KSR Today: Football is BACK

ZGeogheganKSR

ksr-today-football-back — Photo by Aaron Perkins | Kentucky Sports Radio

Good morning, folks! The football, it is here…

Kentucky football wrapped up Media Day and Fan Day on Friday and Saturday, respectively, as the 2023 season is now less than a full month away from kickoff. After spending the last week off the grid to spend some time with family and away from blogging, I’ve returned to seven days’ worth of content to catch up on. And believe me, I missed plenty — too much, honestly. But we can at least recap Saturday’s Fan Day events together before I brush up on everything I missed.

It’s good to be back. College football is here. Now let’s talk about some UK sports.

What we learned at Fan Day

Saturday was the fourth official practice of the season for the new-look Wildcats, and fans were able to witness all of it. The program opened up the doors to the Joe Craft Football Training Facility where members of the Big Blue Nation received a first-hand look at this year’s squad in those fancy padded helmets.

What were some of KSR’s main takeaways? Nick Roush and Adam Luckett certainly had plenty to say (this week’s 11 Personnel will be a must-listen) but some of their highlights included the passing of the eye test from the rebuilt Big Blue Wall, Anthony Brown‘s early breakout as a potential immediate impact freshman in the wide receiver room, Josh Kattus being Josh Kattus, and much more.

It was a physical practice all-around, and worth the trip for the fans that made an appearance. Nick and Adam tell-all in the latest Rapid Reaction.

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.

The excitement was palpable throughout the day — both on the field and from the stands.

“I definitely think our team brought some energy,” Mark Stoops said following Saturday’s practice. “To see their family out here and to see the fans — we have a nice day for this time of year with a good breeze going right now — so it was awesome. We always appreciate the fan base and our players really love seeing them out here.”

The Kentucky head coach was pleased with his group’s physicality, particularly the big guys on the offensive line. A year ago at this time it was a clunky offensive operation. That was not the case as Liam Coen begins his second stint as the Wildcats’ offensive coordinator. Thanks again for coming back, Liam.

Watch the latest Mark Stoops press conference on the KSR YouTube Channel.

In addition to hearing from the head coach, players Octavious Oxendine and Brenden Bates each spent time behind the podium. Ox is packing on the pounds, while Bates is trying to slim down to move more efficiently in the passing game. You can hear more from them below.

KSR’s Fan Day Photo Album

Custom cleats for Key, Brown

The folks over at True Blue Customs posted photos on Instagram of the custom cleats they created for Kentucky wide receivers, Dane Key and Barion Brown. As you might expect, they are awesome.

Dane Key and Barion Brown’s custom cleats for this season. #BBN

(Via True Blue Customs/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/UmTJuPXzbW
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) August 5, 2023

The custom cleats made for Dane Key lean into the obvious pun that is his last name and feature a hand-painted, old-school key on the side that somewhat mimics the Nike logo on the reverse side. It also has the number six on the key ring part of the old-timey-looking metal. Brown’s blue-on-blue cleats feature the word “SPEED” in all capital letters, a fitting summation of what he is all about.

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Jalewis Solomon picks Auburn

Kentucky football recruiting target, Jalewis Solomon, a 2024 four-star athlete, announced on Saturday afternoon via Instagram Live that he will be attending the University of Auburn.

The Wildcats made the top five for Solomon along with Florida State and Texas A&M, but the general consensus amongst the recruiting world was that it was a two-horse race between South Carolina and Auburn, with the Gamecocks in firm control of the reigns. However, Auburn snuck in at the last minute and snatched away the prized recruit.

Kentucky went 2-for-5 on commitments this week. Three-star ’25 QB Stone Saunders and three-star ’24 LB Steven Soles both chose UK while Solomon, three-star ’24 RB Jason Patterson, and Northwestern transfer LB Nigel Glover went elsewhere.

USWNT out of World Cup

For the first time ever, the United States women’s national soccer team was eliminated from the FIFA World Cup in the round of 16. The Americans — two-time defending world champions — lost in penalties (5-4) to Sweden early Sunday morning in what was the earliest exit ever in the World Cup for the program.

Previously, USA’s worst finish at a World Cup had been third place on three different occasions. The Americans already hold a record four World Cup titles and were looking to win three in a row for the first time in event history. But it was not in the cards. Team USA finished with a scoring drought of 238 minutes, the longest in its World Cup history.

The good news? The majority of the talent within this group is young, so don’t expect this to become a usual occurrence for USWNT. They’ll be back in 2027 looking to win it all.