KSR Today: Back to School, Football & Summer League Updates

Good morning, friends. It’s the first day of school in Fayette and Jefferson Counties, meaning your Facebook feed will be flooded with pictures of kids on front porches, or, more likely, their parents’ opinions on Governor Beshear’s executive order requiring masks in all K-12 schools across the state. Either way, it’s a big day for Facebook, so tread lightly.

Yesterday at football practice, Lexington natives Davonte Robinson, Jager Burton, and Dekel Crowdus wished students a happy first day back.

Happy #BackToSchool in Fayette County and all over! @D_J_Rob9 @jager_burton @CrowdusDekel pic.twitter.com/gF63eXNLq5

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) August 11, 2021

Speaking of football practice, that’s where we’ll start today’s roundup.

Position Changes and a Happy Mark Stoops

Yesterday evening, we got our first practice update from Liam Coen, Vince Marrow, new running backs coach John Settle, and even Mark Stoops. Stoops made a surprise appearance with reporters after practice, which is usually a bad sign, but turns out he just wanted to share his excitement for his squad.

“We’re cutting down on the mistakes,” Stoops said. “You can tell by the open practice you guys were at Saturday, definitely a little bit sloppy. Each and every day it’s getting cleaner, getting better. There’s still quite a bit of work to do but I love the way these guys are working and I feel good about this team.”

When it comes to news, sophomore Michael Drennen is moving from wide receiver to running back, a position Settle recruited him in while he was still at Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Stoops and Marrow are very pleased with how Izayah Cummings is settling in at tight end after shifting over to fill the void left by the injured Keaton Upshaw, calling the sophomore a “natural” at the position. You can see all of the coaches’ comments below.

Nick Roush will have more from practice as the morning goes on. In the meantime, check out some excellent pics of the Cats in action by UK’s Jacob Noger on our Facebook page.

Isaiah Jackson turns in a double-double in the Summer League

Isaiah Jackson went scoreless in his Summer League debut with the Pacers on Monday, but made up for it last night, notching a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds in only 17 minutes.

.@IJackson22 dropped a double-double with 13 points & 12 rebounds in 17 minutes last night 💪#PacersSummer pic.twitter.com/zNNBUhzNAV

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) August 11, 2021

Fresh off signing his two-year guaranteed deal, fellow 2021 draftee BJ Boston had 10 points and 4 rebounds for the Clippers. This three off a pass from former Tennessee Volunteer Keon Johnson was particularly nice:

For three 👌@iamkeonjohnson ➡️ @bboston_ pic.twitter.com/FhkCoiyuuS

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) August 11, 2021

Tonight’s Summer League schedule:

– 5:00 PM (ESPN2): Milwaukee Bucks (EJ Montgomery) vs. Brooklyn Nets (Brandon Knight)
– 6:00 PM (NBATV): Miami Heat vs. Memphis Grizzlies (Olivier Sarr)
– 9:00 PM (ESPN2): Toronto Raptors (Ashton Hagans – injured ankle) vs. Golden State Warriors (Kahlil Whitney)
– 10:00 PM (NBATV): Utah Jazz (Nate Sestina) vs. Dallas Mavericks
– 11:00 PM (ESPN2): New York Knicks (Immanuel Quickley, Reid Travis) vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Drew Franklin flies with the Blue Angels

Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…Drew Franklin flying with the Blue Angels. Today, our coworker is going for the ride of his life as a special guest of the Blue Angels, who are preparing for the Owensboro Air Show this weekend. If you’re in the area, look up around 12:30 p.m. to see if you can spot them, or, check Moonlite BBQ afterward to see if he survived.

TV Rec of the Week: “The Bourbon King” episodes of Heist on Netflix

Pappygate gets the Netflix treatment in the new(ish) documentary series Heist. The story of how Toby Curtsinger, a Buffalo Trace employee, stole a half a million dollars worth of bourbon, including Pappy Van Winkle, in 2013 is the subject of two episodes, “The Bourbon King” Parts I and II. You know the story, but Curtsinger sits down to tells his side of it. Two thumbs up from the KSR South compound.

Billy Rutledge, High School Sports Expert

If you’re a regular KSR listener, you know Billy Rutledge is a star on the rise. Shannon the Dude’s friendly rival shared some big news yesterday: he’ll be the new host of the Kentucky High School Scoreboard Show, which airs every Friday night on radio stations throughout the Bluegrass. If you need a high school basketball or football score, Billy’s got it.

Very proud to announce that starting next Friday, I will become the host of the Kentucky High School Scoreboard Show.

Every Friday night 10pm-midnight, on 50+ radio stations throughout Kentucky, you will hear myself and Coach Don Adkins gives scores and interview coaches. pic.twitter.com/ibrEiPJUMG

— Billy Rutledge (@BillyRsports) August 10, 2021

KSR Fan of the Day: Kim Houseman

We’ll end today’s morning post with a special shoutout to Kim Houseman, a member of Kentucky’s Committee of 101. A born and bred Indiana Hoosiers fan, Kim was converted to the Big Blue side by his daughter, Sarah, who attended UK for undergrad and law school. He and his wife fell so in love with the Kentucky Wildcats they bought football and basketball season tickets and upon retirement, Kim joined the Committee of 101.

Helping fans and being part of the experience at Rupp Arena and Kroger Field has been wonderful for Kim, Sarah tells us, but unfortunately, he’s going through a tough time right now. Earlier this year, Kim was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Combine the stress of his diagnosis and treatments with the pandemic and he could use some happy thoughts and well wishes. Kim isn’t on social media (smart guy), but you can leave him a message in the comments section. Let’s lift him up today.