By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
Mark Stoops has pulled the plug on Patrick Towles.
Towles guided the Wildcats to a 4-1 start, but five straight losses, including a disappointing 21-17 setback at Vanderbilt last week, prompted Stoops to make a change with two games remaining in the regular season.
Drew Barker, a redshirt freshman who has appeared in three games, will start for Kentucky Saturday against Charlotte. Towles had started the first 10 games but has struggled during the second half of the season.
“We’ve been talking about this for a long time,” he said. “It’s time for Drew to get the start, that’s the bottom line. He’s done some good things and he’s earned the right. He’s going to start this week.”
The opportunity for Barker comes when the Wildcats (4-6, 2-6 Southeastern Conference) are scrambling to get the two wins they need to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2010. Stoops said inserting Barker into the lineup against a non-conference opponent at home gives the former backup quarterback a chance to see if he can revitalize the offense without added pressure.
“It certainly does come into the equation,” Stoops said. “That hasn’t been the determining factor. I’ve always started the guy who gives us the best opportunity to win and now it’s Drew’s turn.”
Barker, who has completed 13 passes for 107 yards this season, played sparingly against the Commodores. He was 5 of 8 for 60 yards and threw his first career touchdown pass, a 7-yard completion to Ryan Timmons in the second quarter, but also had an interception.
“He went in and did some good things,” Stoops said. “It sparked us and gave us some life. He came back and made a few mistakes, just like all of our guys. We were trying to find that balance. Drew is going to get his opportunity and if he takes it and runs with it, we’ll know from there.”
Stoops isn’t worried about Barker’s game inexperience and likes the way he has prepared for his first start despite losing the quarterback battle to Towles during fall camp.
“I really like the way he’s been preparing, the way he’s been practicing and getting ready,” Stoops said. “I told him a long time ago, he needs to worry about himself and prepare to be the best quarterback he can be, and sooner or later, we’ll meet in my office and you’ll get the opportunity.”
Although the move took longer than Barker wanted, he now has a chance to lead an offense that has scored just 20 points in the past two games.
“It may have taken a little longer than we anticipated for (him) to get the keys to the car, but he has them now,” Stoops said. “We’ll see what he can do with them and I’m excited to watch him play.”
Unlike last week, Stoops plans on giving Barker a chance to play a complete game and isn’t sure if Towles will even take a snap against the 49ers.
“Drew is not going to have a short leash,” Stoops said. “He’s going to have the opportunity to go through some ups and downs and play throughout the game.”
Kickoff set: The Kentucky-Louisville game on Nov. 28 will kickoff at noon and will be televised on the SEC Network.
Game tracker: Charlotte at Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. Saturday. TV/Radio: SEC Network, 98.1 FM WBUL.
Keith Taylor is a columnist and senior sports writer who covers University of Kentucky athletics for KyForward.com