No. 8 Alabama clinched the SEC West with a 49-21 win over Kentucky in Lexington on Saturday behind a six-touchdown performance from quarterback Jalen Milroe.

“No matter how many times you’ve done it before, you’re happy for the group of guys, what they’ve done, how they improved, how they worked hard all year,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said after the game. “I’m really proud of this group. I love this group, this team. Hopefully, we keep learning and getting better. It gives us an opportunity to play for the SEC championship.”

Milroe finished the day 16 of 23 for 240 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 36 yards and three scores on eight carries. He didn’t play the fourth quarter. He became the first Alabama player in history to run for three scores and throw for three more.

“He’s done a great job,” Saban said of his quarterback. “He’s stayed very positive about what he had to learn to improve and get better, learned how to play the next play. He’s done a fantastic job for us. The team has confidence in him, and he’s become a leader. We’re really excited that he’s given us an opportunity to where we want to go.”

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The Crimson Tide (9-1, 7-0 in SEC) clinched the division for the first time since 2021. The SEC Championship Game is set for Dec. 2 in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

A week after rushing for a career-best four touchdowns, the sophomore quarterback led the Crimson Tide into a third conference championship appearance in four seasons. Milroe passed for his three of four TDs by halftime, including strikes of 26 and 40 yards to Amari Niblack and Kobe Prentice. He ran for two 1-yard scores and a 3-yarder. Kentucky’s Ray Davis rushed for two shorts TDs.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.