Kentucky Defense has 'heightened urgency' ahead of Alabama game

Alabama is good at football. It’s an evergreen statement over the last 15 years. For the first month of the season the wheels were shaking on Crimson Tide’s offensive machine. It’s abundantly clear that’s no longer the case.

Alabama travels to Kroger Field Saturday a week after quarterback Jalen Milroe rushed for four touchdowns and totaled 374 yards in a 42-28 win over LSU. Milroe’s big arm has made Alabama one of the most explosive offenses in the SEC. The Kentucky defense knows there’s a tall task at hand.

“It’s a big opportunity, especially on the defensive side of the ball, letting everyone know how good our defense is, showing them how we come together,” said defensive lineman Deone Walker.

The Kentucky defense was gashed for three straight weeks, allowing 42 points per game, before bouncing back at Mississippi State. The Cats limited the Bulldogs to three points and 3.3 yards per play.

“Anytime you go on the road and have a performance like that, hopefully it builds their confidence,” said defensive coordinator Brad White.

Regardless of the pedigree of the Mississippi State offense, it was an impressive performance by the Kentucky defense. Now they have an opportunity to prove their worth against one of college football’s best.

“Alabama is a big name,” said Walker. “After the big loss to Georgia — that sad loss — we’re coming in, still trying to fix our legacy for this year.”

“I think the guys understand how big this game is,” White added. “Whether it’s Alabama or — you’re getting down to the end of the season. There are some games we let slip away or didn’t necessarily play our best and so there’s no room for error when you’re going down the stretch. I think there’s a heightened urgency in that regard. I think they’ll be excited for Saturday.”

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A Secret Weapon for Kentucky?

The Wildcats are 2-38-1 in 41 games against Alabama. A hero from the last Kentucky victory over the Crimson Tide is currently on White’s defensive staff. Defensive line coach Anwar Stewart returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown in the 40-34 overtime victory back in 1997

“I’ve petitioned to the NCAA to see if we can have one more Covid year for him,” White joked. “If we can get one of those, that would be big. He’s excited every game. It doesn’t matter if it’s a scrimmage if it’s gameday, he always brings the energy. But that was a big moment in this program’s history, for sure.”