Brock Vandagriff Remains QB1 for Kentucky

Kentucky is not making a late-season shake-up at the quarterback position. Head coach Mark Stoops confirmed the Cats will be rolling with Brock Vandagriff on Saturday night at DKR.

“Brock will be under center, and Brock has given us a chance to win on the road and beat a playoff team and had an opportunity in some others,” Stoops said during his Monday press conference.

“Brock’s done some really good things as well, but we will absolutely continue to have Cutter (Boley) ready and get them those first, second team reps, and just get him ready and keep on developing him. We certainly like what we saw in one half of football. But again, Brock has done some really good things in some really, really tough, hostile environments to put us in a position to win.”

Vandagriff has started in every game this fall, even if it hasn’t felt that way. Gavin Wimsatt took at least a half-dozen snaps in seven games. Boley played well in the second half of the Murray State blowout, completing 10-14 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

“I thought he looked really good. I thought he made really good decisions. I thought he looked comfortable, and he has a lot of talent. Those are things we saw in practice and in games, it’s good to see him get some game reps. I think we all know it’s a little different with playing the team that we just played at home, or playing one of the other SEC schools on the road.”

Boley’s exceptional play and a few head-scratchers from Vandagriff had many speculating that Kentucky might make a switch at the position to end the season. The Georgia transfer threw two short deep-balls in the first quarter. One should have been picked but bounced into Hardley Gilmore‘s hands for a 52-yard touchdown. The second pass that was intercepted was a miscommunication. Vandagriff was expecting a post near the middle of the field, but the young wide receiver stayed vertical. Nevertheless, was a mistake, one the coaches are willing to live with their starter.

He later added, “Brock’s our starting quarterback, and he’s earned it, and he’s worked his tail off. Cutter’s a very talented young player that we’re excited about.”

Stoops Shares Two Long-Term Injuries

That was not the only personnel decision announced on Monday. For just the second time this season, Kentucky updated its depth chart.

Jamarion Wilcox was finally added to the equation, while D’Eryk Jackson and Gerald Mincey were removed. The right tackle transfer from Tennessee is out for an extended amount of time with a knee injury. It’s safe to assume he won’t be back in action this season. When asked if the linebacker could return for another year, Stoops said it’s possible and they will have that conversation at the end of the season, but it sounds like we may have seen the last of D-Jack.

“I believe he could, but that was never in the plan… He has given us everything he has and we appreciate it. I really appreciate him and his leadership and his toughness. He’s been a really steady guy for us. So it’s disappointing that he had to have season-ending surgery.”

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