Mark Stoops addresses decision to replace Brock Vandagriff with Gavin Wimsatt vs. Auburn

Quarterback Brock Vandagriff has started all eight of Kentucky‘s games this season, with backup QB Gavin Wimsatt subbing in occasionally. However, after Vandagriff led Kentucky on four straight fruitless drives to close the first half on Saturday against Auburn, UK head coach Mark Stoops started Wimsatt in the second half.

Wimsatt found even less success than Vandagriff. The Rutgers transfer completed just 3-of-his-10 pass attempts for 34 yards. He failed to throw a touchdown but threw an interception. Further, Wimsatt only recorded 23 rushing yards on nine carries.

Kentucky didn’t score in the second half and ultimately fell 24-10 to the Tigers. After the game, Stoops addressed his decision to bench Vandagriff for Wimsatt in the second half.

“No health situation. Just wanted to get a good look at Gavin and see if he can help us move the ball,” Stoops said. “I don’t want any headlines on that. Gavin has been playing all year. We had planned on putting him in the third series of the game. But we moved the ball very well in the first two.

“You’d be asking me why in the world did I take [Vandagriff] out when we were moving the ball. You know what I’m saying? I think we judge that and say we are moving the ball pretty good, let’s stick with what is going right. We went three and out and you know, that’s it.”

Wimsatt’s role has been limited with the ‘Cats this season, typically coming into the game in short-yardage situations or when Kentucky is in the red zone. Wimsatt isn’t nearly as consistent of a passer as Vandagriff, only completing 46.3% of career pass attempts.

However, he’s a talented rushing threat and tallied 11 touchdowns in the ground game last season. Unfortunately for Wimsatt, he didn’t appear to be the answer to Kentucky’s offensive woes on Saturday.

Following the game, Mark Stoops explained why he didn’t put Vandagriff back in the game despite Wimsatt’s lackluster production.

“We were not moving it very well; it went relatively fast,” Stoops said. “I think at that point we did get it down to the two and once again we can’t punch it in. We got an opportunity there to cut it to a one-score game. And we failed.”

On Saturday, Kentucky will have another opportunity to have an improved offensive showing as it squares off against No. 7 Tennessee at 7:45 p.m. ET. The game will air live on the SEC Network.