Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) — Hour 2

Date: October 2, 2025
Hosts: Ryan, Drew, Shannon
Guest: EKU Football Head Coach Walt Wells; Richie Farmer (UK Basketball insight)

Episode Overview

This hour of Kentucky Sports Radio focuses on a special interview with Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) football head coach Walt Wells during the Colonels’ bye week. The crew dives deep into EKU’s season, the dynamics of playing against higher-division teams, recruitment and the transfer portal, and the unique local flavor of college football in Kentucky. The show also features former UK basketball star Richie Farmer giving his firsthand impressions from UK’s basketball practice, with optimism for the upcoming season. The tone is friendly, conversational, and packed with regional pride and anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. EKU Football Season & Challenges

[03:34–05:19]

• EKU’s current record: Undefeated at home (2–0), wins against Houston Christian (formerly Houston Baptist) and Nicholls State.
• Tough competition: Losses to Louisville, West Georgia (a top FCS program), and Marshall.
• Young team: 27 seniors graduated last year, which is highly unusual. Coach Wells describes the process of building up a new, young team.

2. The Value and Impact of "Money Games"

[05:19–07:14]

• Significance of playing Power 4 schools: EKU’s matchups with larger teams provide major financial benefits and invaluable exposure.
• Opportunity for players: "You get a chance to step up and see where you’re at... basically, they know those are one-and-two game tests for them." — Walt Wells (06:42)
• Scouting: All NFL teams come to EKU practices, especially for these marquee games.

3. Kentucky Connections & Player Development

[07:14–10:50]

• Pride in pro players: EKU alumni like Tim Boyle and Matt Jackson have made NFL rosters.
• Local talent: Many current EKU players are from Kentucky, including standout Brady Hensley (148 rushing yards and a TD last week), and Joe Slarman (second-team center).
• Recruitment strategy: A strong emphasis on building a roster filled with homegrown players who dream of playing at venues like Kroger Field.

4. Upcoming Big Game & Fan Experience

[11:04–14:54]

• Upcoming EKU vs. Austin Peay game: October 11 (Kentucky’s bye week), a prime opportunity for UK fans to see EKU.
• Promotion: $5 tickets, kid zones, tailgating, concerts, cornhole, RV spots, and a strong fan-friendly environment.
• Home win streak: EKU is on a nine-game home win streak dating back to 2023.
  • “The food’s cheap, the beverage is cheap, and they got all types of beverages that you want... We got a fun zone for [kids].” — Walt Wells (12:48)

5. Local Flavor and Madisonville Nostalgia

[19:38–21:32]

• Coach Wells’ Nashville and Madisonville roots: Stories about growing up a Titans (and Raiders) fan, spending summers in Madisonville, and memories of Pirates Cove and the local mall.
• Community ties: These anecdotes highlight how deep-rooted and intertwined Kentucky football is with the local community.

6. Navigating the Transfer Portal

[21:32–26:46]

• EKU's challenges: Losing key players (e.g., All-conference linebacker to Virginia, All-American guard to Purdue) to bigger schools via the portal.
  • “It hurts you... but you can get mad about it or you can just... you have to be ready to go.” — Walt Wells (22:49)
• Retooling the roster: Primary strategy is still developing high school recruits, but strategic use of the portal is necessary.
• Reverse flow: EKU has successfully attracted several D1 transfers, notably Vito Tisdale (formerly Kentucky/Colorado), Tommy Ziesmer (UK), and others.
  • “Vito’s got a pick six. He’s got three or four picks already. He is really, really matured and really, really come around…” — Walt Wells (24:52)
• Attitude adjustment: Emphasizes a mindset shift—accepting yearly roster changes and adapting quickly.

7. Notable EKU Player Stories

[26:46–28:56]

• Jaden Higgins: Former one-offer recruit who transferred to Iowa State and is now with the Houston Texans.
• Vito Tisdale: Immediate impact; described as a likely future NFL player.
• Philosophy: Celebrate player success, even when they leave, and leverage connections for incoming talent.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On playing bigger programs:
  “It’s obviously, financially, big for our program...and it gives our guys an opportunity to step up and see where they’re at.”
  — Walt Wells (05:55)

• On losing players to transfer portal:
  “Recruiting is always 24–7, 365. Always. But now it’s even more so... you have to be critical in your decision making.”
  — Walt Wells (21:42)

