Alabama Defense Shuffles Players, Still Suffocates Kentucky

Despite missing some key players, Alabama's defensive game plan more than effective against Wildcats' run game.

Edwin Stanton | Nov 11, 2023

Alabama Defense Shuffles Players, Still Suffocates Kentucky /

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Alabama Crimson Tide

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Everything about Alabama’s defense looked smooth Saturday, about as smooth as Kentucky bourbon.

Sure, there were a few missteps, but overall, the Crimson Tide made a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Bluegrass country miserable for Kentucky.

Alabama did it without its second- and third-leading tacklers—Deontae Lawson and Jaylen Key were out with injuries.

They weren’t needed.

The defense established dominance up front and never allowed Kentucky's run game to get going.

“That was the key to the drill,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “Controlling his line of scrimmage against this type of team that prides itself on being physical, was our No. 1 objective.”

With the defensive line and linebackers shutting down the run game, the defense primarily used nickel and dime packages with success.

“We wanted to make them one dimensional,” Saban said. “I think we did, except for the big run they had in the fourth quarter.”

The one big run play for Kentucky was a 73-yard run by Ramon Jefferson, which set up a Kentucky score. Before that play midway through the fourth quarter, Kentucky had just 18 rush yards on 18 attempts.

This stat sums up the play of the run defense—Kentucky running back Ray Davis, who averages 100 yards per game, was held to 25 yards. He had more yards receiving (32).

“Anyone who comes to Alabama knows that we want to stop the run,” Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe said. “Being able to stop the run is pivotal. We did that today.”

Some defensive secondary pieces were shuffled around for Alabama. Trey Amos got the start at cornerback while Caleb Downs moved to safety. Kristian Story got his first start of the season at safety. Terrion Arnold, normally a cornerback, played the star position most of the game. Malachi Moore was also at safety.

“It’s fun,” Arnold said of playing multiple positions. “We have a lot of weapons in our secondary. Position versatility is really our strength. We are all competitors and something we look forward to.”

It didn’t help Kentucky’s cause after Alabama put up 21 quick points before Kentucky had run five offensive plays.

Already up 14-0, Arnold forced a fumble and Caleb Downs scooped it up and came up one yard short of a touchdown. Jalen Milroe scored on the next play.

Arnold came up big again in the second quarter with his team-leading third interception of the season, killing Kentucky’s momentum.

It was a LANK moment for Arnold. For those who don’t know, LANK means Let All the Naysayers Know. The term is something Arnold and the Crimson Tide cooked up during the season—they even have T-shirts.

He let Kentucky players hear about it.

“He looked at me like, ‘What?’ It’s something me and my teammates live by,” Arnold said. “As long as my teammates know what I’m talking about, we’re good.”

Arnold and the secondary limited Kentucky to 158 passing yards with a long pass of 33 yards being the only damage.

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Published Nov 11, 2023

EDWIN STANTON

Edwin Stanton has been a sports writer for more than 20 years, and has covered University of Alabama sports for 10 years.