Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1 Recap

Air Date: September 26, 2025
Location: Live from Bywater Farms, Georgetown, KY
Hosts: Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, Shannon “the Dude,” Billy Rutledge

Episode Overview

In this lively remote broadcast, the KSR crew sets up shop at Bywater Farms’ annual Autumn Fest in Georgetown, blending community fun and Kentucky fall festivities with a hearty mix of sports talk, UK football analysis, and interactive games. The hosts dissect the pivotal Kentucky vs. South Carolina football matchup, dive into UK basketball hypotheticals, reminisce about KSR traditions, and share personal “guilty pleasure” TV shows— with their trademark blend of humor and local flavor.

Key Discussion Highlights

1. KSR Live at Bywater Farms: Fall Festivities and KSR Traditions

• The hosts revel in the festive autumn atmosphere, describing hayrides, pumpkin cannons, apple butter, corn mazes, and more.
• Parking lot anecdotes, garbage trucks arriving “like clockwork,” and memories of visiting Bywater Farms and Ham Days become running gags (04:22).
• Quote:
  “It never fails. Right when we start, a big garbage truck just pulled up and got the garbage. I mean, it happens. It's like clockwork. Every year we start KSR, the garbage truck came.” – Ryan Lemond [04:30]
• The recurring field trips and influx of schoolkids provide background color and occasion for banter.

2. The Hog Calling Contest and Trophy Controversy

• Recap of the previous day's hog-calling contest at Ham Days, with ongoing debate about the “real” winner and trophy custody.
• Notable Banter:
  “How did the hog-calling contest winner’s trophy end up in Victor’s bag to get it here at the pumpkin patch?” – Ryan Lemond [06:22]
  “Loser. That's what you are. You're a loser. I'm the champion hog-calling contest.” – Ryan Lemond (playfully to Billy) [07:47]

3. Deep Dive: Kentucky vs. South Carolina Football Preview

• Game Context:
  Both teams need a win—UK rebounding from Ole Miss loss, South Carolina on a two-game losing streak.
• Stakes are high; both face brutal October schedules following this contest.
  • “It's weird…both teams like a must win game when it's still September.” – Drew Franklin [08:17]
• Weather Watch:
  Rain expected, could benefit Kentucky’s run-heavy offense.
  • “Let it pour. Yeah, the more it rains, I think the more that helps Kentucky.” – Ryan Lemond [09:34]

Key Points Discussed:

• Kentucky’s recent struggles with turnovers in the series (negative-7 turnover margin last three games) [11:07]
• Mark Stoops vs. Shane Beamer rivalry—joking that Beamer has “owned Kentucky” lately [11:48]
• South Carolina’s anemic run game (negative-9 rushing yards against Mizzou), their run defense ranked 14th in the SEC [13:16]
• Return to basics: Both teams expected to lean on defense and ground game, with turnovers/lone big plays likely decisive [11:25, 12:36, 13:32]
• Cutter Bowley (UK’s QB) and the pressure of his “first true road start in a game where turnovers have decided this series forever.” – Drew Franklin [09:53]

4. UK Basketball Name Game: Custom Starting Fives

• Homework for the crew: Draft Kentucky basketball starting fives using only players whose first name begins with the same letter as their own.
  • Mini-draft unfolds with playful debates, omissions, and creative bench choices (e.g., “positionless” lineups, benching Shaden Sharp).
• Sample Lineups:
  • Ryan’s “R” Team: Ralph Beard, Rajon Rondo, Romel Bradley, Randolph Morris, Rick Robey
  • Shannon’s “S” Team: Sam Bowie, Sean Woods, Shay Gilgeous-Alexander, Scott Padgett, Saul Smith (+ bench: Shaden Sharp, etc.)
  • Drew’s “D” Team: Dan Issel, DeMarcus Cousins, Devin Booker, Derek Anderson, Doron Lamb (“D’s could fill three teams!”) [33:32]
  • Billy’s “B” Team: Bill Spivey, Bob Burrow, Bam Adebayo, Brandon Knight, Brad Calipari (“frontcourt heavy”)
• Lively self-critiques and audience participation as the hosts realize they've forgotten iconic Wildcats.
  • “You had a big omission on your team. He just texted. He is not happy. Farmer. Richie Farmer was left off Ryan’s list.” – Shannon [38:26]
  • “So…Rex, Richie, Reed. Those guys aren't good enough to make Ryan Lemon squad. Yeah, well, we're a second half team!” – Ryan Lemond [44:48]

