Mark Stoops’ Kentucky team let Alabama football get off to a hot start Saturday in Lexington. The 21-0 early deficit would prove too much for the Wildcats to overcome, and the Crimson Tide won 49-21, clinching the SEC West in the process.

After the game, Stoops praised Alabama’s performance.

“We didn’t match up very well today,” Stoops said. “We didn’t get off to a very good start, and we didn’t get much better after that start. So again, give them credit. I think that’s a football team that is getting better and better, getting stronger and stronger as the year goes on, and I think they’re gonna make a strong push here late.”

Jalen Milroe continued his recent excellent play, throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for three more against Kentucky. That performance came despite Milroe appearing to suffer a thigh injury early that required him to get treatment and ride an exercise bike on the sideline between drive.

Stoops described how Milroe went about torching Kentucky.

“He does a phenomenal job of buying time in the pocket and hurting you,” Stoops said of the QB’s effort. “He’s such a threat to run it and early he bought the time and hit the receivers down the field.”

Alabama has had trouble protecting Milroe throughout the season. However, he wasn’t sacked against the Wildcats.

Stoops was unhappy with that stat.

“I thought it was very poor,” Stoops said. “At times, some movement, we got some negative yardage plays and then they came back and converted, converted some third downs and it was very disappointing. And yeah, we did a very poor job of getting pressure, whether it was straight rushing or pressures, any of it.”

During Stoops’ tenure at Kentucky, he’s elevated the program from the depths of the SEC, to a consistent bowl contender. However, the Wildcats haven’t been able to compete with the talent at the top of the league.

On Saturday, Stoops was asked how he responds to his team having bad games against top teams.

“I think the ability to get up is one thing,” Stoops said. “I think the ability to compete with some of the top 10 teams, I think some of these teams are (ranked) one and two, I think will be one and two. That’s a little different than some of your average teams, but there’s nothing average about (Alabama).

The Wildcats currently sit at 6-4 on the season, 3-4 in SEC play. Kentucky will be back in action next week at South Carolina before traveling to Louisville to complete the regular season.