9-25-2026 - KSR - HOUR 1

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3:31And do more. Welcome everyone. It is Kentucky Sports Radio Friday, September the 25th. I'm Matt Jones here in Lebanon, Kentucky, and Marion County. It is Ham Day sponsored by Lebanon Tourism, a Kentucky Top 10 event and one of the great fall festivals all across the state of Kentucky. You can give it to Shionl Clarks, pump a chop, phone line 859-2800-2287. A Vision Auto Glass text machine is 772-7745254.

4:32And this edition sponsored by the TJ Smith Laws. If you call TJ, he'll make them pay. This is our fourth year in a row here at Ham Days. We've usually been greeted at times by bad weather, but not today. Absolutely beautiful, a perfect fall day in Marion County for Ham Days. Ryan, this has always been an area where we get great crowds. Same thing this morning, and now they start the big weekend here in Lebanon. I have a hat I'm going to wear today on ESPN that says Lebanon and Ready to Rock. This is one of our favorite shows of the year because there's so much going on. You know, we had the famous hay-belltoss, which by the way, they're bringing back on Sunday. Remember that kind of... Oh, yeah, those big guys, right? Little controversy last year. Coming back on Sunday. One of our favorite shows. We love it down here. Who, Billy, what our hay-belltossed in the back of the day? Yeah, I don't remember that. I think he did. It's like the one thing he's ever done successfully for us. So, Drew, you know, this... We come down here. I eat the Cedarwood, the country ham biscuit, and you know, the country ham is...

5:38When you try to explain it to people from other parts of the country, I was just telling somebody last night. Hard to explain, but very, very good, and I'm loving it here. Since this has been on the schedule, I've been thinking about this country ham biscuit. Oh, we're halfway through it. You know, I didn't want to get up here and get dropped out. Yeah, you do get dropped out on the radio show, but I'm very excited to be here. Cedarwood makes the best country ham biscuit. And, you know, we like all the places we visit, but sometimes, some places really get into hosting. And this is one of those stops that you can tell they really appreciate us being here. We appreciate getting the love back. Well, they brought gifts that were specific, Shannon, for each person. So they brought me a blueberry muffin. That's right. They bought Ryan a framed copy of the fight song. I love this. They bought Mario Carpick cleaner. So they've been very nice in getting stuff that would help every person. Did you see what they got me? Well, they get you. Golf balls. Oh, you know, you fall for things, but now you actually have golf balls here. I don't want you to lose them. I'm going to throw some people right now. Like all those fans were going to get the L.A.

6:39Well, that's kind of cool. Those are Lebanon makers, Mark. Yeah, actually, I'll take them. Yeah, I'll take them. Thank you. I thought it'd go for it, but yeah, I can throw them though. You don't get your own president. We are here at Johnston Field, which is in the center of town. And, you know, most the last time I had to miss last year, this year, the last time I was here, was on my way to Ole Miss, when we, of course, won that football game in Oxford. We, my buddies and I stopped here on the way down there. And we got a big victory, not as big an opponent tomorrow against South Alabama. Although, Will Stein said, best team in the sun belt and said that they were better than people are acting like. But I'm really just looking forward to watching the team again, Ryan. After such a successful last Saturday, I just want more and more Kentucky football. A team where I knew almost no one on the team before. Now I have like opinions about all the players. I'm excited. I've been watching all the videos ready to watch them again. You're right. You know, when you win a big game as fans, we can't wait to see him on the field again.

7:41But the players also can't wait to play you. When you win a big game like that, when they won that game at Texas A&M, they've been ready for this game all week, so they're excited about it. Do you have any concerns, Drew, about South Alabama? We thought at the beginning of the year, maybe this would be the worst team on the schedule, but now that more I read, I think they're better than I thought. I mean, what are we, what are we, a favorite of? What's the, 20 and a half? 20 and a half, that's a lot, but that's not like a crazy, crazy amount. What do you think? I think we might get a little carried away if people think it's going to be 50 to 3, and we have in third string the entire second half. But I don't think there's any point where we're frustrated or concerned with how it's going. I think they'll just linger around. They hold onto the ball a long time. I think they're second in the country holding onto the ball, and they're one of only a handful of teams that have it. You mean play slow? Yeah. And they haven't turned it over all year. They're only a handful of teams with no turnovers. So when they're out offense, they don't like to give up the ball whatsoever. That'll be a big part. Now Kentucky has to play. Yeah, I think Kentucky's going to want, you know, if you're trying to pull an upset

8:42in a game like this, you try to limit possessions. They're going to want to do that. You know, we did a pretty, pretty bad job at times against Alabama stopping the run. We did a really good job against Texas A&M. They're going to do a lot of that tomorrow. This is just one of those games where you can't have a letdown, right? You want to go out there and score a lot of points early, and just establish the dominance early in the first half. And hopefully we're, you know, we're going to get a full, feel good to win tomorrow. Yeah, my hope is the opposite, Ryan, of what happened last week. I talked about how important it was in that game. National attention, everybody watching. I want the opposite. I don't want anybody in the country to run to know where even playing. There's a ton of huge games across America. We're not one of them. If people don't even know we play, that's a success because that means we won by a lot. The only way they'll know is if it's close. So I'm hoping nobody gets to hear about it. Yeah, you know, do you like you did the Youngstown State game? Come out every time every early possession you punched it in the end zone. Get a couple touchdowns early, get everybody excited, and then as we can enjoy and rest of the day football. Three game. Yeah, I hate to say this because people are going to think I'm a jinx.

