Cutter Boley has completed 25 or more passes in three straight games. (Vicky Graff Photo)
In Southeastern Conference games against Georgia, Texas and Tennessee this month, redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley has completed 82 of 118 passes for 813 yards — almost seven yards per attempt — and seven touchdowns with just three interceptions. He’s even rushed for a touchdown.
He has completed at least 25 passes in all three of those games, set a new freshman touchdown pass mark with five against Tennessee and freshman completion percentage (79) against Texas. racked up 330 yards and five touchdowns on 26-35 passing with 31 rushing yards on seven carries, hitting marks matched by only four other SEC quarterbacks in the last 30 years. Tim Couch is the only other Kentucky gunslinger to throw for at least 330 yards and five touchdowns on 74-plus percent passing in a single game.
Against Tennessee in UK’s most recent game he was 26 of 35 passing for 330 yards and five touchdowns with 31 yards rushing on seven attempts. Tim Couch, a former No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick, is the only other Kentucky quarterback to throw for at least 330 yards and five touchdowns and complete 74 percent of his passes in a single game. Only three other SEC quarterbacks in the last 30 years did what Couch and Boley did.
Boley started the season as the backup quarterback behind transfer Zach Calzada, who lasted only two games before Boley took over. However, coach Mark Stoops said on the SEC Coaches Teleconference Wednesday indicated he had no regrets about the quarterback decisions.
“I don’t think that’s fair to say that to Zach and to others. Listen, it’s never on one guy. You’ve heard me say that many times, and it’s true,” Stoops said. “I think we’ve grown. I think it’s fair when you struggle, that you all share in that, us, me as the head coach, play calling, protection, catching the ball, you name it. There’s a lot that goes into it.
“I’m very happy that Cutter is progressing the way he is. And I think what’s really impressive about Cutter is that each game, each start, he seems to be getting better and better. And you love that, but you have no way of knowing what’s going to happen in the future.”
Isn’t a coach supposed to figure out how players might play and who is the best player? Isn’t that the coach’s job?
After the Tennessee game, Stoops said it was impossible to know what Boley’s ceiling might be.
“He’s only a redshirt freshman. Pretty impressive against some very good defenses. Very happy with that. And as you can see, when he’s playing at that level, it makes everybody better,” the Kentucky coach said.
Boley would not second guess Stoops or offensive coordinator after the Tennessee loss dropped UK to 2-5 going into this Saturday night’s game at Auburn.
“These guys are in here working their tail off every single day, coming to the facility, regardless of the circumstances. And I’m really proud of these guys. I’m really proud of our coaching staff. They’re in there busting their tails upstairs and putting us in the best positions to try to win,” Boley said.
3 Responses
Of course not…..
How does he have no regrets when he could have just made Boley the starter after last year and the almost a million dollars we gave Calzada could have went to a couple more offensive lineman and a couple more playmakers. So how does he not regret this decision? If he would have went all in on Boley he would have started against Toledo and ran with the first team offense all off-season. Instead of getting just 20% of the reps can you imagine how much better he would be if he got 100% of the reps in the off-season. He would be much further along than he already is. Now that we know if he comes back he will be the starter. Next year we will have a great offense. If we can retain all the freshman and redshirt freshman we will have a good team next year. Maybe have a shot at the playoffs next year. The good news is 2027 will be Kentucky's year to really make some noise. If we can get a better head coach one that can take Boleys game to the next level. Does anyone know the status of Jamarion Wilcox? Is he done for the year or does Stoops plan on playing him sometime this year? I know he will transfer out at the end of the year. Me personally I think he is the one player who would make this offense flow even better. Really it should have been a running back competition between Wilcox and Patterson. McGowan will be gone after this year. Dowdell has one year of eligibility left but I don't think he will ever be a good running back in the SEC hes to slow. Hes also not a power runnner like I thought he would be. Every time it's third and short or 4th and short he never gets the first down or touchdown. He was supposed to be one of the best power running backs in all of college football last year for Nebraska. Then he comes to Kentucky and can't get a first down. We struggle on short distance situations and long distance situations. I feel better when it's 3rd and 5 or 3rd and 6 then when it's 3rd and two or one. Everyone in the world knows we are going right up the middle. So they cheat and stack the box so of course we can't get the first down when they have 9 guys in the box. We need to work on a play were Boley gets it and pitches it to the outside to McGowan or Patterson. Dowdell is a step to slow for the SEC. I think he will be one of the first people to transfer. Which he should. Why dont we ever mix it up a little. Have Calzada play at tight end he's 6'4 235 pounds. Have a play were he runs in motion you pitch it to him and he hits a receiver wide open. We had a play were Law had Gilmore wide open streaking down the field. I could have made the throw and Law throws it about 15 yards past the receiver. It's plays like that, that we need to work on. We need more trick plays. Or throw it to a receiver or tight end and have another receiver behind them and when they catch do a backwards lateral to the other receiver that's streaking past. The only way Stoops keeps his job is if we find a way to win 6 games. I think we can win against both Auburn and Florida. If we win both of those games. Then beat Tennessee tech we can split the Louisville and Vanderbilt games and still make a bowl. This isn't a easy schedule we still play 2 ranked teams out of the last 5 games. On paper our team is actually better than Louisville and Vanderbilt but when it comes to coaching and getting the players ready and motivated I would take Brohm or Lea over Stoops. I think both of them are much better coaches. Thos might be Clark leas last year at Vanderbilt.
He's not going to admit he was wrong
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