KSR Podcast Summary

Episode: 2025-09-03 – KSR Hour 1
Hosts: Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin
Date: September 3, 2025
Location: KS Bar & Grill, Lexington, KY
Theme: Latest UK (University of Kentucky) sports news and local Lexington happenings mixed with lighthearted banter and listener engagement.

Overview

This engaging episode blends the fun, laid-back atmosphere of a live show at KS Bar & Grill with a mix of Kentucky sports talk, personal anecdotes, and community stories. Matt, Ryan, and Drew share insights on local developments, discuss UK football (including coaching decisions and game experiences), and interact with caller questions—setting the table for a lively Ask Anything Wednesday. The episode also features quirky neighborhood updates and a dive into unique Lexington history, all delivered in the signature jovial style of the KSR crew.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Show Kickoff & Bar Banter

• Atmosphere Check: The hosts note the early fall weather in Lexington, which feels like “early October” (02:51), setting a cozy, football-season mood.
• Wardrobe Roast: Drew Franklin gets gently ribbed for his semi-casual "realtor look," oscillating between business and couchwear, sparking playful debate over athleisure brands and Kentucky dress code culture.
  • “This is very much sort of business top, sit-on-your-couch-being-sad bottom.” – Matt Jones (03:47)
• Fashion Digression: Extended (and hilarious) critique of Drew’s polo, “Row flu” knockoffs, and “Viori” athletic shorts (04:55-05:29).

2. Matt’s First Local Public Meeting

• Neighborhood Politics: Matt recounts his first public neighborhood meeting since childhood, mixing humor with observations about civic participation:
  • “In Lexington, I think everyone's job title must have five to eight words.” (06:00)
• Meeting Mechanics: Amusing observations about the difference between progressive vs. conservative approaches to meetings, with progressives favoring extensive, sometimes repetitive, dialogue.
• Parking Crisis: The crux of the meeting centered around neighborhood parking problems at a park, quickly solved by Matt’s suggestion—“paint half of it yellow and put up a sign” (07:57).
• But… Matt Can’t Let It Go: When a city official claims they “foresaw” the problem, Matt presses further (“If you foresaw this coming, why didn’t we do something about it?” – 10:39), despite already having his solution. Drew and Ryan tease Matt’s inability to let things slide.
  • “You know, you couldn't have left that building without saying something.” – Ryan Lemond (11:07)
• Reflection on Running for Office: Matt humorously advises anyone considering local office to attend such meetings first as a “reality check.” (11:36)

3. Neighborhood Horses and Equestrian Easement

• Lexington Oddities: A lively turn as Matt reveals a listener’s claim of a “equestrian easement”—a historical right in certain downtown neighborhoods letting anyone ride horses, even across private yards, dating back to the 1840s. (13:59-15:23)
  • “Apparently not only can you own horses from High street to Sixth street, you can just ride around people’s yards.” – Matt Jones (15:21)
• Caller Confirmation & More Horse Lore: A later call (29:04) explores memories of coach houses, sighting horses on Fifth Street, and the unusual persistence of this tradition in modern Lexington. The crew is both bemused and delighted.

4. UK Football – Grove Street Returns & Atmosphere Changes

• Grove Street Return: Big news—UK’s traditional “Grove Street” hype song returns for the next game after a one-week replacement with Limp Bizkit's "Rollin’" led to widespread discontent (17:58-19:23). The hosts note the unique identity Groove Street brings to Kroger Field and how the switch led to a rare wave of unified fan protest.
  • “There are very few things we do at Kroger Field that kind of our thing. Grove street is kind of our... it’s one of the few things we have that we can say it’s our thing.” – Drew Franklin (19:23)
• Inside Scoop: Drew claims the cheerleaders were tipped off to the song swap well before fans (19:41).

5. Quarterbacks, Coaching, and the Upcoming Game

• Quarterback Debate: Analysis of whether (and when) backup QB Cutter Bowley might get a shot over starter Nick Calzada following a lackluster start.
  • Drew: “I gave 10, 15% chance” Cutter plays this week (21:46).
  • Matt: “If we’re not able to score on [Ole Miss], you start to say, okay, what’s the rationale for continuing?” (22:46)
• Ole Miss Game Stakes: The upcoming Ole Miss match is circled as a “revenge” game for coach Lane Kiffin following past defeats to UK (23:54-24:48).
• Strategizing the Schedule: Matt suggests if Calzada falters, start Bowley against easy opponent Eastern Michigan to gain footing pre-bye week (24:48-25:29).

