KSR Hour 1 – September 18, 2025

Host: Ryan Lemond, with Shannon The Dude, Mario Maitland (Matt Jones reporting from South Africa)
Location: Live broadcast from Main Street, Mount Vernon, Kentucky, during the 14th Annual Christian Appalachian Project Hunger Walk

Brief Overview

This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) offers a lively, community-centered broadcast from Mount Vernon, Kentucky, as the crew participates in the Hunger Walk to benefit the Christian Appalachian Project. The show blends local color, humor, and sports talk—focusing heavily on Kentucky football’s bye-week storylines, classic recruiting drama, and listener interaction through a popular “question bowl.” Additionally, listeners get travel updates from Matt in South Africa and hear memorable anecdotes and quick-hitting Kentucky sports bulletins.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Live from the Hunger Walk – Community Spotlight (02:45–05:32)

• Event Atmosphere:
  The show broadcasts as 1,300 walkers (including many local students in orange shirts—the color to fight hunger) pass by, raising funds and awareness for food insecurity in Appalachian Kentucky.

  • “One in five children goes hungry every day in Appalachia in Kentucky.” – Ryan Lemond [04:38]
  • The broadcast emphasizes ways for listeners to donate: ChristianApp.org.

• Local Flavor:
  The crew reminisces about Mount Vernon—highlighting its traffic quirks, small-town Hallmark-movie vibe, and the musical heritage of Renfro Valley.

  • “Every small town in Kentucky kind of looks alike. Have you ever seen like a Hallmark movie?” – Mario Maitland [06:38]

2. Kentucky Football: Bye Week & South Carolina Preview (17:55–21:39)

• Stoops’ Bye Week Track Record:
  The hosts delve into Coach Mark Stoops’ historically poor post-bye-week performance.

  • "Usually doesn’t do well after the bye week.” – Mario Maitland [17:55]
  • Record: 6–10 overall, 5–9 in SEC.

• Adjustments & Hopes:
  This week, Stoops is changing tactics—going heavier in the weight room and practices, hoping for a turnaround.

  • “Anything can help. Why not try it?... Prepare as if you've got a game this weekend.” – Ryan Lemond [19:46]

• QB Discussion – Cutter Bowley:
  The hosts express renewed optimism around backup QB Cutter Bowley, noting his positive attitude, leadership, and prior tough road experiences.

  • “He’s not all about him… He cares about his teammates. He likes playing football. He looks like he's actually having fun.” – Mario Maitland [21:05]

3. Question Bowl – Listener & Audience Q&A (21:47–28:13; 35:23–38:05; 44:49–46:35)

Throughout the show, the crew answers random audience- and listener-submitted questions:

• Recruiting Drama – Lamar Wilkerson (21:52–23:22):
  Ryan recounts how Kentucky lost a key recruit overnight when Indiana made a better NIL and coaching offer.

  • “We had him for like maybe, what, eight or nine hours. And then it switched on you.” – Mario Maitland [22:27]

• Coaching Security – Stoops’ Future if UK Struggles (32:59–35:23):
  A caller asks if Stoops would stay if UK finishes 4–8 but beats Tennessee. Hosts agree the buyout is likely too big to oust Stoops for one bad year, but another poor season would be critical.

• Oscar Tshiebwe’s “Vision” Before St. Peter’s Loss (35:36–38:05):
  Listeners ask about rumors of Oscar’s foreboding vision before the infamous NCAA tournament upset—hosts recall discussion of a "catastrophe," possibly a plane crash, and muse about the nervous vibes around the game.

  • “I still can't believe they lost to St. Peter's… How in the world do they lose to St. Peter and Oakland?” – Ryan Lemond [36:54]

• Favorite Remote Location (44:53–46:35):
  Hosts nostalgically recount their favorite KSR live remotes—current shoutout to Mount Vernon, fond memories of Conley Bottom, Country Boy Brewing, and the scenic visits to hemp farms.