• On fan atmosphere at EKU:
  “The food’s cheap, the beverage is cheap... and we got a fun zone for [kids].”
  — Walt Wells (12:48)
  “We had an unbelievable crowd...the endzone was packed. Everybody had their blankets out, sitting on the end zone, kind of like the old days.”
  — Walt Wells (14:04)

[30:52–36:45] Richie Farmer: UK Basketball Practice Report

Richie Farmer (former UK star) gives an in-depth, first-look account of the current UK basketball squad during a recent practice:

• Strong impressions:
  • “I really like the way Colin Chandler looks...He was shooting the ball [well].” (32:06)
  • “Yellow Bit—he’s a really good shooter...he can step out and shoot the ball and he’s powerful down on the block as well.” (33:01)
• Depth and versatility:
  • “We’ve got a lot of length this year...but Chandler, Trent Noah, Denzel Aberdeen, Jalen Lowe—everybody that I watched...they can shoot it a little bit.” (33:49)
• Optimism:
  “I kind of felt like ... we had a chance to make a run at the Final Four and maybe a championship...I didn’t see anything that discouraged me.” (34:49)
• On Jaden Quaintance:
  • “He’s a beast...unbelievable down low...a monster.” (32:36)
• Injury status:
  • Zvonimir Ivisic (“Z”) participated but was limited due to recovery from a toe injury. (36:11)

Fun, Local Color & Show Banter

Madisonville Stories

[19:38–21:32]

• Coach Wells reminisces about Pirates Cove and spending time in Madisonville as a kid.
• Hosts joke about local Mexican restaurants and nostalgic mall hangouts.

“Cat at Rupp’s Grave” Story

[49:10–50:54]

• Drew shares a memorable story: while searching for Adolph Rupp’s grave in Lexington Cemetery, a cat unexpectedly leads him right to the gravestone.
  • “And I swear on everything, this cat ran right up and sat on Adolph Rupp’s grave.” — Drew (49:49)
• The storytelling gets a big reaction, serving as a whimsical, spooky Kentucky anecdote.

[44:06–47:54] Listener Picks & Sports Talk

• Hosts give baseball playoff picks (Guardians over Tigers, Padres over Cubs, Yankees over Red Sox).
• Rams vs. 49ers preview for Thursday Night Football; consensus pick for Rams to win due to 49ers’ injuries.

[51:18–end] Closing & Local Promotions

• Matt Jones returns to the show the following day.
• Plugs for local events at KS Bar and Grill.
• Final thanks to listeners for tuning in during Matt’s absence.

Summary Table of Key Timestamps

| Segment | Time | |-------------------------------------------------------|------------| | EKU Football Interview (Walt Wells) (start) | 03:34 | | EKU Season Recap, Money Games | 04:28–07:14| | Local Recruiting, Kentucky Ties | 09:53–10:50| | Austin Peay Game Promo, Fan Experience | 11:04–14:54| | Madisonville Stories & Local Flavor | 19:38–21:32| | Transfer Portal Discussion | 21:32–26:46| | Notable Player Stories | 26:46–28:56| | Richie Farmer's UK Basketball Practice Impressions | 30:52–36:45| | Baseball/Football Picks, Banter | 44:05–47:54| | Cat Leads Drew to Rupp's Grave (Legendary Anecdote) | 49:10–50:54|

In Summary:

This KSR episode is a blend of homegrown Kentucky football insight, the challenges of modern college sports, and feel-good community stories. Coach Walt Wells offers transparency about team struggles and roster building in the face of the transfer portal, but radiates pride in the local flavor and resilience of his program. Richie Farmer’s practice report gives UK basketball fans early optimism, with shooter's depth and team length being major positive takeaways for the upcoming year. The chemistry between hosts, guests, and callers is easy and familiar, seasoned with regional humor and high spirits—a quintessential hour of Kentucky sports radio.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• “[Playing Kentucky] is almost like being at home for us and financially... it’s a great windfall and we get to keep it.” — Walt Wells (09:23)
• “Recruiting is always 24–7, 365... but now it’s even more so.” — Walt Wells (21:42)
• “Colin Chandler, he’s my next breakout star.” — Drew (38:26)
• “That was the ghost of Adolph Rupp leading you to his grave.” — Ryan (50:37)

For more details or the next live segment, tune in to KSR weekdays at 10 a.m. on Sports Talk 790, or find past episodes wherever you get your podcasts.