Cutter Boley Expected to Start at Quarterback for Kentucky vs. Eastern Michigan

After a rough two weeks for the Kentucky passing attack, Mark Stoops and Bush Hamdan are making a change. KSR has learned that redshirt freshman Cutter Boley is expected to take the reins of the offense as the starting quarterback when the Wildcats host Eastern Michigan Saturday night at Kroger Field.

Mark Stoops did not share the news publicly during Wednesday’s SEC Teleconference, but did state that Boley has taken all of the first-team reps this week. Despite Bush Hamdan’s statement on Monday night, Calzada still has not returned to practice.

Boley is stepping in for Zach Calzada, the seventh-year college football journeyman who suffered an injury to his throwing shoulder in the loss to Ole Miss. In two starts, Calzada completed 25-53 passes (47.1%) for 234 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. His QB rating of 80.49 is last in the SEC.

After Calzada’s fourth quarter injury, Boley entered the game for the final two drives against Ole Miss. He was just a hair away from connecting with Willie Rodriguez in the end zone to tie the game. Ultimately, that drive ended in a fourth-down sack. Trailing by ten with under two minutes to go, Boley’s 38-yard pass to Hardley Gilmore got Kentucky into field goal range for one final score.

Boley appeared in four games as a true freshman. He logged his first real snaps against Murray State. After throwing for two touchdowns against the FCS opponent, he got thrown into the fire at Texas and performed well. He could not get Kentucky to punch it into the end zone, but his 160-yard outing was enough to earn the start against Louisville. That’s when all of the good vibes soured. He was picked off twice and ultimately exited the game early with an injury.

A former four-star recruit and a Kentucky native, Stoops billed Boley as the quarterback of the future. When exactly his number would be called was unclear. That future felt distant until Boley became the most talked about player at fall camp.

“I don’t even know who he is at this point,” Ja’Mori Maclin said during fall camp. The wide receiver was blown away by Boley’s transformation leading into the 2025 season.

“When it comes to decision-making, he’s been very, very good compared to spring. He’s young, so it probably took him a little bit to slow down for him, but I think it’s slowed down for him well,” said Maclin. “He’s quick with his decisions, knows where guys are getting lined up, he’s orchestrating guys, done a very good job.”

Kentucky’s passing offense has been incredibly ineffective. It’s earlier than expected, but Mark Stoops is ready to give Cutter Boley an opportunity to lead the Wildcats.