9:44But three games in the season. One of the things that's been kind of amazing. Drew's the team in state, relatively healthy, right? I mean, they knock on wood. I agree. That's plastic. That's good counts. Yeah, I wouldn't do your head there. I'll knock on to your wood biscuit. But, you know, we've had a couple guys that took them a little bit of time to get in to start the season with a farie and Nichols, etc. But after that, hopefully that continues, especially on that offensive line. Yeah, we've been very lucky so far. This is a game, you know, you would like to get up big into the second half. Let guys like a CJ backster, some people that you've been cautious with throughout the summer and camp, let them get arrested. In a perfect world, backster, you know, get 70 yards and maybe a touchdown and sits down for the rest of the day. And some other guys like that too, and you work in young people. But, survive playing two top 12 teams that they just went against and to get out of there, mostly on Skade is you're very fortunate. It is amazing. You play Alabama and A&M and you somehow come out of there without significant injuries. It's actually really, really impressive.

10:46What do you think of the crowd as going to be like tomorrow? I know a lot of people I know that tend to skip this game are telling me they're going just because of the energy from the last one. That's why I think it'll be a lot like the first game we had. Won't be a complete sellout but a really good crowd. Maybe just those corners up there, maybe the empty. But I think the people, and I'm telling you this, the gimmicks we're doing with the T-shirts, people are kind of getting into that. And I think they want to enjoy the fun. I'm worried about that one a little bit. We did the strike out great. Well, because it was hot and even. That was easy, but now you're getting sections involved. If you're in this section, this color, this set. I don't know. I don't know. I think I have faith. I think we're starting to, we're like a man who got his first girlfriend after a long time. And so all of a sudden his clothes look better and everything. I think we're starting to like, I think we're starting to match and do the T-shirt thing maybe a little bit better. Now that we've pulled it off, I think fans recognize they have a responsibility. Yeah, they don't want to be the ones showing up and throwing it off. Now that it's worked so well to start to year. And I think you should break the people that they get it wrong.

11:47I think we know them out. Can the future call them out and then that won't happen again. I know it does sound silly, but I really think that adds to it. And now that we're playing well and winning, people that fans are getting more excited. Any of you all going to the game tomorrow? All right, do you know what T-shirt you're wearing? All right, so you know it got it on. You don't even have to change, sir. You can wear that directly to bed and get up and go. And you will be, you will be completely fine. Our pregame show tomorrow will start at 8.30 AM. Drew, just from a football standpoint, what are you looking for? I mean, Kentucky playing not a perfect game, but I gotta tell you, pretty close to a perfect game for a play against the top team. 10 team, but what do you want to see in the next one? First of all, as I said, I'd love to see some names get in there and get some experience. If we were able to get a backup quarterback in there tomorrow in the second half and get some minutes whether that's Pawn Atoski or the Canadian, whoever, that'd be ideal. But just when the ones are in, I'd love to see the offense and continue to play no turnover clean football.

12:48I mean, it'd be a lot to ask them to play as perfect as they did at Kyle Fild, even in that third quarter, even against South Alabama. But if they just come out and still play mistake-free, it'll just look like an operation you can believe in. I'll tell you what, I want to see Ryan. We have, you know, we got to see DJ Miller arrive. He didn't even have a catch in the first two games. Had a big game. We have one other receiver that on paper supposed to be really good for us, which is Nick Anderson, who really hasn't been used at all so far. I'd really like to see him and I'm a bet you that Joe Sloan and Will Stein are going to try to get that kid involved tomorrow, because they're going to need him as the season goes on. That's a great thought, because that's the mindset they have with DJ Miller going on the A&M. We've got to give him involved. We've got to get the ball on his hands. Passing game was really not very good in the first two games. They found it in the Texas A&M game. So you may be right. They may want to build on that, getting Nick Anderson involved in this game for the rest of the SEC season. I'll give you one more. Shane Carr hasn't caught a pass. He has the most production coming in. He was at a smaller school, a smaller level.

13:50But he's got over a thousand yards receiving in his career. And with 12 players of caught a pass and him not being one of his cut. Yeah, he's been in a little not much, but that's a name we thought could be one of the stars of the group. And he's been absolutely quiet. He needs to get going. Yeah, I think those are all important. By the way, I was watching. I can't remember the guy's name, Shane. And maybe it's like JD Pickerel or Pekel. Pekel. JD Pekel. And he was talking about Kenny Darby. And he said if that kid stays in his level when he's a junior, he will be a contender for I guess the wide receiver of the years. That the bulletinacoff is the wide receiver of the year. He will be a contender for national, the bulletinacoff, which is, I mean, we've never had a guy like that. Have we? It's been a long time. Craig East. I go back to this. Craig East. Craig East would probably be the last one. However many years ago, is it you from Harrisburg? You taught him. Wow. Yeah. Okay. You got to stop that. You talked to taught him football. Math. Okay. What boy's heard he was good at math?

14:51Math. I thought that was his wide receivers coach. I've always heard he was good at math. But that is exciting just to have guys like that. And then yesterday, listen, it's a long time before this kid graduates from high school. He's a sophomore. But they got a commitment from a kid named Marcus Washington that I know nothing about. But was told it's the second best quarterback in that class. Who knows if he keeps him. It's three years from now. But Shannon, just those kind of the win against A&M, getting you in recruits like that. You can't help but be excited. Will Stein, I don't think could have gotten off to a better start unless maybe you beat Alabama better. If you beat Alabama, we'd be like looking at it. We don't go for it. I mean, we beat Alabama. We'd be on the top 10, maybe. Yeah. Yeah. I think he's done just an amazing job and it's such a short amount of time being here. It's really impressive. Yeah. I completely agree. Are you now to the point with this team that Ryan, that you are expecting a bowl game? Not just hoping, but expecting one, three weeks into the season. I'm close to getting there.

