Kentucky’s starting quarterback took a hit from the Ole Miss defense late in their game on Saturday, requiring an exit from the field and the chance for backup quarterback Cutter Boley to make his season debut. In just the second game of the season, the injury bug has made its return, and it’s now tied to one of the leaders of the offense.
I was pacing the sideline when Calzada first went to the bench, and amongst a big portion of the fans behind me chanting “Cutter Boley! Cutter Boley! Cutter Boley!” in applause for his appearance, I could see the starting quarterback getting extremely frustrated with his right shoulder from Kentucky’s bench. Likely both shoulder pain and frustration that his team was about to lose, it sucks to see it all unfold, but unfortunately that’s just part of the game.
It’s clear he’s definitely hurt, but as to just how much, we had to ask Mark Stoops in the postgame presser due to their not being an official report at that time. Calzada did not return to the field after exiting with 6:12 left to play.
Stoops says, “He’s hurt. I don’t know the extent. We were in the heat of the moment there. I’m not sure.”
While we await for official word to be released on how long they expect the injury to sideline the quarterback, I’d assume that with the way the schedule currently plays out, Cutter Boley starts and finishes the Easter Michigan game that comes right before the BYE week hits. This will give Calzada three weeks until a game appearance, while at the same time, seeing what Boley can accomplish in his first full game of the 2025 season.
We spoke to Zach following the game and he says that he’s not feeling too great.
In game one versus Toledo, Zach Calzada finished with a stat line of 10/23 passing, 85 passing yards, 0 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD, and 1 interception. The team had a total of 24 points.
In game two versus #20 Ole Miss, he would finish with 15/30 completions, 149 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and no interceptions. The team would finish with 23 total points.
When Kentucky returns from their BYE week in week four, they’ll be greeted with a road trip to South Carolina — a team they’ve lost three in a row to. Will we see Calzada return then? Who knows. Will the staff lock-in on Boley being the guy? Who knows. We’ve got some time to digest all of this before it all plays itself out.
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