Cutter Boley believes Kentucky football can do something that has never been done before in Lexington

Nov 23, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Cutter Boley during the second half against the Texas Longhorns Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Nov 23, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Cutter Boley during the second half against the Texas Longhorns Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Cutter Boley’s postgame comments after Kentucky’s latest loss reflect a young quarterback with a competitive mindset and unwavering optimism. Despite a frustrating season for the Wildcats’ offense, Boley believes the team has a bright future—and the potential to accomplish something unprecedented at Kentucky. But will fans, who’ve grown weary of offensive struggles year after year under Stoops, share that belief? Kentucky fans are all too accustomed to the wait-until-next-year mentality already.

Boley’s Performance: A Spark Amid Struggles

Inserted mid-game, Boley offered glimpses of promise that have been missing most of the year:

  • Stats: 10-18, 160 yards, 1 interception.
  • Drive Success: Led Kentucky into scoring territory on four of five possessions, however, zero points from those opportunities, a recurring theme for the Wildcats in 2023.

“I was able to go out there and make some stuff happen,” said Boley, “but we have to put some points on the board.”

The inability to capitalize on red-zone chances has plagued Kentucky all year. Ranking 113th nationally in red-zone scoring percentage (76.92%), this offense has consistently squandered opportunities to stay competitive. (link to the Hamdan article here somewhere)

Learning Under Fire

Despite the offensive woes, Boley credits his readiness to veterans Brock Vandagriff and Gavin Wimsatt.

  • “I think I learned a tremendous amount from them throughout the year. Without them, I would not be as ready as I am today.”

The freshman quarterback’s poise and willingness to learn are encouraging, but the weight of expectations on his shoulders next year will be immense if the keys are turned over to the redshirt Freshman.

The Bigger Question: Fan Buy-In

Boley’s optimism is infectious for sure:

  • “We really believe we have something special moving forward. We think we can do something at UK that’s never been done before.”

But the fanbase remains skeptical. After another year of stagnant offense—marked by lackluster scoring, inefficiency, and uninspired play-calling—will supporters rally behind the program in 2024, regardless of who’s at quarterback?

What Needs to Change?

For Kentucky to regain momentum:

  • Offensive Scheme: Must deliver consistent, creative results that look like a modern offense.
  • Red Zone Efficiency: Kentucky needs to turn opportunities into points, something that hasnt happened this year at all.
  • Fan Engagement: A compelling vision for the future is necessary to restore belief and to get crowds back at Kroger field.

Boley’s leadership and confidence are vital, but without tangible improvements, Kentucky’s offense risks losing more than games—it risks losing its fans.