Kentucky Sports Radio - Hour 2 (October 23, 2025)
Host: Matt Jones
Co-hosts: Drew Franklin, Ryan Lemond
Producer: Shannon the Dude
Podcast Theme: UK (University of Kentucky) news, sports talk, community stories, and lively banter.
Episode Overview
Hour 2 of KSR dives deep into recent UK sports woes, bizarre news headlines, fan culture, coaching controversy, and the quirks of social interaction. The show features energetic debates, humorous storytelling, and plenty of community shoutouts. Notable topics include UK football’s dire stats, outlandish poker cheating allegations, an international Louvre break-in witnessed by Kentucky high school students, coach language standards in high schools, college football coaching rumors, sports betting scandals, and some heartwarming personal moments.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. UK Football’s Struggles and Damning Stats
(01:40 - 02:23)
- Matt Jones shares that UK has the second-worst record against power conference teams since last season (1-12), only behind Purdue (0-15), according to Brett McMurphy.
- Drew Franklin: “We really are in the conversation of the worst team in college football right now… touchdown streak thing where we haven't had three touchdowns since my 10th birthday or whatever it was.”
(02:05) - The mood is equal parts mockery and resignation about the team’s status.
2. Insane Poker Cheating Details: Chauncey Billups Scandal
(02:23 - 03:14)
- Drew Franklin relays wild details about a poker cheating scandal: “They had X-ray machines built into the tables to read face down cards. Secret cameras in card trays. ...They wore contact lenses that could read marks on cards...”
(02:30) - Matt Jones: “He needs to go ahead and pack his bags… If that’s true, that’s not good.”
(02:58) - This segment is a mix of disbelief and gallows humor about the lengths people go to cheat.
3. Wemby’s Unbelievable NBA Performance
(03:14 - 05:54)
- The team marveled at “Wemby” (Victor Wembanyama)’s performance, especially his dominance against Anthony Davis.
- Matt Jones: “If he keeps playing like that… he'll be the best player that ever played, period.”
(04:11) - They geek out over highlights: freakish athleticism, scoring 40 points in under 30 minutes, and being unguardable.
- Ryan Lemond: “To be 7 foot 4 and could beat you on the dribble and then step back and hit a three pointer is just amazing.” (04:56)
4. Louvre Break-in Witnessed by Kentucky Students
(05:54 - 08:19)
- Students from Whitesville Trinity in Kentucky narrowly missed walking into a room in the Louvre during a break-in.
- Details are recounted with both amazement and humor:
- Matt Jones: “According to them, they heard a chainsaw cutting glass and decided to go the other way... Smart move.” (06:26)
- The crew jokes about their own modest school field trips compared to an overseas museum tour.
- The heist itself is described as chaotic, with seven and a half minutes elapsing before thieves escape.
5. Coach Suspended for Inappropriate Language—What Crosses the Line?
(08:47 - 12:00)
- Leslie County High’s football coach suspended for two games for “inappropriate language.”
- The group debates the cultural and practical sides of cursing in sports:
- Matt Jones: “If your science teacher were to curse at you, they would be fired... I don't understand why we think it's okay. I really don't.” (11:12, 11:30)
- The consensus is that cursing is common but making it personal or derogatory probably crossed the line.
- They joke about Ryan’s own coaching history—mix-ups about cussing vs. accidentally hitting a kid with a ball.
6. Callers and Political Boundaries on KSR
(13:03 - 14:12)
- Caller “Justin” criticizes the previous day’s jokes about ICE and deportations; Matt quickly pivots away from politics:
- Matt Jones: “I'm not going to sit here and have a political conversation on the show whether that's hypocritical or not. It's the way we've always done it.” (13:18, 14:12)
7. UK Football Coaching Carousel
(14:15 - 17:11)
- Caller “Jerry” discusses rumors about Auburn’s coach being on the hot seat and concerns about UK target John Sumrall possibly getting poached by other schools.
- Matt assures that the timeline for coaching hires will work itself out by season’s end.
- Drew Franklin: “He knows he has to nail this. I mean, it's not a legacy hire, but it will probably be one of the last things he leaves the UK with...” (32:44)
8. Personal and Pop Culture – Music, Gigs, and Solo Dining
(19:19 - 22:39 & 27:17 - 29:46)
- Ryan gets emotional over Rodney Atkins’ song “Watching You,” revealing his sentimental side.
- Drew attended a Mumford & Sons and Sierra Farrell concert, sharing a funny post-concert Nashville story.
