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Alabama v. Kentucky
October 4, 2008
Final Score: Alabama 17, Kentucky 14 -- 6:08 p.m.
Alabama wins a sloppy game over Kentucky tonight, needing a late Leigh Tiffin field goal to provide a 10-point cushion to stave off the Wildcats, 17-14 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Both teams battled turnovers and penalties throughout the game, but Alabama's Glen Coffee was the game-changer for the Tide, carrying the ball 25 times for 218 yards and a touchdown -- a 78-yarder in the first quarter.
Coffee's 218 yards are the most by an Alabama running back since Shaun Alexander's 1996 performance against LSU and serves as the sixth-highest total in Alabama history.
Final Stats:
First Downs:
UK:
12
UA: 15
Rushing Yards:
UK: 20 carries for 35 yards
UA: 49 carries for 282 yards
Passing Yards:
UK: 20-of-42, 241 yards, 2 TD, INT
UA: 7-of-17, 106 yards, INT
Total Offense:
UK: 62 plays, 276 yards
UA: 66 plays, 388 yards
Alabama's win takes the Tide to 6-0, 3-0 in SEC play as Alabama heads to its bye week next week. The Tide returns to action in two weeks back in Tuscaloosa, hosting the Ole Miss Rebels.
Onside Kick Fails, Bama Takes A Knee -- 6:07 p.m.
Kentucky's attempt at an onside kick just sailed out of bounds, giving Alabama the ball and the opportunity to take a knee to seal the game.
Kentucky Hits Long Pass, 17-14 Alabama -- 6:04 p.m.
Alabama will have to prevent Kentucky from recovering an onside kick in order to seal the game, as the Wildcats just hit a 49-yard pass from Matt Harline to DeMoreo Ford to cut the Alabama lead to three, at 17-14. With only 40 seconds remaining, Kentucky will have to recover an onside kick and score in order to keep the game going.
Tiffin Extends Lead To 10, 17-7 Alabama -- 5:58 p.m.
Three big points were just put on the board by Leigh Tiffin to give Alabama a 17-7 lead, but perhaps more important are the numbers associated with the drive that got Tiffin in position to kick the 24-yard field goal. Needing to drain the clock, Alabama just orchestrated a 15-play, 76-yard drive that ate up 8:10 of the game clock. Kentucky now trails by 10 with 2:12 to go in the game.
Alabama Dodges Turnover Disaster -- 5:48 p.m.
Alabama running back Glen Coffee just broke a 28-yard run but fumbled again inside the Kentucky 10-yard line, and the Wildcats were in great position to pick it up and regain possession, but the ball bounced out of bounds, giving Alabama the ball first-and-10 at the Kentucky 12.
Coffee now has 25 carries for 218 yards.
Coffee Continues To Impress -- 5:43 p.m.
Alabama running back Glen Coffee has more than 170 yards rushing on the day for Alabama, but the yards he is grinding out on this drive for the Tide are as important as any. So far he has converted a third down and a fourth down for Alabama to keep the ball moving. Alabama is draining the clock, holding on to a 14-7 lead now in Kentucky territory with the clock under five minutes.
Defense Holds Again -- 5:37 p.m.
The Alabama offense will get another chance to get something going here in the fourth quarter, as the Tide's defense just held again on third down, forcing a Kentucky punt. Javier Arenas' fair catch will give Alabama the ball first-and-10 at the 17, leading 14-7 with 10:22 left to go in the game.
Tiffin Just Wide Again, Kentucky Takes Over -- 5:28 p.m.
Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin was just wide again on his second field goal attempt of the game, keeping Alabama's lead at 14-7 and giving Kentucky the ball back, first-and-10 at the 25-yard line. With 14:10 left to go in the game, Alabama is hanging on to a seven-point lead, 14-7.
Alabama Takes 14-7 Lead To The Fourth -- 5:23 p.m.
Alabama still leads Kentucky 14-7 as we head to the fourth quarter here at Bryant-Denny Stadium, with the Tide facing a third-and-5 at the Wildcats' 27.
Coffee Finding Holes -- 5:22 p.m.
