Kentucky’s first setback under Will Stein arrived in brutal fashion, and now the question turns to how the Wildcats handle it.
The opening half against Alabama gave Kentucky real hope. The Cats even started with a defensive touchdown and carried a lead into halftime.
Then the game flipped hard. Alabama took over after the break and rolled to a 45-17 win, outscoring Kentucky 32-0 in the second half.
That loss doesn’t come with much time to dwell on it, either. Kentucky heads to Texas A&M next Saturday, and that trip brings another difficult environment and another major test. The Aggies are coming off a 48-20 win over Arizona State and former Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley, a game in which the Aggie defense scored twice in the fourth quarter to help close things out.
At least Kentucky got one real lift from Kroger Field yesterday. The crowd showed up and made the place feel like the kind of setting that can swing a game.
That kind of atmosphere probably won’t be repeated again this season, but there are still some big home dates ahead, including LSU, Vanderbilt, Florida and Louisville. There’s reason to hope the building gets loud again later in the year.
For now, though, the Alabama result has to be shelved. The season is far from over, and Kentucky still has plenty of football left to play.
A (not so) fun fact.
Headlines
The stage was set for a win, but the Cats couldn’t come through.
Why Alabama’s zone coverage gave Kentucky so many problems - KSR
Definitely something Kentucky and Will Stein can build off of.
Blowout loss will not change Will Stein’s process - KSR
Gotta put that one behind and keep moving.
Texas stuns Ohio State with fourth-quarter rally - ESPN
The Longhorns were impressive late to steal a win.
College Football Week 2 winners and losers - Yahoo
A big week for Brian Hardline and South Florida.
More winners and losers from Week 2 - SI
Kamario Taylor continues to turn heads at Mississippi State.
Things aren’t great in Eugene right now.
What is your bold prediction?
James Madison scores 87 points in win - Yahoo
A big day for Billy Napier.
Can Team USA bring home the gold?
In Other News...
Kentuckys Fast Start Vs Alabama Ended In A Brutal Second-Half Collapse
Kentucky looked in control early against No. 12 Alabama, jumping out with a fast start that suggested the Wildcats might be ready to land a statement win. Instead, the game flipped after halftime, when Alabama put together a relentless surge and Kentuckys offense never found its footing again.
The second half was especially rough for the Wildcats, who managed only three first downs and 62 total yards while Alabamas defense kept heat on the quarterback and forced multiple turnovers. Even after a shaky opening stretch, Alabamas quarterback settled down and helped guide the comeback, leaving Kentucky to sort through how a promising start unraveled so quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Showed Whats Still Missing Against Alabama
Kentucky had a rare opening against Alabama at Kroger Field, building a 17-13 halftime lead behind a defense that even found the end zone on MiQuise Humphrey-Graces pick-six. For a half, the Wildcats looked like a team ready to make the Crimson Tide uncomfortable, and Alabama helped them along with several penalties that kept the home side in front heading into the break.
The second half, though, reminded Kentucky how much remains between a promising moment and a complete performance. Alabama scored on five straight possessions after halftime and rolled to a 45-17 win, pushing Kentucky to its 40th loss in 43 meetings with the Crimson Tide. The game was another example of how a good first half can turn quickly when the Wildcats cannot sustain it against an opponent built to punish every opening. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Let Another Alabama Opportunity Slip Away Fast
For a half, Kentucky looked like it had another heavyweight SEC upset within reach at Kroger Field. The Wildcats built a 17-13 lead on the strength of timely defensive plays, including an interception returned for a touchdown and a forced fumble, and for a while the home crowd had every reason to believe Alabama might be staring at a familiar road problem.
Alabama changed the feel of the game quickly after halftime, taking the lead in the third quarter and then pulling away in a hurry. Kentucky never scored again, getting shut out the rest of the way as the Crimson Tide finished with a 45-17 win and left the Wildcats to wonder how quickly a promising afternoon can turn once the margin for error disappears. [Read more 🡒]