KSR Podcast Summary – Hour 2 (September 15, 2025)

Podcast: KSR (Kentucky Sports Radio)
Hosts: Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, Shannon Dawson, Ryan Lemond (& Mario)
Date: September 15, 2025
Episode: 2025-09-15 – Hour 2

Overview

In this energetic and classic KSR hour, Matt Jones and the crew catch listeners up on everything Kentucky sports, focusing on the latest football news, game atmosphere at Kroger Field, Hall of Fame inductions, high school football shout-outs, and upcoming KSR guests. The hosts banter about coaches, fan experiences, music choices, and sprinkle in signature humor, local pride, and fan calls along the way.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Update: Joe Burrow Injury (04:07)

• Drew Franklin breaks news of Joe Burrow’s turf toe injury. Burrow, star QB for the Bengals, will undergo surgery and could be out for three months.
  • “I didn’t think they had a cart to wheel them off. Yesterday they're getting clowned on the Internet because there's footage of Burrow in the back barefoot just walking on concrete... You got a $250 million player and I don't even think they got a John Deere rolling back to get his X rays.” – Drew, (04:07)
• Shannon explains turf toe: "It occurs when the ligament under the big toe is hyperextended. So what happens when the toe is forced to bend upwards…" (04:48)
• Matt Jones is pessimistic about the Bengals’ season with Burrow out: “I don’t think the season will matter by the time he comes back.” (05:13)
• The Bengals’ win without Burrow and their 2-0 record are noted, but hosts recognize the steep challenge ahead.

2. Kentucky Football & Kroger Field Atmosphere (06:04)

• Game Environment: The crew discusses the ongoing improvements in Kroger Field’s in-game atmosphere.
  • Drew Franklin compliments the increased energy, particularly from improved music selections and student engagement:
    • “Just being a night game helped. I know it's Eastern Michigan, but the light set up, it naturally brings out the energy. You've been tailgating all day…The students were there most of the game.” (07:52)
  • Shannon notes on music selection:
    • “Part of it... They're playing more rap music... It does make the crowd get more involved and the players are dancing on the sideline.” (08:32)
• Hosts agree Kroger Field isn’t close to top SEC atmospheres – “still in that 15th range” (27:50) – but are glad to see progress each week.

Suggestions to Improve Atmosphere:

• More student-focused moments on the jumbotron (“the Simba cam, the kiss cam, the dance cam…to keep the people engaged during a dead ball period”—Shannon, 09:12)
• Interactive entertainment during downtime.

3. South Carolina Football Preview & SEC Thoughts (06:04, 34:13)

• South Carolina’s outlook: Host discussion about South Carolina’s upcoming tough matchup against Missouri, key to their season:
  • “Missouri is ranked now...they're a good Missouri team heading to Columbia. Maybe they can beat up on South Carolina a little more for us.” – Drew (06:35)
• Road trip experiences: Shannon reminisces about the wild night-game atmosphere at South Carolina:
  • “Last time we went down to South Carolina, I got punched in the face and my jaw got fractured, so I'm not going to the game. But it is one of the best environments in college football.” (06:48)
• Kentucky’s prospects vs. SC: Terry, a caller, later points out South Carolina is the “gettable” game for UK given their injuries and likely losing streak (32:00).

4. Hall of Fame Weekend Reflections (09:56)

• Newest UK Athletics Hall of Fame Class: Michaela Epps, Karl Towns, John Josh Hines, Abby Cheek, Sonja Hahn, and Doug Flynn.
• John Calipari's return: The hosts praise how Coach Cal returned quietly, supporting Karl Towns without making the event about himself:
  • “He was there for Carl, but he kept a distance where it wasn't about him...he had a private party with Carl after to celebrate.” – Drew (10:28)
  • “The fact that I didn’t even know he was there...I think he played it the way he should have.” – Matt (11:51)
• Doug Flynn is recognized for a “long overdue” induction as both a baseball and former basketball player.

5. High School Football Shout-Outs & Rankings (23:12, 24:03, 31:33)

• Callers bring up small school success stories (Heritage Hills, South Laurel, Not Central) and big wins (Madisonville Maroons upset Paducah Tillman).
  • Drew Franklin proudly champions Madisonville:
    • “I'm proud of Madisonville. Go Maroons... There will be problems... if Madisonville is not in the top 25…” (24:48)
  • Dramatic banter continues as Drew demands recognition for his hometown.
• KSR Top 25 high school rankings teased: Madisonville to make its long-awaited appearance (31:00).