15:52I mean, we kind of went through the schedule yesterday. There's a lot of more winable games on that schedule than I thought we were going to have. So I don't know if I'm quite there yet, but I'm getting pretty close to being there. Are you there? Yeah. I mean, I expect it means like, I'm not going to be this. I'm to the point now. I'm going to be honest with you. I'm not going to be really disappointed unless we just collapse and aren't good the last few weeks. I'm going to be pretty happy with the start of the year. But yeah, I think a bowl game, I don't know that I thought we'd make one before the season, but I think it's there for the take. You know, you win tomorrow. I think you're going to be vandying at home. So then the question is, can you just find two more somewhere and I feel like they will. Yeah, I predicted five wins in the preseason. I'm now at a bowl game at six. Part of it, like, there was, like, they do projected spreads. It's not completely accurate, but they use all those stats. And we were mostly a double digit underdog in every single game. If you were to do that now, that's not the case anymore. Even at South Carolina. I don't understand why we're a seven point underdog. South Carolina. But yeah, it opened up. What is it now?

16:53It was down to six. My name be down to five. That just seems, I mean, whether we win or not, that seemed to me be crazy. But a month ago in the projections, that was a double digit. Missouri was a double digit. Those are all going to be much closer now that we've seen some teams, including Kentucky. Yeah, well, eight, five, nine, two, eight, oh, twenty, two, eighty, seven. You know, Marion County, I always rely on you for this. Give me some, give me some athletes here from this place. Well, it starts and ends with Anthony Epps and McCayla Epps. We don't want to end it, but yeah, that's where it starts. They are the two superstars. You know, they had a Mr. Basketball the year after Anthony Epps took the team to the sweet 16. Elton Scott. Yeah, Elton Scott. Civing Gooden played with McCayla. And then went on to play at UK. UK basketball was her a big favor. I won't tell you why, but they all are a big favor. What does that mean? I guess we could probably tell it now. I don't know. I'm looking at faces of the crowd. I don't know what you're, I don't know what you're going to say. And we're in her hometown. It was a lot of you shut up. If I'm nine, two, eight, oh, twenty, two, eighty, seven. But Anthony Epps and McCayla, I mean, that's,

17:54is that the best parent child? What's the best parent child UK sports history? It's like a work they just wouldn't be. Jeff and Reed and Stacy, that's actually a really good one. Did they just go and hall of fame together? They did with Alan Fieldhouse and is in his dad. Yeah, the Bellhouse. The Bellhouses, that's right. And Darren, of course, Planky Line, Senior, Dicky Line's Junior. Uh huh. Bow and Todd Lanter. Bow and Todd Lanter. Sam and Shane Ball. Shane O that calls the show. Who calls the show? That's right. Yeah, those are, there's a lot. But don't take key and dainky. Yes, but I would say Anthony and McCayla, they'd have a, they'd have a claim for number one. They may have the best argument. They might have a claim. May 5-9-28-0-2287. We're going to take a break. We are here at Ham Days, right in the center 11 and come see us to see his Kentucky sports radio. To honor our country on its 250th birthday, this can't a Copenhagen goes out to those defending the free American soil. But our tobacco has taken root in for over two centuries and counting.

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20:03Fastest based on analysis by Uclav Speed Test Intelligence data of National Speed Score Results incorporating 5G download and upload speeds for the first half of 2026. Have your kids ever wanted to try an Olympic and Paralympic sport? Try fencing. It's fast, competitive, and even offered at the NCA level. Find a beginner class near you at tryfencing.org. That's tryfencing.org. If you run a business, you've probably heard plenty of AI promises. But here's one thing we know for sure. When consumers here and add for your business, 90% want to know it's a real person talking. And that's what you'll get when you advertise with I-Hard. We are guaranteed human. That means real voices, real connection, and trusted audio that helps businesses drive results. Learn how easy it is to tell your story through our voices. Call 844-844-I-Hard today. That's 844-844-I-Hard. Our mission is 24-7 access to fresh food for all. This is Hota Copy from Joy 101 with Hota Copy.

21:05And that was Jaleia Hemings. She and her husband created nourish and bloom market. When we decided to open this 24-7 AI grocery store, people thought we were crazy, but our first store was completely community-funded. And when your family and your friends bet on you, it hits a little differently. And the city of Atlanta took notice and decided to be part of the change. But the city actually put dollars behind that change. And so that the big box stores won't come, we'll build our own. One community-funded store became several. But eradicating food deserts across the country takes more than a village. We won the AT&T Small Business Contest Gramp. And that was what we needed to open the first AI-powered shipping container, grocery store in the country. Having a powerhouse like AT&T stand behind you, takes it to a whole new level. Connecting changes everything. AT&T. Be honest, you don't feel as interesting as you used to. Maybe not as much fun or adventurous.

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23:10That's Johnny Rocket. He's given away four lower level tickets to Kentucky LSU on October 10th. Somebody here is going to win that in this crowd, assuming they are here. They will be able to go to the game. That's very exciting. And, um, yeah, that's going to be a surprise. That is a huge prep for lower level tickets to the LSU. I think the parking pass he's given away a part of the package. So that's a great deal. Yes. Lane Kiffin coming to, uh, coming to town. That's going to be, if we beat South, let me tell you something. If we beat South Carolina and we go into that game four and one, wow, I mean, that atmosphere is going to be, I mean, it's going to be good anyway, but it's going to be true really good if we win that game. Because it games at night too, right? Never put a time on it, but it's guaranteed at night, including it could be even be 8 p.m. Uh, give you a little extra time. Oh, you're kidding me? You're like, bro, bro, that's a great deal. I believe it's slotted from anywhere from six to eight is what the schedule says. That's a Keeling weekend. Oh, that is the night game. All those people code. There's going to be a lot of LSU fans that make the trip. Unless they lose this week, then there's a world where they could be eliminated.

