Hayden Moore Gets The Start Against BYU

The announcement has been made; redshirt freshman quarterback Hayden Moore will start against the BYU Cougars tonight.

Moore has been sensational in the games leading up to tonight, which kicks off in under a half hour.

He set a single game record for passing against Memphis, throwing for 557 yards while playing basically over one half of a game. Moore followed that up with a 279-yard, two touchdown performance against the Miami Hurricanes during which he completed 67% of his passes. That was a defense that was piling up interceptions and allowing just 200 yards of passing offense in their three games prior.

Moore carved them up like a Thanksgiving turkey and will get the well-earned start tonight against the Cougars on the road in a hostile environment.

What does this say about Gunner Kiel? Who knows. Maybe he’s not quite 100% or at least healthy enough where the coaches are comfortable playing him. Or, maybe Moore straight up beat Kiel out in practices this week. Tommy Tuberville did mention that the two were dead even and would be given fair reps to earn the starting job tonight.

At this point, either scenario seems plausible but I wouldn’t be surprise if Moore struggles tonight the coaches don’t turn to their trusted veteran sometime in this game. That’s not to say the redshirt freshman has a short leash but he should be cognizant that UC can turn to Kiel without hesitate should the interceptions start flying.