Halftime: Alabama leads Kentucky 28-7 after a fast start

After honoring its seniors before the game, Kentucky Football won the toss and kicked it away to Alabama to start the regular season finale in Kroger Field. Unfortunately, the energy and excitement throughout Lexington were short-lived as the eighth-ranked Crimson Tide got off to a fast start with a quick score, another score, and then another score before Kentucky joined the football game.

Now, with 30 minutes of gameplay behind them, Alabama leads 28-7 at halftime.

Here’s what to know from the first half.

Jalen Milroe Injured, Briefly

Five plays into the game, Alabama starting quarterback Jalen Milroe suffered an undisclosed injury while scrambling for 16 yards across the 50-yard line into Kentucky’s side of the field. Backup Ty Simpson took over for a play in relief duty, but Milroe resurfaced to take the next snap. He completed three straight passes for Alabama’s first of three first-quarter touchdowns. Tight end Amari Niblack was WIDE OPEN for the 26-yard scoring grab.

Milroe scored two more TDs on the ensuing Alabama possessions. He needed only four plays to go 55 yards for Alabama’s second touchdown. Moments later, Barion Brown fumbled the ball right back to the Crimson Tide and Milroe scored in four seconds on a four-yard run to stretch Bama’s lead to three TDs.

10 minutes into the game, Kentucky ran four offensive plays while Alabama scored 21 points.

Milroe is still dinged up at the break but playing through it.

Kentucky On The Board

It’s hard to imagine a worse start for the Wildcats. Still, Kentucky managed to find the end zone before the clock ran out in the first quarter.

Kentucky punted away after another three-and-out, only for Kool-Aid McKinstry to put the ball on the turf while fielding the punt. Kentucky’s Nasir Addison dove on the ball before it rolled out of bounds and the Cats took over at the Alabama 32.

Six plays and 32 yards later, Tayvion Robinson caught his first TD since September 16th to spoil Alabama’s shutout in Lexington.

Don’t call it a comeback??? pic.twitter.com/UqBT8tUfxh

— KSR (@KSRonX) November 11, 2023

Milroe’s Fourth TD/Trading Interceptions

Milroe threw a third touchdown early in the second quarter when he hit running back Roydell Williams for a 26-yard reception. Milroe’s fourth score in the game put Alabama ahead 28-7.

However, Milroe made his first big mistake of the game with an interception on Bama’s next possession. Kentucky’s Jordan Lovett gave the Cats some life with an INT at the 50-yard line.

Did Devin Leary and the offense seize the moment? No. Leary committed his first turnover of the game with an interception of his own.

The Cats trail by 21 at intermission.