Big Blue Preview: Kentucky vs. Alabama

Info to Know

Preview

Kentucky will play host to Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky, at noon on the SEC Network. It is the last home game for UK in 2023, while it will also serve as Senior Day for the program. Twenty Wildcats will go through Senior Day recognitions, while another five “Super Seniors” will play their last game at Kroger Field on Saturday.

The Wildcats will host the Crimson Tide for the 18th time in Lexington this weekend, while it will mark the 42nd all-time meeting between the two teams in a series that began in 1917. The Wildcats are coming off their first win against Mississippi State in Starkville, Mississippi, since 2008 last Saturday, as the Crimson Tide took down the No. 14/13 LSU Tigers in Tuscaloosa

Cat Scratches: Stoops, Cats Embracing Challenge of Facing Alabama

Kentucky snapped its three-game losing streak by beating Mississippi State 24-3 on Saturday in Starkville. While the win was good on many levels, the Cats must now turn their attention to one of the nation’s hottest teams.

Eighth-ranked Alabama comes to Kroger Field on Saturday in search of an eighth consecutive victory. The Crimson Tide, under the direction of legendary head coach Nick Saban, lost to Texas in the second game of the 2023 season, but have won every game since.

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops knows exactly what to expect from this Saban-coached Alabama team.

“Alabama is a team that, you can see, is getting better and better,” Stoops said. “A typical Nick Saban team that is very big, very physical, very talented and extremely well coached. They seem to be getting better and stronger as the year goes on. That will be a big challenge for us, just to match their physicality.”

The Tide beat LSU 42-28 on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Alabama’s offense, behind quarterback Jalen Milroe, seems to have found its rhythm. Stoops knows that the Bama attack, which has all of the attributes of today’s best teams, will be tough for UK to defend…Read More

Kentucky-Alabama Series

• Alabama leads Kentucky in the all-time series, 38-2-1.
• This weekend marks the 42nd meeting between the two teams in a series that began in 1917.
• The Wildcats trail the all-time series in Lexington, 15-2.
• Both of UK’s wins over UA came in the Bluegrass, including a 6-0 win in 1922 and a 40-34 (OT) win in 1997.

Kentucky-Alabama Connections

• Kentucky has six players from the state of Alabama on its roster, including:
• Defensive lineman Kahlil Saunders (Huntsville), punter Heath Jehu (Birmingham), offensive linemen Jackson Bunn (Oxford), Lucas Padgett (Birmingham) and Koby Keenum (Florence), defensive back Avery Stuart (Montgomery)
• The Wildcats also have one transfer from the Crimson Tide in offensive lineman Tanner Bowles.
• Bowles, a senior from Glasgow, Kentucky, transferred to Kentucky in January after playing in 19 games through four seasons at Alabama.
• Alabama has no players on their roster from Kentucky

A UK Win Would …

• Improve UK’s record to 7-3 overall and 4-3 in the Southeastern Conference.
• Give UK its first win against Alabama since 1997, and just its third overall.
• Give UK a 2-2 record against Associated Press-ranked teams in 2023.
• Give UK its first win against a top-10 team since 2021, when it defeated then-No. 10 Florida, 20-13, in Lexington.
• Extend head coach Mark Stoops’ all-time school records for:
• Overall wins to 73
• SEC wins to 36
• Home wins to 51
• Ranked wins to 13

By the Numbers

2
Kentucky coaches who have beaten Alabama – W.J. Juneau (1922) and Hal Mumme (1997)

4
Yards rushing needed by UK running back Ramon Jefferson to reach the 3,000-yard rushing mark for his career

8
Interceptions for the Kentucky defense this season. Three of those have been returned for touchdowns

10
Times in his career that Devin Leary has passed for at least 300 yards

97
Yards rushing needed by Ray Davis to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season