Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1 Summary

Date: September 5, 2025
Location: Country Boy Brewing, Georgetown, KY
Hosts: Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, Shannon Dawson
Main Theme:
The episode centers on building excitement and assessing expectations for Kentucky football’s high-stakes home game against Ole Miss. The KSR crew discusses the impact of an early-season SEC showdown, the mindset of the fanbase, keys to the game, college football culture, and some broader sports topics in their trademark blend of humor, candor, and community spirit.

Episode Overview

The team broadcasts live from a packed Country Boy Brewing, setting the stage for a critical UK football matchup against Ole Miss. The show explores fan sentiment, analyzes Kentucky’s chances, and highlights the significance of the game in the context of the program’s trajectory. Notable lighter segments include a discussion on sportsmanship and spitting incidents, a sneak peek at UK basketball, and memorable crowd interactions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance of Kentucky vs. Ole Miss (Game Preview)

• Emotional Stakes:

  • The crew and fans agree this is one of UK’s most consequential home games of the season, setting the tone for potential momentum or setback.
  • Matt Jones (02:22): “Tomorrow is kind of a show me time for Kentucky football.”
  • Drew Franklin (09:47): “This is your chance ... to really buy some time for the next month.”

• Game Keys & Strategy:

  • Kentucky’s path to victory involves replicating last year’s approach: controlling tempo, minimizing turnovers, and leveraging defense.

  • Drew Franklin (03:22): “Kentucky should dominate the trenches ... it’s a battle of which style takes over.”

  • The crew notes Ole Miss’ pressure is high after Kentucky spoiled their season last year, with fans and donors expecting payback.

  • Matt Jones (05:28): “If they lose tomorrow ... that’s the last dollar they get.”

  • Focus on Kentucky defense pressuring Ole Miss’s new, inexperienced quarterback (Austin Simmons).

  • Shannon Dawson (08:34): “If you get to him, put some pressure on him, you can force a couple of interceptions.”

• Schedule Implications:

  • A win could create much-needed optimism before tougher SEC road games.
  • Matt Jones (10:54): “This is the one you can steal, right? ... You can have a shot in those games.”

2. Fan Base Mood & The Home-Field Factor

• Matt judges the state of the program and fan enthusiasm by turnout at the Country Boy live show each year.

  • Matt Jones (11:57): “There’s a hope instead of expectation. I think that’s very apropos for where the fan base is.”

• The fan base is hungry for a signature win after a series of disappointing home SEC results.

  • Ryan Lemond (12:55): “This is the game of the year. Our fan base needs this game as much as that locker room needs this win tomorrow.”

• Concern about unsold tickets hints at tempered optimism.

  • Matt Jones (14:03): “I’m shocked how many tickets are available tomorrow.”

3. Sportsmanship & The "Spitgate" Incident

• The hosts react to a headline-making NFL spitting incident and debate what makes spitting particularly egregious.

  • Shannon Dawson (18:32): “There’s no room for that.”
  • Drew Franklin (19:16): “We just can't live in a world where people are going around spitting on each other ... we’re not gonna have a society where we’re just hawking loogies in people’s faces.”

• They touch on the distinction (and severity) between spitting at versus on someone, leading to a humorous, introspective roundtable on who among the crew is most likely to have spat on someone (spoiler: none admit to it).

4. UK Basketball: Team Workout Buzz & Player Impressions

• Matt shares secondhand excitement from a practice observer about point guard Jalen Lowe and the potential leap of Colin Chandler.

  • Matt Jones (24:19): “Just wait, you’re gonna love Jalen Lowe ... imagine if Cliff Hawkins could really shoot.”
  • Drew Franklin (24:54): “I’m expecting a huge jump [from Chandler].”

• Recent arrival Yellow Bitch is reportedly integrating well and could get meaningful minutes.

5. Other Notable Topics

• The "Grove Street Party" song returns to Kroger Field after fan complaints about its absence—a touchstone of UK football culture.

