Cutter Boley maxed out his preparation ahead of EMU: 'I've prepared every week like I'm the starter'

Going into his redshirt freshman season, Cutter Boley was never quite sure when his opportunity would come, but he knew he’d be as ready as possible when it did.

Boley entered the 2025 campaign as Kentucky’s backup quarterback to seventh-year veteran Zach Calzada. As most know by now, Calzada was brought in to be the starter back in the offseason, although a QB battle brewed as we inched closer to the season-opener. Calzada ultimately landed the job, but Boley’s approach never wavered. After a couple of disappointing showings from Calzada, compounded by an injury late in game two, Boley was given his moment, a moment he’d been patiently waiting for.

And the Bluegrass native did exactly what the Big Blue Nation was hoping for.

“I just stayed in the moment,” Boley said after leading Kentucky to a 48-23 win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday. “I feel like that’s been a big thing for me is just not making things more than they are, kinda staying to me, staying true to myself. I’ve prepared every week like I’m the starter. I’ve just maxed out my preparation to make sure I’m as comfortable as I can be when I get in there, and that’s paid dividends.”

Boley looked the part of the four-star talent he was as a high school recruit out of Lexington Christian Academy. The 6-foot-5 signal caller tossed the rock 21 times against the Eagles, completing a dozen of those passes for 240 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. It certainly wasn’t a perfectly clean game from Boley, particularly due to a handful of throws into coverage that he’d probably like to have back, but you couldn’t have asked for much more in his first game of the season.

His pair of passing touchdowns marked the first two of Kentucky’s season. Seven of Boley’s 12 completions went for 20 yards or more after the Wildcats recorded zero of them in the opening two games. He even showed off his legs, scrambling for 24 yards on five carries. Head coach Mark Stoops wouldn’t immediately say if Boley would remain the starter moving forward, but he showed enough on Saturday to prove he’s worth a serious look.

“I thought he did a really good job for his second start,” Stoops said of Boley. “Was much better prepared, he operated very good. I thought we were much more clean in our operation. Tonight, it was a point of emphasis for us all week. I thought he did a very good job of managing the game. So, I’m happy for that.”

Boley made sure to credit both Calzada and third-string quarterback Beau Allen for giving him feedback and helping encourage him throughout the week and into Saturday’s game. The youngster will need those two veterans in his corner if he ends up claiming the starting role the rest of the way. He’ll certainly have plenty of outside supporters in his ear in the meantime — there was a large crowd of Boley fans (family members included) waiting outside Kroger Field to greet their favorite player after his big game.

“That’s awesome. That’s the biggest thing for me is my friends and family,” Boley said. “My family has just been so supportive my entire life. I’m so happy they’re all able to be here, every gameday, and that just means the world to me to have them all there.”

If Saturday’s game was any indication, the Cutter Boley Fan Club might need to start printing more application sheets.

The Cutter Boley Fan Club was eager to celebrate his first win. pic.twitter.com/QFgicQ0xrg

— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) September 14, 2025