KSR (Kentucky Sports Radio) - Hour 2

Episode Date: November 6, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, Shannon Dawson
Guest: Cash Daniel (former UK Football player, current wrestler)

Episode Overview

Hour 2 of KSR is a lively, nostalgia-filled conversation featuring former Kentucky football star and emerging wrestler, Cash Daniel. The crew dives into Daniel’s wrestling journey, memorable UK football moments, the current state of Wildcats football, player pride, and even local Kentucky music. The tone is relaxed, humorous, and energetic—a classic blend of KSR banter and homegrown fandom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cash Daniel’s Wrestling Career

Timestamps: 02:07–07:02

• Transition to Professional Wrestling:
  Cash updates the crew on his career, revealing that after early matches and some injury downtime, training has concluded and plans are underway for his wrestling comeback.
  • “I don't know about big wrestling star yet, but I'm working my way there.” (Cash Daniel, 02:07)
• First Match in Pikeville:
  Wrestling at Appalachian Wireless Arena—where, as a kid, Cash saw his first wrestling match—was “surreal.”
  • “It was kind of surreal, but, you know, it was great during hillbilly days...We made quick work of Tony Evans out there like we knew we would and got the win.” (Cash Daniel, 03:16)
• Wrestling Fills the Void:
  Performing in the ring brings an adrenaline rush akin to football.
  • “It’s something that brings me the same kind of feeling that I had ... out there playing football. So it's something you're always chasing.” (Cash Daniel, 03:16)
• Drew and Ryan reminisce:
  The infamous moment Cash slammed Ryan through a table during a pregame show is joyfully revisited.
  • “You picked me up and slammed me through a table.” (Ryan Lemond, 05:17)

2. Upcoming Gag: Reliving the Table Slam

Timestamps: 05:17–08:05

• The hosts hatch a plan for Cash to reprise his table slam on Ryan at the pregame show—if it’ll guarantee a UK win. Listeners even volunteer to bring tables.

  • “If it would guarantee a win, I would let Cash slam me through the table one more time.” (Ryan Lemond, 06:38)

3. State of UK Football & Coach Stoops

Timestamps: 08:07–11:55

• Recent Win Over Auburn:
  Cash sees “bright spots for the future,” especially crediting quarterback Cutter Bowley for stepping up.
  • “Cutter Bowley looks great ... he's really come into his own ... to be the captain of the offense.” (Cash Daniel, 08:11)
• Coach Stoops' Emotional Response:
  Stoops showed rare vulnerability and pride after snapping the SEC losing streak.
  • “Man, it feels like a thousand pounds gets lifted off your shoulders ... [seeing Stoops] be vulnerable for a second.” (Cash Daniel, 09:15)
• Season Perspective:
  Despite struggles, there's optimism about finishing strong and possibly making a bowl.
  • “There's a reason why there’s 12 games and 12 opportunities to go out there and do your best.” (Cash Daniel, 09:50)
• Coach Stoops’ Future:
  Cash asserts that Stoops is the best thing to happen to UK football, defending him against criticism.
  • “Coach Stoops has done one of the greatest jobs in Kentucky football history ... the most winningest coach in our program.” (Cash Daniel, 10:35)

4. Brotherhood & Road Games

Timestamps: 11:55–13:29

• Cash recalls the unique camaraderie of away games, comparing the team to “Special Forces going behind enemy lines.”
  • “It’s just us. There's nobody else. It's just the guys on this plane, the guys in this room, to go down there and do a job.” (Cash Daniel, 11:55)

5. Kentucky’s Local Music Scene

Timestamps: 15:07–16:40; 24:36–25:19

• Cash praises his friend Luke Trimble, talks about the influence of Tyler Childers, and highlights up-and-coming eastern Kentucky bands like The Creekers and Cole Chaney.
  • “You see the, the kind of, the new era of musicians coming from eastern Kentucky, like Luke and Cole Chaney...” (Cash Daniel, 15:34)
• The crew plays and discusses tracks by local acts, showing appreciation for Kentucky’s rich musical tradition.

6. Football Grit and Kentucky-Born Players

Timestamps: 18:45–20:12

• Texts from listeners praise the toughness of Kentucky-born players. Cash describes the pride and mentality of representing the state.
  • “The mindset that we had coming in as Kentucky kids was that we really just want to put on for a state that has been so good to us.” (Cash Daniel, 19:00)

7. Beating Florida & Big SEC Games

Timestamps: 20:12–21:23

• Cash reflects on the importance of beating Florida and the legacy of snapping their long win streak in 2018.
  • “Breaking the streak in ‘18 ... we kind of flipped a table on Florida for a little bit there.” (Cash Daniel, 20:39)

8. Daniel’s Life Beyond Football

Timestamps: 21:23–22:16

• Focused on training and work, Cash shares how he enjoys spending time with family and friends outdoors, and how he's “divorced” himself a bit from actively tailgating and UK gamedays.