24:13859-280-287. I want to talk a little bit of basketball with you as well, but first let's go the phone. Who's up first? Justin is first. Justin, go ahead, Justin. Morning, fellas. Appreciate you taking my call. Good morning. I'm normally a podcast listener. Uh, I'm normally a podcast listener. And I heard my mom call in about my daughter swearing on the playground earlier this week. Yes. Oh, yeah, your daughter, uh, your daughter said a cuss word on the playground because she heard it as they used to say in those commercials. I learned it from watching you, dad. Uh, she learned it from you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that's true. We went up three scores and I didn't think of them and I was just a little too hyped. But I was calling to see like, what should I teach her next? Should I, like, we're, we live in South Carolina and so we're surrounded by clums and then South Carolina fans. So should I teach her like we is Kentucky? We give no blanks or I'm scared to go to church. Uh, I think if you're scared, go to church is a good one. I think that would be, I don't know that I would, I don't know how old your daughter is,

25:16but I think the first one will get her kicked out of school. So I wouldn't do that one. Four. Oh, four. Why should you go to school? Okay. Well, four years old, you got to be careful with preschool. Yeah, you got to be careful that I appreciate the call. But, uh, look, I understand speaking of church, I got to ask you Ryan. So, I don't know how to say this. Not, you know, I'm, I'm pro church and pro will stop. Okay. So we'll, we'll start the conversation with that. But of course, he came on this show, said he wanted people to, uh, take in flask and yell at the other team. Of course, we've seen a lot of videos from behind the scenes where he uses some words that they have to beat out. There have now been not one, but two ministers, right? Editorials, one in the Lexington Herald and one in something called Kentucky today, where they have been nicely asking Will Stein to stop using bad language and to stop encouraging people to drink.

26:17I, good luck. I actually read both of them. I wanted to give both people the benefit of that. I read, I think they both came from a good place. So I'm not, I'm not blasting these people. But Ryan, I read it and I thought maybe our fans need to lighten up a bit. And maybe we also need to like be ready for big time football, because I don't think they do that at Alabama and LSU and, and those places. Do you agree with me that people need to like, let Will cook and, and stop sort of being moral police? As an active member of Center Point Christian Church, I can see why the, the reverence coming from the ministers are coming from. But as a football fan of the University of Kentucky, I'm all for my coach doing what he can to get the fans fired up, get the players fired up, get that locker room going. So I say, go, say it on Saturday, go to church and ask forgiveness on Sunday. That's one way of thinking of it. I mean, I didn't know where you were going with that, but actually, but if you come back the next Saturday and cuss again,

27:19then bet you go to church again on Sunday. It makes for you so. It's a cycle. Listen, we are all sinners, Shannon. I, that's in the Bible. No man, no man or woman is perfect. You got to, you got to ask for forgiveness. So I, but I also like, I just think we want these coaches to show personality. We want these coaches to be like themselves. We want them to reach out and then you can't like harp on every little, on every little thing, right? Yeah, and one of them specifically said that it mentioned someone getting yelled at, and it said, and this happened because you told them to. And I don't believe anyone literally took that as an assignment from Will Stein to go parade someone. If a fan was yelling an Alabama fan, that probably happens every time they're at a game. I don't know that anyone was really like, all right, for Will Stein, I'm going to go cuss someone out. I don't think anyone took it literally. It's all about where you're at, too. Like, get a locker room. It's different. If Will Stein went into church and went, let's play can go! Then I would say, okay, yeah, maybe you should dollar back. I'm not sure that he would do that, but I'm just saying, you only see this, too,

28:21because of social media. If there are for social media, nobody would know the difference. Maybe the ministers should also look at how Joe Sloan lifted Darby's head up in the locker room, showing, teaching that lesson, is a life lesson. It is a life lesson. It's a good thing. I will say this. I'm not sure that we've ever had a coach that didn't cuss. I thought there were coaches that don't cuss. No. You're not going to, you almost have to. I mean, I'm trying to think if we've had a coach that didn't cuss. I mean, I know Cal cussed Pope cusses rarely, but he cusses. I heard it. We heard it at me. Wow, the way Mark Pope cussed you all out. Right? Yeah, we could go. That's fresh. I've always heard Jerry Claiborne didn't cuss. Or, you know, he would say dang it. No, no, didn't was Roy Williams. Dad Gummett. Dad Gummett. Yeah, but we all know what he did in part. He did. What he did in part. I can tell you this. I've been around a lot of coaches. I have have set next to him, listen to him.

29:23There's never been a coach in the history of the sport that has coached that has cussed worse than Mike Shishewski. You've said that. I mean, he came from the Bobby Night School. I set next to him for three years. And I don't know how he's gotten away all the years without the cameras going. But no person I've ever been around has cussed like Mike Shishewski. So I will stand to me is like a church mouth compared to compared to that. Even Cal. Cal cussed a lot, but not like Mike Shishewski. And, you know, should we cuss probably not, but it's part of the culture, especially on a college football Saturday. And also not to be philosophical, Shane, but who decided the word it was a cuss word? That's true. They're all just grunts. Really? They're all just, they're all just words. That's right. We assign meaning to them. Well, one thing I think is clear is no matter what he says, we'll start in this staff, have a connection with the players that I think is really, really neat to watch. Like you can just see the way they're all kind of locked in. And I also like, by the way, that they've left these players have been on interviews

30:25all across the country. The coaches have now they just have to show they can handle that success and play well on Saturday. They found nine two eight oh 2287. We are here in Marion County. Great crowd at Ham Days. We'll be right back. Kentucky Sports Radio. Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio here live at Ham Days. They will have the hot air balloons here. The Poke Pig 5K. When is the Poke Pig 5K? Is that tomorrow morning? Yeah. Get up and run a little Poke Pig. You ever in a 5K before? I have once. Yeah. I'm not playing on doing it again. Were you Poke Pig in that one? I was probably was pretty Poke Pig. They also have a concert. You played in that concert. Yeah. That was awesome. It had it set up right there in the middle of town. We've also played on this stage before. So we always love coming here to you, Levin. Shady Rays is teaming up with Pappy. Special reserve for the Shady Rays. Pappy sunglasses. A special chance to order and purchase. Pappy sunglasses. Shady Rays.

