Stephen Johnson makes case for starting quarterback spot, at least one teammate agree

[Matt Dillon]

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Stephen Johnson came to Kentucky to start.

He said as much during fall camp, but his dad said Johnson was never given that chance.

And now coach Mark Stoops and his staff have a decision to make after Johnson threw for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns en route to a 62-42 win. A back injury sent starter Drew Barker to the hospital, and even if he’s at full strength next week, a quarterback battle has broken out in Lexington, and Johnson surged to the lead Saturday against New Mexico State.

“I’ve been preparing for this for a while,” Johnson said after the game. “Don’t try to do anything spectacular. Just let it come to me.”

The junior college transfer from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., joined his coaches in the no-speculation corner after the game, but the starting job is something Johnson has craved since he arrived at UK.

“I definitely came here to start. This season and next season,” he said during fall camp.

With Barker entrenched atop the depth chart all offseason, it’s a chance he never had. Johnson’s dad told SEC Country as much last month.

“Stephen is a starting quarterback,” Johnson’s father, also named Stephen, said. “He can play in the SEC. He can play at this level — he’s shown it. I think the challenge was unseating somebody who is already entrenched and the belief that the mindset was made up and that they were going to give (Barker) an opportunity to succeed or fail and that Stephen is there as a safety net.”

https://www.seccountry.com/kentucky/stephen-johnson-makes-case-for-starting-quarterback-spot-at-least-one-teammate-agrees

I hope this doesn't result in team dissension. This team already has enough problems.

[teamchemistry15]

As I said in the game thread, it seemed like the team liked Johnson more and enjoyed playing with him. I think he earned some respect when he lowered his shoulder at the goal line trying to get in.

[TrueblueCATfan]

I thought he looked pretty good out there yesterday.....I hope he gets the start on Saturday

[Spiritof96]

Drew seems the better passer....

When he isn't panicking.

[Joneslab]

One thing that made it easier on Johnson yesterday was that they looked for the tight end. (Finally.)

Whoever the Kentucky quarterback is going forward this season, Conrad has to be an option. He can open up the entire offense.

Still think it's a moot point as to whether or not Johnson should have the job, as the defense is so catastrophically bad.

[Matt Dillon]

Still think it's a moot point as to whether or not Johnson should have the job, as the defense is so catastrophically bad.

We have a winner. No matter who the QB is, we're not going to hang 62 points on any SEC team, not even Vandy, in my opinion.

[johnkyblue]

Assuming Barker gets healthy, I'd really like to see both play. I told Dad at the spring game that we were gonna see Johnson a lot, and that Barker wasn't "heads and shoulders" above the rest. Sure, Barker throws better, than the rest, but it's not night and day.

I think Snell earned #2 spot.

"We figured it would be Johnson and prepared for him", the NMSU coach. Kinda telling.

[Sam K.]

To start or not start Johnson against SC is a no-brainer IMO. His stats were fantastic and he does provide the dual threat. On a call-in show this morning a caller alluded to Johnson making better calls at the line of scrimmage which made a difference in the blocking. Whether that's true or not I don't know, but I did find it an interesting comment.

I hope Johnson starts. It can send the message that if come in and do your job better than your teammate(s) you will be rewarded.

[Wonderstruck]

It's unfortunate Drew went down, but Johnson came in and put up stellar numbers. In our current situation, it's about winning, not about a guy losing his job because he got hurt. Drew's not done anything to warrant the entitlement that comes with having your starting job back after returning from injury.

To me it's an easy decision. Johnson next game.

[teamchemistry15]

To those saying Barker should start do you still think Snell should be 4th or 5th on the depth chart?

[Spiritof96]

To those saying Barker should start do you still think Snell should be 4th or 5th on the depth chart?

Snell significantly out-performed what we have seen thus far. Johnson has roughly matched what we have seen from Barker. Good at times awful at times.

[teamchemistry15]

Snell significantly out-performed what we have seen thus far. Johnson has roughly matched what we have seen from Barker. Good at times awful at times.

When was Johnson awful? The last two drives against Florida and his fist drive against NMST? He seriously outplayed what Barker has given us this year. We have Boom and JoJo, both capable of getting 100 yards and a few TDs. To this point in his career Barker hasn't shown he can play and entire game consistently and be a winner. Johnson did that Saturday.

[Uncle Dave]

We(Johnson) score 62 points and rack up 700 yds on O, a historic outburst for UK, and there's a QB controversy??? LOL!!!!!!

[Spiritof96]

When was Johnson awful? The last two drives against Florida and his fist drive against NMST? He seriously outplayed what Barker has given us this year. We have Boom and JoJo, both capable of getting 100 yards and a few TDs. To this point in his career Barker hasn't shown he can play and entire game consistently and be a winner. Johnson did that Saturday.

I thought he was awful at FL and suspect in the first half of the game Sat. So not full game from either in my view.

[thughes]

KSR just stated that the dept chart has just been released for the SC game and Barker is listed as the starting QB. What a mistake! I knew Stoops didn't have the stones to make a QB change!