Mark Stoops explains why Cutter Boley made his college debut in UK's loss at Florida

Down 21 to Florida in the fourth quarter, Kentucky turned to Cutter Boley, a true freshman, to finish out the game at quarterback. Boley’s college debut didn’t go as he dreamt it would. He threw a pick-six interception on his first collegiate pass, chucking it right into the arms of a squatting corner who ran 29 yards the other way for a Gator touchdown.

Boley was given another drive, and though he never connected on a pass, he showed some potential for down the road with composure and a nice touch on a couple of throws, one of which was reviewed and should’ve been a long completion to Demie Sumo-Karngbaye. Three of Boley’s six attempts were over 15 yards.

After the game, Mark Stoops explained why he called QB3’s number in Gainesville. First, Stoops clarified that Gavin Wimsatt, the backup to starter Brock Vandagriff, had no problem with Boley taking the keys from Vandagriff at the end of the game.

“Gavin’s gotten plenty of reps,” Stoops said. “He knows that. Gavin completely understood that. It was more a matter of just getting Cutter an opportunity.”

As for Boley’s first live reps at quarterback, Stoops told reporters, “You’re throwing him right into the wolves’ den there, but, you know, it’s a tough situation for him, but he can handle it. It was hard. Until you get in there and see it, and, obviously, this a very tough place to throw him right in there, but he’s a tough young man, mentally. He loves it... We just wanted to get him some reps. You know, it’s hard to simulate all that stuff in practice and there’s nothing that could compare with game reps.”

Stoops added that after Boley threw the interception, he told Stoops, “Put me back in and let’s go.”

[Mark Stoops’ Postgame Press Conference – Florida]

No expected changes to personnel

During Stoops’ postgame interview with Tom Leach, Leach asked if Stoops would consider making any personnel moves after losing two straight games.

“We’re playing the best personnel we can,” Stoops replied. “We need all hands on deck. We’re getting thin. We’re getting thin. We’ve just got to get some of the best guys we can and, you know, that’s it. Just gotta keep on working.”