Three years ago, a Louisville-hurdling Will Levis brought dreams of the dual-threat quarterback to life in Lexington, but since his departure for the NFL that magic has left and, with it, plenty of offense.

When watching the Wildcats during their 2023-24 campaign, it was obvious that opposing defenses weren’t worried about the man under center moving the sticks with his feet.

But in Kentucky’s shortened outing against Southern Miss, one thing stuck out like a sore thumb when the Wildcat offense took the field: No. 12 likes to run the football.

Looking at the box score, most of junior quarterback Brock Vandagriff’s production came through the air with his 169 yards and three scores, but the elusive 35 rushing yards he tacked on are much more important than they seem.  

“It’s just taking what the defense gives you,” Vandagriff said. “I wouldn’t say it’s something I pride myself on… obviously, try to extend the play if the rush allows it, if the coverage allows it.”

While Vandagriff doesn’t see his rushing ability as a focal point of his game, it’s undoubtedly something that will change how opposing defenses approach Saturdays against the Cats.

Coverage gets much more difficult when defenses have to assign a quarterback spy and the extra space provided by one less defender in coverage could mean a lot when UK has someone like Barion Brown on its roster.

But, with a situation like Vandagriff’s where there is little-to-no film on him, his mobility may not have been something that teams could have known to worry about. For head coach Mark Stoops, Saturday was a first look for him as well.

“I really just wanted to see him play today,” Stoops said. “Until that quarterback gets under center and goes and plays in that stadium in games, you don’t know exactly what you have, but he played like I thought he would.” 

Saturday was full of first looks, whether they were related to Vandagriff or not, but in observing his ability to extend plays, Vandagriff also demonstrated a complete inability to slide.   

“Two rules going all the way back to high school and my dad: third down and for a touchdown,” Vandagriff said. “Other than that, try to protect yourself. Maybe I was just a little amped up tonight.”

The tradeoff that comes with mobile quarterbacks is one that ends with a lot more visits to the blue tent and, while being able to pick up yards with his feet is an asset, it means nothing if Vandagriff isn’t on the field.

Luckily for UK, Vandagriff ended Saturday night without any injuries despite taking a couple big hits when scrambling, but his luck in Kentucky’s season opener may not last forever if he doesn’t slide every now and then.  

In the meantime, Vandagriff will look to extend plays whilst adequately protecting himself in the Wildcats’ matchup with the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, Sept.7, with kickoff slated for 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will be the Cats’ first SEC test.