdown. DeAndrew White added 80 yards receiving and Amari Cooper caught three passes for 64 yards. Cade Foster was 2-for-2 on field goals of 25 and 20 yards.
Alabama is now 6-0 on the year and will return home next weekend to host Arkansas for a 6 p.m. kickoff. The Wildcats dropped to 1-5 and will have a bye week next week.
