Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2

Date: August 20, 2025
Host: Matt Jones & KSR Crew (Shannon, Mario)
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)

Episode Overview

Theme:
This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio blends the usual Ask Anything Wednesday call-in format with discussion of UK sports, radio show ratings, behind-the-scenes stories, college football rivalries, and listener calls. The tone is conversational and humorous, with hosts riffing on sports topics and embracing KSR’s signature lighthearted banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. KSR Ratings and Show Success

• Overview:
  Matt Jones shares recent radio ratings, highlighting the show's incredible local success and thanking loyal listeners.
  • Lexington: Down 12% from last year (a record Calipari-to-Pope transition period), but still 2nd-best in show history.
  • A 30 share with men 18–49 (nationally elite numbers); a 16 share overall—#1 in every demographic.
  • Louisville: #1 in the city with a 12 share, even beating all Louisville-focused shows.
• Quote:
  “You are knocking it out of the park if you get like an 8—and we had a 30… The numbers now are just stupid. 30% of all radios in Lexington are listening to this show at any given point. That’s crazy.” —Matt Jones [05:04]

2. Matt Jones Interviews Andy Barr – Behind the Scenes

• Insight:
  Matt describes a tense but respectful upcoming podcast interview with Congressman Andy Barr, where he pushed for direct answers.
  • Billy (producer) and Mario were physically tense during the taping.
  • Matt emphasizes the importance of challenging politicians and mutual respect in crossing political divides.
• Quote:
  “If you don’t interrupt these politicians, they’ll just talk… There’s a back and forth on an issue where I go, yes or no? Can you say this? And he just keeps going and I’m like, yes or no? So I say, so you won’t say yes or no. And the third time I do it, Billy looks at me like, oh.” —Matt Jones [07:07]

3. Player Transfers & Predictions

• Discussion:
  Listener asks for predictions on former UK players Barion Brown and Dane Key at LSU and Nebraska, respectively.

  • Brown likely to make more impact as a kick returner than wide receiver at LSU.
  • Key expects significant looks at Nebraska, provided the QB situation stabilizes.

• Quotes:

  • “I do think [Barion Brown] will be a big kick returner for them… but I looked at an LSU website; they do not have him as a projected starter.” —Matt Jones [11:06]
  • “He’s in there. He’s a top two guy… They need [QB] Raiola to take a big jump.” —Shannon [11:51]

4. KSR New Show Rumors & Randall Cobb

• Matt clarifies Randall Cobb won’t co-host the new show, but will be a guest.
• Cobb will appear on “Special Forces”; KSR might host him for an interview.

5. Safari Tips & Travel Talk

• Caller offers practical travel safety and negotiation tips for Matt’s upcoming Africa trip (e.g., claim to be Canadian for better prices, avoid scams at the airport, contact for emergencies).
• Animal safari etiquette: don’t make sudden moves or eye contact with lions.
• “I’ll have to sit on my hands as I’m telling stories so I don’t attract a lion.” —Matt Jones [14:11]

6. Walking & Fitness Inspiration

• Listener credits Matt for inspiring health improvements, leading to weight loss.
• Matt shares motivation for walking, comparing US habits to Europe, details his walking routes, and discusses the benefits over gym workouts.
• “Going to the gym to me feels like going to war… Whereas walking I find pleasant.” —Matt Jones [16:52]
• The crew jokes about weighted vests and their popularity, as well as KSR crew’s “crush” on a mystery vest-wearer at work.

7. Claiming Championships – Auburn and Others

• Auburn’s self-claiming of four more football “national championships” is mocked.
• General cynicism about schools creating retroactive titles (“You don’t just get to claim we won the title. You either won it or you didn’t.” —Matt Jones [22:36])
• Banter about which titles UK should retroactively claim.

8. MLB Runner-on-2nd Extra Innings Rule

• Caller questions fairness of starting extra innings with a runner on second.
• Matt prefers this to marathon games, but jokes it can feel “cheap”; perhaps start with runner on first instead.

9. Best Kentucky NBA Alum in Their Prime

• Discussion on who among recent UK alumni had the best NBA peak:
  • “If you’re looking at totality of career, I’d probably say Anthony Davis. But if you’re looking in their prime, who hit the best peak… it’s probably Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander].” —Matt Jones [27:16]

10. UK Football – Breathing Techniques and Pete’s Peak Performance

• Light news: Offensive line coach instructs linemen to “breathe through their noses,” borrowed from meditation techniques, to relax and improve oxygenation.
  • “If you breathe through your nose out through your mouth, you intentionally extend it for like six seconds… it actually helps.” —Matt Jones [28:55]
  • Running gag: KSR’s fascination with Coach Pete and his “lake blob” adventure on a retreat.

11. Apps, Discounts, and GoodRx Mystery

• Hosts debate the proliferation and odd economics of digital discount apps (McDonald's, Clark’s rewards, GoodRx).
  • Matt’s bewilderment at GoodRx turning a $380 prescription into a $3 one.

12. Travel & Listener Connection – South Africa Rugby

• Listener (“Pete”) calls from South Africa, apologizes for previous tone and shares elite local rugby dates for Matt’s trip.
• Offers Matt a “talisman” (good luck charm) and to coordinate a viewing spot in Johannesburg.

13. Rumor Control: Anthony Davis Donation Fable

• Caller claims Anthony Davis donated $4 million to UK Athletics—hosts debunk this as a viral Facebook hoax.

14. College Football Rivalry Names

• Quick-fire favorites: Iron Bowl, Egg Bowl, Red River Showdown, Backyard Brawl, “Farmageddon” (Iowa State–Kansas State).
• Humorous contemplation of the silliest/most colorful rivalry nicknames.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Matt Jones on Ratings:
  “Now that four and a half is a 30. So we appreciate...” [03:25]
• On Political Interviews:
  "He did what people in those offices should do, which is sit down, get hard questions." [07:07]
• On Safari Safety:
  “I should be from Sweden or Canada… I think I want to be Swede.” [13:14]
• Weighted Vest Phenomenon:
  “Everyone nowadays is wearing the weighted vest. I didn’t know that.” [34:58]
• On Faked Donation News:
  “The top result on Google is Anthony Davis donates 400 million to Kentucky. And it’s a Facebook group. That's not real.” —Shannon [48:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:05] Show opens; Matt recounts recent radio ratings
• [06:16] Andy Barr interview preview; inside look
• [09:03] Caller asks about Barion Brown and Dane Key
• [10:47] Discussion of new show/Randall Cobb
• [12:19] Safari travel tips and Africa safety
• [14:34] Listener inspired by Matt’s walking habit
• [21:08] Auburn “claims” four more football national titles
• [25:02] MLB extra innings rule debate
• [27:03] Best Kentucky NBA alumni discussion
• [28:34] UK Football O-line and “breathe through your nose” tip
• [30:00] Weighted vest trend & office crush story
• [32:32] Baseball trivia: Lou Gehrig’s 1927 RBIs
• [33:30] Top rivalry nicknames in college football
• [42:11] GoodRx pricing mystery
• [42:43] South Africa rugby viewing/“talisman” offer
• [46:41] Debunking Anthony Davis donation rumor

Final Thoughts

KSR Hour 2 delivers the brand’s trademark: genuine UK sports news mixed liberally with offbeat humor, cultural riffs, and interaction with a passionately quirky listener base. Matt and the crew remain unafraid to veer off-topic for a good story, smart back-and-forth, or listener connection—making the show as much community forum as sports talk.