Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2 (September 4, 2025)

Hosts: Matt Jones, Drew Franklin
Location: Broadcasted live from The Mint in Bowling Green, Kentucky
Main Theme: The episode focuses on the latest UK (University of Kentucky) football and basketball news and analysis, lighthearted Kentucky stories, sports traditions, and ongoing listener engagement with a heavy dose of humor and camaraderie.

Episode Overview

In this dynamic episode of KSR, Matt Jones and the KSR crew engage with a lively Bowling Green crowd, discuss UK football storylines (notably, secondary defense challenges and NIL developments), dissect a viral Kentucky news story involving a raccoon, and entertain creative ideas for revamping Kroger Field’s game day atmosphere. The team also dives into program traditions, waxing nostalgic and debating about past, present, and future UK basketball coaching legacies, and closes out with Super Bowl picks and community engagement around local traditions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Live from The Mint: Setting the Stage

[03:31]

• The show is recorded at The Mint in Bowling Green, near the racetrack.
• Excitement around the crowd, DraftKings sportsbook reps, promotions, and a heads-up about a special event at Country Boy featuring Stephen “Sack” Souls.

2. UK Football Recap & Secondary Defense Concerns

[04:46, 12:18]

• Discussion on the emergence of player Souls after a standout Week 1.
• Concerns expressed by a caller (Chi Woo) about the UK secondary despite returning experience; the hosts debate if the secondary can rise against a tough Ole Miss squad.
• Drew Franklin highlights the importance of players like J.Q. Hardaway and Todd Bryant stepping up:

  “Somebody needs to make a jump this year...become special.” – Drew Franklin [13:13]

3. UK Podcast Success and Media Banter

[05:00, 06:02]

• Matt and Drew express gratitude for the new NFL Cover Zero podcast’s rise to #4 on the sports chart.
• Joy in surpassing mainstream names:

  “Eat my dust, Tucker Carlson.” – Drew Franklin [06:10]

• Matt’s comic Civil War reference on receiving an email from the NFL (“Dearest Matthew...”).

4. Viral Kentucky Story: Drunk Raccoon Revival

[07:13–11:14]

• The Herald Leader reports a local nurse in Whitesburg, KY, revived a raccoon that ate peaches soaked in moonshine (“drunk raccoon”).
• Detailed storytelling and banter, including speculation about mouth-to-mouth CPR on the raccoon and comic comparisons:

  “If I see a raccoon that looks to be dead, I'm just gonna let it rest in peace.” – Matt Jones [08:16]
  “He went out doing what he loves.” – Drew Franklin [11:22]

• The story brings the hosts to muse about good Samaritans and the rare feel-good impact of local news.

5. UK Basketball: Calipari's Homecoming & Legacy

[13:45, 15:10]

• Coverage of John Calipari returning to Memphis for an Arkansas/Memphis exhibition.
• Tensions around retiring Cal’s jersey: consensus is to wait until he’s retired or no longer actively coaching a competitive program.

  “You can't bring in a team you're competing against on the floor and with recruits.” – Guest/Caller [18:09]

• Matt reflects on recent UK coaching transitions:

  “You just sucked the last few years. Like, why not own it?...Why can't he take ownership of that?” – Matt Jones [15:10, paraphrased]

• Differences in exhibition scheduling: growing preference for games against strong programs (e.g., Purdue, Georgetown) over historic local matchups.

6. Super Bowl & NFL Picks

[29:40, 31:20]

• Panel makes their NFL picks for the season opener and the Super Bowl:
  • Eagles vs. Cowboys: Panel leans Eagles.
  • Super Bowl Predictions:
    • Matt: Bills vs. Eagles, Bills win.
    • Guest/Ryan: Chiefs repeat over Eagles.
    • Drew: Bills vs. Lions, with Buffalo finally winning a title.

  “That young love of Taylor and Kelsey, those two young kids are going to will that team to another super bowl title.” – Guest/Ryan [31:13]

7. Kentucky Football: Stoops’ Contract Buyout Bombshell

[27:39–33:52]

• Callers inquire about Mark Stoops’ massive buyout clause: $32 million due within six weeks if fired.

  “Mitch Barnhart has many strengths, but a weakness is contract negotiation. Most other schools have it…over a course of years. [With Stoops], we're required to pay it all within six months. Terrible negotiation.” – Matt Jones [27:52]

• Discussion of the power of Stoops’ agent (Jimmy Sexton) and comparisons to other high-profile contracts.

