5 Alabama players who deserve a game ball after the Tide's 45-17 win over Kentucky

After a sluggish first half that saw Alabama head to the locker room trailing 17-13, the Crimson Tide kicked it into another gear in the second half, outscoring Kentucky 32-0 on the way to a 45-17 win to start SEC play 1-0.

It wasn't always pretty, but you never apologize for winning on the road in this league. In particular, Alabama's offense struggled, especially in the first half. But a dominant Crimson Tide defense made everything a lot simpler in the second half.

Let's hand out some game balls for Alabama's Week 2 win:

RB Daniel Hill

There's a lot to be critical of for Alabama on the offensive side of the ball against Kentucky. Daniel Hill was not among them.

The junior RB showed why he's at the top of the depth chart despite the talented freshmen trying to nip at his heels. Hill was the featured back for the Crimson Tide, and he racked up a career-high 104 yards on 18 carries to go along with a touchdown. 68 of Hill's yards came in the second half as the Alabama offensive line started to impose its will on Kentucky.

Hill is frequently going to fall forward and get positive yards on every play. That's important for an Alabama offense that had too many negative plays in the run game last year. But Hill has shown a little more explosiveness so far this season. That was on display with a 31-yard run late in the third quarter that set up the touchdown that put the Crimson Tide ahead by two scores.

This is a much improved RB room.

DL Devan Thompkins

One of the big additions for Alabama up front out of the Transfer Portal was USC DL Devan Thompkins. After a quiet debut, Thompkins had a monster game at Kentucky.

Thompkins finished with eight tackles and two sacks. His second sack of the afternoon forced a fumble on Kentucky QB Kenny Minchey. At that point in the game, Alabama was trailing by one, 17-16. Thompkins' strip sack set up the go-ahead touchdown for the Crimson Tide with freshman RB EJ Crowell punching it in a few plays later.

Speaking of transfers...

LB Caleb Woodson

The Virginia Tech transfer was flying all over the field on Saturday. He showed his versatility, coming off the edge and picking up two sacks himself. But he flew to the ball, making plays in space that Alabama wasn't making many of a season ago.

Woodson was a two-year starter for Virginia Tech before coming to Alabama in the portal. He bulked up without losing any of his explosiveness and speed. He was a big part of Alabama's dominant defensive effort.

LB Luke Metz

Luke Metz was one of the stars of fall camp for Alabama. He overtook junior QB Reese for the starting job next to Woodson. Against Kentucky, Metz had his first big moment.

Trailing 7-0 after a Kentucky pick-six, and with the Tide's offense generating few positives, Metz came up with a big play. He keyed on Minchey's eyes, watched him the whole way, and then stepped in and intercepted his pass, returning it all the way for a touchdown:

Metz had a good game otherwise, too. He was second on the team behind Woodson in tackles with eight. Alabama has a strong duo in the middle.

K Conor Talty

It will get lost in the dominant defensive performance, and with Alabama rolling to a 28-point win, but Conor Talty was rock solid for the second week in a row to open the season.

With the Crimson Tide unable to get in the end zone on offense for two and a half quarters, it was Talty who was producing points. He hit field goals from 25, 34, and 41 yards in Alabama's win. I know that doesn't sound like a big deal, but as inconsistent as he was last season, it's nice to see that the offseason talk about him getting better has proven true.

Talty looks like a real weapon for Alabama this year. That's going to pay major dividends at some point.

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