Kentucky Offensive Line coach Cutter Leftwich Earns National Award

Kentucky offensive line coach Cutter Leftwich has been named coach of the week by the Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl, as announced by the organization on Tuesday. The award is given weekly to the coach whose position unit and players were critical to their team’s success.

Kentucky went on the road and defeated No. 9/8 Texas A&M, 31-21, in front of more than 100,000 Aggie faithful.

Leftwich, in his first season at UK after joining coach Will Stein’s staff, saw his offensive line control the line of scrimmage while the offense piled up 408 total yards and 7.6 yards per play. The Cats rushed for 156 yards on 36 carries and gave quarterback Kenny Minchey enough freedom and time in the pocket to complete 18-of-22 passes for 252 yards and two scores. UK had 18 first downs, nine each via rushing and passing.

Tied 7-7 at halftime, Leftwich’s newly constructed Big Blue Wall dominated the third quarter as UK controlled the football for nearly 12 minutes and put up three touchdowns. The Cats outgained the Aggies, 196-20 yards in the third stanza alone. Kentucky’s 21 points scored are the most this season in one single quarter. Texas A&M coach Mike Elko acknowledged after the contest the influence UK’s offensive line had on the outcome with its physicality and overall play.

Kentucky returns to action Saturday at Kroger Field as the Wildcats play host to South Alabama.  Kickoff is set for 12:45 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on SEC Network.