Kroger Field had a spectacular setting for Saturday night's game and quarterback Cutter Boley delivered a winning performance. (Keith Taylor/Kentucky Today)
By LARRY VAUGHT
He was not perfect, but redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley certainly did help put some sizzle into the Kentucky offense for the first time this season during Saturday night’s 48-23 win over Eastern Michigan.
Boley made his first start of the 2025 season — and second start overall since he also got the ball to close the 2024 season against Louisville. He went 12 of 21 passing for 240 yards and two touchdowns — another one was negated by a penalty — with no interceptions.
“Cutter was very poised,” UK coach Mark Stoops said after the game. “It was nice to see him get the ball down the field and for us to make some tough catches for him.”
That started on his first pass when tight end Josh Kattus went up to make an acrobatic catch. Boley had placed the ball where only Kattus could go to get it, and he did.
“I told the team they needed to step up and make plays around him,” Stoops said. “I was pleased with the way Cutter played. There are still some plays that were left out there. Those were read plays. Those just come with playing. Those are things he will get more comfortable with.”
Yes he will and that’s why, at least to me, it was a bit perplexing when Stoops responded to a question about whether Boley would still be the starter in two weeks when UK plays at South Carolina in its next game or if Stoops would go back to Zach Calzada, who threw for only 234 yards in two games before being injured late in the loss to Ole Miss in the previous game.
“I don’t think that is right for me to make that decision until I watch the film, see where Zach is at, and talk to my players. That would be reckless of me (to name a starter),” Stoops said. “I was not surprised by the way Cutter played. I thought Cutter did a very good job, and we will see where it goes from there.”
Not right for Stoops to make the decision? So does that mean if Calzada is healthy, he starts?
And since when does a SEC head coach consult with his players about who the starting quarterback should be? What is he going to do, take a team vote, and the quarterback with the most votes starts?
If he truly thought “Cutter did a very good job” as he said, then won’t it be reckless of Stoops not to give the player he’s called the “quarterback of the future” the next two weeks to get a lot of reps with the No. 1 offense and then let him cut it loose against South Carolina in two weeks?.
Boley said simply that he was “happy to get out there” and credited coaches and teammates for making him comfortable.
“I can really trust those other 10 dudes on the field (with me),” Boley said on the UK Radio Network.
Boley said things are coming more naturally and added it was a “good thing for the quarterback and OC (offensive coordinator) to be on the same page” during games. I think Kentucky fans would say a huge “AMEN” to that.
The redshirt freshman quarterback said he tried to keep the same thought process all week leading up to the game, knowing he was going to start.
“I play better when I am calm and under control. I am going to be calm no matter what. It is very important for everybody to be able to look to you and you reassure them,” Boley said.
Boley has learned that he must be “decisive” when making decisions and not hesitate.
“Double-clutching and overthinking last year (caused problems). I have to know the game plan and be decisive. I know where the answers are and where to go,” he said.
Now, Stoops needs to be the same way. Be decisive and give Boley another start. Nowhere are the answers for his future quarterback, and give Boley time to play and develop, and to me, not doing that will be reckless behavior by the Kentucky coach.
26 Responses
I am not sure Boley or Calzada is looking forward to playing Georgia next Saturday, but Boley deserves more PT while Calzada heals up.
I agree we will need both QBs going forward. I do believe Calzada would have had similar or a little better success against the worst defense in college football Eastern Michigan. I do have to say Boley is getting better and that's a great sign of what's to come from him. He will be the starter the next 3 years. 2026-2028 and he will get a little better every year. There is a reason Calzada was the starter. I do think he's a little better than Boley but not by much and Boley is catching him more every game. I think when it's all said and done, if Boley stays here and doesn't transfer I think he could end up being a top 5 QB in Kentucky history. He can play now. I just think Calzada might give a little better chance of winning IDK I could be wrong.
With Ky being off next week, they have plenty of time to get Boley ready for SC. It's obvious Boley should be QB1. Stoops is being coy about who is going to start. I don't blame him for not showing his hand this early.
