Kentucky vs. Iowa at the Music City Bowl on New Year’s Eve will be a battle of backup quarterbacks.
In Lexington, the era of Will Levis is officially over. He’ll be on the sidelines next weekend in Nashville, but he won’t be wearing a uniform. He’ll be a pigskin-throwing freshman in either Destin Wade or Kaiyah Sheron.
Sheron was the starting pitcher for the Great Britain national team in their loss to South Carolina, but it’s very likely that Wade will be under center when the Cats’ offense makes its first appearance at Nissan Stadium.
Iowa City’s starter Spencer Petras, who played against Kentucky in last year’s Citrus Bowl, is out after undergoing shoulder surgery to repair an injury sustained in the Hawkeyes’ final regular-season game against Nebraska.
Primary backup Alex Padilla saved Petras from a loss to the Cornhuskers, but just four days after announcing he was entering the transfer portal, coach Kirk Ferencz left him with the fewest options ever. .
When the bowl matchup was announced, Ferenc didn’t immediately reveal who the Hawkeyes’ starter would be on Dec. 31, but he only had two options.
In the end, redshirt freshman Joe Lavas defeated true freshman Carson May. When he takes his first snap on offense, it will be the first of his college career.
The Wildcats’ defense may be doing their best to keep the rookies on their toes, but Lavas’ game includes a wrinkle worthy of Britain this season.
“We’ve added some elements to the playbook that we haven’t done before,” Lavas told reporters in Iowa on Thursday.
Kentucky has successfully retained dual-threat QBs like Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Louisville’s Malik Cunningham in 2022, but the same cannot be said for Vanderbilt’s Mike Wright.
scroll to continue
The veteran burned through the British defense with 184 yards in the air and 126 yards on the ground, giving the Commodores their first win over the SEC foe in their last 27 tries. Lavas clearly lacks the game experience Wright brought to Krogerfield on November 12th, but he doesn’t need experience to churn his feet on the sidelines when the opportunity arises.
With over-under currently set at a record-low 31, points are expected to be expensive among the teams. Kentucky averaged 22.1 points per game this season, while the Hawkeyes were 10th, with him checking in at 17.4. – Worst mark on FBS.
The 6-foot-4-inch, 190-pound Lavas from Broadview Heights, Ohio won’t likely change the game much against a solid Kentucky defense. That much more interesting.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said of Iowa on Dec.
“I think some people like the rematch with the Iowa team, some people don’t, but I know this. It’s going to be a football game again. A team that’s not going anywhere. They’re always there.” They’re going to be there they’re going to go all in. Kirk Ferencz is stable and if I’m not mistaken he’s the longest tenured coach in college football it’s a very high quality program they’re what For years, as you know, it’s my alma mater.
The Wildcats and Hawkeyes kickoff is set for December 31st at noon EST and will air on ABC.
Kentucky’s early signing period tracker can be found here.
Kentucky’s Transfer Portal Tracker can be found here.
Read what Mark Stoops has to say about the new QB Devin Leary here.
Want the latest on soccer and basketball national recruits, including Cats Target? SI All American For the latest news, blogs and updates on the country’s best prospects.
Sports Illustrated also provides insights, information and the latest details. gambler. check it out Here.