TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- After an uninspiring first half, sophomore wide receiver Calvin Ridley woke top-ranked Alabama's offense from its slumber.
Ridley caught 11 passes for 174 yards and two second-half touchdowns as the No. 1 Crimson Tide 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 Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC).
"I thought that we executed a little bit better in the second half," Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said. "I thought we were a little bit sloppy in the first half. Our quarterback struggled a little bit, especially in the passing game. I thought we ran the ball effectively. Defensively, we played pretty well. We got some sacks and turnovers, and we scored on defense. All in all, I think that it's a good win for us."
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.
The Crimson Tide 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.
"I felt like we did some better things in this game," Wildcats coach Mark Stoops said. "The bad thing is, we're still capable of so much more and that's what aggravates you. I definitely feel like we grew. Talking about improvement and growing as a team, you know, I think we did that in certain phases and maybe took a step back in others, but we'll keep on working."
Alabama responded late in the first quarter with a 44-yard field goal from Adam Griffith to tie the score at 3.
The Crimson Tide found some offense in the second quarter. Jacobs got six of the seven touches on a seven-play, 61-yard drive that he capped with a 1-yard touchdown to make it 10-3.
Jacobs averaged 6.2 yards per carry.
"Josh (Jacobs) is really playing well. He's done a nice job for us," Saban said. "We have a lot of confidence in (Josh Jacobs) and we have a lot of confidence in Damien Harris, who has played extremely well for us all year long. He was coming off of a little bit of a high ankle sprain and wasn't able to practice much this week. He was OK and cleared to play in the game, but we decided that we would just spot play him and use him in third down (situations). That gave Josh (Jacobs) a little more of an opportunity and he took advantage of it and did a great job."
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.
Stoops is concerned about his team going forward.
"I'm worried about the next one honestly, that's what I just told them," Stoops said. "We are a late show, and we will get back late tonight. Our players have to do their part to get treatment and to get rest. Tomorrow we have to get back to work and have a great Monday."
NOTES: Alabama RB Damien Harris (ankle) did not start. Freshman Joshua Jacobs started in Harris' place. ... 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.
