Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1

Date: August 18, 2025
Host: Matt Jones with the KSR Crew
Location: Glen Oaks Country Club, Louisville – KSR Golf Scramble

Episode Overview

This episode, broadcast live from the annual KSR Golf Scramble, seamlessly blends on-site event energy with Kentucky sports discussion. Key themes include celebrating team member Ryan Lemond’s birthday, reflections on KSR’s 20-year history, heated debates on parenting in public spaces, widespread fan apathy toward UK football this season, and audience reactions to MLB’s proposed league restructuring.

Key Discussion Points

1. Live at the KSR Golf Scramble and Ryan Lemond’s Birthday

• Setting: Glen Oaks Country Club, Louisville, with a lively crowd, some first-timers, and KSR regulars.

• Celebratory Mood:

  • The crew marks Ryan Lemond’s 59th birthday, joking about “old person” vacations and his milestone approaching 60.
  • Matt Jones:

    “We got to do something for your 60th birthday. What's a good old person thing?” (03:33)

  • Humorous suggestions include Branson, MO, the Mississippi River casinos, Renfro Valley, and reminiscing about past trips.

• KSR Anniversary Milestones:

  • Matt reflects on starting the KSR site 20 years ago (September) and the radio show 15 years ago (October).

  • “The 20th anniversary of KSR is a month away... It's crazy to think 20 years.” (05:27)

2. Public Etiquette Storytime – Boba Tea Incident

• Scenario:
  • Matt describes going out late for a boba tea, only to encounter unruly children running wild, shrieking, and disturbing patrons while unattended by parents.
  • He debates whether he was rude for asking the parents to control their kids.
• Quotes:
  • Matt Jones:

    “I don't want to be rude, but I'm about to be rude. Can someone keep these kids from at least running around and screaming over here?” (11:02)

  • The crew universally sides with Matt’s action:
    • “You did what the group wanted to do.” – Ryan Lemond (11:32)
    • “Be a responsible parent. No, you did the right thing.” – Shannon (11:44)

3. State of UK Football – Low Fan Excitement

• Fan Apathy:
  • Despite the season being only 12 days away, there’s strikingly low excitement and optimism among the fanbase.
  • Even among dedicated fans attending the radio broadcast, none could confidently name starters on both sides of the ball (16:05).
  • Matt:

    “It is the least excitement around football I can think of… maybe since Joker’s second year.” (15:19)

  • Crew Consensus:
    • Unknown roster, last season’s performance, and growing focus on basketball have sapped interest.
    • Drew:

      “Your core audience is excited just because it’s here. But overall, I think... people are just kind of waiting to see what it is before they get too fired up.” (14:28)

    • Shannon:

      “Feels like fans have just already accepted that it’s going to be a bad season.” (14:39)

  • Discussion on whether the first home game will be a sellout; consensus is ‘no,’ citing apathy, early start, and Labor Day weekend travel.

Listener Interactions:

• Very few football calls/texts, reflecting lack of buzz.
• Some exceptions:
  • Listeners still driving in from Iowa for games; a parent shares that sometimes kids need to ‘unwind’ in public (quickly rebuffed by the crew).

4. Team Analysis and Coaching Decisions

• QB Battle:

  • Buzz around Cutter Bowley's strong scrimmage performance; fans and insiders see potential for him to overtake Calzada.
  • Ryan Lemond:

    “Cutter will be the starter by the end of the year... even if Zach [Calzada] starts, Cutter will be on the field.” (21:56)

  • Skepticism exists about Kentucky actually playing a true QB rotation.

• Offensive Line & Roster Concerns:

  • Drastic reduction in projected NFL talent compared to recent years.
  • Matt:

    “Last year we had two guys get drafted… This year we have one guy projected, Alex Safari. That’s it.” (31:49)

  • Defensive players might emerge, but Kentucky isn’t getting the strong offensive or O-line prospects of the recent past.

