{"id":6827,"date":"2017-04-18T17:31:24","date_gmt":"2017-04-18T21:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordoncollegefootball.com\/?p=6827"},"modified":"2025-09-13T15:18:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T19:18:05","slug":"kentuckys-spring-football-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2017\/04\/18\/kentuckys-spring-football-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Takeaways From Kentucky’s Spring Football Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before an announced crowd of over 37,000, the annual spring game was a success for Mark Stoops<\/a><\/strong> and the Wildcats. The Blue beat the White 31-14, as two back-ups were the stars of the game.<\/p>\n

Here are Four Takeaways From Kentucky’s Spring Football Game:<\/h2>\n

The Wildcats have depth at quarterback<\/h3>\n

If you look throughout the history of Kentucky football, the Cats have only had one player under center who is of SEC caliber. However, that is far from the case in 2017. Backup quarterback Gunnar Hoak<\/strong> was the star of the spring game throwing for 174 yards and three total touchdowns.<\/p>\n

While incumbent Stephen Johnson<\/a><\/strong> struggled in the spring game from being “too greedy”, the redshirt freshman served notice that he is ready if needed.\u00a0Johnson\u00a0completed only\u00a0eight of 18 passes for 106 yards and an interception.\u00a0In comparison, Hoak\u00a0looked\u00a0very calm in the pocket. In fact, offensive coordinator Eddie Gran<\/strong> is confident the Cats can and will<\/em> win with Hoak under center.<\/p>\n

Along with Hoak, former starter Drew Barker<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0had a very good spring after missing most of\u00a02016 with a back injury. Johnson is still the leader in the clubhouse, but the coaching staff feels good knowing they have three quality quarterbacks.<\/p>\n

They found their compliment to Benny Snell<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After Stanley “Boom” Williams<\/strong><\/a> declared for the NFL Draft,\u00a0Kentucky spent the spring finding a player to compliment Snell.\u00a0That is where Sihiem King<\/a><\/strong> comes in. Running for\u00a0107 yards and a two touchdowns, King established himself as that player.<\/p>\n

\n

"I'm gonna break out that lightning." Running back Sihiem King on set talking about life after Boom Williams.
WATCH https:\/\/t.co\/9iXwVV4JIB<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Vv6CRB6Ton<\/a><\/p>\n

— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) April 15, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n