It will be a battle of the backup quarterbacks when Kentucky and Iowa sq. off within the Music Metropolis Bowl on New 12 months’s Eve.

In Lexington, the Will Levis period is formally over. He’ll be on the sidelines in Nashville subsequent weekend, however he will not be in uniform. It will doubtless be a freshman slinging the pigskin in both Destin Wade or Kaiya Sheron. 

Sheron had the beginning for UK within the loss to South Carolina, however there is a very actual likelihood that Wade would be the one beneath heart when the Cats’ offense strolls out for the primary time at Nissan Stadium.

Over in Iowa Metropolis, starter Spencer Petras — who took on Kentucky in final yr’s Citrus Bowl — is out after having shoulder surgical procedure to restore an harm that was suffered within the Hawkeyes’ final sport of the common season towards Nebraska. 

Major backup Alex Padilla would relieve Petras within the loss to the Cornhuskers, however simply 4 days after introduced that he was getting into the switch portal, leaving coach Kirk Ferentz with as little choices as ever. 

When the bowl matchup was introduced, Ferentz didn’t instantly identify who the starter can be for the Hawkeyes on Dec. 31, however he had simply two choices. 

In the end, redshirt freshman Joe Labas beat out true freshman Carson Might. When he takes that opening snap on offense, it’s going to be the primary of his collegiate profession. 

Whereas the Wildcat protection could also be licking its chops to try to get after the rookie, Labas’ sport does include a wrinkle that is given UK matches this season: He can — and can — run the soccer. 

“We’ve added some stuff to the playbook that we haven’t ran ever,” Labas instructed Iowa reporters on Thursday. 

Kentucky did properly to take care of dual-threat QBs corresponding to Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Louisville’s Malik Cunningham in 2022, however the identical can’t be stated for Vanderbilt’s Mike Wright. 

The veteran torched the UK protection for 184 yards by way of the air and 126 on the bottom, main the Commodores to their first win over an SEC foe of their final 27 tries. Labas clearly lacks the sport expertise that Wright carried into Kroger Area on Nov. 12, however you do not want expertise to churn your legs up a sideline if the chance presents itself. 

It is anticipated that factors will probably be at a premium between the groups, because the over-under is at the moment set at a record-low 31. Kentucky averaged simply 22.1 points-per-game this season, whereas the Hawkeyes checked in at 17.4, the Tenth-worst mark within the FBS. 

Labas — a 6-foot-4, 190 pound native of Broadview Heights, Ohio — doubtless will not change the sport an excessive amount of towards a stable Kentucky protection will at the moment miss simply beginning cornerback Carrington Valentine, however his added operating means does make issues that rather more fascinating. 

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops had this to say about Iowa again on Dec. 5: 

“I feel some folks could prefer it or not prefer it that we’re a repeat in enjoying the Iowa group however I do know this, will probably be one heck of a soccer sport as soon as once more. A group that isn’t going anyplace. They’re all the time going to be there. They’re going to combat you tooth and nail. Kirk Ferentz is regular as could be, the longest tenured coach in school soccer if I’m not mistaken. Very high quality program, they’ve been for years, as you realize that’s my alma mater. With that being stated it’s what it’s. For us, it’s an honor to play in that sport.” 

Kickoff between the Wildcats and Hawkeyes is about for midday EST on Dec. 31 and can air on ABC. 

Kentucky’s Early Signing Interval tracker could be discovered right here.

Kentucky’s switch portal tracker could be discovered right here.

Learn what Mark Stoops stated about new QB Devin Leary right here.

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