Cutter Boley, Jalen Farmer win SEC Weekly Awards after Auburn win

Two Kentucky Wildcats earned recognition from the SEC following Kentucky’s win at Auburn, the first conference victory of the season. Quarterback Cutter Boley was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week, and guard Jalen Farmer won SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week. Boley shares his award with Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor, while Farmer splits his with Ole Miss’ Jayden Williams.

Let’s start with Boley, who didn’t have his best day, completing 18-29 passes for 161 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, but still led the Cats to the 10-3 win, his first on the road and the first for a Kentucky freshman quarterback in an SEC road game since Morgan Newton at Georgia in 2009. With the game tied at 3-3 at the start of the second half, Boley steered a 75-yard touchdown drive, capped off by a 13-yard pass to Kendrick Law. He also rushed four times for 24 yards on non-sack plays.

“Cutter definitely missed a few things, but I was so pleased because that’s what it’s going to look like a lot of times on the road in the SEC against a great defense,” Mark Stoops said of Boley at today’s press conference. “[Auburn is] a very good defense. And I thought it just showed a lot of toughness, a lot of grit, and a lot of resolve.

“I mean, he just hung in there. Maybe he missed a pass or two, but he didn’t flinch. After the interception at the end of the first quarter, what did he do? I think he completed 11 straight after that. I mean, that just says a lot about him, and the things we’ve been talking about with him, and the way he’s going to grow from this experience. You love it when maybe he’s not at his peak performance, but yet still has the resolve to get the victory.”

The Big Blue Wall helped Boley keep his cool. Jalen Farmer graded at a team-high 81% and played all 64 offensive plays. The junior from Covington, GA had zero missed assignments and/or penalties and did not allow any quarterback sacks or pressures. He also totaled seven blocks at the point of attack. With Farmer and the offensive line’s help, Kentucky totaled 240 yards of total offense and controlled the ball for 31:46 against an Auburn defense that came into the game ranked No. 5 nationally in rushing defense, No. 21 in scoring defense, and No. 29 in total defense.

Congrats to Boley and Farmer on their honors. Let’s get some more vs. Florida on Saturday.