When Mark Stoops declared, "I want to see Cutter," following the Ole Miss loss, he was giving voice to a sentiment shared by the entire Big Blue Nation. Now, with reports confirming Cutter Boley will get the start against Eastern Michigan, the head coach is getting his wish. But this isn't just a reaction to an injury; it's the perfect, calculated opportunity the program has been waiting for.
A rocky road to QB1
The offseason quarterback journey was a winding one. Offensive Coordinator Bush Hamdan, looking for "his guy," explored options like former Duke QB Malik Murphy before landing on SEC veteran Zach Calzada. The hope was that Calzada could be a steady bridge, but through two games, the offense has sputtered. Calzada completed just 47.2% of his passes for a total of 234 yards with no touchdowns and 1 INT, struggling with the indecisiveness that Hamdan himself recently highlighted.
Now, the keys are being handed to the quarterback of the future according to KSR. And unlike last year, when a freshman Boley was thrown into the fire against tough defenses, this situation is an ideal launchpad.
The ideal opponent
To put it bluntly, Eastern Michigan is the weakest team on Kentucky's schedule, by far. Their defense has been porous in their first two games:
- Against Texas State, they gave up 52 points and a staggering 606 total yards, including 392 on the ground.
- Against Long Island University, they still allowed 28 points and 479 total yards.
This is the definition of a "soft landing." It's an opportunity for Boley to build confidence, find a rhythm with his receivers, and execute the offense against a non-threatening defense without the immediate fear of a relentless pass rush.
Add in the fact that Kentucky has a bye week immediately following this game, and the timing becomes perfect. Boley gets a full game of live reps, and then two full weeks for the coaching staff to coach him up, analyze the film, and prepare him for the true start of the SEC gauntlet. This isn't just a change; it's a strategic plan to set their young quarterback up for success.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time, he spends time with his family, and watching Premier League soccer. Psalm 121:7-8. #UpTheAlbion