• Season Outlook:

  • Most hosts predict five or six wins, acknowledging a brutal stretch of games and need for at least one “steal” against tough opponents (Florida, Auburn, Vandy, or Ole Miss).
  • “The best way to get to six [wins], in my opinion, is Vandy, Auburn, Florida. That’s doable.” – Matt (40:41)

5. MLB Restructuring Proposal – Host Reactions

• Proposed Changes:
  • Elimination of American/National League structure; switch to eight geographical divisions of four teams each.
  • Some hosts see logic in regional alignment; others dislike breaking traditional rivalries.
  • “You take away the rivalry with the Cubs and the Reds? …I can’t stand it.” – Ryan Lemond (26:59)
  • Matt:

    “For the Reds, if they ended up with Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Detroit... they probably have a better chance in that division than the one they’re in.” (27:46)

6. Listener Calls and Memorable Moments

• Various callers express everything from frustrations about UK football to strong defense of team loyalty:
  • “It’s completely weak to be bailing out on a team you haven’t even seen yet.” – Jenny, first-time caller, defending UK football fandom with passion (34:50)
• The crew is both amused and chagrined at being “scolded by an old lady" for negativity (37:26).

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

On Turning 59 and Aging

• “This one, this birthday probably has hit me harder than any birthday I ever had because I think next up is 60.” – Ryan Lemond (03:29)

On the Boba Tea Incident

• “I don't want to be rude, but I'm about to be rude. Can someone keep these kids from at least running around and screaming over here?” – Matt Jones (11:02)
• “You did what the group wanted to do. You need somebody like you in your group that is not afraid to step up.” – Ryan Lemond (11:32)

On Fan Apathy

• “Not one person raise their hand for those of you playing. Nobody knows what to be excited about.” – Matt Jones (16:05)
• “It is the least excitement around football I can think of… maybe since Joker’s second year.” – Matt Jones (15:19)
• “Fans have just already accepted that it’s going to be a bad season.” – Shannon (14:39)

Season Prediction Consensus

• “I actually think Kentucky can be significantly better than they were last year and still win five games because of the schedule.” – Matt Jones (39:40)
• “The best way to get to six, in my opinion, is Vandy, Auburn, Florida. That’s doable.” – Matt Jones (40:41)

Listener Calls

• “It’s completely weak to be bailing out on a team you haven’t even seen yet.” – Jenny, Caller (34:50)
• “If you get to the Louisville game and they have five [wins], that’s a Mark Stoops special—they’ll win that because they can go to a bowl, back against the wall.” – Drew (38:52)

Segment & Content Timestamps

• Ryan Lemond’s Birthday and Old Person Vacations: 02:22–04:39
• KSR Milestone Reflections: 04:50–05:50
• Matt’s Boba Tea Parenting Story: 06:15–13:19
• UK Football Apathy & Fanbase Pulse: 14:04–16:27
• Roster Knowledge Test & Marketing Critique: 16:05–16:27
• Game One Attendance Expectations: 18:00–19:33
• QB Battle & Cutter Bowley Hype: 21:01–23:16
• MLB Restructuring Debate: 24:20–27:46
• Listener Calls and Jenny’s Scolding: 33:23–35:40
• Season Predictions and Win Pathways: 38:47–41:20

Overall Tone & Style

The show balances humor and candidness, with playful ribbing among co-hosts, war stories from Matt, and honest, sometimes blunt, analysis of Kentucky sports and its fan culture. You’ll hear banter about aging, exasperation over children screaming in restaurants, passionate defense of fan loyalty, and pragmatic—if slightly pessimistic—prognostications for UK Football.

Conclusion

This episode serves as a lively snapshot of Kentucky fan life on a summer Monday: part celebration, part group therapy, and full of the real talk and relatable stories KSR is known for. Regulars and new listeners alike get an authentic sense of both event camaraderie and the ever-shifting pulse of Big Blue Nation.