Cutter Boley is getting better daily according to UK coach Mark Stoops. (Vicky Graff Photo)
During his weekly radio show Monday night, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops was reminded about the 2016 season when he could have been on the verge of losing his job after UK started 0-2 and gave up 42 points in a loss to New Mexico State.
Starting quarterback Drew Barker was injured and Stephen Johnson took over at quarterback to spark the Cats. Kentucky finished the regular season 7-5, including a win at No. 11 Louisville in the final regular-season game. That turned an 0-2 start into a bid to the TaxSlayer Bowl that started a run of bowl games that ended last season when UK finished 4-8.
You might remember that with Johnson at quarterback, UK relied on running backs Boom Williams, Jojo Kemp and Benny Snell for offense and had future NFL players Josh Allen and Mike Edwards to anchor the defense that made a remarkable turnaround during the season.
Now UK is 2-1 but is going to Cutter Boley at quarterback after starter Zach Calzada was injured and clearly Stoops wants to rely on running backs Seth McGowan, Dante Dowdell and Jason Patterson to carry the offense.
Stoops told UK play-by-play voice Tom Leach comparing this year to the 2016 season was a “great comparison” even if he did not remember the exact season record.
“Stephen turned out to be one heck of a ball player. Definitely the traits of those teams, we were always very physical up front and able to run the ball while playing good defense,” Stoops said.
Can Boley spark a resurgence like Johnson did?
“We’ve been watching him for a year and a half now and you just see a guy that’s getting better with every opportunity,” Stoops said. “He’s getting more confident in the pocket, making better decisions. I just think he understands the offense that much better, so it gives you a lot of optimism moving forward.
“He is very comfortable off-schedule, and he’s one of those guys who wants to evade the pressure and move in the pocket to throw the ball down the field, which we like. He’s been very accurate with that. He places the ball in some really good spots on the move, and he’s really always done that, even when you got to watch him last year on scout team.”
McGowan is averaging 91.6 yards per game with six touchdowns while Dowdell is averaging 71.3 yards per game despite being slowed by an injury. They are the only teammates in the top 10 of SEC rushing yardage.
“Seth is a guy that just brings some juice to our team, not just with his play. I think he’s got a really fun personality and guys like him. He’s ultra competitive and he has a skill set, he’s a guy that can run with some power. He can make people miss,” Stoops said.
“We haven’t gotten to it enough yet, but he’s dynamic with catching the ball as well, so he’s really a complete back, and a guy that’s created some explosive plays for us. We need to continue to feed him and get him involved in as many ways as we can.”
Stoops noted that certain players have “God-given ability” and coaches have to turn them “loose” to use that ability.
“Dante is like that. Once the lights come on in a game, he really takes it up another level,” Stoops told Leach.
Redshirt freshman Jason Patterson did the same thing in last week’s win over Eastern Michigan when he got his chance with Dowdell out. He ran 13 times for 80 yards and a score in the fourth quarter.
“It was really good to see JP get some touches and get some action. He really did well. We’ve been confident in him, it’s just — he has two really good players in front of him,” Stoops said. “He’s been reliable, a guy we trust, and I’ve said that, and everybody got a chance to watch him play this last week. There’s a perfect example of a guy just constantly doing his work and going about his business, doing things the right way. When you get your opportunity, it’s not just about playing, it’s about playing well and helping your team. He was able to do that.”
