Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1

Date: November 7, 2025
Host: Matt Jones
Guests/Regulars: Ryan, Drew, Shannon
Location: Bespoken Spirits, Lexington, KY

Episode Overview

This lively KSR episode comes to you live from Bespoken Spirits with Matt Jones, Ryan, Drew, and Shannon on hand. The team discusses a packed Kentucky sports weekend across multiple teams (men’s/women’s basketball, football, volleyball), the viral “Garrett’s got to get his money” video featuring UK’s backup QB Zach Calzada, campus NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) issues, the looming UK-Louisville basketball rivalry, and updates on Kentucky’s basketball roster. The episode’s tone is humorous, candid, and distinctly blue-tinged, connecting deeply with the local fan base’s frustrations and hopes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Big Blue Sports Weekend

• All major UK teams (men's/women's basketball, football, volleyball) are playing in Lexington.
• Tickets are being given away on-air; crowd enjoying Club Blue Bourbon and smoked Old Fashioneds at Bespoken Spirits.

2. Sports Weekend & Ticket Exchange

• Matt plugs their ticket exchange program ([03:24]) and runs through the sports schedule:
  • Women’s basketball vs. Monmouth (big win last night)
  • Men’s basketball vs. Valpo tonight
  • Football vs. Florida on Saturday
  • Volleyball vs. Tennessee, nationally televised

Memorable Moment

"I turned on the women's game and I think it was like 37 to 4 at one point. Just crushed Monmouth."
—Ryan ([04:01])

3. Viral Video: “Garrett’s Got to Get His Money” – Calzada’s Cash Flash

Context: A video surfaced of UK backup QB Zach Calzada responding to online criticism (“Garrett”) by waving a huge stack of $100 bills, taunting “Count 'em, Garrett. You better get your money right.”

Hosts’ Takeaway and Fan Reaction:

• Matt is shocked at Calzada’s willingness to display so much cash and sees it as emblematic of poor player evaluation and wasted NIL spending.
• Drew sees Calzada as foolish, not as an indictment of UK's program, but as an example of immaturity and bad financial sense.
• Ryan is incensed, goes so far as to call for suspension even “just for being an idiot.”
• Shannon jokes about Mark Stoops doing a video showing all the money “we’re wasting on him.”

Memorable Quotes

"What kind of an idiot goes and gets $20,000 in cash, carries it around, takes it into his apartment, and then flaunts it on video?"
—Ryan ([10:58])

"He’s a symbol to me of a greater problem in picking these players."
—Matt ([10:25])

"It’s a bad look for Calzada and a reminder of all the NIL money that is being wasted on a guy who is sitting."
—Shannon ([12:49])

Key Points:

• The cash was probably withdrawn specifically for the video; estimated at exactly $20,000 ([18:14]–[19:02]).
• Consensus: Bad look for both player and, to some, the program; concern about culture and evaluation under Stoops.

4. NIL Money: Who’s Getting Paid and Not Playing?

• Matt suggests possibly a third or even 45% of UK’s $17–$20M football NIL budget is being spent on players not playing or not contributing ([13:30]).
• Discussion about “expensive guys not contributing,” especially on offense and among receivers.

5. UK-Louisville Basketball Rivalry Heats Up

• Louisville’s Kishan Pryor, post-win, delivers bulletin-board material: “Blank ‘em” in reference to Kentucky ([20:20]).
• Hosts relish the added spice—hope it motivates Kentucky’s players; reflect on how past coaches handled the rivalry more diplomatically but less passionately.

Quote

"It used to drive me crazy...when the coach and the players always said, 'It’s just another game.' I want it to be important!"
—Matt ([20:57])

"This rivalry needs some gas on the fire."
—Shannon ([21:41])

6. Basketball Roster & Personnel Updates

• Jalen Lowe returns to action, seen as a linchpin for the team's season ([23:36], [23:55]).
  • Matt: “To me this team goes as far as Jalen Lowe is good.”
  • Lowe’s role vs. Louisville crucial; last year, he played well against them.
• Comparison of this year’s vs. last year’s team:
  • Starters may have been better last year, but this year’s bench is deeper ([33:29]–[35:38]).
  • Uncertainty about go-to shooters this year without last year’s Kobe Braya.

