LEXINGTON, Ky. — For most of three quarters, Kentucky football fans in a sold-out Kroger Field got to dream about the Will Stein era bringing an immediate change in fortunes against the Southeastern Conference’s most successful program. Defensive lineman Mi’Quise Humprey-Grace returned an interception from the Alabama 2-yard line for a touchdown on the Crimson Tide’s first possession. The ...

Kentucky's Henry Boyer scores on a 20- yard touchdown catch against Alabama in the second quarter at Kroger Field on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Lexington, Kentucky.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America/TNS

LEXINGTON, Ky. — For most of three quarters, Kentucky football fans in a sold-out Kroger Field got to dream about the Will Stein era bringing an immediate change in fortunes against the Southeastern Conference’s most successful program.

Defensive lineman Mi’Quise Humprey-Grace returned an interception from the Alabama 2-yard line for a touchdown on the Crimson Tide’s first possession. The Wildcats added another touchdown in the second quarter on a 20-yard pass to tight end Henry Boyer after converting a fourth down earlier in the drive. Stein’s team perfectly executed an end-of-half drive to convert a 39-yard field goal to take a four-point lead into the locker room.

But that optimism quickly disappeared in a crushing sequence at the end of the third quarter that turned a close game into just another in a long line of comfortable Alabama victories in the series.

In Stein’s first chance for a marquee win, Kentucky’s record against the Crimson Tide fell to 2-40-1 with a 45-17 defeat. Alabama outscored UK 32-0 in the second half.

Stein’s high-octane offense floundered with just 209 yards. Quarterback Kenny Minchey converted 18 of 31 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown. He threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, lost a fumble and was sacked four times.

Kentucky was flagged for eight penalties for 70 yards and negated any advantage from forcing three Alabama turnovers with three turnovers of its own.

Turning point

Kentucky was down only six points late in the third quarter with its defense playing well when Stein called a fake punt on fourth-and-3 from his own 32-yard line. Kentucky snapped the ball to tight end Henry Boyer, who rushed for 2 yards before being stopped short of the first down. Two plays later, Alabama scored a touchdown on a 3-yard carry from Daniel Hill, then converted the two-point attempt for a 14-point lead.

Player of the game

Alabama might have the best defense Kentucky faces all season, and the Crimson Tide lived up to that reputation Saturday. Linebacker Caleb Wilson totaled 12 tackles and two sacks. Defensive lineman Devan Thompkins totaled two sacks and forced a fumble. Linebacker Luke Metz scored on an interception return and added eight tackles.

Key stat

Almost nothing worked for Kentucky’s offense, but the struggles were particularly notable on third down with just 1 of 14 conversions. Kentucky did convert 2 of 4 fourth downs, but one of the failures there essentially ended the game on the fake punt.

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