- The group discusses the trend of eating alone:
- Joe Flacco quote: “When I was younger, I would see an old guy over 40 eating by himself... now I look at it and say, that would be awesome.” (27:40)
- Drew and Matt appreciate solo dining, while Ryan admits, “I have to be with somebody. ...I don't like being by myself at all.” (28:56)
- They tease Ryan about eventually eating solo on a future trip.
9. Bon Jovi’s Age and Whether to See Old-Acts in Concert
(23:00 - 24:50)
- Bon Jovi going back on tour at 63—would the hosts go?
- Ryan Lemond: “I absolutely would go, yes. ...He just didn't have the voice anymore. That was [obvious in the documentary].” (23:55)
10. Sports Betting Scandal: DeNiro Laster’s Name Comes Up
(36:01 - 37:16)
- The DOJ alleges Terry Rozier planned to fake an in-game injury for betting purposes.
- Bizarre Kentucky connection: DeNiro Laster, former UK player, allegedly involved.
- Drew Franklin: “DeNiro last year is a former UK football player. ...I know that name.” (36:20, 36:24)
11. Other News and Community Shoutouts
- The Breeders’ Cup Classic is discussed as possibly the “most stacked horse race of all time.” (43:46)
- Tennessee baseball coach leaves for San Francisco Giants, taking a pay cut—major college-to-MLB jump. (45:25)
- Callers with offbeat trivia and local shoutouts, including “Meditating Matt” who thanks the iHeart staff for a great live show experience. (40:51, 43:21)
Notable Quotes
-
On UK football’s woes:
“We really are in the conversation of the worst team in college football… the whole touchdown streak thing where we haven't had three touchdowns since my 10th birthday…” — Drew Franklin (02:05) -
On Chauncey Billups poker cheating:
“This is the craziest part. They wore contact lenses that could read marks on cards...” — Drew Franklin (02:47) -
On Wemby’s performance:
“If he keeps playing like that… he’ll be the best player that ever played, period.” — Matt Jones (04:11) -
On Louvre break-in:
“They heard a chainsaw cutting glass and decided to go the other way… Smart move.” — Matt Jones (06:26) -
On coach language double standards:
“If your science teacher were to curse at you, they would be fired… I don't understand why we think it's okay. I really don't.” — Matt Jones (11:12, 11:30) -
On eating alone:
“There is liberty, and there is freedom in being by yourself at a restaurant. Thank you, Joe Flacco, for standing up for us.” — Matt Jones (31:17) -
On legacy hires and UK’s athletic director:
“He knows he has to nail this. I mean, it's not a legacy hire, but it will probably be one of the last things he leaves the UK with.” — Drew Franklin (32:44)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:40: UK Football's Power Conference Woes (second-worst record)
- 02:23: Chauncey Billups Poker Cheating Details
- 03:14-05:54: Wemby NBA performance analysis
- 05:54-08:19: Whitesville Trinity students and the Louvre break-in
- 08:47-12:00: Coach suspended for language, debate on sports cussing
- 13:03-14:12: Caller challenges KSR on political jokes
- 14:15-17:11: Callers and UK football coaching search
- 19:19, 22:39: Music, gig stories, and emotional dad moments
- 27:17-29:46: Solo dining debate: Ryan's refusal vs. the others' freedom
- 23:00-24:50: Bon Jovi tour debate
- 36:01-37:16: Sports betting scandal linked to ex-UK football player
- 43:46-45:21: Breeders’ Cup Classic preview
Memorable Moments
-
Ryan gets emotional about Rodney Atkins’ “Watching You”.
“I can't start talking about it. ... It just pulls at your heartstrings.” (19:40, 20:14) -
**Discussion of eating alone leads to the group plotting to make Ryan dine solo on an upcoming trip—“We’re gonna have a meal where we make him sit by himself in a restaurant.” — Matt Jones (30:24)
-
Callers bring color and trivia: “Meditating Matt” thanks the iHeart staff and crew for their birthday hospitality and T-shirt. (43:21)
Conclusion
This hour of KSR captures the show’s unique blend of UK sports, community, and pop culture with a blend of sharp wit and local color. Whether it’s grappling over football futility, marveling at NBA greatness, recounting a local school’s brush with international crime, or ribbing each other about social habits, the KSR crew delivers an episode that is, above all, entertaining and community-driven. The show’s charm comes from its chemistry and its willingness to mix the serious with the silly, making it engaging even for those who missed it live.