31:26They are you can launch his nationwide September 30th. But the early release is September 29th. If you go in the store from 11 to 6 on September 29th, you can register to win the sunglasses. I'm wearing Shady Rays. You're very excited about these Pappy's, aren't you? Yeah, they look very cool. They're limited too. So there won't be a second run of them. So if you don't get in this wave, you missed out. That's exactly right. Before we go back to phones, question for it. Did you see the story about, I've never heard this before. So apparently when teams are playing College Football, if the president is there, whenever he gets up to go to the bathroom or to move to another room, they cut off the communications on the field for the cut players and the coaches. So you know, the coaches are able to talk to the quarterback in the helmet. But if like the president gets up to go the bathroom, they take that away. So Steve Sarkeesian was talking about for the game on Saturday, Texas in Tennessee. They're having to work on the possibility that they assume at some point during the game,

32:28they will lose communication with their team. And then Sarkeesian went further as to say last year, and the, excuse me, in the national championship game, the Miami was unable to talk during the last drive, which led Indiana to score. Indiana's coach Kurt Signetti said that's not true. And so they're kind of been arguing back and forth. Yeah, you got to get some hand signals. Get him already, get understood. What's going on? Because this could really come at a crucial time in the game. What if he has to get up and go pee? See if I final drive of the game. That's when most people go to the bathroom is for that or other thing. He's an only point. They should get some hand signals. You're in the college football stadium at the game. The game should get the comms, and they should figure it out. Yeah. Are you saying the president should have to go, all right, I need to use the restroom. You're at the game that should get priority. Okay, that's an interesting thought. I hadn't thought about like that. But it's also Shannon, kind of, I mean, I didn't realize that they have it down to that minute level of,

33:31we got to turn the helmet communication off. And I will say this, if I was president and I was going to see Kentucky play, I'd wait till the other team was in a big drive and they go, oh, I got to go the restroom. Of course you won't. I'm sorry. Yeah. So I'm going to be walk. Oh, it's first and go. Oh, you know what? Need to stretch my legs. Maybe we'll find out who he's actually pulling. Poor person. When he chooses his bathroom break, you would think they would have that figured out to where they could have both going on. What if there's some sort of bleed over in the audio as the quarterbacks hearing trauma? I assume that's dry. I assume that they're turning that off so you don't mix the lines or whatever. I would assume that's what it is, but I don't, I mean, I'm talking about something I don't know. So to your point, actually, my first thought was with all the corruption going on these days, there'll be like a $10 million live bet right before he goes to that. So when he's going to go to that, no, no, no, no, like he'll shut down the cops and have a bet in during a drive. Like he could manipulate it. Would you want to be there Saturday? I mean, I hate Knoxville and I hate Tennessee. And I think people know my thoughts on the administration.

34:32But I will say the circus there, it's going to be quite a circus. I actually think this would kind of be entertaining. I'm with you. I hate Neelan Stadium. No, Ricky Rackley Stadium. The women chewed tobacco and spit on your shoes. I don't want to be around it. But I'm telling you, the environment there that like it will be good. It will be good. There's something. I mean, it's the fact that they're having game day and then the game starts right after. That's very rare. It's very rare. That doesn't happen a lot. And then they're going to do. I just, I think I hate Tennessee. But I actually think that's going to be one of the better atmospheres of the season. I don't think you would actually want to be there just because of the traffic, the lines you got to wait in. People would be there. Traffic. They also hate me there. So I'd probably get a lot of people yelling at me. Probably so. But literally everyone in the stadium would probably be, but it would still be just for somebody who likes atmosphere sports. It would be really cool. Who's up next? Aiden is up next. Aiden, go ahead. So.

35:33So I'm not another hockey tournament. Okay. Remember me from last year. Okay. And I would love it if you could come to one of my hockey games. Well, that's that's very nice. Where do you put that? Five. You play hockey and Kentucky? Yeah. Where? Luxington Ice Center. Oh, okay. Go drop the puck. I would love to. You said to five. I'll be on ESPN just finishing or out. But what's the name of your team, Aiden? The name of my team is Columbus Canon. Columbus Canon. Can. Columbus can. Well, good luck today at the hockey, at the ice center. And I hope you get a victory. Thanks. All right, there you go. It's a bit better. Well, they're already doing very well. I hope they eat everything they play. Me too, Aiden. Now Columbus Canons do as well. I appreciate the call.

