LEXINGTON, Ky. - Alabama’s defense has a simple barometer for when it’s really rolling: the turnover belt starts making the rounds.
That WWE-style prize showed up plenty Saturday in the Crimson Tide’s 45-17 win over Kentucky, because Alabama’s defense kept creating extra possessions. The Tide forced three turnovers - an interception and two fumble recoveries - and each big play seemed to send the belt to another happy defender.
Luke Metz earned one of the biggest moments. Early in the first quarter, with Alabama trailing by a touchdown, the linebacker had the job of reading Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey.
When the throw came, Metz jumped the route, picked it off and took it 34 yards for a touchdown. Afterward, he got his turn with the belt and called it "surreal."
"You want to get a picture with the belt," Metz said. "That's the goal."
For Alabama, though, the hardware is just a celebration. The real point is what it signals: Kane Wommack’s defense is doing what it’s supposed to do. Caleb Woodson pointed to the group effort behind it all.
"Swarm D is going to the ball every play," Woodson said. "Whenever 11 bodies are out on the field, 11 bodies (are) getting to the ball, trying to affect the game."
The numbers backed that up. Alabama held Kentucky to 10 points and 209 yards, and the Wildcats managed just 62 yards, three first downs and no points in the second half.
Through two games, the Tide have allowed 20 points, and opposing offenses have converted one third down on 23 tries.
"Our defense did a good job of continuing to evolve throughout the game," Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said, "but I thought we had a pretty good plan, a pretty good handle on things from the get go."
Devan Thompkins said the performance came from confidence in Wommack’s calls and trust across the unit.
"We just went out and played our brand of football," Thompkins said. "That's what got us to where we were."
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Alabama Had An Unexpected Game Problem While Trying To Settle Keelon Russell
During the third quarter against Kentucky, Alabama hit an unexpected snag while trying to settle in Keelon Russell, as the helmet communication link between the quarterback and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb went out. It was the sort of disruption teams prepare for but rarely want to test in real time, especially with a young quarterback still finding his rhythm in a live game.
Russell said the Tide had practiced for that kind of situation and were able to shift to sideline commands without losing control of the offense. Alabama kept rolling anyway, finishing off a 45-17 win, and the episode offered a small reminder that even in a lopsided game, the details of communication can still matter. [Read more 🡒]
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Florida State's Latest Shakeup Comes Right Before Alabama
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The timing matters because the Seminoles are trying to steady themselves amid concerns about the football programs recent performance under Mike Norvell. With Alabama looming, the administrative shakeup only adds to the sense that Florida State is entering a critical stretch with plenty still unresolved around the direction of the program. [Read more 🡒]