Alabama vs Kentucky football score: Tide scores 32 unanswered after trailing at half

Keelon Russell passed his first challenge as Alabama's starting quarterback in Week 1 when he led the Crimson Tideto a season-opening win against East Carolina.

His next challenge was a more difficult one — his first SEC road start — and he once again passed it with the help of his defense.

The 12th-ranked Crimson Tide’s defense helped Kalen DeBoer’s squad avoid a potential upset to begin conference play on Saturday, as Alabama walked out of Kroger Field with a 45-17 win over Kentucky.

Russell had a rough awakening to SEC play, as his first drive ended with a pick-6 right in front of the Crimson Tide’s end zone while his second resulted in a fumble that came at the end of a sack.

He stayed in it and weathered some early adversity with some impressive throws and plays throughout the contest. With the game put away midway through the fourth quarter, Russell threw his first touchdown of the season on a 5-yard pass to Rico Scott.

Trailing by four at halftime, Alabama came out of the locker room with urgency and efficiency, scoring 32 unanswered points in the second half. The Crimson Tide found their rhythm offensively, scoring on…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/