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Kentucky apparently will have starting quarterback Devin Leary running the offense when it hosts No. 8 Alabama Saturday.
He was knocked out of last week’s win with Mississippi State by what coach Mark Stoops said was “blurry vision” after the game. However, Leary said Tuesday he went through concussion protocol Sunday and has been cleared to play this week.
“Devin’s a competitive kid and he wants to be out there and play for us this Saturday, and that’s the goal,” offensive coordinator Liam Coen said. “He’s doing everything he can to put him in a position to be able to play on Saturday and we’re expecting him to be available and be ready to go.”
Leary was much more definitive about his status.
“I’m good to go. Just got a little bit banged up but feel really good now and 100 percent for this week,” Leary said after Tuesday’s practice.
Leary had his best game against Tennessee two weeks ago and led UK to a 24-3 win at Mississippi State last week to break a three-game UK losing streak. He’s now thrown for 8,712 yards and 86 touchdowns in his collegiate career.
Leary has shown an uncanny knack for avoiding sacks and getting out of the pocket at times and not even Coen is sure how he has done it.
“He’s played a lot of football. He knows how to use leverage and momentum against people. Where he’s got a rusher coming, and he knows how to utilize their momentum and his to be able to push them off,” Coen said.
“He’s a little bit stronger than I think people give him credit for, especially in his lower half.”
Leary said there’s no magical formula for what he does.
“I just try to see through the rush. That’s something that I had to learn at a young age,” he said. “Whether it’s a D-tackle, linebacker, corner blitzing at you. Being able to see through the rush, keeping your eyes downfield to your receivers, and being able to move your feet to see the throws.”
