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Takeaways from Kentucky’s 29-13 loss to Auburn

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Kentucky entered the first game of the 2020-21 season with tons of hype surrounding the program. Terry Wilson’s return to the field along with the Cats having an outstanding O-Line lead many to believe Kentucky would come away victorious. However, the eighth ranked Auburn Tigers and Bo Nix had other plans.

Although Kentucky had a fantastic first half, it was quickly overshadowed by a missed touchdown call on a run by Chris Rodriguez. I honestly have no idea how the refs missed it, but they did. This was followed by a pick-six that was then brought back by a targeting call on Auburn, making the halftime score 8-7.

The second half was entirely different. Kentucky’s offense was stagnant and the defense couldn’t stop the Tigers. All of that and three turnovers and the Cats lost a game a lot of people thought they could win.

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Here are some takeaways

Chris Rodriguez did(n’t) score

We all saw the same play right? I guess the officials on the field didn’t, because somehow, they ruled Rodriguez short by a yard.

The officials did makeup for the call by going to instant-replay to see if CB Roger McCreary stepped out-of-bounds on his pick-six. Instead, the play was brought back, targeting was called, and Kentucky went to the locker room down 8-7.

If they get the call right and Kentucky goes to the locker room up 14-8, I think the game is completely different.

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He was in.

Terry Wilson

Terry Touchdown stepped on the field for an actual football game for the first time since September 7th. There was some definite rust from the second-year QB and some mistakes that cost Kentucky the game.

I love Terry, but he made a lot of mental errors today. Dumping it off when an off-sides penalty was called, throwing it away on a two-point conversion, and had some bad reads.

Wilson was 24-37 for 239 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. These stats aren’t bad, but they will be overshadowed by bad decisions and turnovers.

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Bo Nix is really good

Joey Gatewood lost the starting job to Bo Nix. I have never seen Gatewood play, but I can see why Nix got the job over Gatewood.

Nix was 16/27 for 233 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran five times for 34 yards. He picked Kentucky apart all game throwing and running. That and he has a guy named Seth Williams to throw to who’s pretty good.

BossManFat (Kelvin Joseph) got a warm welcome to SEC Football

The BossMan didn’t live up to his name today. Not even close. He got some air-time this afternoon with an unsportsmanlike penalty for shoving an Auburn receiver for no reason and got dunked on by Seth Williams.

I’d change the Twitter name if I was him.

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REPORT: Liam Coen Leaving Kentucky for NFL Offensive Coordinator Position

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UK Athletics

On the eve of a huge recruiting weekend for Kentucky football, the program has received some bad news. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen is leaving for the NFL again, this time taking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator position.

When Coen returned to Kentucky last offseason from the Los Angeles Rams, for his second stint as offensive coordinator, he talked about Lexington being a place that he and his wife had missed. In his return press conference, on January 12, 2023, he went as far as saying he wanted to be somewhere for a “few years”, at least.

“I want to go somewhere, make a real impact. Plant some roots for a little bit. Be somewhere for a few years — at least — that you feel really good about. I’m excited about being back in Lexington… I’m not in a rush to go anywhere.”

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That “few years” was just a year, but to be honest, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. After many games last season, Coen talked to the media with frustration about fundamental things such as lack of discipline and dropped passes. Even then, it always felt he was holding his words back. With his name circulating around multiple NFL jobs, it was clear this was the direction it was heading.

Now for Kentucky, it’s about getting the next hire right. In a time where offense is becoming the premium in college football, going through five offensive coordinators in ten seasons is not ideal. Paying $1.8 million to Coen, they have shown they will pay amongst the top in the country. Now, go get someone who keeps this core of offensive talent, can recruit, and brings much-needed consistency.

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A Piece of Will Levis’ Historic NFL Debut Displayed in NFL Hall of Fame

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis after his NFL debut.
© Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

During last year’s NFL Draft, Will Levis was one of the last players left in the green room after dropping to the second round. That moment fueled Levis, and he’s since earned the starting quarterback spot with the Tennessee Titans, appearing to have a bright future with the team.

Entering the season with no shortage of motivation, Levis entered the franchise as QB3 and wasn’t even on the active roster for the first six weeks of the season, being deemed the “emergency quarterback.” However, following an ankle injury to Ryan Tannehill in Week 6, the Titans gave their rookie quarterback an opportunity.

Levis certainly capitalized and had one of the best debuts in NFL History, throwing for 238 yards (19/29 passing) and four touchdowns. From the game, Levis has been put in the Hall of Fame. Well, at least his Houston Oiler throwback helmet from the performance has been placed on display in the Hall of Fame’s “Pro Football Today Gallery.”

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Levis started his career with a bang and had his moments. The former Kentucky Wildcat will look to build on his rookie campaign, going into a year where he should be the starter under new head coach Brian Callahan.

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

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Cutter Boley Opens up on Playing for Kentucky, “This Is Where My Heart’s Always Been”

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Four-star quarterback prospect Cutter Boley signing with Kentucky football.
© Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

With the early National Signing Day for the class of 2024 being over, Kentucky’s newest signed quarterback Cutter Boley discusses why he committed to play at Kentucky.

“Just growing up in the state, you know, I’ve grown up a fan I feel like this is where my heart’s always been, and just the offense that Liam Coen runs and the job coach (Mark) Stoops does as head coach is phenomenal and I wouldn’t want to play for anybody else,” Boley tells Kentucky Insider.

Kentucky needed to get some quarterbacks after three players either graduated or transferred with Devin Leary graduating, Destin Wade transferring to Colorado, and Kaiya Sheron electing to transfer as well.

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Kentucky was able to load up in the quarterback room by landing the Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff, Georgia Southern transfer Beau Allen, and then signing Boley in the class of 2024. Boley is ready to compete against them and he recognizes their talent.

“I couldn’t be any more excited to learn from them. They’re two really good quarterbacks, like I said, and they’ll have countless things to teach me from the places they’ve been and the offense that they’ve been in,” Boley tells us. “I just can’t wait to learn the things they know and just be able to work and get to work with them.”

One of the reasons why Boley committed to Kentucky is due to him having a connection since he has lived here his whole life.

“Just growing up in the state, you know, I’ve grown up a fan I feel like this is where my heart’s always been, and just the offense that Liam Coen runs and the job coach (Mark) Stoops does as head coach is phenomenal and I wouldn’t want to play for anybody else,” said Boley.

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As for finally signing his National Letter of Intent, Boley feels relieved to have it finished.

“It’s definitely a relief to finally put the pen to paper and make it official,” said Boley. “It’s been a long time coming so I couldn’t be any more excited about my decision and where I’m going to be for the next four years.”

What Boley is most focused on is how the offense is run, as at this time he feels like his play style is made to play professionally.

“I’m really hoping to develop into that pro-style quarterback, but I feel like I’m definitely a pro-style quarterback right now, but really develop into just being able to play in that offense at a very high level and get really comfortable in the offense, and I just want to develop all parts of my game and really be a quarterback that the NFL looks for and that type of quarterback they want to have,” Boley tells us.

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With Kentucky having a chance to develop within instead of the transfer route, fans will have a chance to see a quarterback finally develop into potentially starting in the future.

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