Boley gives UK offense a spark in 48-23 win over Eastern Michigan
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky found the spark it was hoping to see from Cutter Boley on Saturday against Eastern Michigan.
The Wildcats’ redshirt freshman quarterback, starting for the first time this season in place of ailing senior Zach Calzada, threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns in leading Kentucky to a 48-23 win over the Eagles at Kroger Field.
Boley, a local product from Lexington Christian Academy, may have tossed three other touchdown passes, but two were negated by penalities, and one was unable to be secured in-bounds.
“I thought he did a really good job for his second (collegiate) start,” UK head coach Mark Stoops said. “He was much better prepared. He operated good. I thought we were much more clean in our operation tonight. It was a point of emphasis for us all week, and he did a very good job of managing the game.
“Overall, very pleased.”
It marked Kentucky’s highest passing output of the season. The Cats threw for only 272 yards combined in their first two games of the season.
Boley was effective in spreading the ball around to his offensive weapons. Seven different players caught at least one pass, including five and both touchdowns by often-overlooked tight ends Josh Kattus and Willie Rodriguez.
“I got to hit my roommates for touchdowns tonight, both of ’em,” Boley said with a laugh, noting that he hopes maybe that will exempt him from paying rent this month.
Kentucky (2-1, 0-1 SEC) also rushed for 252 yards, including a 104-yard, three-touchdown effort from senior running back Seth McGowan. He became the first UK player since 1984 to have six rushing touchdowns through his first three games of the season.
“He’s a guy that runs with a lot of energy,” Stoops said of the New Mexico State transfer, who began his career at Oklahoma. “He’s kind of wild with the way he runs. I don’t know what’s gonna to come out, you know? It’s between him and God. He’s been running very tough, you know, very tough yards when he has to. But also, he’ll make some very drastic cuts and moves. I’m very pleased with the way he’s playing, too.”
Eastern Michigan (0-3, 0-0 MAC) racked up 461 yards of total offense, including a 330-yard passing day for grad senior quarterback Noah Kim, but the Eagles managed only three trips into the UK red zone on the day.
“They’re a good team, first class, you know, just seems like a first-class organization and operation, and I hope that they have a great season,” Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton said of the Wildcats.
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In our Rapid Recap feature, we touch on some quick-hitters from the Kentucky win…
GAME BALL:
Cutter Boley, Kentucky — The homegrown quarterback looked good in his first start at Kroger Field, giving the Wildcats balance they haven’t had through two games this season. His ability to move in the pocket and locate receivers downfield brought a new dimension to the UK offense. Not only did he pass for 240 yards and run for 24, but Boley also had a turnover-free night.
BY THE NUMBERS:
1st – Time for Kentucky having two different tight ends catch a touchdown pass in the same game since Izayah Cummings and Justin Rigg on Nov. 6, 2021 against Tennessee. It also marked Willie Rodriguez‘s first collegiate touchdown.
3-0 – The Wildcats’ all-time record against EMU.
5.5 – Yards per rushing attempt by UK.
20.0 – Yards per pass completion by the Cats.
28 – First-half points by Kentucky were the most for the Cats since posting 35 against New Mexico State on Nov. 20, 2021.
58,489 – Announced attendance at Kroger Field.
QUOTABLE:
“We need to play that better at the end of the first half.” — UK head coach Mark Stoops on allowing 10 points in the final 96 seconds of the second quarter.
UP NEXT:
The Cats have their first open date of the season coming next week. They will travel to South Carolina on Sept. 27 for a matchup with the Gamecocks (2-1, 0-1 SEC), who lost 31-7 to Vanderbilt tonight in Columbia.