Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2

Episode Date: September 11, 2025
Host(s): Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Shannon Dawson, Drew Franklin
Main Theme:
A lively discussion of the latest in University of Kentucky sports, focusing on UK football’s offensive struggles, potential coaching change scenarios, fan and in-game experience at Kroger Field, and a mix of pop culture, festival talk, and personal anecdotes.

Key Topics and Discussion Points

KSBar & Grill Updates and Promotions

[01:35 – 03:24]

• Matt Jones promotes KSBar & Grill’s game night events, featuring $2 Bud Lights and $3 Mark Stoops margaritas.
• Matt expresses pride in the recent improvements to KSBar’s food:
  “The food is genuinely good, and people have worked really hard, our staff. So please go check it out. I think you will like it, and if you don't, we'll fix it.” (Matt Jones, [02:27])
• Fun ribbing as Matt invites listeners to “give him a love tap” if dissatisfied with the food.

Reds Playoff Chances: Wavering Hopes

[04:25 – 07:53]

• Matt revives hope for the Cincinnati Reds’ playoff possibilities:
  “16 games to go, Ryan, they're only two games back... They have the tiebreaker on both the Mets and the Giants.” (Matt Jones, [04:32])
• Ryan, Drew, and Shannon debate the schedule’s difficulty, especially upcoming games against the Cubs and Brewers.
• Drew calls out Matt’s flip-flopping on faith in the Reds:
  “Maybe you should just give them a little time.” (Drew Franklin, [06:21])

Hilarious Reminiscing: Reds Batting Practice & Fan Encounters

[07:53 – 11:16]

• Storytime: Matt recalls meeting Sal Stewart’s proud father at a Reds game, but Ryan missed it, too focused on batting practice.
• Mario shares a comical story about a stranger invading his personal space during batting practice:
  “As 15 minutes went by, he was getting closer and closer to me... By the time it was like, we're ending out the batting practice, he's like right in front of me. Like, he was, like, giving him a massage.” (Mario via Matt, [08:49])
• Ryan breaks the “don’t yell at players” rule at a game by repeatedly calling out for coach Colin Cowgill.

UK Football Offensive Woes: Caller “Pickleball Paul” Sparks Debate

[11:18 – 15:24]

• [11:24] Caller “Pickleball Paul” asserts UK’s real problem isn’t quarterback play, but a systemic issue with the offensive coordinator and head coach:
  “I don't think it's a quarterback problem... I think there's one constant here that we've had the problem for years. It's the offensive coordinator and the head coach.” (Pickleball Paul, [11:38])
• Ryan and Drew agree, with Ryan saying:
  “The offensive scheme they currently have just focuses so much and the head coach running game, ground and pounded, move the chains… And I think they've steered away from the passing game.” (Ryan Lemond, [13:27])
• Drew:
  “I don't even know how they get receivers as it is… This is just, has never been a passing offense where we're lighting up scoreboards and putting up big yards.” ([14:09])

Festival Preview: Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville

[16:20 – 20:50]

• The crew discusses the Bourbon & Beyond festival lineup, including The Lumineers, Collective Soul, Pat Benatar, Alabama Shakes, Cage the Elephant (a Kentucky band), and more.
• Drew is especially excited to see Benson Boone perform his “backflip in his little costume.”
  “I can’t name a song, but they said they went to a show. It is incredible. So, I’m ready to see something.” (Drew Franklin, [18:48])
• Lighthearted banter about proper preparation for music festivals, such as bringing a “factory sealed” water bottle due to hot weather ([20:01]).

Stoops’ Successor? If a Coaching Change Comes

[21:07 – 23:23]

• Caller “Big Rig” asks who should replace Mark Stoops if he leaves.
• Matt and Drew identify John Sumrall as the likely favorite, noting his success at Tulane:
  “I think there's a good chance that, if the season goes poorly, he's the favorite... There are people out there dying for him now.” (Drew Franklin, [22:19])
• Brad White mentioned as another possible replacement if Stoops leaves after a successful season.

Fan Experience at Kroger Field: “The Five Es”

[28:15 – 32:16]

• [28:15] Caller Seth, who works in tourism, rates the UK football game experience using the “Five Es” from the Experience Economy:
  1. Enticing – UK does poorly at building hype
  2. Entering – Difficult with parking, logistics
  3. Engaging – Poor in-game experience (wifi, music, product on the field)
  4. Exiting – Exacerbated by losses, hard to leave
  5. Extending – Lacks incentives or specials to bring fans back
• Matt appreciates the conceptual clarity and calls out the need for the athletic department to address these issues.

