Mark Stoops benches Brock Vandagriff vs. Texas, hopes Cutter Boley 'can provide us a spark'

As Kentucky came out for the second half against Texas, Mark Stoops made a change. Cutter Boley came in at quarterback, relieving Brock Vandagriff as he hoped to “provide us a spark.”

Vandagriff has started every game for Kentucky this season after transferring from Georgia, and Stoops said earlier this week that would again be the case against Texas. He entered Week 13 with 1,542 passing yards and nine touchdowns, along with seven interceptions.

However, Vandagriff struggled in the first half of Saturday’s game. He went just 3-for-7 for 51 yards with a touchdown and an interception. At the break, Stoops opted to bring in the true freshman in Boley, he told ABC’s Katie George.

“I just talked with Mark Stoops. … They’re gonna make a change at quarterback,” George reported out of halftime. “We are gonna see Cutter Boley come in and start the second half for the Wildcats. He said, ‘We hope he can provide us a spark.'”

Boley arrived on campus this year as a four-star prospect out of nearby Lexington Christian Academy, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 389 overall player and No. 25-ranked quarterback from the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Before Saturday, Boley logged two appearances for Kentucky. In that time, he completed 10-of-20 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns while adding 21 rushing yards on his two carries.

But despite Brock Vandagriff’s up-and-down season, Stoops said the Georgia transfer would stay the starter as Kentucky went into DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium for the final SEC matchup of the year. He said Vandagriff earned the chance to stay in the starting role against Texas.

“Brock’s our starting quarterback and he’s earned it and worked his tail off,” Stoops said. “Cutter’s a very talented young player that we’re excited about. The reason I say that — it’s like that in every position but everyone wants to over-exaggerate the quarterback position.”