36:35The ESPN has a new partnership with Lids. And they sent me a big, they asked me what are your favorite teams? And they sent me a big box of hats yesterday. So this is one of my new hats. This is I got one for I got the Eric Hurricanes, Reds, Kentucky, and the Bears. They sent me a big box of hats. Please tell me they sent meiren some because his hat. They did send my, my hats are bad. His hat is not been good. Yeah, that's not good. It was very cold for yesterday. There was like a rainbow shirt and a loud hat. There's a lot going on there. A lot going on. You're exactly right. Who's next? Stacey is next. Stacey, go ahead, Stacey. Hey, it's Tracy. First time caller. Who are? Bunk time list. We are on, I wanted to give a big shout out to the KSR ladies. They've got the ladies clinic tonight. We'll get to go in and meet all the guys and get a signed basketball. Oh, so that's right. This is the hoops and heels. Is that this evening for basketball? Yes. Mark Pope's event with the women of Kentucky fans.

37:38That's this evening. Well, you have to let it snow how it goes. And if the players are nice. Yeah, I'm wondering which one should we, you think we should be trying to follow around and talk to? Which one's going to be the one? Big Frank. Yeah, I would say the most fun person on the team is going to be Frank. I think in Malachi, I think the two big dudes are the most fun. But it seems like from what I've been around and the whole team is actually pretty fun and got a big personality. We usually are excited to see which ones the best dancer too. We always ask, and a lot of them will do a little show and dance for us. Well, there you go. That's a different kind of thing. Well, uh, well, I hope you have a good time. Enjoy it. Thank you so much. Thank you for taking our call. Have a great day. Appreciate the call. By the way, I don't know if you folks realize, do you realize that Friday night we're one week away from Big Blue Madness? Like I don't know that I processed it. But Big Blue Madness is Friday. Like our first game is three weeks from now.

38:40Our first exhibition game is October 16th. Yeah, we're so in depth with football right now. Need even football. It is kind of crazy that madness. This early and we play in three weeks. I mean, Madness is next Friday. That's that. I just looked at that yesterday. I was playing in my calendar for October, November. I couldn't believe it. A real game is like five weeks away. Yeah, I mean, that's true. Madness around the corner. We have the... The champion's classic is five and a half weeks. Texas Tex is going to be in Ruperena in just a couple weeks. Like we're so excited about football. Usually, you know, Jared, you always joke about. They'd flip the switch. But basketball got here. We're not going to, it's big of a hurry to flip that switch this year and it's all sneaking up. And they've moved everything up earlier than they've had. They've had an extra game. I mean, we... There are 32 games this year. I'm going to expect that starting in a year or two, there's going to be like 34. We're probably moving to a world because of revenue. We're ultimately end up with 36, 38, something like that. You're going to have a lot more college basketball games. Are you Shannon excited about the season?

39:40I mean, I know football has done well enough that we haven't talked a lot about it. But are you actively excited about the year? Always, I'm just about not only Kentucky, just college basketball in general starting up. But you're right, man, it's not up on us. And this is a very pivotal year for Mark Pope. You know, if he doesn't get some results, it's going to be interesting. I think it's more of the pivotal. And on that note, there, a lot of the college basketball experts yesterday or the last couple days have been ranking the coaches in the country. How good a coach do you have? Mark Pope. If you didn't see these rankings, I want you to think in your mind where Mark Pope would be nationally. We'll take a break. I'll tell you where he was on three of the list. Where would you put him? There's 340 coaches. Where would you put Pope? We'll take a break and be right back. Kentucky Sports Radio. Strong hands built America, kept it running for 250 years. Strong hands also keep Copenhagen moving today.

40:41Here's to the bravery of linemen, the endurance of truckers, the skills of welders, the traditions upheld by farmers, and all American tradesmen sharing in our work ethic. Copenhagen, celebrating American craftsmanship, proven since 1822. Warning, this branch is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. Hey, our rides almost here. Are you ready? Just grabbing my shoes. That's what you said 10 minutes ago. I just wrapped a video call, uploading this giant file on my tablet, looking at my watch group and Nana's with the group chat, and of course, still lining up tonight's playlist on my phone. All at once? Yep, story of my life. That's why I switched to D-Mobile. They have the fastest 5G network. Okay, multi-tasker. I see you. Honestly, I never imagined I could do all this at once. It's awesome. Say no more, I'm totally switching. My post is taking way too long to upload. That's a sign you've got to get D-Mobile.

41:43So many reasons to join D-Mobile. Find yours at T-Mobile.com. Fastest based on analysis by Uclav Speed Test Intelligence data of National Speed School results in incorporating 5G download and upload speeds for the first half of 2026. Have your kids ever wanted to try an Olympic and Paralympic sport? Try Fencing. It's fast, competitive, and even offered at the NCAA level. Find a beginner class near you at tryfencing.org. That's tryfencing.org. When it comes to your business, great promotions should do more than just get your name out there. They should drive action. And that's exactly what your business will get from a partnership with I Heart Media. Imagine your business connecting with music fans and future customers through sweepstakes, ticket giveaways, listener contesting, and local media. Attach your business to high-energy music moments built to help grow awareness, engagement, and leaves. Get started today. Call 844-844-I Heart.

42:44That's 844-844-I Heart. Get the feeling you should maybe get out more, see, and do more. Totally normal. So is staying stuck because finding out what and where just seems hard. A do more subscription brings your concerts and comedy sports and museums. For seven scrawny bucks a month, you get at least one pair of tickets to something great. Discover new bands. Laugh, learn, do more. And right now, do more makes interesting and adventurous easy because your first month's free at domorestuff.com slash free. This is the Dane Lebertar Show. This is Dane Lebertar, and I've been doing this for more than two decades. Our show is contagious. It's a little bit addictive. It's, uh, holy. In the most positive of ways, it has a good amount of range from smart to silly and it's got a journalistic backbone. Monday through Friday, I show up and talk about sports. Listen to the Dane Lebertar Show on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever it is that you get your podcasts.

