Lynn Bowden got the starting nod for the Kentucky Wildcats’ matchup with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Part of that was due to this offense being in desperate need of a spark, but another factor was the health of former starter Sawyer Smith.
Battling wrist and shoulder injuries, Smith got the bye week off to rest and recover while Bowden was worked in as the first-team quarterback. While Smith was healthy enough to play vs. Arkansas, he still wasn’t completely healed, according to play-by-play announcer Tom Leach (via Dan Rieffer).
Stoops tells @tomleachKY on UK Radio Network that Sawyer Smith is not 100% yet, getting close, will be available if needed tonight.
— Dan Rieffer (@drieffer) October 12, 2019
Smith was effective vs. Eastern Michigan and Florida before he suffered a wrist injury in the second half of the loss to the Gators. He then suffered a shoulder injury in the first half vs. Mississippi State, and he’s been ineffective ever since.
Hopefully, Smith will eventually get back to full health and can help this offense if Bowden can’t get it done.