Glen Coffee is doing his part to keep Alabama's drive moving -- so far, he's accounted for two first downs on Alabama's current drive. Mark Ingram is now in, as Nick Saban continues to rotate his running backs to keep fresh legs in the Alabama backfield. Alabama has now taken the ball from the 39 to the Kentucky 25 without throwing a pass.
Kareem Gets The Ball Back -- 5:19 p.m.
Just as it looked like the long amount of time the Alabama defense had spent on the field in the third quarter was starting to take a toll, Alabama cornerback Kareem Jackson just picked off Mike Hartline as the Wildcats were driving deep into Alabama territory again, giving Alabama the ball at the 39-yard line. With the Tide's lead cut to seven, a time-consuming drive by the Alabama offense would be just what the Tide's defensive unit needs.
Kentucky Finds The End Zone, 14-7 Alabama -- 5:11 p.m.
Alabama is getting hurt by sloppy play and penalties on both sides of the ball, first on an offensive pass interference call on Julio Jones, then on a defensive pass interference call on safety Rashad Johnson that gave Kentucky the ball near midfield. Two plays later, Mike Hartline found Dicky Lyons over the middle of the field and Lyons raced 26 yards into the end zone to cut the score to 14-7 with 5:49 to go in the third quarter.
Alabama Defense Gets The Ball Back -- 5:01 p.m.
Not enough can be said about the play of the Alabama defense so far in the game. After being forced to go back on the field for another set of downs after the fumble on the previous punt, the group just held for four straight plays, stopping Mike Hartline short on a scramble on fourth-and-5 to give the ball back to the Alabama offense.
John Parker Wilson and the Alabama offense will take over again now at the Tide's own 29-yard line with 8:07 to go in the third quarter.
Alabama Fumble Continues Kentucky Drive -- 4:55 p.m.
Though the Alabama defense just forced another quick three-and-out from the Kentucky offense, a fumble on the punt just gave the Wildcats new life at the Alabama 37, giving Kentucky its best chance to put points on the board today. On the punt, Alabama's Marquis Johnson was blocking a man when he got hit with the ball, which was recovered by Kentucky for the turnover. It's Alabama's second fumble of the day.
Tom Arnold In The House -- 4:43 p.m.
Hey look who it is, down on the sidelines near the 15-yard line. It's TV personality Tom Arnold, doing his part to fire up Alabama's fans on that side of the field. Arnold has been somewhat noted as an Alabama follower this fall, appearing first at one of the Tide's fall practices before his appearance in Tuscaloosa today.
Meanwhile, Alabama's defense continues its third down dominance: Kentucky just punted again and is 1-of-10 on third downs today.
Kentucky Forces Second Turnover -- 4:40 p.m.
Alabama's sluggish play on offense continues, this time cutting the Tide's drive short on an interception forced by the Wildcats' Marcus McClinton on a deep pass to Julio Jones. The pick was just John Parker Wilson's second of the season and gives Kentucky the ball at the Wildcats' own 15-yard line.
Interesting Stats For Alabama -- 4:37 p.m.
A couple interesting stats for Alabama: first, the Tide is 0-for-2 in the game in red zone scoring chances. Alabama came into today's game as one of the top teams in the country in that category. Also, Kentucky is just 1-of-9 on third down chances after a quick three-and-out to start the third quarter. Despite Alabama's inability to finish some of its offensive drives in the game, the Tide's defense has been stout and is preserving Alabama's 14-point lead so far.
Kentucky Opens Second Half At 26 -- 4:33 p.m.
Back underway here at Bryant-Denny Stadium, with Alabama leading Kentucky 14-0 at the start of the third quarter. The Wildcats will begin first-and-10 at the Alabama 26.
Saban Speaks, Halftime Notes -- 4:27 p.m.
“We left 10 points off the board, missed a field goal and fumbled the ball on the 3-yard line going in. Our focus and our intensity were not sharp. We’re not executing very well.” -- Alabama coach Nick Saban
Some assorted halftime notes:
RUSHING TIDE
Alabama faced the nation’s fifth-ranked rushing defense entering today’s game as Kentucky led the nation allowing only 50.3 yards per game through four games. The Crimson Tide rushed for 135 yards in the first quarter and 161 yards through the game’s first two quarters today. Highlighting the first half were runs of 78 yards by Glenn Coffee and 36 yards by Mark Ingram. Overall, Alabama outgained Kentucky in the first half, 253 to 60.
