Kentucky quarterback battle: Mark Stoops sheds light on Zach Calzada injury, Cutter Boley playing chances

As Kentucky heads into its third game of the season there are major question marks at quarterback. Starter Zach Calzada was injured late in the team’s loss to Ole Miss, potentially clearing a path for backup Cutter Boley to play.

Calzada has not participated in practice yet this week after suffering an undisclosed injury to his throwing shoulder. That could put Boley in line for a big role this weekend, potentially even as the starter.

“We’ve had no choice to this point to get Cutter all the reps with the ones, and so Zach, we’re going to take a look at him today and see where he’s at,” coach Mark Stoops said on an SEC teleconference call on Wednesday. “I anticipate that he will be available and ready to go, but we will see.”

So far this season, Zach Calzada has gone 25-of-53 passing for 234 yards, with no touchdowns and an interception. The offense hasn’t exactly been prolific.

Even had it not been for the injury, he might have been on the chopping block. But for now, the injury is taking center stage.

“We’ll see how he responds today,” Stoops said. “I’ll know more as the week goes on.”

Boley has only thrown three passes this season. He’s completed just one of them, albeit for a 38-yard gain.

It sure sounds like Stoops intends to get him some run, even in the event Zach Calzada is healthy. Stoops expanded.

“As I said earlier in the week on Monday during my presser, you hate to see any player get hurt at any position,” Stoops said. “But always my stance is I’m excited to see the next man up and see how they respond and see how they play.

“I understand the quarterback position is different, but with that being said, I am excited to see Cutter. I know he’s progressed a lot between the end of last season and this year. I’m excited to get him some reps in this game, one way or another.”

Zach Calzada transferred into Kentucky this offseason from Incarnate Word. He has thrown for 8,894 yards and 73 touchdowns in his career and is, by far, the most experienced quarterback on the team. But circumstance may well dictate that Boley gets the nod this weekend against Eastern Michigan.