Cutter Boley in Rarified Air as True Freshman Starting Quarterback

The 30th anniversary of the renewed rivalry between Kentucky and Louisville in the Governor’s Cup will start with some history. Cutter Boley is set to become the first true freshman to start at quarterback for the Wildcats in this series.

Mark Stoops announced on Monday that the LaRue County native will step in for Brock Vandagriff, who started in the first 11 games of the 2024 Kentucky football season.

“When a young man’s ready, he’s ready,” said Stoops. “This is his first start. I feel like he’s ready for that, and I’m excited for him, excited for our team.”

It’s exciting to see something rarely seen by Kentucky football fans.

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True Freshmen in the Governor’s Cup

Boley is the first true freshman to start for Kentucky in this rivalry game, but he’s not the first to play in it. Back in 1996, Kentucky and Louisville each had a couple of phenoms from the state. Neither started, but each threw a touchdown pass in the first game of their prolific passing careers.

Billy Jack Haskins was the starter in Bill Curry’s triple-option offense, but Tim Couch entered the game with the Wildcats trailing and threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Curtis, the first score of Couch’s record-breaking career. Couch finished the day 8-20 for 101 yards and one touchdown. Louisville Male product Chris Redman subbed in late for Jason Payne in the fourth quarter, dialing up an 8-yard touchdown pass to give the Cards a 38-14 victory.

For folks who remember this game at Commonwealth Stadium, you will feel 100 years old when you see the handwritten box score that’s photocopied on UofL’s website.

Jared Lorenzen’s Memorable Kentucky Debut

People forget the controversy surrounding Jared Lorenzen‘s debut. Dusty Bonner was exceptional during Lorenzen’s redshirt season in 1999. Despite his play, Hal Mumme was ready to hand the keys to the redshirt freshman, leading Bonner to transfer to Valdosta State where he was a two-time Harlon Hill winner as the best player in FCS.

This dynamic made for a highly-anticipated debut in the Governor’s Cup and Lorenzen delivered in the ways only Jared could. His first snap was the longest run of his career. Jared celebrated so much, that he later would joke that he was too out of breath to call the next play. The final stat line from his first start: 22-34 for 322 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. One of the most chaotic games in the series’ history ended with Tony Stallings rushing 25 yards to clinch a UofL win in overtime.

Most Recent Kentucky True Freshmen Starters

Destin Wade — Will Levis opted out of the 2022 Music City Bowl, so Mark Stoops gave the keys of the offense to the Nashville native. Wade didn’t stand a chance against the best defense in the nation, finishing 16-30 for 98 yards and two interceptions.

Randall Cobb — In 2008 the wide receiver/quarterback became the first true freshman to win an SEC road game in school history when he guided the Cats to a 14-13. Cobb alternated QB duties with Mike Hartline. The future Green Bay Packer caught three passes for 33 yards, he rushed for 31 yards and a touchdown, and passed for 56 yards and a score.

Morgan Newton — The Carmel, IN native planned on redshirting in 2009 when Hartline suffered an injury. Rich Brooks dabbled with Cobb at QB before turning to Newton, who started in the final eight games of the season. His most memorable performance was a three-touchdown game in a 34-27 win at Georgia, Kentucky’s most recent win Between the Hedges.