6. Music at Kroger Field Debate (26:03, 28:30, 43:02)

• Caller Dennis complains about the lack of classic rock at games:
  • “The music to me still sucks out there...I'm a classic rock guy, heavy metal guy and really ticks me off. I ain't heard one Ozzy tune...at least the band during halftime would play tribute to us.” (26:03)
• Hosts again stress it’s impossible to please every fan, but give credit for steady improvements and some replay on the jumbotron.
• End-of-show mentions of Kentucky standards like “Dumas Walker” and how traditions like that fit in game-day atmosphere – “Dumas Walker is the celebration song...play it as you're heading to the car.” – Drew (43:30)

7. Segment Teases & KSR Announcements

Upcoming Guests:

• Tuesday: Rob Doster & Jeff Goodman (Field of 68) will join live in Lexington to talk UK basketball.
  • Field of 68’s preseason rankings place UK at 7th, Louisville 6th, causing some ribbing.
• Wednesday: Lee K. Howard from Lexington media.
• Thursday: Remote show from Mount Vernon for Christian Appalachian Project.
• Friday: Breakfast show at Wild Eggs, Tate’s Creek.
• Note: Matt is in South Africa; Drew, Ryan, and Shannon (with occasional Mario) handle hosting.

Other Announcements:

• Volleyball shout-out: Kentucky volleyball gets two big wins (SMU and Houston) after recent guests appeared on KSR – “The KSR bump.” (38:49)
• Apology to Craig Skinner: Hosts admit they wrongly omitted UK Volleyball’s national championship from their KSR “top moments” list.

8. Kentucky Football Mid-Season Prognosis (45:27)

• After three games, hosts debate adjusting their record predictions:
  • Shannon: Still at 6-6, “feel like this is a bowl eligible team.” (46:15)
  • Ryan: Has moved the needle up (from 4-8 to possibly 6-6 or 7-5); considers Florida and Louisville as more winnable than expected.
  • Drew Franklin: Drops his projection slightly after a less than dominant win over Eastern Michigan, citing concerns about “operation and coaching,” but remains positive about the defense.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Joe Burrow’s treatment:
  “You got a $250 million player and I don't even think they got a John Deere rolling back to get his X rays.” – Drew Franklin (04:07)

• On Kroger’s Atmosphere:
  “We're not crowning it and saying it's a great atmosphere, but to their credit, each week it's gradually getting better.” – Drew Franklin (07:52)

• On Calipari’s Approach:
  “He was able to be there for Carl but also not be a distraction.” – Drew Franklin (10:28)
  “Played it right. Kind of just played second fiddle. Came in to support Carl but didn’t want to be the story.” – Shannon (11:35)
  “The fact that I didn’t even know that he was there...I think he played it the way he should have.” – Matt (11:51)

• On Music Selection:
  “Everybody’s got different tastes but Grove Street's the one...Grove Street's one...unifies the whole stadium.” – Drew Franklin (28:58)

• On High School Football Rankings:
  “There will be problems...if Madisonville is not in the top 25. We will have a company wide meeting and some people are packing their things and heading home for the last time if Madisonville is not in that top 25.” – Drew Franklin (24:48)

• On UK Football's New Running Back:
  “Seth McGowan...runs like he’s mad at the earth, mad at the girth.” – Drew Franklin (34:36)

• On Criticism:
  "I have a little bit of concerns about the overall operation. I haven't forgotten the safety. I haven't forgotten the third and eight fake pitch draw. I haven't forgotten about the end of the half..." – Drew Franklin (47:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• NFL (Joe Burrow injury): 04:07
• Kroger Field/Fan Experience: 06:04 – 09:56; Music debate (26:03, 28:30, 43:02)
• South Carolina/SEC football preview: 06:04, 34:13
• Hall of Fame weekend/Calipari: 09:56 – 12:45
• High school football shout-outs: 23:12, 24:03, 31:33
• KSR guest announcements: 19:03, 20:52
• UK Volleyball/KSR bump: 38:49
• Football record projections: 45:27

Tone and Style

The show balances humor, local pride, gentle ribbing, and genuine analysis. The hosts are candid—sometimes self-deprecating—about Kentucky sports while always rooting for improvement and recognizing the passionate, sometimes quirky UK fan base.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

If you missed Hour 2, you missed lively banter about everything Kentucky: the current football team, the game atmosphere slowly improving (but not perfect), upcoming basketball coverage with national guests, celebration of Hall of Fame moments past and present, intense high school sports pride, and the ever-present debate over what Kroger Field should sound like. Listeners got team updates, honest (sometimes shifting) predictions, and a preview of what’s coming up on KSR in an episode that brings together analysis, old stories, and plenty of inside jokes — a quintessential KSR hour.