5. UK Football: Running Back Health and Game Plan

• Brief update: Dowdell appears cleared to play; RB rotation and depth discussed.
• Optimism around Seth McGowan as RB1 (“six rushing TDs in three games”) [37:17]
• Magic number for rushing yards? “Close to 200.” – Drew Franklin [37:49]
• Health updates: Defense looking stronger after bye; Waller still out at corner [37:51]

6. KSR Guilty Pleasures: TV Show Edition

• Hosts admit to watching “embarrassing” or “comfort” TV.
  • Shannon: “I Almost Got Away With It” (true crime fugitives) [46:19]
  • Billy: “Catfish” (“damn good” reality train-wrecks) [46:27]
  • Drew Franklin: Dateline, “I even like a Dateline rerun” [47:06]
  • Ryan: ‘Yoga girl’ got him hooked on “Downton Abbey” and “Gilded Age” (“I'm really embarrassed that I really like it" [48:21])
• Light-hearted confessions about past fandoms: “Sex and the City,” “Bachelor,” and Kentucky-rooted “Thousand Pound Sisters” [48:52].
  • “You don't have to be embarrassed that you watch it, though. If you like it, you like it, who cares?” – Drew Franklin [48:36]

7. Other Notable Topics

• Ryder Cup Update: Europe leading; KSR hosts distracted during segments [18:23]
• MLB Playoff Race: Reds clawing for a final playoff spot (“one game lead and you're playing the Marlins”) [20:54]
• KSR Listener Milestones:
  • John Short’s 60th birthday (“he had frog legs” for his birthday meal) [19:19]
  • Sister Jean Schmidt’s retirement at age 106 (“You know, most people retire at 65. She went another 41 years!” – Shannon [20:06])

Most Memorable Quotes

• “It's weird…both teams like a must win game when it's still September.” – Drew Franklin [08:17]
• “Let it pour. Yeah, the more it rains, I think the more that helps Kentucky.” – Ryan Lemond [09:34]
• “Loser. That's what you are. You're a loser. I'm the champion hog-calling contest.” – Ryan Lemond [07:47]
• “You have to be able to run the football. So what? Let it rain, slow down Lenore Sellers passing him...I say let it pour.” – Ryan Lemond [09:43]
• “The D's, we could fill three teams.” – Drew Franklin [33:32]
• “You don't have to be embarrassed that you watch it…if you like it, you like it, who cares?” – Drew Franklin [48:36]

Noteworthy Timestamps

• 03:39: Show kicks off at Bywater Farms, hosts set the scene and joke about annual garbage truck timing
• 06:00: Ham Days/hog-calling contest drama, trophy banter
• 07:47: Ryan declares himself “champion” of hog-calling in good fun
• 08:17-13:39: In-depth breakdown of the Kentucky vs. South Carolina matchup, weather effect, recent rivalry history, and what’s at stake
• 17:06: Fall festival talk – hayrides, corn mazes, food, Ryder Cup check-in
• 19:00: John Short's 60th birthday celebration
• 20:06: Retirement of Sister Jean Schmidt
• 20:59: Reds playoff chase and wild MLB finish
• 29:19-36:41: UK basketball ‘first initial’ starting five draft (concludes at 36:41)
• 44:03: Realization of snubbed basketball greats, audience texts highlight omissions
• 45:23: “Guilty pleasure TV” segment and show recommendations

Overall Tone and Takeaways

The KSR crew delivers a quintessential “community hangout” episode, rich with Kentucky spirit, nostalgia, humor, audience engagement, and expert UK sports analysis. The playful back-and-forth, local shoutouts, and crowd energy cap off an episode designed to connect fans with their favorite personalities—whether discussing crucial SEC football or the shameful joys of reality TV.

For listeners who missed it:
Expect a fun blend of sports strategy, local lore, and fall festival vibes—the perfect slice of Kentucky in autumn.