TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Sophomore wide receiver Calvin Ridley caught 11 passes for 174 yards and two second-half touchdowns as No. 1 Alabama took care of business with a 34-6 victory over Kentucky on Saturday in its homecoming game.
Freshman running back Joshua Jacobs, starting in place of the injured Damien Harris, rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown while freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts was 20 of 33 for 262 yards and two scores for the Crimson Tide (5-0, 2-0 SEC).
After forcing a Wildcats’ punt to open the half, Alabama’s passing game finally started to click. Hurts found Ridley for a 10-yard touchdown to cap an eight-play, 78-yard drive and make it 24-3. The score was set up after Hurts hit Ridley for a 46-yard gain.
Hurts and Ridley connected again on the next drive for a for a 19-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone to make it 31-3 late in the third quarter.
Alabama looked sluggish in the opening half en route to a 17-3 lead at the break.
Kentucky (2-3, 1-2) struck first with a 45-yard field goal from Austin MacGinnis midway through the first quarter. Alabama responded late in the first quarter with a 44-yard field goal from Adam Griffith to tie the score at 3.
Alabama found some offense in the second quarter. Jacobs got every touch on a seven-play, 61-yard drive that he capped with a 1-yard touchdown to make it 10-3.
Alabama’s defense got in on the act on Kentucky’s next possession.
Crimson Tide linebacker Rashaan Evans forced a fumble that was recovered by safety Ronnie Harrison, who returned it 55 yards for a touchdown to make it 17-3 in the second quarter.
NOTES: Alabama RB Damien Harris (ankle) did not start. Freshman Joshua Jacobs started in Harris’ place. Harris did play in the first half. … Alabama WR ArDarius Stewart (knee) did not play in the game. He was replaced by Cam Sims. … Alabama LB Tim Williams did not play in the first half. He was arrested Thursday. … Alabama K Adam Griffith passed Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry for eighth place on Alabama’s scoring list with 271 points.