KSR Postgame Show: Kentucky vs. Florida (Football) – November 9, 2025

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This episode of the KSR Postgame Show, hosted by Matt Jones and Billy Reed, focuses on Kentucky's resounding 38-7 win over Florida at Kroger Field. The discussion centers around the significance of the win, what it means in the historical context of UK football, analysis of players and coaches, and the evolving outlook for the remainder of the season. The hosts take numerous calls from fans, dissecting emotions, and opinions about the program’s trajectory under Mark Stoops.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Significance of the Win

• Ending Home Losing Streaks:
  • Kentucky snapped two major streaks: 11 straight SEC home losses and 13 straight Power 5 home losses.
    • “A streak that had gone way, way too long… It’s now ended and ended in a way that’s pretty awesome.” (Matt Jones, 02:44)
• Historical Perspective:
  • The 38-7 score is Kentucky’s largest margin over Florida since 1950 (the year Kentucky won the national championship).
  • It’s also UK’s largest margin of victory in an SEC game since 1998, and largest over a non-Vandy SEC team since 1978.
    • “There’s a good chance that I, and possibly Billy, will be in the eternal resting place before we beat Florida by this much ever again.” (Matt Jones, 05:00)
• Kentucky now has as many wins against Florida in Lexington in the last five years as against the rest of the SEC combined.

Program Trajectory & Mark Stoops’ Future

• The two-game stretch (wins at Auburn and vs. Florida) may have “salvaged the career” of Mark Stoops at Kentucky.
  • Scenario 1: If UK beats either Vanderbilt or Louisville, Stoops will likely stay if he wants.
  • Scenario 2: If UK finishes 5-7, there’s an uncomfortable purgatory but firing Stoops “is off the table now.”
    • “Absent a loss to Tennessee Tech... Mark Stoops is definitely getting fired... is now... off the table.” (Matt, 12:55)
• Discussion of fan base sentiment, pointing out the generational divide in Stoops support and a strong wish that younger fans understand the program’s growth.
• Future potential: If the team manages to achieve a 7-5 record, it’d be considered a remarkable turnaround.

Player Highlights

• Cutter Bowley (Quarterback):
  • Technically still a freshman, Bowley’s growth excites hosts and callers.
  • Considered on the path to becoming one of UK’s “beloved quarterbacks”—Kentucky ties matter.
    • “He has a chance to kind of go in that group of our most beloved quarterbacks at this school.” (Matt, 07:31)
• Young Talent & Portal Impact:
  • Several young players stepped up on both sides of the ball. Despite portal attrition, Kentucky has retained core talent and optimism is high for the future.
• Bush Hamdan (Offensive Coordinator):
  • Once widely criticized, his play-calling is now praised for putting opposing defenses “on their heels.”
    • “He was in his bag today... looked like a guy you could get excited about.” (Matt, 10:32)
  • Debate whether, if the offense continues to shine, Hamdan should return next season.

Game Analysis: How Kentucky Won

• Complete Domination:
  • “This game was never close... Kentucky dominated every phase of the game.” (Matt, 06:53)
  • Florida’s only points came off a special teams error; Kentucky’s defense created four turnovers.
  • The hosts highlight that Kentucky is playing its best football late in the season—a sign of progress.
• Aggressive Offensive Mindset:
  • Notable shift from Stoops and the staff: more aggressive and creative offensive decisions (e.g., going for touchdowns late in half).

Fan Calls & Community Pulse

• Appreciation for Stoops: Many callers, especially older ones, express gratitude for Stoops, referencing the "dark pre-Stoops years."
• Expectations & Standards:
  • Fans debate what record would justify keeping Stoops (6-6 and a win over Louisville seen as enough).
• Transfer Portal & NIL Era:
  • Some concern about keeping top players like Bowley given NIL and portal dynamics, but consensus is UK can keep its stars.
    • “If Cutter wants to be in Lexington, he will be in Lexington.” (Matt, 44:41)

Memorable Moments & Inside Jokes

• Tom Hart’s ESPN references to KSR and running inside jokes (Ryan getting thrown through a table; “Garrett get your money”) delighted the fanbase.
• The “money celebration” after scores became a team theme:
  • “The kicker did it too. Everybody was doing the money celebration.” (Billy, 15:20)
• The British part-owners attended their first “American University Football”—a culture shock.

