Kentucky defeated Alabama State last night 48-14 in front of 53,797 cold fans in Commonwealth Stadium.
Here is a look at the positives and negatives form last nights victory.
*************************************POSITIVES*******************************************************
Jalen Whitlow
Jalen Whitlow looks like he is over the ankle sprain that sidelined him for most of last weeks game. Jalen played what might have been his best game in a Kentucky uniform. He threw for 186 yards while completing 16-26 passes and two touchdowns. Whitlow also ran the ball 10 times for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns, with a long run of 88 yards, which is the longest rush by a player in the Southeastern Conference in 2013. Whitlow is the fifth UK quarterback since 1983 to rush for 100 or more yards.
Jojo Kemp
Jojo Kemp continues to show why he needs to be on the field, the freshman running back rushed for 74 yards and 1 touchdown on 13 carries. Kentucky fans are going to enjoy watching this kid over the next three years.
Landon Foster
Landon Foster is starting to look like the punter we saw last season. Last night he punted the ball five times for an average of 49 yards, including a 58 yard punt.
Offense
Kentucky put up 422 yards of total offense last night, with 233 yards rushing and 189 yards passing. Kentucky scored 48 points, marking its highest scoring output since scoring 49 points against Charleston Southern on Nov. 6, 2010. Kentucky did not have a turnover for the fourth straight game, and was 8-17 on 3rd down conversions and 2-3 on 4th down conversions. Kentucky had the ball in the red zone 6 times and scored 5 times.(4 touchdowns, 1 field goal)
Defense
Kentucky held Alabama State to just 297 yards of total offense for the game and forced a season high 5 fumbles, while recovering two.
**************************************Negatives*****************************************
Crowd
I know it was cold last night and Kentucky had a comfortable lead, but by midway through the 3rd quarter the stadium was almost empty. Stoops has his team going in the right direction and they need the support of the fans. If I was playing I would be upset to look in the stands and see them half empty.
Injuries
Mark Stoops is going have to tell his players to stop celebrating so much after a touchdown. Alex Montgomery injured his knee after scoring his second career touchdown. Ryan Timmons also left the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. Jonathan George hurt his ankle as well. I haven’t heard the severity of those injuries, but I’m sure Stoops will talk about them at his weekly press luncheon tomorrow.
Kentucky returns to action Sat. Nov. 9 as the Wildcats play host to Missouri. Game time is set for noon.
