So how about that first quarter?
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Photo via SEC[/caption]
Let's take you back to a great, beautiful time filled with hope and promise for the Kentucky football program.
Coming in as 31-point underdogs, the Wildcats stumbled a touch out of the gates with a five-play punt on the first possession, followed by a quick six-play, 55-yard touchdown drive for Alabama.
From there, though, Kentucky put together an eight-play, 58-yard drive to move the ball down to the UA 10, one that would end in a 33-yard field goal make for Matt Ruffolo. After forcing an Alabama three-and-out on the ensuing drive, the Wildcats again drove down the field into the red zone, closing out the first quarter at the UA 20 with a 1st and 10 waiting for them to open the second quarter.
After 15 minutes of action, Kentucky had more total yards, rushing yards, passing yards, better passing efficiency, fewer penalty yards, more first downs, more total plays and better time of possession.
In position to take the lead to open the second quarter, Kentucky pushed the ball all the way down to the UA 6 before getting stopped on third down, forcing a short field goal try.
Had they scored a touchdown, Kentucky goes up 10-7. Avoid the holding call in the team's first red zone appearance, and UK likely goes up 14-7.
Even given the circumstances, a second field goal make cuts the deficit to just one point, with Alabama leading 7-6 with just over 12 minutes to go before half.
Instead, Kentucky long snapper Cade Degraw sailed the ball over punter Colin Goodfellow's head and back toward the mid-field mark, resulting in a 36-yard loss and turnover on downs.
Just five plays later, the Crimson Tide found themselves up 14-3 following a 10-yard touchdown strike from Mac Jones to DeVonta Smith, officially beginning the massacre.
Kentucky responded with another strong offensive drive that flirted with yet another red zone appearance, moving the ball down to the UA 25. Again, though, a botched snap and hold led to a missed field goal, keeping the score at 14-3 for another 1:35 before the Crimson Tide cruised down the field for a 5-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. 21-3, ball game.
Following Kentucky's three successful drives in the first and second quarters, the Wildcats managed just 34 total yards on 25 plays to close out the game.
Photo via SEC[/caption]
Let's take you back to a great, beautiful time filled with hope and promise for the Kentucky football program.
Coming in as 31-point underdogs, the Wildcats stumbled a touch out of the gates with a five-play punt on the first possession, followed by a quick six-play, 55-yard touchdown drive for Alabama.
From there, though, Kentucky put together an eight-play, 58-yard drive to move the ball down to the UA 10, one that would end in a 33-yard field goal make for Matt Ruffolo. After forcing an Alabama three-and-out on the ensuing drive, the Wildcats again drove down the field into the red zone, closing out the first quarter at the UA 20 with a 1st and 10 waiting for them to open the second quarter.
After 15 minutes of action, Kentucky had more total yards, rushing yards, passing yards, better passing efficiency, fewer penalty yards, more first downs, more total plays and better time of possession.
In position to take the lead to open the second quarter, Kentucky pushed the ball all the way down to the UA 6 before getting stopped on third down, forcing a short field goal try.
Had they scored a touchdown, Kentucky goes up 10-7. Avoid the holding call in the team's first red zone appearance, and UK likely goes up 14-7.
Even given the circumstances, a second field goal make cuts the deficit to just one point, with Alabama leading 7-6 with just over 12 minutes to go before half.
Instead, Kentucky long snapper Cade Degraw sailed the ball over punter Colin Goodfellow's head and back toward the mid-field mark, resulting in a 36-yard loss and turnover on downs.
Just five plays later, the Crimson Tide found themselves up 14-3 following a 10-yard touchdown strike from Mac Jones to DeVonta Smith, officially beginning the massacre.
Kentucky responded with another strong offensive drive that flirted with yet another red zone appearance, moving the ball down to the UA 25. Again, though, a botched snap and hold led to a missed field goal, keeping the score at 14-3 for another 1:35 before the Crimson Tide cruised down the field for a 5-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. 21-3, ball game.
Following Kentucky's three successful drives in the first and second quarters, the Wildcats managed just 34 total yards on 25 plays to close out the game.
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