9. Caller Questions: Basketball and UK Hockey

Timestamps: 22:21–24:21

• A fan inquires about basketball rotations; the crew discusses Coach Pope easing players back in from injury.
• Cash enthusiastically supports UK’s club hockey team and encourages local attendance.

10. Football Strategy Deep Dive

Timestamps: 27:01–31:50

• Ryan probes Cash for X’s and O’s:
  • Defensive Consistency:
    Why was UK’s defense great versus Texas/Auburn but struggled against Tennessee?
    • “Communication is the number one factor out there for you guys, whether it be verbally, whether it be non-verbally...” (Cash Daniel, 27:28)
  • Credit to Brad White:
    Cash heaps praise on defensive coordinator Brad White’s intelligence and film study.
    • “I used to be mesmerized ... how in the hell did he think of that ... [film study] helps me slow down and allows me to play a lot faster.” (Cash Daniel, 29:36 & 30:41)

11. The Reality of Recruiting in the NIL Era

Timestamps: 32:52–35:16

• On recruiting priorities, Cash emphasizes keeping quarterback Cutter Bowley in Lexington and beefing up the O-line, while candidly admitting recruiting now is “all about ... where the money is.”
  • “It seems like most kids nowadays are going where the money is, and that's just the reality of college athletics at this point.” (Cash Daniel, 33:34)
• Hosts joke Cash missed out on NIL riches.
  • “Yeah, I'd be fishing somewhere on a boat right now if I'd had that, that's for sure.” (Cash Daniel, 34:48)

12. Nostalgia: High School Football Memories

Timestamps: 39:02–41:49

• Cash waxes poetic about the special bonds and memories of high school football in Paintsville, Kentucky.
  • “There's nothing like playing in front of your home crowd on a Friday night.” (Cash Daniel, 40:26)

13. Fun and Listener Interaction

Timestamps: 22:21–43:19

• The hour is filled with playful ribbing, shout-outs to community musicians, and recurring jokes about illegal sports streamers and tipping online via CashApp.
• Listeners are visibly invested, chiming in via text and phone calls with questions about sports, music, and more.

Notable Quotes

• “It’s the perfect mixture of theatrics and athletic ability and sports...there's such a big draw to it.”
  – Cash Daniel on wrestling (04:27)
• “If it would guarantee a win, I would let Cash slam me through the table one more time.”
  – Ryan Lemond (06:38)
• “There's nobody that expects to win more than the guys in that locker room.”
  – Cash Daniel on player mentality (10:35)
• “Winning fixes everything.”
  – Cash Daniel (13:20)
• “Coach Stoops has done one of the greatest jobs in Kentucky football history...not a lot of people out there could have done what he’s done here.”
  – Cash Daniel (10:35)

Memorable Moments & Call-Backs

• Table Slam Rematch in the Works:
  The beloved “Ryan through a table” gag is reprised, fueling excitement for the Saturday pregame.
• Listener brings a table:
  KSR fans step up, volunteering to provide tables for the live stunt. (18:16–18:28)
• Music from Home:
  Live on-air appreciation for the local acts Creekers and Luke Trimble, heralding the rich music culture of Eastern Kentucky.
• Candid Recruiting Talk:
  Cash is honest about the changes NIL brought to college recruiting—“It’s all about...where the money is.”
• Football Nostalgia:
  Cash’s story of his viral post-game high school interview brings laughter and reminds everyone of his legendary status in the state.

Important Segment Timestamps

• Wrestling Update / Beginnings: 02:07–05:01
• Table Slam Reminiscing/Rematch: 05:12–08:05, 18:16–18:28
• UK Football Season State: 08:07–11:55
• Coach Stoops’ Emotional Win: 08:55–09:47
• Caller Q&A (Basketball & Hockey): 22:21–24:21
• Defensive Coaching Deep Dive: 27:01–31:50
• Recruiting and NIL Discussion: 32:52–35:16
• High School Football Memories: 39:02–41:49

Closing Thoughts

This hour is classic Kentucky Sports Radio: a perfect mash-up of sports commentary, personal storytelling, in-jokes, listener engagement, and regional pride. Cash Daniel’s candidness, humility, and energy make him a standout guest, and the table slam pledge sets up more legendary KSR lore for the future.

For more on the table slam, football analytics, or Kentucky’s next great band, stay tuned to the next KSR!