KSR Podcast Summary — Hour 2 (September 8, 2025)
Podcast: Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR)
Hosts: Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, Ryan Lemond, Shannon Dawson
Episode Date: September 8, 2025
Setting: Live at the KSR Somerset Golf Scramble
Episode Overview
This hour dives into the current state and hot topics of University of Kentucky (UK) football, the fallout from recent disappointing games, struggles with the offense, and dedicated fan frustrations. The hosts mix in news from other UK sports, personal anecdotes, some humorous moments, and listener calls. Notably, Matt shares a viral Kentucky story involving a raccoon and local nurse-turned-hero, and the crew teases insider football lineup info as the segment closes. The tone is candid, humorous, and at times critical, but always loyal to the Big Blue Nation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. UK Football Quarterback Controversy & Offensive Woes
- Portal Quarterbacks: The crew debates the recurring problem of UK missing on transfer portal quarterbacks, despite hefty investments.
- Matt: “If you’re already getting rid of your quarterback after week two, then you picked the wrong quarterback.” [01:59]
- Drew notes it’s been three years in a row with high-profile, high-dollar QBs who haven’t panned out.
- Offensive Coordinator Carousel: Frequent coaching changes and play-calling instability are blamed for much of the offensive struggle.
- Ryan: "How many [OCs] have we had now since Stoops has been here? A lot more than I can even…" [03:43]
- Shannon: “He’s missing throws, but at the same time, I don’t know that we’re exactly setting him up to succeed.” [03:07]
- Offensive Line Experience: They point out the O-line is one of the most experienced in college football, so that's not the issue.
- Matt: “Our offensive line is the third most experienced offensive line in all of college football.” [03:56]
- Bright Spot: Praise for running back Seth McGowan: “That’s a really good runner…takes a hit, gets a few more yards. He is, he’s a stud.” [04:34]
2. KSR Hosts’ NFL Podcast Fiasco
- Matt recounts a comical blunder while taping their NFL pod (“Cover Zero”): they started before the game ended, then chaos ensued with a dramatic comeback missed on-air.
- “I wish I had a camera on Billy. I could see his panic. He’s like, oh, no...” [07:01]
- Drew: “Rookie mistake. And that is really one of the most KSR things that could happen, right?” [06:55]
- Side discussions include Matt’s growing impersonation bit (e.g., Chris Collinsworth, Dan Campbell) [08:20] and promoting the new NFL podcast.
3. UK Volleyball Shines Amidst Football Gloom
- Matt and Shannon celebrate back-to-back top-5 road wins for UK Volleyball, predicting a national championship run.
- Matt: “Craig Skinner...has a national championship contender.” [09:36]
- Shannon: "Looks like Skinner's loaded up again." [10:18]
- Drew lauds Coach Skinner’s aggressive non-conference scheduling: “He’s like, hell no. We’re going to go after the big boys…” [10:57]
4. Game Day Experience & Fan Frustration
- Video Board & Atmosphere Complaints: Callers and hosts lament the repetitive Blue-White chant and lackluster in-game atmosphere.
- Caller: “Every time we go on defense, they start the stupid blue white chant...You're killing.” [11:35]
- Matt: “I didn’t realize [the chant] was such a big deal to people…” [11:48]
- Fan Expenses & Loyalty Wears Thin: Long-time fans express that the high cost and poor experience aren’t yielding enough return.
- Caller “Bluegrass”: “[It’s] a $500 or more investment...The program has got to start giving it back.” [15:49]
- Apathy Consequences: “If we don’t improve by the time we come back home next week, I’m done. I’d rather just watch at home because in college football games last forever.” [26:13]
5. Offensive Coordinator Discussion & Stoops’ Tenure
- Evaluation of previous OCs, particularly missing Eddie Gran:
- Drew: “How many times...since Eddie Grant has left, we talk about the same issues Kentucky's been having on offense.” [14:08]
- Matt: “Eddie didn’t have those [issues]…we won most of the time he was here.” [13:51]
6. College Football Around the SEC & National Stories
- Trolling & Traditions: Fun at the expense of Bill Belichick’s new public persona, university stunts like the “Gold Digger Cam,” and Oregon trolling Oklahoma State with “Money Talks.” [20:23, 23:26]
- SEC Updates:
- Florida’s decline (“I don’t know he can survive a second year of this debacle.” [22:38]),
- The tough SEC volleyball competition,
- Importance of adapting coaching mid-game (caller references Lane Kiffin’s strategic choices at Ole Miss vs. UK’s staid approach). [24:21]
7. The Viral “Drunk Raccoon” Hero Story
- Matt introduces Misty Combs from Letcher County, who went viral for saving a drunk, dumpster-diving raccoon via CPR.