Very happy to get the W, but this team obviously was not prepared AGAIN to start the game and ready to roll. We need a total coaching turnover to get this team back to respectability in SEC. Hamdan still be totally clueless as to how to execute and always has to "look at the film" He continues to play vanilla with no real creativity or deception. Our tight ends are finally getting some looks and conversions bu.t almost nada from the wideouts….out 2 keys ea had 2 receptions. There is very little optimism that this week off will correct or improve anything and a very good chance this team goes winless in conference. Our rumored rebuilt BBW should have been able to totally control the interior and only did a couple of times in 2nd half. Our first down execution on both offense and defense were horrendous the whole game.
stoops needs to go now. He should resign. He does not want to be here, but he must feel trapped since no one else wants him.
If it is not his decision about who will be the starting QB, then whose decision is it? He has always controlled the offense up to this moment in time.
He's not going to get the money he is making at KY ANYWHERE. We're stuck with him.
It is shameful that the whiners come on here and complain after a good win. The crybabies should resign from being Ky fans. Stoops didn't say it wasn't his decision who starts at QB. The Whiners doesn't want Ky to win because they wouldn't have anything to complain about. "Pony Up" and be real fans or get the hell out.
Jimmy……you are being too complacent and willing to accept bottom feeding in the conference. Stoops decline started 3 yrs ago and has been non stop ever since. His recruiting (coaching and players) is average at best and player development and team buy-in very low visibility. The whiners want and deserve change. This is not what UK FB should be.
I can count on one hand the good seasons Ky football has had in its 100 plus years of existence. Stoops has been better than any other coach at Ky and to expect him to work miracles in college footballs current state is unreasonable. If the Big Boohoo Nation thinks there is a coach out there that can raise Ky's ceiling higher than Stoops has, they are delusional. You know Bear Bryant went 8 straight years without winning a bowl game at Alabama then won a Championship. Not saying Stoops can do that at Ky, but he can make them good again.
I will take Rich Brooks over Stoops any day, He related to the players very well and engaged with them during the game. Stoops does not have much interaction with his players. Spends more time clock watching and showing us the Snarl. Stoops has lost the BBN.
There really is no QB controversy except with the fans. Calzada played against a team that should go undefeated in the MAC and a possible playoff contender if the win out the rest of there games. The next game we played a true playoff contender. Who has one of the best coaches in college football. Don't forget Boley did all this against a defense that got torched for over 600 yards (Long Beach State) had almost 200 more yards then we did and they are division 2 basically and we are a SEC team. Boley missed as many open receivers as he hit. Just barely throwing over 50% against the worst defense we will face all year. Unless Boley starts improving every game I still think Calzada has a small leg up on Boley. I think Calzada would have passed for over 300 yards against eastern Michigan. If he threw for 156 yards against Ole Miss he could surely double that against the worst defense in college football. What happened to Dowdell? I seen that Patterson was picking up all the extra carries. Also when Eastern Michigan went down and scored late in the fourth quarter it killed me on bets. I gave eastern Michigan 25.5 and won by 25. Stoops knew the line. All we needed was a field goal at the end. If It was lane Kiffin he would have went for points at the end for the fans. Stoops doesn't care if you win money as long as you donate money. I'm not knocking Boley on this comment. I think next year he will be much better than Calzada is this year. I just don't see it this year. I've been to practices and watched them both 100s of times. Calzada has a much stronger arm. The only thing that is keeping Cutter close to him in the competition is that Cutter has a extra year in the system and of course knows all the plays a little better than Calzada. I think if they were neck and neck in this area everyone would see that Calzada gives us the best chance to win now. Why do you think he beat out Cutter for the starting spot. They wouldnt just give it to Calzada there was a QB competition and Cutter lost to Calzada and Stoops knows this that's why he's not just giving Boley the starting job. I do believe if he was going to start Cutter they would have gave him some snaps against Toledo. Toledo has a great defense. Idk I do know South Carolina's hesiman candidate QB got hurt as they got destroyed by a Vanderbilt team as I watched them against South Carolina that looked much better than Kentucky. We can beat South Carolina especially if there QB is injured they become one dimensional. We should also have Waller back against South Carolina which we will have 2 shut down corners. Nichols who has been starting for Waller isn't quite ready. The Eastern Michigan QB knew wherever Nichols was lined up that's where he was going to throw the football. We almost had 3 ints against eastern Michigan if our corners had better hands and knew were the ball was in the air. I would start over if I was Stoops. Another QB competition for the next 2 weeks may the better man win and whoever doesnt win needs to be ready. It's a good problem to have 2 capable QBs.
