KSR Today: The Gator Bowl is (almost) here

Good morning from sunny Jacksonville, Florida where we are just over 24 hours away from kickoff between Kentucky and Clemson in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

The trek to North Florida was not the most expedient. Adam Luckett provided boots on the ground for Wednesday’s Kentucky football practice, the final tune-up ahead of the Gator Bowl. Meanwhile, Steven Peake and I spent the day on the road. When I say day, I meant the entire day. Thanks to Paul Rogers for providing some company for the final leg of the drive. Louisville lost its final three games of the season. What a shame, a real shame.

Fighting through Atlanta traffic is in the rearview mirror. What’s ahead is a busy day for the Big Blue Nation. Here’s what’s on the slate.

Gator Bowl Press Conference

Liam Coen and Brad White spoke after Kentucky’s two practices in North Florida. This morning Dabo Swinney and Mark Stoops will get behind the mics for the Gator Bowl press conference. The Kentucky head coach will be joined by Devin Leary, JJ Weaver and Ray Davis at 11 am EST. Dabo and three Clemson players will follow at 11:30 pm EST. We’ll have live updates on KSBoard, videos on the YouTube Channel and everything you need to know right here.

Gator Bowl Preview and Pep Rally

Traveling and the holidays complicated this week’s podcasting schedule. After we hear the coaches talk, Luckett and I will preview the Gator Bowl matchup between the Cats and the Tigers on 11 Personnel. Hopefully we can find a few palm trees to provide a scenic background.

For Kentucky fans in Jacksonville, the Big Blue Nation is assembling at the Jax Beach Seawalk Pavillion Thursday Night. The official UK pep rally will be at 6:15 pm EST. We’ll see you there.

Early Enrollees Already Practicing with Kentucky

We got our first look at Cutter Boley in Kentucky blue. The new Kentucky quarterback is one of six players that signed last week and joined the team in Jacksonville. They can practice, but will not be available against Clemson. RB Jason Patterson, EDGE Brian Robinson, WR Hardley Gilmore, DL Jerod Smith and EDGE Jacob Smith (who’s injured) also got to join in on the fun at various bowl functions, like Wednesday’s trip to Top Golf.

Fun off the field at the @taxslayerbowl! TopGolf Fun! pic.twitter.com/MyWhIdlePN

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) December 28, 2023

One More Game for Ray Davis

The Kentucky running back will not be putting away that UK helmet for good after Friday’s Gator Bowl. Ray Davis is getting a chance to put out some more tape for NFL officials when he plays in the Senior Bowl. He’s the second Wildcat to punch his ticket to the prestigious NFL showcase in Mobile. He’s joining another Wildcat, Dru Phillips, who is also suiting up for the Wildcats in Jacksonville. Phillips shared why he couldn’t leave his teammates early after Wednesday’s practice in North Florida.

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Trivia with Matt Jones at KSBar

Can’t make it to Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl? You can still join the Big Blue Nation Thursday and Friday at KSBar and Grille. Tonight Matt Jones is hosting trivia beginning at 7 pm, giving you a chance to qualify for the $5,000 grand prize. That’s not your only shot to win $5,000 at KSBar. The Hero Bowl Challenge is currently underway and you have four chances to predict the final scores and qualify for the ultimate prize.

Fenway Bowl: SMU (-10.5) vs. Boston College, ESPN, 11 am
Pinstripe Bowl: Rutgers (-1) vs. Miami, ESPN, 2:15 pm
Pop-Tarts Bowl: Kansas State (-2) vs NC State, ESPN, 5:45 pm
Alama Bowl: Arizona (-2.5) vs. Oklahoma, ESPN, 9:15 pm

We also have the final Thursday Night Football game of the season. Typically the NFL game is a $500 halftime giveaway at the bar, but do not hold me to that as a guarantee this week. The Browns are 7.5-point favorites over the Jets.

Star Kentucky Recruits in Lexington

Lexington Catholic is playing host to a couple of future stars from across the Commonwealth in the White, Greer & Maggard Holiday Classic. John Calipari spent quite a bit of time in the gym yesterday. Washington County’s Gabe Weis had 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a 58-47 win over Fleming County. The future five-star talent will be back in action this evening at 6 pm.

Travis Perry did what Travis Perry always does — get buckets. The future Kentucky Wildcat scored 28 points in front of his future head coach. He’ll take the court again tonight at 7:30 pm. You better get there now BBN, before the state’s all-time leading scorer runs into the DeSales buzzsaw. My Colts are the real deal. Remember who told you first.