44:00Including Slap Fighting Legend Wolverine. Also on the card is former WWE Champion J Kager, and the debut of former UFC Heavyweight Chris Barnett. You can watch Power Slap 23 for free on Power Slaps YouTube channel. Thursday, September 17th for the first time from Texas. Power Slaps biggest card of the year. Welcome back, it is Kentucky Sports Radio. Friday, September 25th. That was one of those, uh, that breaks where it's good we didn't have the microphone on. That's right. Conversation with Brian Durden break. It occurred to me the microphone was very close to my mouth as we were saying that. But I don't, I don't think they heard it. So that's good. Let's break a dude with what Shannon did. Yeah, you didn't hear that did you, Rick? No, I heard nothing. Okay, good. 8.5.9.28.0.2287. Yeah, that's true. Rick, Rick, Rick, don't even know the show going on. Rick's doing his own thing. We're in, uh, Lebanon, sponsored by Lebanon Tourism and the Johnny, uh, rocket, John Elder, the fourth law firm.

45:05Concerts tonight and tomorrow night, you can learn more at hamdays.com. Let's go back to my Pope thing for a minute. So, uh, uh, a college basketball social media account ranked the 100 best college basketball coaches in the country, which then led other people to do it. Mark Pope, guess what his highest ranking was, Shannon. There were three different ones. Guess which one had him the highest out of like which publication? No, just like what number do you think was the highest he got? Well, I would say first of all, for Kentucky basketball, you should be in the top five all the time. But I don't think that he is top five. I'm gonna say probably like 23rd. Good guess. His highest was 29th. His lowest was 78th. Oh, as the 78th best coach in America. And then he had one in the 40s. So it was like 29th, 48th and 78th. I'm with you, by the way, the Kentucky basketball coach needs to be in the top five. I mean, if you, Cal would have been in the top five most of his career probably not at the end, at the end, but he probably never would have been lower than like 15th, maybe at the most.

46:12You know, I would say skip Billy Glass, be tubby. At one point would have been in the top five, probably the lowest he would have gotten would have been 20th, maybe. Patino would have been number one probably most of the most of the time. So, you know, Drew, it's. But I can't argue with it. I mean, the 78th seems low to me. But if you're just looking at accomplishments, I, I, is it, 28th may even be high. I mean, it might be in the 40s or something like that. 70s seems a little ridiculous to me. I blindly without having names in front of me to really break it down. I would put him somewhere around 40 if I were doing it, just being kind of general there. I don't think I would have them in the top 25, but I think 70s a little click baitish for me if you're putting them that far down. I don't disagree, but at the same time like, again, for being objective, he's coached seven or eight years at major programs, one sweet 16, you know, three tournament wins.

47:16I mean, I get it. Yesterday, Joe Tipton, the recruiting expert for on three, was doing like a Q&A and someone asked like how many coaches in the country do you think could do better with all the resources Pope asked? He's getting checks anytime he wants one, the budget's there and Joe was like, I know you don't want to hear this, but a lot like it's a big number. Is it just based on coaching or is also a factor in recruiting? When it comes to coaching, I think he's ranked higher as a recruiter. I think he ranks really lower. I assume it was just overall overall program, whatever. I mean, listen, I want, there's not one person sitting here that doesn't want Mark Pope to succeed. I mean, we've had coaches that people, it rubbed people the wrong way. I mean, even Cal rubbed some people the wrong way. Mark Pope really doesn't rub anybody the wrong way, Shane, and everybody wants him to succeed. Everybody wants it to be a very successful time. At the same time, though, you got to do it.

48:17And you're going to be looking at a roster this year that probably, I mean, last year's roster, the number was, was rumored to be 22 million. The rumor this year is like 25 million. Last year's roster was probably the second most expensive in the country behind Michigan's. This year's roster is probably the second most expensive in the country, maybe behind Louisville's. So like, you got to win at some point. And then you have all the resources to be successful. And this kind of goes back to what Drew was talking about last week, lowering expectations. I don't think you should ever have a coach that's not at least in the top 20 of all coaches in college basketball. I think it's unacceptable. Yeah. Well, I just found it interesting. I'm not even saying those rankings were correct. But it was kind of an interesting thought point when I saw them. Who's up now? Would you rank our assistance since we still don't have one in madness next week? Yeah, I feel like I'm taking crazy pills because no one ever talks about this. But it's like, are we just not going to have an assistant? By the way, Jay Lucas, Jay Lucas, who at one point was a Kentucky assistant.

49:18Now the head coach of Miami, I'll tell you if just somehow theoretically ever this job came open, you're going to hear me say go hire Jay Lucas. Because that would probably he hired Riley Welch. Do you remember? Do you, do you, do you, do you, do you, do you, do you, do you remember the Riley Welch? I remember, oh yeah. Riley Welch was the guy that Kyle Tucker put in his article about the kind of downfall of Kyle that let Kyle's last year. Riley Welch was doing all the game plans as a graduate assistant, which he had just graduated the year before. Remember this dad is dad left pretty quickly, but he was he was doing our game plans at the age of like 23. Riley Welch is the, it was named assistant and then CJ Frederick, who played at Kentucky was named as a graduate assistant. Jay Lucas just added two former Kentucky guys, Ryan to his Miami staff. Young energetic guy reminds me of like, well, Will Stein was in football getting a chance to be a head coach and succeeding. Jay Lucas is going to be really successful and and I don't think Miami will be his final stop wherever it is though.

