After producing six points on two first-half field goals, Alabama's offense exploded for 32 second-half points against Kentucky. The Crimson Tide offense quit beating itself as it had done in the first half. Alabama's defense was very good in the first half, scoring Alabama's only touchdown. In the second half, Kane Wommack's defense was outstanding.
Wommack's guys carried Alabama to an SEC road win. In the game's second half, the Kentucky Wildcats had six possessions. The Cats ran 26 plays in those possessions and gained 57 yards, a 2.2-yard-per-play average. The Wildcats had 61 first-half rushing yards and finished the game with 63 yards.
The tweet below from Trevion Ware documents how stiff the Crimson Tide's defense was against Kentucky. Other than when the Kentucky brain trust outsmarted Alabama by throwing to a blocking-only tight end for a touchdown.
Alabama defense today vs Kentucky:
— Trevion D. Ware ¹ᴷ📟 (@Tware1k) September 12, 2026
1 pick six INT
2 fumble recoveries
4 sacks + 6 TFLs
2-14 on third downs
64 combined total tackles = 2.0YPC/63 yards rushing (209 total yards)
Game ball goes to Kane Wommack 🏉
Trevion is spot on! Give Kane Wommack the 'Game Ball' for the Crimson Tide's road victory.
Reasons for Alabama Optimism
Despite its first-half meltdown in Lexington, there are reasons to be optimistic about the Crimson Tide offense. Keelon Russell will continue to mature and improve. At the least, Alabama's offensive line will be better than last season. When Michael Carroll returns, the Tide's O-line will immediately improve. Kentucky will not be the last SEC team that an Alabama running back hits for 100-plus rushing yards, as Daniel Hill did on Saturday.
No Crimson Tide fan believes Kalen DeBoer gave a halftime locker room speech that ignited his team. Some Alabama fans will not forgive DeBoer and Ryan Grubb for Alabama's first-half offensive performance. The criticism is fair, but it may lack some perspective.
Some of us expected that Alabama would have to 'win ugly' in one or more early games. The small number of returning starters, coupled with a new QB starter whose college career was only 15 pass attempts, meant the Crimson Tide would be a 'work in progress'.
After the game, Kalen DeBoer said, "We're going to get better." For the Crimson Tide offense, that feels like a safe bet, and maybe not by a small amount. If the Alabama defense improves at all, Kane Wommack's guys can carry the Crimson Tide far.
Note: Game stats provided bt Stat Broadcast
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