Kentucky takes early lead in Jello Shot Challenge

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Kentucky fans during the NCAA Tournament regional at Kentucky Proud Park - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio — Kentucky fans during the NCAA Tournament regional at Kentucky Proud Park (Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio)

Omaha knows college baseball. Omaha also knows jello shots. Rocco’s has become the unofficial hub of baseball fans at the College World Series. The Big Blue Nation made a statement on Thursday.

Before the first pitch of the College World Series arrives on Friday afternoon when an ACC games breaks out between Virginia and North Carolina, the biggest race in Omaha got rolling at Rocco’s. Kentucky fans raced out to an early lead.

The Big Blue Nation bought $630 worth of jello shots on Thursday beating North Carolina by 19 shots. College World Series week has officially gotten off to a great start.

Here it is! The first board update of the Series. Kentucky jumping to the early lead but it's been a horse race all day. Despite that the ACC currently leads the SEC by two shots. There's a lot of night left. #RoadtoRoccos pic.twitter.com/na6J0VJANb
— CWS Jello Shot Challenge (@CWSShotBoard) June 14, 2024

Virginia is nearly 100 shots back of Kentucky. The Wahoos probably need to pick it up if they expect that SEC invitation to arrive once the ACC collapses. North Carolina, Florida State, NC State, and Tennessee are all within striking distance of the Cats. But this was only day one.

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No matter what happens over the next week-plus, no one is probably reaching the mark LSU set last year at Rocco’s. Thanks in big part to Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves, the Tigers bought a record-setting 57,387 jello shots. Wake Forest finished second in 2023 with 7,622 jello shot purchases. Stanford was dead last at 912 jello shots. I have a feeling that the Big Blue Nation could pass 1,000 jello shot purchases on day two.

Kentucky’s fan base is quickly embracing one of the unique fan traditions in Omaha.

Follow KSR at the College World Series

KSR the show may not be headed to Omaha this weekend, but the website will be well-represented. KSR baseball beat writer Daniel Hager and videographer Steven Peake hit the road on Friday to capture all the action and excitement for Kentucky’s first College World Series appearance. They’ll be sharing all of their adventures on the site, social media, and special editions of “Bat Cat Beat” and Rapid Reactions on the KSR YouTube Channel, so make sure you’re following and subscribed to keep up with the Cats.