Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – August 19, 2025, Hour 1

Host: Matt Jones
Co-hosts: Drew Franklin, Shannon Dawson, Billy Reed
Podcast Theme: The KSR crew discusses the latest University of Kentucky sports news and shares personal stories, listener call-ins, and commentary on current events affecting the Bluegrass community.

Episode Overview

Hour 1 of this KSR episode is a quintessential blend of UK football talk, crew banter on life transitions like becoming empty-nesters, a comedic dive into “hall pass” debates, and gripes (mixed with nostalgia) about local traditions. Heavy emphasis is placed on Kentucky football’s upcoming quarterback decision and the shifting nature of college football in the transfer portal era. The team also takes time to humorously consider life and relationships, listener calls, and memorable moments from their community involvement.

Key Topics & Insights

1. What’s Ahead: Big Interviews, KSBar Relaunch, and Football Season

• Matt is excited and a bit stressed about the “last KSBar owners meeting” and an afternoon interview with Congressman Andy Barr (“a big get” – 03:59).
• He teases major upcoming guests: "And next week, Andy Beshear is on." (04:13).
• KSBar reopening in 7 days, UK Football kickoff in 11 days—the crew is buzzing with anticipation (03:06).

2. Banter: Hall Passes, Celebrity Crushes, and Relationship Dynamics [(04:20)–(07:10)]

• Playful debate about “hall passes” in relationships:
  • Drew jokes: "Tell her she could come in only if she agrees to wear the ‘govern me daddy’ shirt." (05:20)
  • The group laughs about spouses/partners choosing “accessible” celebrity crushes:

    "I had a friend...whose girlfriend picked a hall pass that lived down the street...It has to be one that's implausible." – Matt (06:25)

  • Shannon's oddball pick: "Mine is Melissa McCarthy. Unlikely I'm going to run into Melissa McCarthy, though." (06:44)
  • Ryans’s girlfriend’s hall pass is “oddly, Lindsey Graham,” which becomes a running joke.

3. KSR Golf Scramble: Heat, Hijinks, and OVW Wrestlers [(07:10)–(08:58)]

• Recap of the sun-scorched Louisville golf scramble, featuring OVW wrestlers toughing it out “in silk shirts and jeans” (08:02).
• “They helped quench my thirst with a shot of hot vodka… out of a brown bag at the OVW hall!” quips Shannon (08:28).
• Warm appreciation for golfers, sponsors, and fans: “A lot of sunburns when they went home, but it was a good day.” – Matt (08:58)

4. Celebrating Older Female Callers, Reflecting on Generational Changes [(09:20)–(12:13)]

• Positive callout to “Jenny,” a 70-year-old caller who impressed with her notes, “schoolteacher vibes,” and football optimism.
• Matt: "No one gets better, more sympathy than women over 65 – just because, you know, they've been through it. Right. They grew up when women were like second class citizens.” (11:22)
• Crew proposes a special call-in day just for women 65 and older: “Bunch of Grammy squammies calling...” jokes Billy, with Matt quickly ribbing him for making it weird (12:13).

5. Life Transitions: Billy Faces Becoming an Empty-Nester [(13:03)–(16:12)]

• Billy’s son, Josiah, is preparing to move out for college. Billy gets sentimental, and the group encourages him to let KSR’s Mario film the experience:

  "What if I start bawling?" – Billy (13:03)
  “Then that's clicks!” – Matt (13:05)
  "In two nights, I'm by myself in this house." – Billy (14:12)

• Matt probes deeper—Billy, age 59, has “never lived alone” and fears facing true solitude for the first time.

  “A 59-year-old man looking in the mirror and being by himself… that's a show.” – Matt (15:28)

• Billy reflects: “Every day after the show, I'd call him up. We'd usually do lunch together...Those days are over.” (16:12)

6. Living Alone vs. Living Together – The Great Room Debate [(20:07)–(23:14)]

• Prompted by a text about solo living, the hosts debate sleeping arrangements:
  • Matt: "If I was married though, I'd still like want my own room." (20:21)
  • Drew: "Yeah, like I have my own man cave...but my clothes aren’t even in there." (21:11)
• More jokes about space, personal quirks, and the pitfalls of open-concept living.

