Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley left Saturday’s game against No. 14 Vanderbilt in the second quarter after suffering a hard hit, but he impressively returned to the game after missing just five plays. Late in the first half, while scrambling on a 1st & 10 from his own 43-yard line, Boley connected with tight end Willie Rodriguez for a 13-yard gain. Unfortunately, as he released the ball, he collided with teammate Jager Burton, resulting in a jarring blow that caused his helmet to come off and his neck to snap backward.
Zach Calzada stepped in for Boley during his brief absence and struggled amidst the pressure, throwing an interception on only his third pass of the game. Calzada had opened the season as Kentucky’s starting quarterback but had not seen substantial action since a loss to No. 20 Ole Miss on September 6. In his short time on the field against Vanderbilt, he completed three of five passes for a mere four yards.
Despite the setback, Boley’s season has been on an upward trajectory, positioning him as a strong candidate for SEC Freshman of the Year. He has garnered the SEC Freshman of the Week title for three straight weeks. His initial award came following a 161-yard passing display in Kentucky’s 10-3 triumph over Auburn on November 1. Boley followed up that performance with 168 yards and two touchdowns in a dominant 38-7 victory against Florida on November 8, and most recently, he passed for 236 yards and one score in last week’s 42-10 rout of Tennessee Tech.
Head coach Mark Stoops has praised Boley’s impressive performances, stating, “You can’t say enough good things about Cutter and the way he is playing.” The coaching staff has recognized his potential and execution, highlighting that with a reduction in turnovers, he has consistently played exceptionally well.
As Boley continues to demonstrate his talent on the field, Kentucky fans remain optimistic about his future and contributions to the team’s success as the season progresses.