Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2, December 12, 2025

Hosts: Matt Jones & the KSR crew
Theme: The latest UK (University of Kentucky) sports news and candid discussion of Kentucky culture, sports rivalries, and fan traditions.

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Kentucky Sports Radio’s second hour covered a range of UK sports updates, delved into quirky debates about celebrity couples and movie stars, and featured spirited memories from the show's hosts and callers. With their trademark humor and banter, Matt Jones and company discussed UK Volleyball’s tournament run, an infamous period in UK basketball history, the ins and outs of sports fandom (locally and abroad), coaching changes, transfer portal news, and more.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. "Tie Goes to the Runner" – Sports Rule Myths (00:01–05:45)

• The crew addressed Al Michaels’ use of the phrase “tie goes to the runner" in football, emphasizing that it’s a baseball term and is often misapplied.
• They explored how such sports clichés become widespread, referencing a recent show segment and noting that even the experts get it wrong sometimes.
• Quote (Matt Jones, 02:18):
  “Maybe it’s just an old man thing because Al Michael said it yesterday as well. I’ve heard it my whole life. Tie goes to the runner. I’ve never heard in football. Tie goes to the offense.”

2. Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift: Can Couples Really Avoid Arguments? (05:46–14:12)

• The team dissected Travis Kelce’s claim that he and Taylor Swift haven’t argued once in two years, debating whether any relationship could really go that long without a fight.
• Discussion turned comedic as underwear, carrots, and other potential sources of domestic strife were cited.
• Quote (Matt Jones, 08:21):
  “If there’s a couple out there that’s not arguing or pretending to not argue, I expect to see them on Dateline in a few years because that’s just not normal.”
• They concluded that minor arguments are natural and even healthy, contrasting media narratives with real relationships.

3. UK Volleyball’s Dominance & Final Four Prospects (14:13–21:45)

• Recap of UK Volleyball's victory over Cal Poly—highlighted as total domination (third set: 25–7).
• Outlook and expectations for next matchup against Creighton: historic Final Four implications, opponent’s strengths and conference caliber.
• Discussion of event atmosphere, crowd support, and the opportunity for fans to attend both volleyball and basketball matches in a single evening.
• Quote (Host, 18:05):
  “Even if people don’t do the doubleheader, I don’t think the Kentucky basketball game will impact the volleyball crowd at all. They’re going to get a great crowd…”

4. Memories of UK vs. Creighton & the Billy Gillispie Era (21:46–28:58)

• Nostalgic revisit of the last UK-Creighton basketball meeting during the Billy Gillispie NIT era, including tales of Gillispie’s chaotic departure.
• Anecdotes about Gillispie supposedly avoiding his firing by evading university officials, driving in circles on New Circle Road.
• Quote (Matt Jones, 25:31):
  “He just ended up driving around town hoping nobody would find him, which is still one of the greats. Like, I know I’m gonna get fired, but they can’t fire me, Ryan, if they don’t find me…”
• Recap of post-firing press conferences, including Gillispie’s own offbeat announcement.

5. Call-in Segment: Mike Leach Offense & UK Men’s Basketball (29:00–32:15)

• Caller “Will” reminisced about advocating for a Mike Leach-inspired offense to Calipari, arguing it would help UK’s current team “create more space.”
• Crew discussed current Head Coach Mark Pope’s existing emphasis on a spread offense—acknowledging chemistry and implementation as ongoing issues.

6. John Michael Montgomery's Final Concert: Country Hits & Tears (41:15–47:44)

• Discussion of the famed Kentucky country singer’s retirement concert, with hosts sharing their favorite John Michael Montgomery songs.
• Humorous rankings and personal stories about which songs stir emotion.
• Quote (Matt Jones, 44:20):
  “There’s something about his voice. It’s very sort of Kentucky and…conveys emotion very well.”

7. Fan Infamy: Finnish Soccer Fans Burn Stadium After Relegation (48:48–51:10)

• The hosts react to the bizarre news of FC Haka fans in Finland burning down their stadium in protest of relegation.
• The segment touched on the cultural differences in expressing fan frustration and recapped the scale of the incident with bemusement.