6. Fan Experience at Kroger Field

• No Replay Debacle: Caller Bill and the hosts vent frustration at UK football’s in-stadium policy of not showing key play replays, particularly on reviewed calls, which erodes the live fan experience.
  • “You have created for the people at the game an experience that is objectively worse than they would have on television.” – Matt (32:40)
• Comparison to Other SEC Schools: The policy is almost unique to UK; others routinely show controversial play replays.
• Frustration at Focus: The hosts argue this is a sign officials care more about protecting refs and staff than the fan experience (33:45).

7. Quick Takes & Listener Questions

• Wings Day Debate: Extended debate over the superiority of wing drums vs. flats, inspired by KS Bar’s wings-day promo (41:47).
  • “They say that [flats] are supposed to taste better. They're juicier.” – Drew Franklin (42:27)
  • “The skin's better than chicken, if we're being honest … it’s not good for you but it’s–” – Matt Jones (43:02)
• Accents & Walking Styles: Listener and Tom Hart ribbing—Matt allegedly says “wharing” for “wearing”; Tom jests that Ryan walks like Joe Biden, prompting a spirited (if self-deprecating) discussion. (40:23-41:24)

8. UK News & Difficult Topics

• Sensitive News Acknowledged: The crew briefly addresses somber news involving a UK stunt team member and football player Jamari Wilcox, acknowledging the tragedies respectfully but refraining from commentary in respect for all involved (27:37-28:44).

9. On Bush Hamdan’s Offensive Playcalling

• Concerns Over Playcalling: A caller and the hosts voice concern about UK Football’s offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s lack of direction and innovation, especially given UK’s investments in receiver talent.
  • “I don't get it. I mean, I hope to be proven, if not wrong at least, to have my mind sort of proven … But I haven't seen anything yet … that makes me understand even what he's trying to do.” – Matt (44:02)
• Skepticism of Offensive Variety: Report that UK ran only 18 different plays against Toledo, raising concerns about predictability (45:53-46:32).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Our side feels like everybody should get to talk... and everyone should get to, like, give all their feelings.” – Matt Jones (06:39)
• “If you foresaw this coming, why didn’t you have somebody there? ... Why didn’t we do something about it?” – Matt Jones (10:39)
• “Apparently not only can you own horses from High street to Sixth street, you can just ride around people’s yards.” – Matt Jones (15:21)
• “Y’ all better not tell anybody. You guys know right here–ma’am, I’m be watching you…” – Matt Jones, teasing a secret in-bar announcement to the live crowd (26:25)
• “There are very few things we do at Kroger Field that kind of our thing. Grove street is kind of our... it’s one of the few things we have that we can say it’s our thing.” – Drew Franklin (19:23)
• “If we're not able to score on [Ole Miss], you start to say...what’s the rationale for continuing?” – Matt Jones (22:46)
• “You have created for the people at the game an experience that is objectively worse than they would have on television.” – Matt Jones on the lack of replays in-stadium (32:40)
• “I didn't know that there were people that liked flats.” – Matt Jones (42:00)

Important Timestamps

• [06:00] – Matt’s adventures at the neighborhood public meeting; Lexington politics and parking drama.
• [13:59] – Explanation of Lexington’s “equestrian easement.”
• [17:58] – UK Football brings back "Grove Street" after fan outcry.
• [21:46-22:46] – Quarterback controversy: Will Cutter Bowley get playing time vs. Ole Miss?
• [29:04] – Caller discusses Fifth Street horse farm and Lexington’s horse-riding traditions.
• [31:06] – Caller Bill sparks debate on lack of in-game replays at Kroger Field.
• [41:47] – Drumsticks vs. flats: the great wing debate.

Conclusion & Tone

The hosts create a vibrant, humorous, and authentic local sports show that’s as invested in the quirks and triumphs of Lexington as in UK athletics. The tone is irreverent and welcoming, equal parts neighborhood gossip and earnest sports radio—a perfect primer for UK fans headed into the fall season.