WILDCATS FALL TO NO. 12 ALABAMA AT HOME IN FIRST SEC MATCHUP

LEXINGTON, KY - Kentucky football hosted No. 12 Alabama on Saturday in its first SEC matchup of the 2026 season, with the Crimson Tide earning a 45-17 win at Kroger Field.

The Wildcats came out strong in the first half and took a 17-13 lead into the locker room. Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace gave Kentucky an early spark with a 2-yard interception return for a touchdown, while Kenny Minchey connected with Henry Boyer for a 20-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Adam Zouagui also added a 39-yard field goal.

Alabama pulled away in the second half, but Kentucky had several individual performances to build around. Minchey finished with 146 passing yards and a touchdown, while Jason Patterson led the Wildcats with 53 rushing yards. Willie Rodriguez added eight catches for 49 yards.  

The Kentucky defense also made its presence felt against one of the SEC's top teams. The Wildcats recorded four sacks, seven tackles for loss and two interceptions. Humphrey-Grace finished with a sack, an interception and 1.5 tackles for loss.

With the first SEC game of the Will Stein era now behind them, the Wildcats will turn their attention to the next opportunity. Kentucky travels to Texas A&M next Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff.

by Austin Stuckey, The Stable

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Photography Credit: UK Athletics