Kentucky Changes QBs; Smith to Start this Week

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky has named Maxwell Smith as the starting quarterback for the Wildcats’ home opener against Miami (Ohio).

Smith will make his first start Saturday in nearly a year. He started four games last season and threw for 975 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury against South Carolina.

The 6-foot-4 sophomore replaced struggling starter Jalen Whitlow in the third quarter of Saturday night’s 35-26 loss to Western Kentucky and led two fourth-quarter scoring drives, but couldn’t rally Kentucky (0-1) past the Hilltoppers. Smith finished with 125 yards and a touchdown on 8 of 13 passing.

Whitlow was 10 of 15 passing for 78 yards against WKU and rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.