By LARRY VAUGHT
(LEXINGTON, Ky.)-Cutter Boley had been called the “future” of the Kentucky football program by coach Mark Stoops well before he won Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week three straight times.
Senior running back Seth McGowan has been a key component of UK’s offense this season and watched Boley’s progression as a passer and leader.
“I definitely think the sky’s the limit for that man right there just because of how young he is,” McGowan said. “When you have little to no hesitation at that age and with that little of experience, that’s a great quality to have. He’s been executing at a high level. I’m super excited for him. He deserves everything that’s coming towards right now.”
McGowan leads UK in rushing and admits Boley has pushed him to become a better player.
“Cutter is a great guy. He obviously cares about the guys when he’s out there on the field with them. You’re going to want to do your best when somebody next to you, right next to you is expecting your best,” McGowan said. “It’s been up to us to take control of the backfield, manage the protection, manage the run calls.
“He’s done a tremendous job at that and it’s been really easy to play off, extremely easy. It could kind of take a little bit of weight off your shoulders knowing that you got a guy back there that knows what’s going on and knows the appropriate decisions to make. It’s great playing with him.”
He’s also shown his toughness. Boley got knocked out against Vanderbilt when he injured his left AC joint – the joint where your collarbone connects to your shoulder blade – but missed only a few plays before returning to finish the game. Stoops was impressed by how Boley handled that situation.
“I love the way he handles himself. We all have to accept our part and it starts with me but I will take that guy any time,” Stoops said. “His attitude, his toughness … give Vandy credit but there are a lot of good days ahead for Cutter.”
(Vicky Graff Photo)