So, last night was a "big win" and I am forced to ask, what defines a "big win"?
Rating systems like Sagarin and others had #44 UK a 24 point favorite at home over #159 EMU. Vegas opened at 24 points, and at game time the line I think had risen to 26 points.
UK wins by 25 points.
How is that a big win? I agree it is a win. It is exactly the outcome that one should anticipate from a top 50 team against a top 160 team.
So, if a fan is happy that the UK football program is in reality a top 50 (rank in the 45-55 range), and 15th out of 16 in the SEC, then I suppose last night's 25 point win over mighty EMU may have seemed big.
However, Coach Stoops showed me not many years ago that he, and the UK program can be competitive in the SEC. Since that time, this program has been in steady decline.
Many people focus on the results of the last 3 seasons, but I encourage everyone to reckon back to the season that started with Rodriquez on the sidelines due to some mysterious infraction. In my opinion, this program has been in decline since that season.
Stoops no longer wants to be here. He showed his hand with Texas A&M. Unfortunately for him, that blew up in his face. But unfortunately for UK too, because Barnhart gave Stoops a contract that UK cannot afford to breach.
Stoops should do the right thing right now, RESIGN effective at the end of this season.
If you think Stoops can't get a coaching job somewhere else, you're in denial.
Jimmy, I cannot believe you do not understand my point. Who is in denial?
Oh yes, he does make $9+ mil / year here. Nothing close will ever be available to him again.
I think this season will determine Stoops future at Kentucky. If it's not his last then 2026 will surely be his last. I think Barnhart is waiting for the contract to get a little smaller then Stoops will be gone. My problem with that is I think Sumrall will get a good gig after this year whether it be at Kentucky or wherever in the power 4. He could have a couple of rinky dink jobs in the power 4 after last year but he didn't want to just spend one year at Tulane. I do believe if Tulane can keep him for one more year he will be the coach of Kentucky in either the 2026 or 2027 season. He would absolutely love to coach Kentucky who wouldn't not want to coach there alma mater.
With a few exceptions, KY has always been a day late on coaching selections. We ran Bear Bryant off and it's been down hill since.
We were so busy kissing Rupp's ass back then that we didn't even know that Bryant had an ass…and Rupp wanted it that way. Rupp put Kentucky at the top of the college basketball world but forever made sure that the University would never have a football team that would reach the same level.
Season Coach Bowl Opponent Result
1947 Bear Bryant Great Lakes Bowl Villanova W 24–14
1949 Orange Bowl Santa Clara L 13–21
1950 Sugar Bowl Oklahoma W 13–7
1951 Cotton Bowl Classic TCU W 20–7
1976 Fran Curci Peach Bowl North Carolina W 21–0
1983 Jerry Claiborne Hall of Fame Classic West Virginia L 16–20
1984 Hall of Fame Classic Wisconsin W 20–19
1993 Bill Curry Peach Bowl Clemson L 13–14
1998 Hal Mumme Outback Bowl Penn State L 14–26
1999 Music City Bowl Syracuse L 13–20
2006 Rich Brooks Music City Bowl Clemson W 28–20
2007 Music City Bowl Florida State W 35–28
2008 Liberty Bowl East Carolina W 25–19
2009 Music City Bowl Clemson L 13–21
2010 Joker Phillips BBVA Compass Bowl Pittsburgh L 10–27
2016 Mark Stoops TaxSlayer Bowl Georgia Tech L 18–33
2017 Music City Bowl Northwestern L 23–24
2018 Citrus Bowl Penn State W 27–24
2019 Belk Bowl Virginia Tech W 38–30
2020 Gator Bowl NC State W 23–21
2021 Citrus Bowl Iowa W* 20–17
2022 Music City Bowl Iowa L 0–21
2023 Gator Bowl Clemson L 35–38
Kentucky vacated all 2021 wins in August 2024. NCAA probation for paying players for work not performed, a self reported violation by Dr. Caliputo in 2024.
