Vicky Graff Photo
It’s no surprise that even though Georgia lost to Alabama last week and dropped in the national rankings that the Bulldogs are about a three-touchdown favorite over Kentucky going into Saturday’s noon game in Athens.
Kentucky redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley was 10-for-19 passing for 124 yards with two interceptions and a fumble — one interception was returned for a touchdown and the fumble was returned for a score on the next play in the 35-13 UK loss.
That was Boley’s first SEC start and first SEC road start and it figures to be even harder this Saturday at Georgia in a game that will be on ABC-TV at noon.
“We had a lot of self-inflicted wounds,”Boley said after the South Carolina loss. “There’s definitely a lot of plays we left out there on the field. But we just gotta get right back to it and keep getting better. I know the dudes in the locker room, I know the team we have, we can do a lot of things with this team.”
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops had a quick answer when asked about his message to Boley after the game.
“Cutter is a very good quarterback that’s going to have a very bright future. When you start on the road for the first time in the SEC, you’re going to take some lumps. We have to be good enough around him and as a team to overcome that. And we weren’t tonight,” Stoops said after the game. “We took some lumps and there’s some things to learn from, but he did some good things as well.”
Boley was sacked six times and under constant pressure after UK powered its way to a touchdown and field goal on its first two drives leaning on its running game. Boley seemed hesitant to throw at times, especially after the two second-quarter turnovers, but he also faced a lot of bad yardage situations.
“We’re so close. We just got to hit on a few plays, and we’re inches away from hitting on a few plays,” Boley said. “We just put everything together, we’re going to be alright. Like I said, I know the guys we’ve got in the locker room, the guys have unwavering confidence.
“I really do believe, and every dude in that locker room believes, we’re going to put it all together and do something special.”
Stoops admitted there was a fine line between offensive line protection breakdowns and Boley holding the ball a bit too long on some plays.
“They (UK offensive line) really set the precedent with the run game early. We were physical and able to really have some pretty good balance in the first half,” Stoops said.
That changed after a strip sack when for a South Carolina touchdown and the next UK play a tipped pass turned into an interception return for a score that turned UK’s 10-7 lead into a 21-10 deficit without South Carolina’s offense ever hitting the field.
“Where we gave up the sack, I think he was holding it a little bit. We need to look at some things and make sure we get the ball out of his hands quicker, or at least just protect him at that point,” Stoops said. “Even if he takes the sack right there, if we punt the ball and pin them, we were playing pretty good defense at that point as well. It was frustrating for us.”
Stoops is confident Boley will bounce back from the setback.
“It’s hard because this league is unrelenting. He has to learn by playing, and he will. He’ll take the coaching and look at things, and it’s not all on him,” Stoops said.
Transfer Zach Calzada started the first two games at quarterback before injuring his shoulder. Boley has started the last two games.
Stoops said after the South Carolina game that Calzada had been doing more recently.
“He was great in his attitude again. It’s frustrating for him. He’s doing everything he can, really trying to get out there this week,” Stoops said. “And he was close, and he was doing things, and he told me that he was available in an emergency situation. But he hadn’t had a lot of snaps, and he had not thrown the ball downfield much.”
6 Responses
I remember when coaches and players really looked like a loss bothered them. It seems as the times go on the competitive nature that used to define sports has been lost. No more are the Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson vs Michael Jordan rivalries. People just seemed like they cared more not to sound old. Nowadays when a team loses it always the same bs. We need to go watch film. Unless there is something in that film room that makes you run faster and play stronger and with more emotion I don't think a lot get accomplished in the film room. You basically just watch everything you should and could have done but didnt do. Seems like after a bye week and South Carolina getting pounded on 2 weeks in a row that we could have at least made it a competitive game. Yes turnovers are the cause, where is the urgency? I see no progress from anyone on the team from last year. Arent players supposed to get better every year. Look at Lovett. This is his fourth year getting playing time third year starting and our secondary is trash. I thought we had a lockdown secondary I was wrong. I was wrong about this team. I thought they would have more fight in them. I thought Stoops said if he gets backed into a corner he fights his way out. He couldnt fight his way out of paper bag. He looks like he can barely move. Stick a fork in him he's done. For anyone that attends the game Saturday quit bitching about the results. You are the problem for putting your support in failure.
Also look at Burton been here 4 years and looks lost more than any other lineman. All these veterans need to step up. The younger players are outplaying them. Besides McGowan who I think is a great running back who gets very little help. Other than him we suck and I doubt there is any drastic change that happens until a coaching change happens. He needs to be fired and quit making excuses.
Way way past time to give Beau a few series early in a game or to start the second half.
I agree, Perry. Way past time – years past time!!!
If the KY OC was a pilot, he would have flown into a mountain a long time ago.
I enjoyed your post about working with pilots & agree with all you stated. A special family member graduated Sum-a Cum Laude in 3 years while getting a Pilot’s license at the same time. A very sharp mind, well-focused when appropriate and readily sees the entire picture regarding many subjects. Now at 24, a pilot for a major carrier and about a year from probably being a Captain.
How many UK coaches & players give a hoot about UK? How many have an above average IQ? Just look at the results and the answer seems to be “not many”