7. The Quarterback Battle: Calzada vs. Bowley [(22:06)–(27:51)]

Main Discussion:

• Mark Stoops has publicly declared the starting quarterback spot a live competition between transfer Zach Calzada and prized freshman Cutter Bowley.
  • Shannon: "I'm surprised he leaned into it...I would be shocked if Cutter Bowley started outside of injury." (22:50)
  • Billy: "I think it's legit...Cutter is like, legit going to be [in contention]." (23:37)
  • Matt: "There's not one person who has watched practices who won't tell you Cutter has been better..." (23:43)
• The $2 million question: If Bowley truly out-plays Calzada (who is likely the highest-paid player on the team), will Stoops have the courage to start the freshman?
• Debate over coach’s motives: Is Stoops keeping Bowley and Calzada engaged, or is this genuine? The group is skeptical the “two quarterbacks” narrative ever becomes reality.

8. Identifiability & Branding in the Transfer Portal Era [(34:24)–(39:46)]

• Shock that few fans could recognize Calzada—or even name six starters.
• Compare to basketball: “Jaden Quaintz is taking his driver's test, get-to-know-me videos, etc…." – Matt (39:44)
• Shannon: "I forget how little people pay attention to media day stuff like that... that's still a small part of the fan base." (35:00)
• Matt critiques UK football for not promoting personalities in the portal era, arguing this hinders fan engagement.

9. Keeneland Ticket Debacle & Local Nostalgia [(29:29)–(48:07)]

• Ticket sales for Lexington's Keeneland horse racing meet are described as a "complete disaster" due to website crashes.
• Callers lament the “loss of charm” and local accessibility as Keeneland and the Derby have grown more international and exclusive (“I don’t ever know anyone there anymore” – Matt, 47:36).
• Proposals for “locals only” days and reflections on how spontaneity is no longer possible at the track.

10. Listener Calls, UK Athletics Chatter

• Multiple callers:
  • Express hope for Cutter Bowley to bring the “juice” as UK’s “mini-Tua,” while the hosts remain skeptical and grounded (37:24).
  • Question when and why Stoops would risk Bowley as a starter, given Calzada’s experience and investment (49:57).
• Fun fact: Offensive lineman Shiyash Pete is, according to crowd response at a live event, perhaps now the most famous Kentucky player—a result of viral interviews and social media.

11. Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "The hottest place on planet Earth is the green on hole eight at Glen Oaks." – Matt (07:41)
• "You give sympathy to women over 65 because...they've been through it. They grew up when women were like second class citizens." – Matt (11:22)
• "A 59-year-old man looking in the mirror and being by himself…that's a show." – Matt (15:28)
• "If we ever meet Melissa McCarthy, there will be a lot of pressure, Shannon, because I feel like if we were to ever meet her, maybe that's accessible too…for Drew, it's awkward." – Matt (06:52)
• "There's no scenario where you can shuttle those two [QBs] back and forth and think it's going to work...When you have two, you have none." – Matt (26:15)
• "I wonder if we've lost the ‘everybody goes to Keeneland’ fun, now it is a different place." – Matt (47:32)
• "Doesn't matter if Calzada or Cutter's better—the Mark Stoops staff is a leaky staff…most of the leak is pro Cutter." – Matt (26:44)
• "If Cutter Bowley is our ‘mini-Tua,’ I think we're going bowling!" – Matt (37:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:06 – Show kick-off, upcoming events, guest previews
• 04:20–05:57 – Hall pass & celebrity crush debate
• 07:10–08:58 – KSR Golf Scramble recap, heat and hijinks
• 09:20–12:13 – Celebrating callers, especially women over 65
• 13:03–16:12 – Billy’s empty-nester anxiety, the group discusses living alone
• 22:06–27:51 – Mark Stoops’ quarterback comments & analysis
• 29:29–31:05 – Keeneland ticket sale fail, local access discussion
• 34:24–39:46 – Who even knows our starting quarterback? Portal Era branding
• 49:57–50:34 – Listener call about Stoops’ quarterback dilemma

Tone & Style

Consistently conversational, self-deprecating, and packed with quick jokes. Hosts readily rib each other and aren’t shy about getting personal—or poking gentle fun at beloved Kentucky traditions. Serious football analysis is leavened with humor and skepticism; listeners are frequently invited to call in and share the stage.

Conclusion

Hour 1 of this KSR episode is a ride through the anxieties and excitement of the sports calendar, the everyday lives of the crew, and the nuances of Kentucky fandom in a shifting era. With big questions looming—about quarterbacks, football marketing, and the resurrection of local traditions—the team sets the stage for an engaging season ahead, all while keeping the banter and bluegrass spirit alive.