- Misty: “I did CPR on it, and I was able to bring it back to life...it was dead or close to dead.” [31:13]
- Matt: “That is awesome. Misty, seriously, you are a saint. No one else would do that.” [33:04]
- Entire panel marvels at her story and warm-heartedness, complete with laughter and banter about animal picks for football games [34:36].
8. Scoops, Scuttlebutt, and Listener Calls
- Quarterback Scuttlebutt: Drew quietly drops near the end that Zach Calzada is likely out (injured), with Cutter Bowley expected to start:
- Drew: “It’s Cutter’s game. He’s going to start because Calzada I don’t think is going to be healthy enough to go.” [40:28]
- Matt (teasing): “Can I just ask a quick question? Why did you wait till now to say that?” [40:47]
- Loyalty vs. Disappointment: A passionate call from Chester argues true fans shouldn't quit early, criticizing those who left before the final whistle. [42:00]
- Chester: “One thing you cannot say is that those boys quit. And I want to encourage everybody to look in the mirror.” [42:03]
Notable Quotes
- Matt Jones on QBs: “If you’re already getting rid of your quarterback after week two, then you picked the wrong quarterback.” [01:59]
- Drew Franklin on Portal Misses: “They keep missing on their transfer portal guys and they just can’t do that.” [04:12]
- Caller “Bluegrass”: “When is, when is enough enough, Matt? I mean I love this team. I don’t want to give up on the team but you ask me to do the same thing every weekend and where am I benefiting from this at all?” [15:21]
- Misty Combs (Raccoon Rescuer): “I did CPR on it, and I was able to bring it back to life. And it’s living now.” [31:13]
- Chester (Passionate Caller): “One thing you cannot say is that those boys Quit…if you’re going to quit on the cat, then yes, you should stay home.” [42:03]
- Matt, on Misty’s story: “That is awesome. Misty, seriously, you are a saint. No one else would do that.” [33:04]
Timestamps of Important Segments
- Quarterback & Coaching Discussion … [01:59]–[04:34]
- NFL Podcast Story … [04:34]–[08:01]
- UK Volleyball Praise … [09:10]–[11:11]
- Fan Complaints Calls … [11:11]–[15:49]
- Eddie Gran, Coordinator Nostalgia … [13:51]–[14:59]
- SEC Discussion/Trolling Stories … [20:23]–[24:13]
- Adapting in-game - Lane Kiffin vs. UK … [24:21]–[25:01]
- Fan Disillusionment, Letters … [26:13]–[28:18]
- Misty Combs Racoon Story … [30:55]–[34:40]
- QB Depth Chart Scuttlebutt … [39:50]–[41:46]
- Chester’s Fan Loyalty Call … [42:00]–[43:54]
Memorable & Light-Hearted Moments
- The “NFL Cover Zero” podcast mishap with live-game timing [05:41].
- Matt’s Chris Collinsworth/Dan Campbell impressions [08:20].
- The entire tale of Misty Combs saving a drunk raccoon with CPR [30:55–34:40] — widely enjoyed and soon to be a viral KSR classic.
Overall Tone
The episode is classic KSR: loyal but critical, candid and accessible, filled with Kentucky flavor, occasional ribbing among friends, and always tightly connected to the fan base’s emotional pulse. Skipping no opportunity to mix in laughter and stories, this hour is equal parts sports insight, community call-in show, and Kentucky culture celebration.
For long-time listeners and newcomers alike, this episode captures the tension of a football program at the crossroads, the value of UK’s lesser-talked-about sporting successes, and the quirky heart of Kentucky storytelling.