Basketball Tidbit: Mass Weight Gains in the Offseason

[32:16 – 34:32]

• Kentucky basketball’s freshmen have reportedly put on significant weight in the summer:
  “Jaden Quaintance... 40 pounds since he arrived in Lexington. Malachi Moreno 20. Cam Williams 15. Brayden Hawthorne 15.” (Matt Jones, [32:16])
• Drew is skeptical:
  “I think they might have cooked the books a little too much on Quaintance's weight gain. 40 pounds over the course of the summer seems like a whole lot.” ([32:59])
• Series of jokes about performance supplements:
  “The human growth hormone. The hgh. There you go.” (Matt Jones, [34:28])
  “Doc Ellis threw a no hitter on LSD.” (Ryan Lemond/Shannon Dawson, [34:46])

Upcoming Events & Sports Predictions

[24:19 – 27:10 & 35:59 – 38:24]

• Friday’s KSR will feature live guests: UK volleyball players Brooklyn Delay and Molly Tazo.
• Saturday pregame show begins at 3:30 PM at KSBar.
• Drew estimates the stadium will be “68.7% full” for the upcoming game, with tailgating expected to be strong ([25:12]).
• Discussion of Tennessee vs. Georgia football: Ryan and Drew pick Georgia; Matt suggests this is Tennessee’s best shot in years ([26:57]).

NFL Thursday Night Football: Picks & Parlay Woes

[36:51 – 38:08]

• Packers vs. Commanders is the game of the night.
• Shannon shares a betting heartbreak:
  “All I needed was Jordan Love 200 yards or more, 167 at halftime and only three for 20 yards in the second half.” (Shannon Dawson, [37:44])

Jaden Quaintance Injury Discussion

[38:25 – 41:08]

• [38:28] Caller Tyler (a physical therapist) tempers expectations for Jaden Quaintance’s basketball return after an ACL injury.
• Matt:
  “I’ve heard... they’re targeting January as the hope.” ([40:09])
• Drew notes that Pope’s recent comments about Jaden “not being close to contact” fits expectations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Matt Jones on KSBar’s food improvements:
  “I’m genuinely proud of it... if you don’t, we’ll fix it. And if that doesn’t work, you can punch, right?” ([02:17])

• Pickleball Paul on UK offense:
  “I don’t think Tom Brady or Joe Montana would win… I think there’s one constant here… It’s the offensive coordinator and the head coach.” ([11:38])

• Drew Franklin questioning Kentucky’s receiver recruiting:
  “I don’t even know how they get receivers as it is.” ([14:09])

• Caller Seth’s “5 E’s” for fan experience:
  “Enticing, entering, engaging, exiting and extending.” ([31:06])

• Ryan Lemond, after missing a heartfelt moment at Reds batting practice:
  “Nope. But I saw TJ Friedle take batting practice.” ([09:25])

• Mario’s awkward encounter during Reds batting practice:
  “As 15 minutes went by, he was getting closer and closer to me… By the time it was like, we’re ending out the batting practice, he’s like right in front of me. Like, he was, like, giving him a massage.” ([08:36])

• On the basketball team’s rapid weight gains:
  “I think they might have cooked the books a little too much on Quaintance's weight gain.” (Drew Franklin, [32:59])

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Topic | Start Time | |--------------------------------------------------|---------------| | KSBar & Grill promotions and food discussion | 01:35 | | Cincinnati Reds playoff hopes | 04:25 | | Batting practice/pranks/stories | 07:53 | | UK football offensive philosophy debate | 11:18 | | Bourbon & Beyond festival chat | 16:20 | | Stoops’ job future/coaching search speculation | 21:07 | | Fan experience (“5 Es” framework) | 28:15 | | UK basketball freshmen weight gain | 32:16 | | Upcoming events (volleyball/pregame) | 24:19 | | UK game day atmosphere/attendance predictions | 25:12 | | NFL Thursday Night Football picks | 36:51 | | Jaden Quaintance’s recovery timeline | 38:25 |

Overall Tone & Style

• Informal, conversational, and playful.
• Frequent teasing among hosts and good-natured ribbing.
• Welcomes and engages deeply with callers’ perspectives.
• Mix of serious sports analysis, light-hearted banter, and local color.

For new listeners:
This episode is a strong blend of Kentucky sports analysis (especially challenges with the football team’s offense and program trajectory), rich personal storytelling, unique local character, and a fun, communal spirit. Whether you’re interested in UK athletics, live music, or simply colorful Kentucky personalities, this show covers all bases with authenticity and humor.