Sep 24, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) and linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) wrap up Kent State Golden Flashes quarterback Mylik Mitchell (17) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Photo Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Head coach Nick Saban challenged his players to play a complete game last week against Kent State.
The players did that in Saban’s eyes, and now the head coach is hoping the team can build on that momentum against in their homecoming matchup vs. Kentucky. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
“Now that we are back in SEC play, I think it’s time to build on that; build on the momentum,” Saban said. “If we want to be the team that we are capable of being, I think it’s important for everyone to buy into that and do that. The SEC is a tough league and every game you play in this league is an important game as this game will be against Kentucky.”
Kentucky marks the first of four straight SEC games before Alabama’s bye week.
The Wildcats are 2-2 (1-1 SEC) overall after a 17-10 victory over South Carolina last weekend. While they may not appear to be a threat to the Crimson Tide, Saban isn’t taking Kentucky lightly.
“Kentucky has played their best in the last two games that they have played,” Saban said. “Mark Stoops has done a really good job of sort of finding out who they are and how they want to play. They played really well in the last two games.
“They have really good skill players on offense, good running backs and good receivers. They have explosive guys that have put up pretty impressive performances to this point. Their quarterback has played well for them, even though he had to come in for the starter, and he has done a nice job; they haven’t really skipped a beat.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–TE O.J. Howard finished the Kent State game with three catches for a team-high 60 yards and his first touchdown of the season.
–RB Joshua Jacobs rushed for 97 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 11 carries. Jacobs also caught a pair of passes for 23 yards against Kent State.
–DB Minkah Fitzpatrick led Alabama with 1.5 sacks for -13 yards as part of his three total tackles on the day.
–S Ronnie Harrison had three tackles from the secondary and recovered a fumble against Kent State.
