Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1
Date: September 19, 2025
Location: Live at Wild Eggs, Tate’s Creek
Hosts: Matt Jones, Shannon the Dude, Jeff Pecoro, Mario Maitland
Special Event: Wild Eggs Grand Opening & Mario Maitland’s Birthday
Episode Overview
This episode of KSR radiates the show’s signature blend of UK sports updates, rivalry banter, and local Lexington flavor. Broadcasting live from the freshly opened Wild Eggs in Tate’s Creek, the crew delivers both lighthearted antics and substantive sports analysis. The headline topic is a recruiting “dance” between Kentucky basketball’s Mark Pope and Louisville’s Pat Kelsey, sparking discussions on rivalry dynamics, the unwritten rules of college basketball recruiting, and what it means for the UK/U of L relationship going forward. The crew also dives into the football team's early season defense underperformance, UK’s permanent SEC rivals with conference expansion, and the strengths of UK women’s volleyball. True to form, the show is heavy on chemistry, inside jokes, and community interaction, underlined by memorable audience engagement and a pancake-flipping contest tease.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Roll Call & Special Guests (02:16–03:34)
- Only Shannon the Dude is present from the regular crew; Jeff Pecoro is called in as a “bullpen” host.
- Mario Maitland is celebrated for his birthday.
- Light ribbing as they recount connections to TJ Smith and old UK memories.
2. The Pope vs. Kelsey Recruiting Showdown (04:19–11:52)
Story Setup (04:19–05:21)
- The team eagerly recaps the “little dance” between UK coach Mark Pope and U of L’s Pat Kelsey over recruit Taylor “Tay” Kenny from Newport, now at Overtime Elite in Atlanta.
- KSR’s Jacob Polachek broke the story: both coaches tried to be first to visit Kenny as soon as the recruiting period opened at midnight. Pope was scheduled at 12:01, Kelsey came in at 12:15.
- Drama ensued when Kelsey arrived before Pope; rumors swirled about a confrontation, possibly exaggerated by social media.
The Rules and Rivalry Flavor (05:27–08:43)
- Jeff Pecoro (06:28): “Pat Kelsey is one of the great kids...wonderful motivator, sensational coach, great recruiter...just one of the great guys in sports.”
- Debate over whether it was a true rule breach or unwritten etiquette, and both coaches’ likeable personalities challenge fans' desire for a fiery rivalry.
- Mario Maitland (08:20): “I wish they actually did get in a scuffle...I like to see them going back at each other a bit.”
Unwritten Rules & Perspective (08:43–10:33)
- Jeff and Shannon agree it’s more of an unwritten courtesy than an actual rule.
- Shannon argues if roles were reversed, UK fans would praise Pope for assertiveness.
Recruit’s View & The Need for Heat (10:45–12:03)
- Discussion on whether recruits are actually influenced by witnessing coaches compete for them.
- Consensus: rivalry antics and boldness may impress recruits and fans alike.
- Shannon the Dude (11:41): “The bigger takeaway is now we at least have a little bit of fire between these two coaches...this rivalry needed that spark.”
3. UK vs. U of L – Building the Rivalry Back Up (12:03–13:21)
- Both basketball programs considered “Final Four or bust” by Jeff Goodman.
- Anticipation for this year’s early-season UK/Louisville matchup.
- Scheduling football and basketball games so close together called “weird” by Jeff Pecoro.
4. In-Show Antics and Local Wild Eggs Flavor (14:29–15:55)
- Hosts spotlight Wild Eggs’ new location, friendly staff, and the day’s giveaways.
- Anecdotes about arriving at the wrong location and upcoming pancake-flipping contest among the crew.
5. Game Day Music at Kroger Field, Fan Experience & Authenticity (17:37–21:49)
- Listeners ask about the “yacht rock” and musical choices at Kroger Field.
- Debate over the need for energizing, player-preferred music to hype the team and student section.