ANOTHER DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN FOR ALABAMA
The Crimson Tide took a 14-0 lead with 1:02 left in the first quarter of today’s game on a four-yard fumble return by linebacker Rolando McClain. That touchdown was Alabama’s third defensive touchdown this season (one fumble return, two interception returns) and the Tide’s fifth non-offensive score of the season (a punt return and a blocked punt return). Alabama entered the game leading the nation in non-offensive scores this season.
TIDE SCORES FIRST FOR 7TH CONSECUTIVE GAME
While their first offensive possession did not yield a score for only the second time in six games this season, Alabama’s second offensive series produced a touchdown on a 78-yard run by Glenn Coffee. That continued Alabama’s trend of scoring first for the seventh consecutive game dating back to the 2007 Independence Bowl victory over Colorado.
COFFEE’S 78-YARD RUN
Junior running back Glen Coffee raced 78 yards for a touchdown with 9:48 left in the first quarter to give Alabama a 7-0 lead over Kentucky. Coffee eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the game with 2:25 left in the opening period, gaining 101 yards on his first six carries of the game.
TIDE TIDBITS
Redshirt freshman Marquis Maze started at wide receiver against Kentucky, making his second career start (also started vs. Clemson this season)…After averaging only 3.6 penalties per game (3rd-best nationally) this season before today, Alabama was whistled 6 times for 60 yards in the first half after incurring 18 penalties for 127 yards in the season’s first five games.
Alabama Takes 14-0 Lead To The Half -- 4:10 p.m.
Alabama leads Kentucky 14-0 at halftime, thanks to two first-quarter touchdowns and a stiff defense that has barely let Kentucky cross the 50. Alabama scored first on a 78-yard touchdown run by Glen Coffee then on a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Rolando McClain.
Halftime Stats:
First Downs:
UK: 4
UA: 9
Rushing Yards:
UK:
13 carries for 16 yards
UA: 22 carries for 161 yards
Passing yards:
UK:
6-of-15 for 44 yards
UA: 6-of-12 for 92 yards
Total Offense:
UK: 60 yards
UA: 253 yards
Additionally, Glen Coffee has 118 yards rushing and a touchdown so far in the game.
Defenses Taking Over Second Quarter -- 4:03 p.m.
The Kentucky defense seems to be settling in after Alabama put up 153 yards in the first quarter, not allowing a point yet in the second. Alabama just mounted another drive that stalled near midfield, first advancing the ball on a third-and-13 with a 22-yard pass to Julio Jones before John Parker Wilson was forced to scramble twice. The Alabama offensive line, one of the Tide's strongest assets this year, was called for holding twice on the drive.
Alabama's defense, meanwhile, is also doing good work. The Tide allowed just 18 total yards in the first quarter and has not given Kentucky a chance to score yet in the second.
Defense Holds, Alabama Back On Offense -- 3:54 p.m.
A week after holding Georgia scoreless in the first half, Alabama seems to be on its way to doing the same thing to Kentucky after holding the Wildcats on a third-and-3. With 5:12 to go in the second quarter, the Tide has the ball back with a chance to add to its 14-point lead.
Defense Trying To Preserve Shut Out -- 3:50 p.m.
Alabama was unable to do anything with its last possession, punting the ball to Kentucky after a three-and-out. Kentucky, meanwhile has driven the ball into Alabama territory, mounting its first real offensive threat of the game. With 6:25 left, Kentucky has the ball third-and-3 at the Alabama 41.
Tide Starts in Kentucky Territory -- 3:38 p.m.
Glen Coffee's fumble did no immediate damage for Alabama, as the Tide's defense was able to force a quick three-and-out from Kentucky. After a 38-yard punt, Alabama will now take over on offense at the Kentucky 47-yard line, with 9:35 left to go in the first half.
Alabama Drive Stalls With Fumble -- 3:32 p.m.
Alabama's most recent drive, which had taken the Tide all the way inside the Kentucky 10-yard line, just stalled on a Glen Coffee fumble at the 6. Kentucky's recovery gives the Wildcats first-and-10 at the 6 with 11:11 left in the first half.
