Stepping Out Of Conference
Losers of four straight, Mark Stoops and the Kentucky football team get a break from SEC play this week. In a 1:30 game on SEC Network Plus the Cats look to stop their skid. On paper, this seems what the doctor ordered. However, as we all know in college football the only that’s for sure is nothing’s for sure. The BBN may get a good look at a future signal caller. Let’s break it down as Kentucky desperately needs a win.
Seeing What He Can Do
At this point in the season, every team could use an off week. However, in the Wildcats case, they needed it more than just about any team in college football. Two weeks ago they put up a valiant effort in a ten-point loss to Tennessee. This despite missing several starters on both sides of the ball, especially on defense.
As if that wasn’t enough quarterback Brock Vandagriff left the game with a head injury and receiver Barion Brown was injured too. Going back to the signal caller Gavin Wimsatt has had mixed results spelling Vandagriff. It’s been heavily rumored freshman Cutter Boley will get an extended look this week.
The former four-star recruit from Lexington Christian Academy has appeared in one game in 2024. He handled mop-up duties in the Cats during a blowout loss at Florida. Boley went 0-for-6 and threw a pick-six. During practice last week he received a great deal of reps with the first-team offense. Boley can play in the last three games and still keep his redshirt. Against what should be an overmatched foe why not?
Speaking of the opponent let’s introduce you to Murray State as Kentucky desperately needs a win.
Scouting The Racers
Murray State is coached by Jody Wright, who is in his first season. Previously he spent two years as the tight ends coach at South Carolina. So far 2024 hasn’t gone the way the Racers had hoped. Currently, they are 1-9 and 0-7 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Their lone win came back on September 14th when they beat Mississippi Valley State 59-8. This is their second match-up with an SEC school as they lost 51-0 to Missouri in the season opener.
Jayden Johannsen is the man under center for Murray State. He’s completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,405 yards and seven touchdowns. However, he’s been picked off 10 times. Jawaun Northington is the team’s leading rusher with 457 yards to go along with six touchdowns. Right behind him is Q’Daryius Jennings who has 388 yards and two scores. When Johannsen throws the ball his favorite target is J’Kalon Carter. The junior has 31 receptions for 368 yards and a touchdown.
On the other side of the ball, Murray State is giving up 45 points a game and nearly 500 yards. Six of the ten Racer opponents have scored more than 50 points. Overall they rank 123rd in FCS in points allowed and 118th in yards per play giving up nearly seven yards a pop.
Now that we’ve introduced you to the Wildcats opponent let’s give you some history.
Series History
Saturday marks only the third time the Cats and Racers have met on the gridiron. To no great surprise, UK leads 2-0. The first meeting back in 2003 Kentucky easily won 37-6. The last time they met was in 2018. Terry Wilson threw for 163 yards and ran for another 80 in a 48-10 romp. In addition, Lynn Bowden hauled in eight passes for 89 yards.
It’s prediction time as Kentucky desperately needs a win.
Who Wins On Saturday?
During his Monday press conference, Stoops played it close to the vest concerning his starting quarterback. Since this isn’t a conference game Kentucky doesn’t have to put out an injury report. That means we may not find out who the starter is until the opening snap.
On Saturday the Cats are facing one of the worst teams in college football’s FBS level. The Racers haven’t been able to stop anyone this season. That sounds like the perfect prescription for a Kentucky offense that’s struggled all year.
In a game like this, it makes sense to give Boley a shot and see what he can do. After all, sitting at 3-6 it’s going to take a miracle to make a ninth straight bowl game. Look for Boley and a lot of younger Wildcats to get playing time. This is exactly what UK needs before finishing up with Texas and Louisville.
Kentucky 52-10
Thanks for checking out our preview as Kentucky desperately needs a win. We’ll be back after the game with a recap.
