Alabama routs UK with record-setting performance

Alabama dealt with a mixed bag of fumbles and pass drops in the first quarter of play, but from the second stanza until the final whistle, the top-ranked Crimson Tide controlled the show. Courtesy of 668 yards of total offense, and a suffocating defense, Alabama defeated the Kentucky Wildcats by the score of 48-7.

Kenyon Drake's 1st 100 yard performance & his 1st 2 TD night. 106 rushing, 44 yards receiving pic.twitter.com/iUMSUyIc9T
— The Game (@TheGameWDGM) October 13, 2013

In respect to gameplan objectives, the downfall of the Kentucky effort was thwarted early in the contest. UK starting quarterback Jalen Whitlow exited the game in the first quarter of play due to an ankle injury. Whitlow, a dual-threat quarterback, was replaced by pocket passer Maxwell Smith. In relief, Smith was only able to muster 76 yards through the air, 30 of which came on UK’s only score of the game.

Garnering only 170 yards as a unit, the Wildcats were never able to establish consistency on the offensive side of the football.

With the game in hand, Alabama cleared the bench during the latter portion of the contest. Freshman running back Altee Tenpenny closed the scoring effort with a touchdown run. The 7-yard scamper was Tenpenny’s first collegiate touchdown.

While the contest, visually, appeared to be yet another “cruise control” victory for the Crimson Tide, quietly, yet proficiently, Alabama inked a few pages in the program’s record book.

--Complete Stats--

Twitter Tide

Several Alabama receivers had a case of butterfingers against Kentucky, but that didn’t stop AJ McCarron from having a career night in the passing department.

McCarron's 359 passing yards is a career high.
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) October 13, 2013

With a nice mix of pass and run, the Crimson Tide garnered almost 700 yards of total offense against the UK defense.

Alabama's 668 yards of total offense was the most in a single game for UA in 40 years. (School record 833 vs. Va. Tech in 1973.)
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) October 13, 2013

McCarron’s 359 yards through the air, coupled with the rushing performances of Kenyan Drake (106) and T.J. Yeldon (124), allowed Alabama to write a unique page of history.

Tonight was the first time in history Alabama had a 300-yd passer and two 100-yd rushers in the same game.
— Matt Scalici (@MattScalici) October 13, 2013

Alabama beat writer Andrew Gribble has all the ins and outs from Lexington. In the "rough and tumble" SEC, the Wildcats proved to be no match for the Crimson Tide.

Six up, six down: No. 1 Alabama hits halfway point of season unbeaten with rout of Kentucky http://t.co/Pnyn8D9Gjq
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) October 13, 2013

McShay's comedy hour

During the latter stages of the UA/UK game, ESPN's Todd McShay was brought in to discuss all things AJ McCarron. While McShay was on the screen, McCarron led Alabama down the field for a touchdown, all the while showing off his arm, and doing so in stellar fashion.

While McShay discussed McCarron's draft status, and relegated the Tide quarterback to a "third tier" signal caller, McCarron promptly threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Norwood.

I love @McShay13 bashing AJ on the side screen as he make two awesome throws ending in a TD. #Ironic pic.twitter.com/zn8NPBWq6v
— Nick Saban's Statue (@SabansStatue) October 13, 2013

Quality television, Mr. McShay. McCarron wouldn't have set a new personal best in the passing department (359 yards) without the analysis of an expert.