Kentucky got routed, but Cutter Boley still rewrote the record book

Kentucky didn’t have many bright spots in Saturday’s loss at Vanderbilt, but redshirt-freshman quarterback Cutter Boley continued to write his name in the program’s record book.

Boley completed 26 of 44 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns, another strong statistical showing in what has quietly become one of the best freshman quarterback seasons Kentucky has ever seen. His 26 completions and 44 attempts are the most for a UK freshman since Jalen Whitlow went 29 of 45 at Tennessee back in 2012.

Boley’s 280 yards were also historic. No Kentucky freshman has thrown for more in a road game since Jared Lorenzen’s 328 at Tennessee in 2000. Boley now joins Lorenzen as the only UK freshmen to hit the 280-mark away from home in the last 25 years.

He also set a major program record on Saturday. With 12 touchdown passes against SEC opponents this season, Boley now owns the Kentucky freshman record for most SEC touchdown throws. Lorenzen held the previous mark with 11 in 2000.

Even more impressive is his long-term efficiency since taking over for Zach Calzada mid-season. Over the last six games, Boley has completed 71.7 percent of his passes, going 137 for 191 during that stretch.

Kentucky’s season will come down to next week’s Governor’s Cup game at Louisville, and Boley will walk into that matchup playing the best football of his young career.

Notes on Boley’s targets from UK-Vandy

• Frankfort native Fred Farrier caught his first touchdown as a Wildcat and the third of his career.
• Oklahoma transfer J.J. Hester had a career-long 41-yard reception for a TD. The transfer has four TDs this season, all in the last five games.
• Tight end Willie Rodriguez caught a career-high six passes for a career-best 78 yards.

More game notes: UKAthletics.com: Kentucky-Vanderbilt Postgame Notes