8. Transfer Portal & Football – Stephen Sacks Leaving, Quarterback Debates (52:00–57:40)

• Noted loss of Stephen Sacks ("Sack Em") to the transfer portal—acknowledged as a fan favorite and talented pass rusher.
• Discussion about new Offensive Coordinator Will Stein’s choices, particularly the speculation about Oregon transfer QB versus hometown prospect Cutter Bowley.
• Hosts expressed the tension fans feel about local versus “imported” quarterbacks.
• Quote (Matt Jones, 56:24):
  “Will Stein should pick—you know, you’re gonna bake the cake, you should get to pick the ingredients in the recipe. And if he wants somebody else, he’ll be judged by what he does.”

9. Bowl Game Picks & Laughs – Bucked Up LA Bowl

• Crew picked teams for upcoming bowl games, joking about quirky bowl names (e.g. Cricket Celebration Bowl, Bucked Up LA Bowl).
• Exchange about “bucked up” possibly causing FCC issues until realizing it’s just an energy drink.

10. More Calls: AD Search, Godfather Movies, and Stoops Speculation (Next Athletic Director) (58:00+)

• Taking more fan calls, including suggestions and odds for Mitch Barnhart’s potential replacement as UK Athletic Director.
• Mark Hill, Dwayne Peavy, and Rachel Baker discussed as possible candidates.

11. Farewells & Changing of the Guard – John Cena & Pop Culture (1:08:30+)

• John Cena’s upcoming (purportedly final) WWE match noted as a second “major retirement” of the weekend.
• Reflection on how public figures, even those initially unpopular, eventually receive warm send-offs from fans—parallels drawn with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry Tipton, etc.
• Quote (Matt Jones, 1:10:32):
  “If you stick around long enough, people cry for you.”

Notable & Memorable Quotes

• On Relationship Arguments:
  “If there’s a couple out there that’s not arguing or pretending to not argue, I expect to see them on Dateline in a few years because that’s just not normal.” (Matt Jones, 08:21)

• On Billy Gillispie Firing Saga:
  “He just ended up driving around town hoping nobody would find him…” (Matt Jones, 25:31)

• On Volatile European Soccer Fans:
  “Now what are some reasonable ways that fans could express that they were upset about this?... They went and burned the stadium deck. Wow. A little extreme.” (Matt Jones, 48:58)

• On John Michael Montgomery’s Musical Impact:
  “There’s something about his voice. It’s very sort of Kentucky and…conveys emotion very well.” (Matt Jones, 44:20)

• On Coaching Autonomy in Recruiting:
  “Will Stein should pick—you know, you’re gonna bake the cake, you should get to pick the ingredients in the recipe…” (Matt Jones, 56:24)

• On Public Farewells:
  “If you stick around long enough, people cry for you.” (Matt Jones, 1:10:32)

Important Timestamps

• 00:01–05:45: “Tie Goes to the Runner” myth and rules debate
• 05:46–14:12: Travis Kelce/Taylor Swift's “no arguments” claim
• 14:13–21:45: UK Volleyball tournament outlook
• 21:46–28:58: UK basketball’s last Creighton matchup, Billy Gillispie anecdote
• 29:00–32:15: Caller Will on Leach offense and Pope’s system
• 41:15–47:44: John Michael Montgomery final show, song reflections
• 48:48–51:10: FC Haka stadium fire after relegation
• 52:00–57:40: Transfer portal, QB debates, and staff changes
• 58:00+: Athletic Director speculation, Stoops/Calipari legacies
• 1:08:30+: John Cena’s wrestling farewell and pop culture sendoffs

Episode Tone & Style

• Conversational, humorous, lightly irreverent.
• Frequent Kentucky sports fandom in-jokes, personal memories, and caller engagement.
• Nostalgic and emotional at points—especially with retirements and music.
• Spirited, fast-paced exchanges with room for both serious and tongue-in-cheek commentary.

This hour of KSR offered fans a quintessential blend of UK sports updates, Kentucky pop culture, and local color—served up with laughter, insight, and genuine affection for all things Bluegrass.