7. Lexington Traffic PSA

• Matt provides a humorous “public service” regarding traffic nightmares on Leestown Road and around New Circle ([25:06]), warning listeners about impending ramp shutdowns.
• Advice: Leave early or park at KS Bar and walk (unless it rains).

8. Mark Stoops’ Future: Buyout and Performance Pressure

• Multiple hypotheticals about Stoops’ job security if UK finishes 5–7 or 6–6 ([27:04]–[31:37]).
• The $37M buyout is a huge obstacle to making a coaching change.
• Matt, Drew, Ryan, and Shannon differ somewhat, but most agree that only complete collapse would force a change.
  • Matt: “If we go 5–7, the fan base has reached a level you need to make a change.”
  • Drew: “I don’t think you can fire him if he wins six.”
  • Ryan & Shannon: At 5–7, bring him back; at 6–6 with that buyout, definitely keep.

Memorable Exchange

“It's not my money.”
—Matt ([30:52])

9. Fan Q&A – Program Investment vs. Buyout

• If Stoops stays, where should NIL be invested?
  • Ryan: Upgrade offensive line and secure young talent (e.g., Cutter Bowley, Jason Patterson) ([41:49]–[42:29]).

10. Football vs. Florida Preview

• Hosts are generally optimistic about Kentucky’s chances against a struggling Florida team ([42:39]–[44:44]):
  • Florida missing key receivers; their much-hyped QB Laggway underperforming.
  • Kentucky a 3-point underdog, but panel expects a win, citing home streak and defensive improvements.
  • Classic “wounded dog” analogy sparks debate over animal metaphors.

Notable Quotes & Moments (With Timestamps)

• On Calzada's video:
  "I would suspend him immediately." – Ryan ([11:16])

• On money priorities:
  "Just business wise. It just won't happen. Doesn't make sense for him." – Ryan, on a $37M buyout ([28:14])

• On Lexington traffic:
  “Our show starts at 10. I'm gonna start leaving at 8 in the morning just to make sure I can get there...” – Ryan ([25:59])

• On team identity:
  "We’re Kentucky football. Okay, 5 and 7... that’s not that bad." – Shannon ([38:04])

• On defense:
  "That defense, you did hold them to 15. I mean, you did…last year, if we had shot the ball that poorly last year, we'd have been losing at halftime." – Matt ([40:02])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:24] – Ticket exchange & sports weekend overview
• [06:13] – Introduction to “Garrett’s got to get his money” viral video
• [10:58] – Ryan’s reaction, calls for Calzada’s suspension
• [11:50] – Discussion of UK football culture and Stoops’ response
• [13:00] – NIL budget breakdown; how much is wasted?
• [20:20] – Louisville’s Kishan Pryor issues “Blank ‘em” bulletin board comment
• [23:36] – Announcement: Jalen Lowe returns for men’s basketball
• [25:06] – Lexington construction traffic PSA
• [27:04] – Stoops/buyout hypotheticals and staff’s opinion
• [33:29]–[35:38] – Comparing 2024 vs. 2025 basketball starting lineups and bench
• [40:02] – Defensive improvements and need to shoot better
• [42:39] – Football vs. Florida preview and wounded dog discourse

Summary

This KSR episode exemplifies local sports radio at its best: a mix of fan-driven enthusiasm, quick-witted analysis, playful banter, and unvarnished takes on the state of Kentucky athletics. The big talking point—the “Garrett’s got to get his money” video—reflects underlying frustrations about NIL and player recruitment, spiraling into larger questions about Mark Stoops’ tenure and Kentucky football’s trajectory. Meanwhile, anticipation for the Louisville rivalry and the debut of UK’s key basketball players runs high, with memorable audience participation and a clear sense of Big Blue Nation’s pulse. Add in some colorful analogies and a timely Lexington traffic report, and you have an episode that’s both highly entertaining and deeply informative for any Kentucky sports fan.