Despite the fumble, Coffee is having another banner day. In the first quarter alone, the Florida native carried the ball six times for 101 yards and a touchdown, for an average of almost 17 yards per rush.
Alabama Continues First Quarter Dominance -- 3:18 p.m.
With 14 more first-quarter points today, Alabama continues to make its argument as the most dominant first-quarter team in the nation. In six games this year, Alabama has outscored its opponents 88-0 in the first 15 minutes. The Tide got its first score today on a 78-yard touchdown run by Glen Coffee and its second on a 4-yard fumble recovery and touchdown by Rolando McClain. Going to the second quarter, Alabama leads 14-0.
McClain Runs In Fumble, 14-0 Alabama -- 3:14 p.m.
The Alabama defense just added six more to the Tide's total today, forcing a fumble by Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline on an all out rush, with Rolando McClain recovering it at the 4-yard line and running it in for the score. The touchdown is Alabama's third defensive touchdown of the season and gives the Tide a 14-0 lead with 1:02 left in the first quarter.
Tiffin Misses His First Under 40 -- 3:09 p.m.
After Alabama failed to convert on third down inside the Kentucky red zone, Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin couldn't connect from 34 yards to give Alabama three more points. It was Tiffin's first miss under 40 yards this year, and the Muscle Shoals native is now 7-of-8 from that range.
Stover, Ingram Keep Drive Alive -- 3:04 p.m.
Alabama began its most recent drive at its own 3-yard line, and has brought the ball out now all the way to the Kentucky 22, thanks to a 15-yard face mask penalty on Kentucky, a clutch 9-yard third-down catch by Nikita Stover and a 36-yard run on third-and-9 by Mark Ingram.
Coffee Breaks Another Long One, 7-0 Alabama -- 2:49 p.m.
It didn't take long for Alabama running back Glen Coffee to heat up again this week -- against a defense that allows just 79 rushing yards per game, Coffee just gained 78 on one play. After finding only minimal yardage in his first few carries, Coffee just broke a 78-yard touchdown run to give Alabama a 7-0 lead. As long as the run is, it's not even his longest of the year; Coffee broke an 87-yard touchdown run earlier this season against Arkansas. With 9:48 left in the first quarter, Alabama leads Kentucky 7-0.
Noise Giving Wildcats Trouble -- 2:43 p.m.
Alabama coach Nick Saban made it a point to stress this week how a loud Bryant-Denny Stadium could shake up the Kentucky offense, and that seems to be just the case early on in the game. The crowd noise has already forced a delay of game penalty and two audibles.
Alabama to Receive -- 2:34 p.m.
Captains for Alabama are seniors Antoine Caldwell, Rashad Johnson and Nikita Stover. Kentucky won the toss and elected to defer until the second half, so Alabama will receive to begin today's game.
Tide Without McCoy, Dial -- 2:20 p.m.
Alabama receiver Mike McCoy (hamstring) will not play today, and tight end Preston Dial (knee) is questionable for the Tide. McCoy had two catches for 30 yards last week against Georgia before leaving the game in the first half.
No. 2 Alabama Set to Battle Kentucky -- 2:15 p.m.
Fresh off a 41-30 win over then-No. 3 Georgia, Alabama has seen its national stock shoot up this week, including a six-spot jump in the AP polls to No. 2, and the Crimson Tide (5-0, 2-0) is set to battle the Kentucky Wildcats (4-0) today at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama is coming off a 2-0 road trip that also included a win over Arkansas, and the Tide is ranked second nationally for the first time since 1993.
Kentucky, meanwhile, has quietly gotten its season off to a 4-0 start, though the Wildcats currently find themselves outside the top 25 thanks in large part to strength of schedule -- Kentucky has recorded wins so far over Louisville, Norfolk State, Middle Tennessee State, and Western Kentucky. The Wildcats bring a stout rushing attack, averaging more than 169 yards per game, and an equally task rush defense, which is giving up fewer than 80 yards per game.
Alabama, meanwhile, is averaging 215 rushing yards per game and is allowing just 54. Last week, the Crimson Tide held Georgia's Knowshon Moreno to just 34 yards in the Tide's win.
