Auburn’s defense has continued to build its case as one of the nation’s top units through eight games this season.
Now it faces another significant test against what head coach Hugh Freeze believes is a “very dangerous” Kentucky team — thanks in large part to the recent emergence of freshman quarterback Cutter Boley.
Boley took over under center for starter Zach Calzada in Week 3 and hasn’t relinquished the job since. In six games with five starts, Boley has connected on 105-of-158 pass attempts for 1,215 yards and nine scores. His 66.5% completion rate ranks fifth in the SEC and 34th nationally.
Kentucky did most of its damage on the ground with a dangerous 1-2 punch in Seth McGowan and Dante Dowdell until Boley’s appearance as the starter. Over his last two starts, Boley has completed 57-of-74 passes (77%) for 588 yards and five touchdowns. He’s the first Kentucky quarterback since Dusty Bonner in 1999 to post a completion rate of at least 74.3% in back-to-back games with a minimum of 30 attempts. He also became the program’s first quarterback since 2015 to record 26 or more completions in consecutive outings.
“This young kid (Boley) is coming on fast and can really throw the football with dangerous receivers,” Freeze said. “Last week’s game at Tennessee, I think, proved he’s maturing quickly. Has two phenomenal receivers and is elusive at the same time. I think they really throw the football well with him.”
However, Auburn is well-suited to take on Boley and the Wildcat offense.
Auburn’s defense ranks 21st nationally in scoring defense, giving up just 18.6 points per game. It ranks 29th in total defense, with 318.5 yards per game relinquished. The Tigers still have not allowed more than 24 points in a game this season, making them one of four teams in the FBS to achieve that feat.
Additionally, Auburn has held its opponent under its scoring average in all eight games this season, including 10-plus points under its average in seven of eight games.
“I feel like we are getting better each week,” said safety Kensley Louidor-Faustin. “We just keep getting better and fixing the small details. Everybody on the defense is playing fast, physical and just trusting in what the coaches call and we’re going to play at a high level.”
The Tigers will kick off against Kentucky on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT in Jordan-Hare Stadium. SECN will carry the broadcast.