Kentucky is technically 3-4 in bowl games under Stoops. Bear Bryant and Rich Brooks had the most bowl success, both 3-1. With the SEC bringing in Texas and Oklahoma and going to a 9 game conference schedule next year, I don't see Kentucky EVER playing in another bowl game with Stoops as its coach…maybe never again period.
I think Kentucky needs to leave the SEC in football and play as an independent. We could still play Tennessee every year for those who are gluttons for punishment; and Vanderbilt, but their program is on the rise currently. Add Louisville to that schedule, Western Kentucky, Murray State, Indiana, Toledo, Georgia Tech, West Virginia, Memphis, and 3 Popcorn State teams (Eastern Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and East Tennessee State) to improve the odds of a bowl bid. This is far from being a Cupcake schedule but a respectable one in which true rivalries could be garnered. Sure, we would lose money by leaving the SEC, but we could have realistic expectations of winning seasons and bowl games again. We would never qualify for the national championship playoffs, but we are never going to do that anyway. I would buy season tickets and travel to the away games of such a schedule, would anyone else?
I had paused my comments because I was so sick of seeing nasty childish comments by the one big whiner on VV. Today, after seeing him whine about everyone who posted, I decided to defend my fellow VV’ers and Larry V for all presenting valid and indisputable points.
So many excellent points made by so many VV’ers and only 1 belly-aching whiner who does not have a clue.
TheProfessor, Barry, Big, Mike, RJohn, Terry, (apology of if I missed any) all have valid points.
Was Stoops at the game?
He has to watch film to see if Boley should start? What a pathetic lack of decision!
Does the OC have any say about the starting QB? Obviously not because no reference to discussing it with the OC was made.
Boley is the only chance UK can win 6 and therefore extend the $9+ Mil gift money to Stoops another year.
If Stoops continues to prove his total lack of any knowledge about offense, he will bench Boley and UK will struggle to win 4 or 5 games which should send Stoops packing. But maybe it won’t because e UK AD may give him a raise!
Glad you are back LIttle Baron. We all have opinions and hope you will keep sharing yours
Thanks VERY MUCH Larry!
You’ve restored my desire to continue on the best sports site in the nation – VV!!!
Wishing you the very best in all things, safety, health, writing, enjoying family & keeping the faith that guides you daily. A tragic time in the USA and the petty things (agree/ disagree) about sports red to be kept calm, sane and minimal to ensure we stand together with fellow Americans in these days.
God bless you and all who believe and all who need to believe!
Thank you Little Baron
Larry this is what this forum is all about…sharing our opinions and I appreciate you allowing us to do so. This is not meant to be a debate to be won or lost though…each person speaks their mind, but this should be about sharing opinions ONLY, not attacking those who don't agree with us. To say you aren't a true Kentucky fan and supporter because you have critical things to say about a particular topic is just wrong. The University of Kentucky and BBN are bigger than that and better than that. I have been guilty of doing the same thing in the past and it's time for all of that to come to an end. Everyone in BBN bleeds blue. There are enough Kentucky haters outside of BBN as it is. Let's agree to disagree on things and support the University of Kentucky even though we don't like some of our coaches. This is America, not Russia…everyone has a voice here.
Excellent! Totally agree!
With you Barry. We all have opinions and ideas. Sometimes we are right, sometimes we are not. And sometimes we really just don't know everything going on
I take up for Stoops. I don't whine about him or anything to do with UK because I'm a FAN not a LITTLE, ENTITLED, CRYBABY because I don't get my wishes.