Tide Victorious in Lexington

Alabama Crimson Tide

Kentucky Wildcats

The Crimson Tide came into Lexington facing their first road game of the young season. The only game they had played away from home before this one was the victory over Virginia Tech at a neutral site in the Georgia Dome. Alabama was facing Kentucky a week after Florida dismantled the Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium, so the Tide felt they needed to win in a similar fashion as the Gators did. A windy day in Lexington saw Alabama not fire on all cylinders as they had previously in the season. For the first time in the 2009 season, the Crimson Tide gave up over 300 yards of offense to an opponent. The defense did stand strong when they needed to, and in the end, that is really all that matters. The offense put up 30+ points for the 5th consecutive game this season, and that is the first time Alabama has done that since the Xen Scott patrolled the sidelines all the way back in 1922. Greg McElroy had another good game, although he only threw for 148 yards, but he did have two touchdown passes. Also, this marked the 4th straight game that McElroy did not throw an interception. For the season, McElroy has tossed nine touchdowns to the one interception, and that came in the season opener against Virginia Tech. Mark Ingram broke the 100 yard mark for the second time this season rushing for 140 yards. He also punched in two touchdowns on the ground, and so far this season, Ingram has had a touchdown in each game.

Alabama started this game quickly after Javier Arenas took the opening kickoff back 60 yards to set Alabama up inside Wildcat territory at the 37 yard line. It took Alabama just three plays to bust into the endzone thanks to an 11 yard touchdown run by Mark Ingram to put the first points on the board. Alabama took the 7-0 lead just 57 seconds into the game. After Mark Barron intercepted a Mike Hartline pass, Alabama had an opportunity to go up two touchdowns early, but were unable to capitalize and gave the ball back to Kentucky. Rich Brooks’ Wildcats controlled the rest of the first quarter as they ended up having the ball for a total of 11 minutes in the first. Kentucky would drive the ball into Alabama territory twice, but were unable to get it into the endzone, and had to settle for two 49 yard field goals by Lonas Seiber.

Midway through the second quarter, Kentucky pinned Alabama deep in their own territory at the 3 yard line, and after a loss of two yards by Trent Richardson, Alabama was knocking on their own goal line at the one yard mark. Greg McElroy then went to work getting Alabama some breathing room for starters with a 21 yard completion to Colin Peak . McElroy would lead Alabama down the field on a 13 play 97 yard drive capped off by a three yard touchdown pass to Peak. On the drive, McElroy was 5-6 passing for 71 yards. Alabama had a 14-6 lead with just 40 seconds remaining in the half. Kentucky would get a little greedy before the half, and would try to put some points on the board. Mike Hartline completed a pass over the middle to Derrick Locke, who was then hit by Rolando McClain who was able to punch the ball loose right into the hands of teammate Courtney Upshaw. Upshaw would then take it 45 yards into the endzone for an Alabama touchdown. In just 19 seconds of game time, Alabama had increased its lead from 7-6 to 21-6 heading into the locker rooms for halftime. The Tide had now firmly taken control of the game, and the momentum was completely on their side.

After playing solid for the majority of the first half, and doing all the necessary things it takes to beat team like Alabama , Kentucky had let the game slip right at the end of the first half, and instead of being down by one at the end of the half, they were trailing by 15.

At the start of the second half, Kentucky looked to get back into the game as they got the ball to begin the half. On the second play of the drive, Mike Hartline was intercepted for the 2nd time in the game, this time by Alabama LB Rolando McClain. Alabama would score two plays later thanks to a 32 yard touchdown run by Mark Ingram to push the Alabama lead up to 28-6. On the next possession, Mike Hartline was picked off yet again as Eryk Anders took the interception. Alabama added a field goal to put the lead up to 31-6.

The Wildcats would stay in the game with a touchdown pass from Hartline to Randall Cobb to pull the game to 31-13. Alabama then would take a 76 yard drive in 13 plays capped off by a touchdown pass from McElroy to Darius Hanks to put the game out of reach at 38-13.

The Crimson Tide would win the game 38-20 to push their record to 5-0 on the season. Alabama had to overcome some adversity in their first road game of the season, but it showed they were a great team. Alabama’s defense giving up over 300 yards seems like a ton, but that just shows how great of a defense Alabama has, and the expectations that come with it.

In the end, the Alabama defense made the plays when it needed too, and Alabama is now 5-0. Next week, the Crimson Tide head to Oxford to face a team who coming into the season was supposed to be team that took the West crown away from the Tide. The expectations for Ole Miss have been reduced after their Thursday night loss to South Carolina two weeks ago, but that doesn’t make this any easier of a game. The last four meetings by the Tide and Rebels have been decided by four or less points. I expect a tough matchup, and we should see a great game on Saturday at Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium.