Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2: September 24, 2025

Podcast: KSR
Hosts: Matt Jones (broadcasting from South Africa, limited in this hour), Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, Shannon the Dude
Guest: JoJo Kemp (former UK running back, "the 'JoJo Kemp Game" hero)
Original Air Date: September 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This lively episode centers on Kentucky football—past and present—through the lens of one of its pivotal figures: former running back JoJo Kemp. With UK facing a crucial game against South Carolina and turning to a new quarterback, the crew reminisces about “the JoJo Kemp game” (2014 victory against South Carolina), explores the evolution of the program under Mark Stoops, NIL transitions, team culture, current roster breakdowns, and how to rev up game-day fan energy. The episode is filled with storytelling, laughs, memorable quotes, and a spirited call to “change the game.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Impact of the 2014 South Carolina Game (The "JoJo Kemp Game")

• JoJo Kemp recalls the night that changed Kentucky football, when he dominated in the Wildcat formation and inspired a program-shifting win.

• The game is often cited as a turning point for coach Mark Stoops and UK football culture.

  "Every time [the South Carolina game] comes up... it's always the JoJo Kemp game, the game that kind of changed the course... I always felt like for Mark Stoops."
  —Ryan Lemond (04:22)

• Kemp describes the electric atmosphere and his mindset during that game:

  "The stadium was just electric, man. And I just didn’t want to let, you know, the team and the fans down. It was something I had to get done."
  —JoJo Kemp (05:38)

• He admits he was exhausted, asking out but being rejuvenated by the crowd chanting his name (06:12).

• One iconic postgame quote cemented his UK legacy:

  "Why not Kentucky? Why not us?"
  —JoJo Kemp, postgame 2014 sound bite (22:28)

2. Building the Program and Culture Change

• The significance of beating Steve Spurrier and the domino effect on UK football:

  • JoJo claims that beating Spurrier twice in a row, including in South Carolina, led to Spurrier's retirement.

• UK’s rise from "downtime" to routine bowl games and higher aspirations (09:13, 09:46).

  • "When you committed, there wasn't any of that [expectation for big things]... It wasn't even a filled stadium."
    —Drew Franklin/JoJo Kemp (10:07–10:13)

• Recruiting stories:

  • Kemp, a Florida native, came thanks to relationships with other "Florida boys" and the new staff's recruiting efforts; camaraderie brought a core group that changed the trajectory of UK football (10:31–11:06).

3. Memories and On-going Connections

• JoJo still keeps close ties with former teammates; many are married now and have children (11:14).
• When friends return for UK games, his house is the crash pad:

  "We didn’t get a chance to get NIL... you gotta come and save some money. Come. Why not come to my house?" (11:48–12:00)

4. Gameday Culture: Grove Street Party & Traditions

• Discussion around the origin and importance of “Grove Street Party” as a UK football anthem.

• Fans and players alike were distressed when it wasn’t played at the start of this season (08:08).

  "At the start of the season this year, it was no Grove Street... people, including myself, was gonna have a panic attack... Where’s our theme song?"
  —JoJo Kemp (08:08)

• Uniform talk: Bringing out the chrome helmets and all-black uniforms brought “juice” to the team (24:24).

  "Putting on those chrome helmets... feels like it’s adding more juice. Like you’re almost feeling immortal."
  —JoJo Kemp (24:24)

5. NIL Reflections and UK’s Progress

• Kemp and teammates reflect on having paved the way for the NIL era but missing out themselves (09:13). No bitterness—just pride in having “crawled so these guys can walk.”

6. Looking at This Year's Team & Running Back Room (32:06)

• Excitement over the younger quarterback Cutter Bowley getting the start at South Carolina:

  "If the players are close, you always go with the younger guy... He’s gonna gain a ton of experience, and you know, going in an atmosphere like South Carolina..."
  —JoJo Kemp (26:02)

• Praises the depth and style of the current UK running backs, especially Seth McGowan ("runs like he’s mad at the earth") and Dante Dowdell, and how the number 3 jersey has carried on Kemp's legacy (32:46).

7. Stoops' Coaching Philosophy & Team Identity

• Stoops is “tough, defensive-minded, likes to run the ball,” but lets his coordinators do their job (34:20–35:28).
• The importance of trust in the offensive line—the roots of the “Big Blue Wall”—and how it empowers the running backs (36:23–37:00).

8. Fan Engagement & Energy at Kroger Field

• Direct advice to UK fans on game day:

  "Get loud. I mean, especially for those defensive players, when it’s third down, scream and get loud like your life is dependent on it... That energy... that's what we're gonna need.”
  —JoJo Kemp (37:19)

• Comments on music at games: While opinions vary, what matters most is that it energizes the players (38:04–38:46).

9. JoJo’s Call for a New Role: "Fourth Quarter JoJo"

• Inspired by fan feedback, the crew pushes for JoJo to lead a hype moment at Kroger Field between the 3rd and 4th quarters:

  "Let me get out there on the field. Blue, white. Let’s get the fans, you know, activated."
  —JoJo Kemp (46:40)

• “Why not us?” becomes the recurring rally cry for both the team and fan base.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

The Power of a Sound Bite

• “Why not Kentucky? Why not us?” (22:28, 22:55, echoing throughout the episode)
  • This catchphrase became a motto for changing the UK football culture.

Candid Locker Room and Sideline Stories

• "Man, I remember looking at the sideline tapping my helmet, just let me off one play... and then I break that long run... I was on the sideline, I laid out, look, gas. And next thing you know, I start hearing the chants like, 'JoJo, JoJo, JoJo.'"
  —JoJo Kemp (06:12)

• On his passing ability:

  "I threw one pass in my career. All right. And it was an interception. So right now in my career, JoJo Kemp, I am O for one and one interception."
  —JoJo Kemp, laughing (20:09)

Uniform Juice

• "Putting on those chrome helmets... feels like it’s adding more juice. Like you’re almost feeling immortal... you almost feel like a superhero."
  —JoJo Kemp (24:24)

Current Attitude, Enduring Energy

• "24/7. I mean, you see me in, in the OR room, you’re gonna get this. Why not?"
  —JoJo Kemp on being always this fired up (49:07)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:22] – The “JoJo Kemp Game” and its impact
• [05:38] – Playing through exhaustion, energized by the crowd
• [08:08] – Panic over Grove Street Party not being played
• [09:13] – On missing out on NIL, pride in paving the way
• [11:14] – Staying in touch with old teammates
• [12:41] – Discovering pickleball on game days
• [13:55] – Relationship with Coach Stoops and alumni access to the program
• [22:28] – Iconic postgame quote: "Why not Kentucky? Why not us?"
• [24:24] – "Juice" from uniforms and shifting the team energy
• [26:02] – On Cutter Bowley's first SEC start & the importance of road wins
• [32:06] – Current running back evaluations and 'number three' legacy
• [34:20] – Stoops’ coaching and playcalling philosophy
• [37:19] – Gameday advice to fans: bring the noise
• [46:40] – Proposal for "Fourth Quarter JoJo" to hype the crowd

Final Thoughts & Sign-Off

• JoJo closes by urging fans and the team to stay excited, support new QB Cutter Bowley, and embody Kentucky pride:

  "It's not over until it's over. Go Cats." (51:59)

• The crew and fans agree JoJo's energy is infectious—sparking calls for him to help energize Kroger Field in an official role.

Episode Tone & Language

• Upbeat, passionate, affectionate toward the UK community
• Nostalgic but forward-thinking (“change the game,” “why not us?”)
• Conversational camaraderie: light teasing, storytelling, mutual admiration

For Those Who Missed It:

If you want an entertaining, hopeful, and energetic look at Kentucky football’s past, present, and future—through the eyes of one of its true culture changers—this episode is a home run. JoJo Kemp delivers nostalgia, humor, practical game-day takes, and serves as the living bridge connecting eras of UK football. Whether reminiscing about breaking old barriers or brainstorming how to hype Kroger Field now, the "why not Kentucky, why not us?" spirit runs throughout.

Listen for: The untold sideline moments, the origin of the chrome helmet mystique, NIL reflections, and JoJo's unapologetic, infectious UK pride.