  • Shannon Dawson (17:25): “They said it was situational ... I felt like it was kind of lame.”
  • Matt Jones (17:27): “That’s ... lying ... a football game should be a party ... you can’t just do that playing ... fiddle music.”

• Discussion of unusual lightning delay snacks in the previous night’s Eagles vs. Cowboys game: energy drinks/protein bars for Eagles vs. cold cuts & Uncrustables for Cowboys.

  • Drew Franklin (26:20): “I’m going to the Cowboys locker room 100 times out of 100 ... where are the Uncrustables?”

6. Fan & Caller Interaction

• Caller Chester (28:36): Delivers a stirring pep talk for pessimistic fans, urging “bring the energy” and supporting the team regardless of scoreboard music or emoji cams.

  • Matt Jones: “I love it, Chester ... whatever’s going to happen tomorrow is going to happen. So why not ... do whatever our part can be?”

• Emphasizes that fan energy can help “change the narrative” if UK pulls the upset.

  • Matt Jones (30:46): “Just say you were to win tomorrow ... you get a great bit of positive talk about the UK football program ... You have a completely different outlook about UK football. That can all happen ... it’s right there.”

• Caller Trey (38:50): Expresses confusion about fans wanting Coach Stoops to fail; hosts push back, clarifying social media negativity vs. actual UK fan support.

  • Drew Franklin (40:34): “Stoops has one thing working against him ... his name’s John Sumrall ... [there’s] a group that’s very worried about missing that opportunity.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Matt Jones (04:49): “What was it Obama said to Hillary? You’re likable enough. I’m positive enough.”
• Shannon Dawson on Spitgate (18:32): “Yes. There’s no room for that.”
• Drew Franklin (19:16): “We just can’t live in a world where people are going around spitting on each other.”
• Caller Chester (28:36): “We should come in there loaded for bear, ready to bring the energy, ready to be the ones that fire this team up.”
• Matt Jones (32:29): “You win tomorrow. I mean, there’s a seven and five, eight and four ... the rest of those teams are not crazy, Ryan.”
• Ryan Lemond (12:55): “We win this game, boom, we’re all in again.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:22] — "Show me" moment: Stakes of the UK vs. Ole Miss game.
• [03:22] — Drew Franklin analyzes Kentucky’s odds and strategy.
• [04:49] — Matt Jones’ “positive enough” riff.
• [05:28] — Donor pressure at Ole Miss and NIL era implications.
• [08:34–08:44] — Ole Miss QB analysis; keys to pressuring the inexperienced Simmons.
• [10:54] — Discussion of Kentucky's best realistic paths to a bowl game.
• [11:57] — Assessing fanbase mood at the annual Country Boy live show.
• [12:55] — Ryan Lemond on the need for the win—"the game of the year."
• [17:08–17:56] — Grove Street Party song controversy and return.
• [18:32–19:47] — Spitting incident debate and roundtable.
• [24:19–24:54] — Excitement for UK basketball: Jalen Lowe and Colin Chandler.
• [26:06] — Eagles vs. Cowboys locker room snacks.
• [28:36–30:20] — Motivational fan call from Chester.
• [32:29–33:02] — Potential for a 7- or 8-win season if UK upsets Ole Miss.
• [38:50–41:01] — Caller Trey on fan negativity, Stoops, and the Sumrall factor.

Tone and Style

True to KSR form, the tone is fast-paced, humorous, sometimes sarcastic, with a blend of community camaraderie and earnest sports analysis. Banter between Matt, Ryan, Drew, and Shannon is lively, occasionally ribbing, and full of inside jokes, while still being accessible for new or casual listeners.

Conclusion

This episode strikes a balance between honest football analysis and lighthearted commentary, capturing the cautious optimism, traditions, and quirks that define Kentucky football fandom. It provides a great snapshot of fan sentiment going into a pivotal game, delivers locker room and cultural insight, and keeps listeners engaged with memorable asides and passionate calls from fans, all live from a vibrant gathering in Georgetown.