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KSR Today: 24 days till Kentucky Football

Nick-Roush-headshotby:Nick Roush•08/09/23•

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Aaron Perkins | Kentucky Sports Radio

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are in the middle of the dog days of summer. It’s a hump day in the middle of Kentucky football training camp. Time is slowing to a crawl as the offseason excitement builds toward a boiling point. I mean, it’s impossible not to get hyped about these Wildcats. Let me explain.

Kentucky is Already Tearing Up 2-Minute Offense

There were a few significant milestones during Liam Coen‘s first offensive coordinator tenure at Kentucky. The first was stomaching a poor offensive performance in a win over Florida. He was beating himself up until Brad White knocked some sense into him and let the young play-caller know it’s alright to enjoy the victory. The second milestone was the following week when the Cats put up 475 yards, and 7.3 yards per carry, in a 42-21 route over LSU.

The third milestone manifested on the field at Camping World Stadium. Liam Coen was ecstatic after knocking off Iowa, embracing Scott Woodward and Will Levis. To paraphrase the memory, “We did it! We finally did it!” Two-minute offense was his unit’s kryptonite for most of the season. It got them a win in the final game of the year.

Fast forward two years and in practice No. 6 in the middle of Kentucky’s offensive install and the Wildcats are already rocking and rolling in a crunch-time situation. Should I temper expectations because it’s just a practice? Yes. Will I? Of course not. I mean, just listen to what this guy is saying about his offense, particularly his new quarterback.

Devin Leary is Dropping Bombs

Look at this pass. Ain’t it beautiful? What’s even more remarkable — he’s throwing the pass to a true freshman who’s been taking snaps while Barion Brown is rehabbing a soft tissue injury. Anthony Brown has only been on campus eight months and the dude has it.

I’ve asked around and so far it’s impossible to find someone who will say a bad thing about Devin Leary. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye might pump the breaks, but only to keep his old friend’s ego in check. You’ll hear more about their lengthy relationship later today on the KSR YouTube Channel.

The Kentucky Tight Ends Kick Ass

It may feel like I’m beating a dead horse, but I’m just sharing what I’m seeing and what I’m hearing. On Saturday, the tight ends made their presence felt. On Tuesday Vince Marrow said this is the deepest group he’s ever put on the field.

We can be honest with one another. The Big Dog has a loud bark. He has a tendency to speak in grandiose terms. That’s why we love him. Liam Coen will be candid, but realistic. When asked about Izayah Cummings and Josh Kattus, even he had to gush about those guys. His quote on Kattus made me laugh out loud in the middle of the media scrum.

“He’s a dog,” Coen said. “My dad always says it when he sees him: ‘Man, he just looks like nothing.’ Vince always laughs. You know he doesn’t look like this guy that’s gonna walk up and beat your tail every snap, and he just does it. He just plays with such great leverage. He plays with such a good energy and tenacity that he doesn’t like to lose, he doesn’t like to lose a snap, he doesn’t like to lose a rep and he’s fun to coach. He’s very fun to coach.”

That’s what happens when you live by the mantra, “No soft sh*t.”

More Kentucky Football Talk

If this isn’t enough to get your fix, 11 Personnel has you covered. The team will not be meeting with the media today, but Adam Luckett and I will be going LIVE at 5 on the KSR YouTube Channel to discuss the latest from Kentucky football fall camp and everything else around the college football landscape.

Need to stay away from football for a bit? Well Jack Pilgrim and Shawn Smith spent quite a bit of time talking about the roundball on Sources Say. Check it out.

Kentucky Basketball Schedule Coming Together

Slowly but surely, we’re getting a better idea of who the Wildcats will be squaring up against in the 2023-24 season. On Tuesday we learned of not one, but TWO new opponents. The Marshall Thundering Herd are coming to Rupp Arena the day after Thanksgiving and the Wildcats are taking on North Carolina as the 5:30 pm headliner of the CBS Sports Classic. This year’s two-game event will be Saturday, Dec. 16 in Atlanta.

Lexington Eastern Eliminated from Little League World Series

A dream run came to a close Tuesday afternoon for Lexington Eastern Little League. Kentucky took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. It did not last. Ohio scored three runs in the top of the third to retake the lead for good, ultimately eliminating the Commonwealth’s team 8-5. Even though they reached the end of the road, it was cool to see the state rally behind the team, especially the Wildcats.

Did you watch Hard Knocks?

It’s one of the annual rites of passage that tells you football is back. This year Aaron Rodgers is taking center stage as he makes the same transition as his predecessor, leaving the Packers late in his career to test his wings with the New York Jets. Will it work? I’m not ready to judge after one episode, but I am excited that we are one step closer to football season.

Does Colin Cowherd Watch Football?

I get it, the man wears a lot of hats. In the midst of his hours on-air, there will be a slip-up from time to time, especially in the final days of summer radio. What’s even more shocking is that a mistake this massive can make its way through multiple levels of graphic designers and producers and no one caught it. It’s sad. It really is.

College Football is Returning to your Video Game Console

On3’s Pete Nakos is doing the Lord’s work. EA Sports confirmed the rumors. If it’s in the game, it’s in the game that will be released next summer. Prepare accordingly.

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2025-04-11