Historical Anecdotes & Callbacks

• Multiple fans recount lifelong memories tied to Kentucky finally beating Florida.
  • “I was sitting next to my brand new baby boy and my beautiful wife watching the game... Kentucky demolished that Florida Gators team... I was grateful that Mark Stoops was my head coach.” (Caller Tanner, 51:32)
• The show closes with mutual acknowledgment: this stretch could ensure Stoops' standing for years, much like Tubby Smith is revered in UK basketball history.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:10] – Introduction and breaking the home losing streaks
• [05:00] – Historical significance of win margin over Florida
• [07:31] – Cutter Bowley’s potential place in UK QB lore
• [10:28] – Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s coaching redemption
• [12:55] – Mark Stoops’ future scenarios analyzed
• [13:55] – Fan sentiment shift and outlook for the rest of the season
• [15:19] – “Money Celebration” discussed
• [19:56] – Callers discuss generational attitudes toward Stoops
• [23:17] – Callers give Bush Hamdan his “flowers”
• [26:07] – Ongoing talk of Stoops’ “bipolar” seasons and upward trajectory
• [28:31] – British owners’ impressions, cultural commentary
• [29:39] – Fan excitement about young talent and football momentum
• [31:02] – Callers on program progress, Bush Hamdan’s future
• [40:47] – Caller: Stoops’ job security and SEC quality debate
• [44:33] – NIL and transfer portal impact on retaining stars
• [53:16] – Kentucky won without punting; historical rarity
• [54:18] – Caller: Being “happy for those guys” on the team
• [57:12] – Deeper pondering: Does Stoops still want to be in Lexington?

Notable Quotes

• “There’s a good chance that I, and possibly Billy, will be in the eternal resting place before we beat Florida by this much ever again.”
  — Matt Jones ([05:00])
• “He has a chance to kind of go in that group of our most beloved quarterbacks at this school.”
  — Matt Jones on Cutter Bowley ([07:31])
• “He was in his bag today... looked like a guy you could get excited about.”
  — Matt Jones on Bush Hamdan ([10:32])
• “Absent a loss to Tennessee Tech... Mark Stoops is definitely getting fired... is now... off the table.”
  — Matt Jones ([12:55])
• “If Cutter wants to be in Lexington, he will be in Lexington.”
  — Matt Jones ([44:41])
• “This is the most excited I’ve ever been... the dude just has something different and he. The team plays so much harder for him...”
  — Caller Tim on Cutter Bowley ([28:35])
• “I was sitting next to my brand new baby boy and my beautiful wife watching the game... Kentucky demolished that Florida Gators team... I was grateful that Mark Stoops was my head coach.”
  — Caller Tanner ([51:32])

Tone & Language

The conversation was a mix of celebratory relief, measured optimism, and the classic KSR blend of insider wit and fan interaction. Matt Jones balanced data-driven historical perspective with spirited takes, while Billy added signature dry humor and fan-focused observations. The tone vacillated between cathartic joy and cautious skepticism, reflecting the collective psyche of the UK fanbase in a season of ups and (many) downs.

Summary

This KSR postgame episode captured Kentucky’s cathartic blowout victory over Florida, analyzing its historical and programmatic importance, and shifting the Stoops job security conversation. The emergence of Cutter Bowley and the late-season surge propelled infectious optimism, while recurring debates on expectations, coach loyalty, and the challenges of the NIL era underscored the evolution of college football. The episode was rich in fan passion, memorable moments, and the authentic voice that defines KSR’s community-driven coverage.