Injury Update: DeAndre Square Eyes Return, Vanderbilt QB Uncertainty

Kentucky is not sure who will be suiting up under center for Vanderbilt Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats will have to prepare for two quarterbacks. They should get help from the UK defense’s most experienced leader, DeAndre Square.

An injury in Knoxville sidelined the senior linebacker at Missouri. This week he returned to the Kentucky depth chart and Mark Stoops is optimistic Square will be available against Vanderbilt.

“He has a chance (to play),” said Kentucky’s head coach. “We’ll know more today, but he’s definitely better and he’s going to go out there and do some things later this afternoon and test it out.”

Trevin Wallace started in Square’s absence and rose to the occasion. The true sophomore led the team in tackles with nine, including three for loss and a sack. He was Kentucky’s defensive MVP of the game. Ahead of road trip Wallace told Square he was nervous for his second career start. The veteran provided reassurance, pacing the way for a breakout performance.

“That tells me two things. Number one, the leadership of DeAndre doesn’t surprise me and the unselfishness of DeAndre doesn’t surprise me,” said Stoops. “But what’s also great to see is that nervousness comes from performing for his team. And not just being out there because ‘I want to play, I want to start.’ It’s ‘I want to play and I want to be effective.’ And I say this a lot to the team — It’s not about how you play. Yes, we take pride in our individual responsibility to perform, but more importantly, how does the team play when you’re in the game?”

DeAndre Square can become just the second Mark Stoops player to join Kentucky’s 300-Tackle Club during the final three-game home stand.

Injury Uncertainty with Vanderbilt Quarterback

Vanderbilt has played two quarterbacks throughout the 2022 season for various reasons. After starting with dual-threat QB Mike Wright, Clark Lea handed the reins to a freshman, AJ Swann. In his debut he lit up Northern Illinois for 255 yards and four touchdowns in a win. Swann was thrown for just shy of 1,200 yards, 10 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Swann already had two touchdowns under his belt when he suffered a lower body injury in the second quarter of Saturday night’s game against Vanderbilt. Wright threw for 101 yards and rushed for 43 yards in the 38-27 loss to the Gamecocks. “We’ll have to be ready for either or,” Stoops said Monday.

Will Levis playing through pain

Will Levis is banged up. To quote Rich Scangarello, “He’s tough as shit.” The Kentucky quarterback said he’s playing at about 75% and it’s limiting his mobility in the pocket. Mark Stoops said Monday it’s nothing that would endanger Will’s long-term health. It’s a testament to what kind of guy Will is.

“First of all, it doesn’t surprise anyone that he’s going to tough his way out again…” said Stoops. “… If you ask 95% of our football team right now, they’re hurting. You know, it’s a tough game, but it doesn’t surprise me with Will. Yes, the mobility (limitations) is unfortunate, for himself and for us, because we’ve seen what he’s done in the past with his mobility. We’ll continue to work extremely hard to get treatment and get him as ready as he can be to help his team.”