4. Ryan’s Personal Anecdotes – Comedic Relief (28:27–31:45; 42:46–44:49)

• McDonald’s Mishap & Defensive Driving:
  Mario tells the story of Ryan’s sausage McMuffin landing in the (thankfully, clean) McDonald’s bag. The crew jokes about Ryan’s prolific record for speeding tickets and multiple stints at defensive driving school.

  • “This’ll be the seventh time… I’m a six-time graduate of defensive driving school.” – Ryan Lemond [32:27]

• Getting Sucker Punched in South Carolina:
  Ryan finally tells the infamous story (as promised) of how he got knocked out by a frat boy after a heated post-game exchange, resulting in a cracked jaw.

  • “Some guy, I never saw him, came from my blind side, my left side, hit me right in the face. Next thing I know, I’m on the ground.” – Ryan Lemond [43:18]

5. Quick Hits, Culture & UK Sports (46:36–49:14)

• Red Zone Offense:
  The Cats have scored on 14 of 15 red zone trips this season; hosts credit improved O-line play and a disciplined approach.

  • “Running game and offensive line, I think, plays a big part of this.” – Ryan Lemond [25:34]

• UK Women’s Track Star – Sydney McLaughlin:
  Ryan and Shannon celebrate her breaking her own national records in the 400m hurdles and 400m dash, musing about her claim to “greatest athlete in Kentucky history.” [46:57–47:59]

• Upcoming Events:

  • UK Volleyball takes on #3 Louisville at the Yum Center.
  • Thursday Night Football watch party at KSBar.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker/Description | |-----------|-------|---------------------| | 04:38 | “One in five children goes hungry every day in Appalachia in Kentucky.” | Ryan Lemond | | 06:38 | “Every small town in Kentucky kind of looks alike. Have you ever seen like a Hallmark movie?” | Mario Maitland | | 17:55 | “Mark Stoops… usually doesn’t do well after the bye week.” | Mario Maitland | | 21:05 | “He’s not really all about him… He cares about his teammates… You can tell that when you watch him.” | Mario Maitland on Cutter Bowley | | 22:27 | “We had him for like maybe, what, eight or nine hours. And then it switched on you.” | Mario Maitland (on Lamar Wilkerson) | | 32:27 | “This’ll be the seventh time I’ve went to Defensive driving. I’m a six-time graduate of defensive driving school.” | Ryan Lemond | | 36:54 | “I still can't believe they lost to St. Peter’s… How in the world do they lose to St. Peter and Oakland?” | Ryan Lemond | | 43:18 | “Some guy, I never saw him, came from my blind side… hit me right in the face… I’m on the ground.” | Ryan Lemond (SC incident story) | | 47:21 | “She’s gotta be the greatest athlete in Kentucky history.” | Shannon The Dude (on Sydney McLaughlin) |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:45–05:32] — Hunger Walk event & food insecurity in Kentucky
• [17:55–21:39] — Stoops’ bye week record, South Carolina preview, and QB optimism
• [21:47–23:22] — Recruiting drama: Lamar Wilkerson
• [28:27–31:45] — Ryan’s McDonald’s saga & driving woes
• [32:59–35:23] — Caller Q: Stoops’ job security scenarios
• [35:36–38:05] — Oscar’s “vision” before St. Peter’s
• [43:18–44:49] — Ryan’s South Carolina sucker-punch story
• [46:36–47:59] — Sydney McLaughlin’s record-breaking achievements

Tone & Language

The episode brims with classic KSR banter—good-natured ribbing, Kentucky pride, heartfelt community advocacy, and open, candid chats about UK sports. The hosts are conversational, self-deprecating, and bring in both humor and empathy, especially when discussing Appalachian hunger and local youth.

For Listeners New & Old

• If you missed the episode: You’re up-to-date on Kentucky’s football talking points, the show’s unique blend of sports and storytelling, and you get a sense of real community outreach.
• For UK fans & Mount Vernon locals: The episode is a celebration of both the state's sporting future and the heart of its small towns.

To contribute to the Christian Appalachian Project:
Visit ChristianApp.org