University of Alabama Versus Kentucky 2009
Crimson Tide Remains Unbeaten with Strong Win Over Wildcats
The University of Alabama took advantage of four turnovers by the Kentucky Wildcats to walk away with a strong 38 – 20 win on Saturday, October 3rd during Southeastern Conference action in Lexington, KY. The Crimson Tide (5 – 0, 2 – 0 SEC) defense intercepted Kentucky’s (2 – 2, 0 – 2 SEC) quarterback Mike Hartline three times and forced a fumble by Derrick Locke to seal the victory.
Crimson Tide’s Mark Ingram ran for a career high 140 yards and one touchdown, along with two touchdown passes by Greg McElroy, to lead Number 3 Alabama to its fifth straight victory. The University of Alabama scored 24 points in just over five minutes spanning the second and third quarters to demonstrate that they continue to be one of college football’s powerhouses this season.
Crimson Tide Football First Half Action
The Alabama offense set the tone for the game when, Mark Ingram completed an 11 yard touchdown run just 53 seconds into the first quarter. However, following the touchdown the Tide became very sluggish for the remainder of the first quarter.
The Wildcats defense rose to the occasion forcing Alabama to punt the ball twice. Kentucky moved the ball easily against the Tide; however, the Crimson Tide football defense tightened up to hold the Wildcats to a pair of 49 yard field goals by Lones Siber. The first quarter came to a close with Alabama leading 7 – 6.
Kentucky found out in the second quarter that the Crimson Tide was like a wild elephant. An elephant that will let you near and maybe even pet it; however, it will stomp you with a vengeance when you get complacent. With 7:30 left in the second quarter, the Tide began an offensive series on their three yard line, which culminated with a three yard touchdown pass from Greg McElroy to Colin Peek 97 yards later.
With 40 seconds remaining in the half, the University of Alabama’s Leigh Tiffin kicked the football to Kentucky’s Sam Maxwell, who returned the ball back to the Wildcats’42 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Mike Hartline completed a pass to Derrick Locke who fumbled the football after a hard hit by Rolando McClain.
Alabama’s Alab Upshaw recovered the fumble and ran it back to Kentucky’s end zone for a 45 yard touchdown with 21 seconds remaining in the half. After Leigh Tiffin’s 70 yard kick off, the Wildcats completed one running play for seven yards as the first half ended with the Crimson Tide leading 21 – 6.
Alabama Crimson Tide Football Second Half Action
The third quarter lead to more of the same for Kentucky football. Mike Hartline threw an interception to Rolando McClain 32 seconds into the quarter. Two plays later the University of Alabama capitalized on the turn over when Mark Ingram ran 32 yards for a touchdown. The score was now 28 – 6.
Two minutes and 25 seconds into the third quarter, Hartline threw another interception to Eryk Anders on Kentucky’s 45 yard line. The Tide’s drive stalled out on the Wildcats’ 26 yard line, leading to a Leigh Tiffin 36 yard field goal. With the score now at 31 – 6, things were looking bleak for Kentucky football.
However, the Wildcats found life and were able to score a 45 touchdown, when Hartline connected with Randall Cobb. This caused the elephant to stir again as the Alabama football offense responded with another touchdown, when McElroy completed his second touchdown pass to Darius Hanks for seven yards. The third quarter ended with Alabama on top 38 – 13.
Kentucky managed to score another touchdown in the fourth quarter, as Alabama was content to run the football to kill the clock. The Tide even completed a successful fake field goal attempt on Kentucky’s 32 yard line, when punter/kick holder P. J. Fitzgerald ran 17 yards for a first down. The purpose of this fake field goal attempt was to continue running the clock out.
The Wildcats got the ball back with 1:31 remaining in the game; however, they were unsuccessful in scoring. The game ended with the Alabama leading 38 – 20.
Alabama Football Wrap Up and Future Schedule
McElroy completed 15 of 26 passes for 148 yards and Colin Peek was the leading receiver with six receptions for 65 yards. Julio Jones caught two passes for 13 yards. Rushing offense for the Tide gained 204 yards for a total offense of 352 yards. Alabama’s defense held Kentucky’s offense to 168 yards passing and 133 yards rushing for a total of 301 yards.
The number 3 team nationally, University of Alabama, will visit number 21 University of Mississippi (3 – 1, 1 – 1 SEC) on Saturday October 10th to continue more Southeastern Conference action for the Crimson Tide.
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