Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky Football: Benny Snell Believes Stephen Johnson Should Start

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

When asked who he believes should be the starting quarterback for the Kentucky football team, Benny Snell had no problem singling out Stephen Johnson.

Saturday, September 17 may forever be remembered as the dawning of a new era in Lexington. The Kentucky football program won its first game of the 2016 season behind breakout performances by Stephen Johnson, Benny Snell Jr., and C.J. Conrad.

If you ask Snell, Johnson did more than just shine in relief of sophomore quarterback Drew Barker—he won the starting job.

Johnson was nothing short of sensational against the New Mexico State Aggies. With Kentucky’s defense giving up 42 points and 223 rushing yards, Johnson led the way to an explosive 62-42 victory.

According to Joe Mussato of SEC Country, Snell believes that Johnson should be the Wildcats’ starting quarterback moving forward.

Freshman RB Benny Snell had a breakout, 4-touchdown night. A reporter asked if he’d give the job to Johnson, his response was simple: “Yeah.”

“I saw an animal,” Snell said of Johnson. “You know what I’m saying? He really did his thing. When his number was called, he was ready.”

Johnson and Snell certainly transformed Kentucky’s offense against New Mexico State.

Johnson was a remarkably efficient 17-of-22 on passing plays, compiling 310 yards and three touchdowns to no interceptions. The former Grambling State Tigers quarterback also ran for 51 yards on 10 carries.

With a dual-threat quarterback in the backfield, both Boom Williams and Snell were able to find consistent openings in New Mexico State’s defense.

Stephen Johnson is one tough son of a gun. #BBN pic.twitter.com/vyZ9XyMjLm

— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) September 17, 2016

When a quarterback can do that, the opposition tends to struggle.

Barker was similarly impressive in Week 1, but he’s thrown five interceptions to no touchdowns since the first half of that game. He’s thrown four interceptions over the course of his past 11 pass attempts.

Though Barker still has upside that can be tapped into, Johnson appears to have earned the starting job.

Johnson came to Kentucky with the intention of starting. He’s made quite the statement about deserving the opportunity to do so.