- Jeff Pecoro (20:40): “The best Jeff Picaro is when Jeff Picaro takes off his broadcaster hat and wears his Kentucky hat...two of us sitting in a bar watching a game.”
6. UK Football Early Season Recap (22:00–25:25)
- Jeff is disappointed in UK defense performance, especially at secondary.
- QB situation: Praise for Cutter’s progress and calls to ride the “hot hand.”
- Candid take on NIL dynamics influencing playing time: Jeff Pecoro (23:50): “When you spend seven figures to bring someone in, that person’s gonna get every chance to fail.”
7. Community Engagement, Shout-outs, & Call-ins (25:56–36:09)
- Wild Eggs atmosphere playfully described, including a Louisville-shirted server (to be good-naturedly booed).
- Listeners pitch UK football stadium entrance music ideas (e.g., “Never Leave Harlan Alive” mixed with “Grove Street Party”).
- Caller laments Kentucky wrestling not getting enough coverage.
8. Volleyball Shines & Family Vibes (34:26–35:40)
- UK women’s volleyball big win over #3 ranked Louisville at the Yum Center is highlighted – “offense was ridiculous” (Jeff Pecoro).
- Recounted bar scene: an “older gentleman” fan provided passionate, running commentary alongside the KSR crew.
9. SEC Expansion & Permanent Opponent Predictions (42:10–45:47)
- Next week, SEC will announce “permanent” football opponents (three per school, rotated every four years).
- Panel predicts UK gets Georgia, Vandy, and either Missouri or South Carolina—expressed reluctance to make Alabama a yearly fixture.
- Shannon the Dude (43:44): “Even though [Tennessee] beat our brains in every year, I still like to play them every year.”
10. Final Shout-Outs and Closing Notes (41:19–End)
- Birthday acknowledgments, especially long-standing local sports supporter Gary Ball.
- Reminder of the pancake-flipping contest, Wild Eggs menu highlights, and prizes for attendees.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Jeff Pecoro (06:28): “Pat Kelsey is one of the great kids...a wonderful motivator...it’s hard not to like him.”
- Matt Jones (09:11): “If the roles were reversed and Pope cut the line in front of Pat Kelsey? We’d all be like, yeah! Good job. Way to be assertive.”
- Shannon the Dude (11:41): “At least now we have a little bit of fire between these two coaches...that’s what this rivalry needed.”
- Jeff Pecoro (23:50): “When you spend seven figures to bring someone in, that person’s gonna get every chance to fail. And I think that’s in every sport now in college and it’s unfortunate.”
- Matt Jones (20:40): “The best Jeff Picaro is when Jeff Picaro takes off his broadcaster hat and becomes Jeff the fan.”
- Jeff Pecoro (20:40): “It was like two of us sitting in a bar watching a game on TV. That’s the way it should be.”
- Jeff Pecoro (41:50): On Gary Ball: “He’s a guru...knows the schools, superintendents, athletic directors, coaches...single handedly got that network going.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 02:16–03:34 – Show introduction, roll call, special guests
- 04:19–11:52 – Mark Pope vs. Pat Kelsey recruiting episode
- 12:03–13:21 – Basketball rivalry, season outlook
- 14:29–15:55 – Wild Eggs grand opening banter, pancake contest
- 17:37–21:49 – Game day music at Kroger Field
- 22:00–25:25 – UK football defensive evaluation/QB discussion
- 34:26–35:40 – UK volleyball win & bar fan experience
- 42:10–45:47 – SEC permanent opponent predictions
- 41:19–42:10 – Gary Ball high school sports tribute
Overall Tone
Conversational, witty, and self-aware—mixing inside jokes, audience shout-outs, and nostalgia for both Kentucky sports traditions and KSR’s own long-running legacy. Listeners get both hard sports insights (with a solid inside look at recruiting and SEC politics) and the entertainment value that has made KSR a Lexington staple.
This summary hits the best of what KSR Hour 1 delivered: a blend of rivalry storytelling, UK sports analysis, caller/community fun, and the grassroots feel that sets the show apart.