Kentucky uses tight ends to help solve explosive play problem

Perhaps no fan base in college football loves tight ends more than the Big Blue Nation. Kentucky’s supporters are always wanting to get the football to the big pass catchers. Those fans got their wish on Saturday night at Kroger Field.

In Cutter Boley‘s first start in 2025, the redshirt freshman quarterback targeted tight ends Josh Kattus and Willie Rodriguez seven times for five receptions, 89 yards, and two touchdowns. Both players had some nice moments in the red zone, but the biggest plays came in the splash play department.

Kentucky has had problems creating explosive plays. The Wildcats used the tight end position to help fix that problem in Week 3. Bush Hamdan‘s offense finished the game with eight plays of 20-plus yards. Kattus and Rodriguez help get it all started with three receptions of 20-plus yards in the first half.

The tight ends are quickly becoming a huge part of this passing game.

Josh Kattus gets the party started

On Kentucky’s second possession, the Cats used three consecutive runs to create a second-and-nine at their own 37. Bush Hamdan would then dial up a play-action throwback concept with wide receiver Kendrick Law replacing in-line tight end Josh Kattus in protection.

Eastern Michigan identifies the design and gets locked on in coverage but a good throw and catch beats solid defense.

On Cutter Boley’s second throw of the game, the young quarterback give Kattus a shot at the ball and delivers a throw in time before the safety can get over. Kattus then climbs the ladder to make a competitive catch. This would not be the senior’s only contested catch of the game.

Kentucky’s second touchdown drive got rolling thanks to the first explosive play being produced by a play-action throwback to the tight end.

Cutter Boley hits the seam on third-and-forever

In that same possession, Kentucky would immediately get a holding flag on the play right after the Josh Kattus reception. That led to a first-and-20. That first-and-20 turned into a third-and-19. Cutter Boley then found a way to extend the drive on that low percentage down.

How did he do it? By finding his other tight end up the seam.

Kentucky draws up a four verticals concept on this passing down. Willie Rodriguez is the No. 2 wide receiver to the left in the boundary. The big target runs up the seam giving Cutter Boley a big target. The quarterback decides to take advantage of the open window presented in zone coverage and puts this ball right on Rodriguez. The sophomore tight end makes a secure catch and ends the play just outside the red zone.

UK would score a touchdown four plays later to take a 14-0 lead with 5:32 left in the first quarter. The Cats would own a double-digit lead for the rest of the game. Two big explosive completions to the tight ends helped get this offense rolling.

Josh Kattus finishes in tight coverage

Holding a 21-6 lead with just over five minutes left in the second quarter, Kentucky began their fourth touchdown drive of the game. The drive got rolling thanks to a big explosive play on the first play.

Cutter Boley breaks out of the pocket and finds Josh Kattus down the right sideline. The senior makes another competitive catch.

.@cutterBoley is just getting started 🚀

📺- ESPNU pic.twitter.com/rf8XRxfQ96

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 14, 2025

Boley flashes off some of his playmaking potential, and once again gives his target a chance to catch the football despite there being some tight coverage. Throughout the game, Kentucky’s young quarterback was not afraid to throw the ball up to his guys even if the windows were small. His tight ends rewarded him for putting the ball in play.

Kentucky hit the explosive play button on Saturday night by getting the football to the tight ends.