Game Recap: Alabama State Hornets 14 @ Kentucky Wildcats 48

Chet White

Well if you needed any proof how important Jalen Whitlow is the offense this was the game to watch. While things weren't perfect on the offense Jalen had an impressive game in his first start back from injuring finishing 101 yards rushing with 2 touchdowns and 186 yards through the air with another 2 touchdown passes and that all started on the second play of the game when Jalen took the ball 88 yards by himself into end zone for a stadium record.

Kentucky got a lot of help in this game from Alabama State as the Hornets had a bit of a personal foul trouble. They were just giving away yards to Kentucky and besides Isaiah Crowell the team was generally ineffective. By no means was this a perfect game as Kentucky obviously showed it still has a long ways to go there were encouraging signs and a win is a win.

Observations:

• Jalen played a solid game. Other than the 88 yard TD run didn't really make any "wow" plays but made the right plays and put Kentucky in situations to be successful. Still needs to work on accuracy but is constantly improving and turning into a very solid quarterback.
• Jojo Kemp kept with his impressive freshmen season by averaging 5.2 YPC and adding a touchdown.
• The kicking game was on point tonight. Landon Foster averaged 49 yards per punt and Joe Mansour was 2/2 in the kicking game.
• The offensive line struggled pretty good against competition they should be dominating. Alabama State was able to log 3 sacks and 10 TFL. Way too many to be giving up.
• Defensive line was disappointing as well. They have a clear advantage over Alabama State in size and athleticism and while Bud Dupree got a sack they were pretty held in check the entire night.
• Speaking of Bud Dupree he is quietly having one of the best seasons in the SEC for a defensive linemen. He finished with 4 tackles to give him 45 on the year and 1 sack which brings his total up 5.5 sacks with still 4 games left to play. Not earth shattering numbers mind you but has recorded at least half a sack in every game but two while not even playing in one of them.
• Maxwell Smith struggled after coming into the game and you could see the big drop off in how the offense performed. Amazing how far he has dropped since the first few weeks of the season. Have to think he will be a transfer candidate at the end of the year.
• Kentucky is going to have to have somebody step up at Wide Receiver with the loss of Alex Montgomery for the year and Ryan Timmons for a few weeks and possibly rest of the season. Luckily Javess Blue will be back but Uk needs more weapons for Whitlow to throw the ball to.
• This team is headed in the right direction. They are getting better every week and while they still have a long ways to go these last four games will be important for them to try and get a winning streak going and maybe sneak into a bowl game but at the least pick up some momentum for the offseason.