8. NIL (Name, Image & Likeness): Regulatory Updates

[33:52–36:44]

• The NIL commission’s first report: 38% of submitted deals denied for not being “real.”
• Average power conference athlete deal is $28,000, less than most expect:

  “If the average Power 4 player is making $28,000, maybe Kentucky can compete. Maybe it's not as crazy as everyone thinks.” – Matt Jones [35:45]

• Panel surprised at both the degree of scrutiny and the modest payout figures compared to expectations.

9. Game Day Traditions: Bring Horses to Kroger Field?

[37:14–41:10]

• Caller Jake proposes a Kentucky-branded horse tradition inspired by Florida State’s Osceola mascot.
• Roundtable reflects on the idea’s feasibility (“I could see having a couple of horses lead the team out...with jockeys holding UK flags.”) and reminisce about missed opportunities for unique Kentucky branding.

10. Fan Engagement: Game Experience & Ticket Sales

[45:49–48:26]

• Talk about managing logistics at KS Bar during game days (burger preparation, sourcing grills).
• Listener Donnie suggests adapting the Packers’ fight song with “Go Big Blue.” Panel finds it “cheesy” but debates alternatives, like Waka Flocka's "Grove Street Party."
• Discussion about subpar ticket sales for the major upcoming Ole Miss matchup.

  “If you can’t sell that game out, you do need to look in the mirror and go, what is going on? Because that’s…not good.” – Matt Jones [47:50]

• Panel urges fans to show up, enjoy the prime time, and appreciate the big-stage exposure.

11. Listener Calls & Community Moments

Sprinkled Throughout

• Lighthearted calls: best Jared Lorenzen memory [24:37–25:27], NFL loyalties and rivalries, restaurant business woes, and more.
• “If Mark Stoops rides the horse, I’m in.” – Drew Franklin [40:46]
• “You gave up your team, but you kept your hatred!” – Matt Jones, ribbing a panelist’s NFL allegiances [30:04]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------|-------| | 06:10 | Drew Franklin | “Eat my dust, Tucker Carlson.” | | 08:16 | Matt Jones | “If I see a raccoon that looks to be dead, I'm just gonna let it rest in peace.” | | 11:22 | Drew Franklin | “He went out doing what he loves.” | | 15:10 | Matt Jones | “You just sucked the last few years. Like, why not own it? Why can't he take ownership of that?” | | 18:09 | Caller/Guest | “You can't bring in a team you're competing against on the floor and with recruits…Wait…like you said, it'll happen. Give it some time. Time heals all wounds.” | | 27:52 | Matt Jones | “…with Stoops, we're required to pay it all within six months. Terrible negotiation.” | | 35:45 | Matt Jones | “If the average Power 4 player is making $28,000…maybe Kentucky can compete. Maybe it's not as crazy as everyone thinks.” | | 40:46 | Drew Franklin | “If Mark Stoops rides the horse, I’m in.” | | 47:50 | Matt Jones | “If you can't sell that game out [vs. Ole Miss], you do need to look in the mirror and go, what is going on?” |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:31] – Show kickoff, Bowling Green crowd, UK football event preview
• [04:46] – Discussion of Souls’ defensive impact
• [05:00] – NFL KSR podcast update, chart rankings
• [07:13] – Legendary “drunk raccoon revived” story
• [12:18] – Deep dive into UK secondary defense and personnel
• [13:45] – Calipari’s Memphis return/exhibition, legacy debate
• [27:39] – Mark Stoops' buyout clause explanation
• [33:52] – NIL commission report, payout stats
• [37:14] – Horse mascot tradition debate for Kroger Field
• [45:49] – KS Bar logistics, Packers fight song/UK tradition
• [47:50] – Ticket sales concerns & game day fan experience

Episode Tone & Style

• Conversational: The tone is laced with Kentucky charm, quick wit, and self-deprecating humor.
• Local Flavor: Frequent references to local news, culture, UK traditions, and community businesses.
• Interactive: Heavy engagement with live audience, listener calls, and panel banter.

Takeaways for Non-Listeners

• The episode expertly blends sports analysis with offbeat Kentucky color, managing news, traditions, and audience involvement in equal measure.
• UK football’s secondary is a talking point, and the fan base’s engagement (ticket sales, traditions) is a recurring theme, underscoring broader perspectives on program loyalty and identity.
• The panel shows openness to new traditions, rigorous debate over coaching legacies/contracts, and keeps things light and community-focused with memorable local stories and caller-driven ideas.

For a full Kentucky sports fix with a dose of local weirdness, laughs, and genuine camaraderie, this hour of KSR is not to be missed.