Cutter Boley flashed arm talent, QB1 potential in appearance versus Texas

Kentucky is past the point of moral victories as the team improved to 4-0 against-the-spread (ATS) in games against playoff contenders, but they are at a point for building for the future. We’ve gotten to see what that future could look like over the last few games as younger players started to receive more snaps. True freshman Cutter Boley is a player many in the Big Blue Nation have been anxiously waiting to see.

You saw playmaking and glimpses of potential in Boley’s first extended playing time against an SEC team. The four-star prospect led five drives and helped create four scoring opportunities. Kentucky could not generate any points from those drives but Boley passed the eye test in a big way.

Each week, we recap the three plays that made the biggest difference in the game. We’re putting a twist on this week’s exercise. There were some mistakes by Boley (dropped shotgun snap, taking some bad sacks) but there was also off-script playmaking and some big boy throws.

Let’s check out No. 8’s best plays from the performance as we could be entering his first week as Kentucky’s QB1.

Cutter Boley gets vertical quickly

On Cutter Boley’s first snap of the game, Kentucky goes to a boot concept from under center, and Texas EDGE Trey Moore is ready for it. Boley is unable to throw away the football and that creates a huge second-and-long.

On his second snap against a top-five defense, the young quarterback flashes his big arm on a go-ball to Barion Brown down the sidleine.

The ball travels about 46 air yards and takes advantage of some bad eyes by Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron. This throw was nearly a house call but Boley did a good job of not overthrowing his receiver and gave Brown a chance to catch the ball. You would probably like to see a more aggressive play at the catchpoint to keep forward momentum but it was still a huge play.

Texas did not get caught peeking inside the rest of the game and had much better coverage on go routes from this point forward but Boley immediately flashed his ability to stretch the defense.

Tough against the rush

On that same drive, Kentucky faced a third-and-medium at Texas 46. Cutter Boley then delivered the best throw of his collegiate career.

Bush Hamdan dials up a trips formation into the field with a pre-snap motion for Ja’Mori Maclin into the slot. That motion gives the wideout a running start but Texas brings seven rushers against a seven-man protection. Boley has to get the ball out quick. The quarterback stands in under pressure and makes a beautiful touch throw that travels 31 air yards while taking a hit.

This play would be negated by a holding call but Boley showed the ability to stand in against the rush and make an accurate throw under pressure. Kentucky has had issues generating big plays from a muddy pocket. Boley showed a lot with a throw that didn’t count. This type of throw should excited anyone and everyone involved with the program. Big-time stuff.

Off-script playmaking

On Kentucky’s third possession of the third quarter, the offense got great field position after a Tre’vonn Rybka forced fumble turned into a Deone Walker fumble recovery. On first down at the Texas 32, Cutter Boley goes off script.

The quarterback breaks contain towards the sideline and delivers a small window throw with velocity to tight end Willie Rodriguez in between three Texas defenders. This is a candidate for best throw of the season.

Rodriguez broke off his route in the scramble drill and Boley delivered an absolute dart on the move to create a goal-to-go possession. Nothing went right after that as the possession ended with a missed field goal but Boley again showed off his arm talent.

The young quarterback flashed the ability to stretch the field, hit small window throws on the run, and stood in the pocket to deliver a touch throw on third down. Boley has a strong foundation as a quarterback prospect and it’s easy to see the high ceiling with the young player.

Kentucky needs someone to build around at quarterback. That has never happened with a high school prospect in the Mark Stoops era. Maybe Cutter Boley can be the player that changes that.