50:20That kid is going, he is smart. He's good at recruiting. He's going to be, he's going to be a superstar. Who's next? Steve is up next. Steve, go ahead Steve. Yeah, I'd like to give a shout out to my wife. That's possible. Well, you know my thought on that, but you seem like a nice man. And so in theory, you could do it, but it's the only one today. Okay, my wife is Patty Joe hedges. She's going into the University of Kentucky. Hall of Fame tonight and tomorrow at the foot. He should. She'll head with that. If you live with that, I would have been fine. I'm sorry. Lead with your wife is going into the Hall of Fame and then I'm good. Well, okay, so that's very nice of you. Your wife is Patty Joe hedges for people who don't know, tell folks about her as an athlete at UK. Not how she like what your romance. No, no, no, she's the all time assistant leader and both men and women's basketball.

51:25She played on the only second team, I guess, the first team that everyone, the SEC championship. And she played professionally overseas and she went to play one year with Houston comments, I believe. And, but WNBA was 10 years too late for my wife, but she played on the Pan Am team in 83 and they were goal seconds. I forgot, I think they were goal medalists in the Pan Am team in 83. Well, that is a great, well, let's get Patty Joe hedges a big round of applause going in the Hall of Fame. Michael Kid Gilchrist is joining her in the class. I'm sure you'll get to meet him really nice guys. So congratulations to you and your wife. Well, just just give her a big round of applause tomorrow to football game when they're going to get introduced. We will do it. Great honor for her and long overdue and thank you for taking my call. I'm sorry I didn't lead off with it.

52:27That's okay, that's okay. I appreciate it. Next time lead off with the Hall of Fame, that's very nice. Actually, you know what, that's very nice. It is. Get you a man that'll call a radio show and congratulate you on your Hall of Fame. That's really nice. To give his wife some flowers, she is regarded by most as the best point guard in the history of the UK Women's Basketball program. Stacey Reed, Michaela Epps, there's been some great ones. She's considered to be the best. And yeah, Michael Kid Gilchrist going in the Hall of Fame tomorrow as well. Lee Edmond from volleyball, Tim Duckworth from Dragon Field. What's the football player's name? Paul Calhoun. Paul Calhoun. Yeah, I'm sorry, I'm trying to do this all the time ahead. You know, the class going in and they'll be around this weekend. Always a fun weekend having people back and what a proud husband he is. Yeah, that was really nice. It was very nice. Yeah, I don't see you ever doing that. I don't want to ever call in for me like that. You want me to call in for somebody else? Yeah, exactly. That's how your mind works. Your mind was not you would call in for a woman. Your mind was who would call in for you. That's why you'll never call in. I need a Debbie. You know Debbie called in for her man.

53:27Remember the one about you calling it. I would. If I dated the Hall of Fame or a Hall of Fame basketball player. Would you? Sure. Yeah. Never dated one before those. Don't give up. I've not dated a Hall of Fame or that's exactly. I tried with Cheryl Swoops. She turned me down. We will take a break. Come back out. Number two. This is Kentucky Sports Radio. Strong hands built America and kept it running for 250 years. Strong hands also keep Copenhagen moving today. Here's to the bravery of lineman, the endurance of truckers, the skills of welders, the traditions upheld by farmers, and all American tradesmen sharing in our work ethic. Copenhagen celebrating American craftsmanship proven since 1822. Warning, this branch is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. This is the story of the one. As a shipping manager, he's running the dock, stocking supplies, and making sure every order goes out on time.

54:27And Granger helps him stay prepared. From shipping supplies to PPE to hand tools, he counts on Granger to keep products moving and trucks rolling. So his operation runs smoothly, no matter the shift. Call 1-800-Granger. Click ranger.com or just stop by. Granger for the ones who get it done. Are your kids bored with the same old sports? Try fencing, the Olympic and Paralympic sport that mixes speed, strategy, and fun. It's like chess meets cardio. Quick feet, quick decisions, and a satisfying beat when you score a point. Kids, teens, and adults can start anytime. Fencing is one of the fastest growing NCAA sports. With new colleges adding programs every year, many clubs have loner gear. Coaches teach fundamentals and safety from day one. Find a beginner class near you at tryfencing.org. That's tryfencing.org. If you run a business, you've probably heard plenty of AI promises. But here's one thing we know for sure. When consumers here and add for your business, 90% want to know it's a real person talking.

55:30And that's what you'll get when you advertise with I Heart. We are guaranteed human. That means real voices, real connection, and trusted audio that helps businesses drive results. Learn how easy it is to tell your story through our voices. Call 844-844-iHeart today. That's 844-844-iHeart. Be honest. You don't feel as interesting as you used to. Maybe not as much fun or adventurous. Remember when you actually went out? Did stuff? A Do More subscription brings concerts and comedy sports and museums back to your life. For seven scrawny bucks a month, you get at least one pair of tickets to something great. Discover new bands. Laugh. Learn. Do more. And right now, do more. Makes interesting and adventurous. Simple and easy. Because your first month's free. At domorestuff.com slash free. This is the Dan Lebertar show. This is Dan Lebertar. And I've been doing this for more than two decades. Our show is contagious. It's a little bit addictive.

56:30It's a... Howling. In the most positive of ways. It has a good amount of range from smart to silly. And it's got a journalistic backbone. Monday through Friday, I show up and talk about sports. Listen to the Dan Lebertar show on the iHeart Radio app Apple Podcast. Or wherever it is that you get your podcasts. PowerSlapped 23 is live and free on YouTube on Thursday, September 17th. Dan Lebertar is bringing PowerSlapped to Texas for the first time on the campus of Texas Tech University. Two massive title fights headline the card. Including Slap Fighting Legend Wolverine. Also on the card is former WWE Champion J Kager. And the debut of former UFC Heavyweight Chris Barnett. You can watch PowerSlapped 23 for free on PowerSlapped's YouTube channel. Thursday, September 17th for the first time from Texas. PowerSlapped's biggest card of the year.