KSR Today: The football triple crossover is BACK

Time to get a jump on your Friday morning like Jawaan Taylor did the snap count for the Kansas City Chiefs to open the NFL season on Thursday. Or the way Josh Paschal did on a crucial third-down stop in the final minutes to help clinch the 21-20 victory for the Detroit Lions.

See, we can make these jokes now because NFL season is back and it’s simply the best. College and NFL action now officially intertwined through the New Year, the latter around through February. Factor in high school football going strong through early December and we’ve got our weekends full all fall and into the winter.

And then basketball season starting next month? That’s enough to shed a tear or three.

Let’s get back to the NFL regular season opener, the reigning Super Bowl champions falling to the Lions at Arrowhead Stadium. With the Chiefs down one star on both sides of the football in Travis Kelce and Chris Jones, the pass-catching and pass-rushing were fairly atrocious for KC — highlighted by ole brick hands Kadarius Toney, formerly of the Florida Gators.

Patrick Mahomes avoided taking sacks, which is easy when your right tackle lines up illegally and jumps early on every snap. All night long, every passing down, time and time again. Taylor wasn’t called for a false start until the fourth quarter.

NBC's Terry McAulay on Chiefs' RT Jawaan Taylor: "He's really not remotely close, and it's really putting the defensive end at a tremendous disadvantage when you can be that far back."

Taylor appeared well behind the LOS and appeared to start early throughout the game. pic.twitter.com/2UrkTH8bTo

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 8, 2023

It didn’t end up mattering, thanks largely in part to Josh Paschal, who came up with a massive tackle for loss with just under six minutes to go to force a punt. Andy Reid tried getting cute — a common theme on third down throughout the night — and the former Wildcat made him pay. The Chiefs wouldn’t score again, sealing the win for Detroit.

Paschal would finish with three solo tackles and one TFL to close out the night.

Josh Paschal was ready for it 🙅‍♂️#DETvsKC | 🎥 NBC pic.twitter.com/J0rbwPlYOs

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 8, 2023

As for other former Wildcats, Mike Edwards also picked up two tackles (one solo) for Kansas City. Darian Kinnard (Chiefs) and Quinton Bohanna (Lions) were both on practice squads, as well.

The NFL is back and it’s beautiful.

Mark Stoops prepares for EKU

The Kentucky Wildcats look to start the season 2-0 with a win over the Eastern Kentucky Colonels on Saturday, kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. How is the football team looking and feeling ahead of game two? Mark Stoops says it was a great week of practice with the Cats finally getting into the rhythm of game prep.

Now it’s about pushing for perfection.

“We needed to have a good week of practice. It’s not only about this coming Saturday, it’s about getting better as a team. I believe our players took that to heart,” Stoops said Thursday. “Our guys coached hard, we had two good practices — Monday was a light day, with two good and physical practices Tuesday and Wednesday. Then a good walkthrough (Thursday) before we finish things off (Friday). It’s a different deal now (with prep after the first game), have that one under our belt. I’d like to settle in, concentrate and get to playing some good football.

“We’re striving for perfection. We’ve yet to find it, but we’re going to strive for it and continue to work hard. Our players have had a good week.”

Kentucky Football opens as big favorite

The Wildcats covered the 25-point spread vs. Ball State in the season opener thanks to a late Ray Davis touchdown with six seconds left. What will it take to do the same this week? Well, the spread was initially set at 31 points and has since moved to -31.5. The total sits at 56 points.

You can make those bets in person now in Kentucky, as nine brick-and-mortar sportsbooks across the state are now accepting bets. Mobile wagering goes live on Sept. 28.

• Churchill Downs (700 Central Ave., Louisville)
• Derby City Gaming (4520 Poplar Level Road, Louisville)
• Ellis Park (3300 US Hwy 41 N, Henderson)
• The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland (244 Penny Lane, Williamsburg)
• The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland Run (777 Winners Lane, Corbin)
• Newport Racing & Gaming (1723 Monmouth St., Newport)
• Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel (777 Winners Way, Oak Grove)
• The Red Mile (1200 Red Mile Road, Lexington)
• Turfway Park Racing & Gaming (7500 Turfway Road, Florence)

Kroger KSR Hometown Classic returns to Jackson County

For a second consecutive year, the Kroger KSR Hometown Classic features a heartwarming battle between Louisville Shawnee and Jackson County, the latter set to host.

The two programs faced off for the first time in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, Shawnee struggling to find an opponent able to travel to Louisville. Jackson County reached out and made the 143-mile journey to play the improbable game, garnering national attention.

After a cancellation in 2021, the matchup returned in 2022, a 40-0 win in favor of the Golden Eagles at home. Now at Jackson County, how will the Generals fare this time around?

Jackson County sits at 2-1 on the season, coming off back-to-back wins over Knott County Central and Phelps, while Shawnee sports a 1-2 record. The Golden Eagles defeated Valley 32-8 last Friday.

The KSR crew will be back in attendance for the matchup this evening.

KHSAA football matchups to watch

What does the rest of the high school football schedule look like this weekend? Let’s take a look at some of the top matchups.

• Tates Creek (3-0) at No. 3 Frederick Douglass (1-1) – 6:30 p.m. ET
• Dixie Heights (1-2) at No. 6 Covington Catholic (3-0) – 7 p.m. ET
• No. 7 Scott County (3-0) at No. 1 Boyle County (3-0) – 7:30 p.m. ET
• No. 4 Corbin (2-0) at Pulaski County (1-2) – 7:30 p.m. ET
• Carmel (IN) at No. 8 Louisville Trinity (1-2) – 7:30 p.m. ET
• No. 10 Lexington Christian Academy (2-1) at No. 9 Christian Academy of Louisville (3-0) – 7:30 p.m. ET

Isn’t football the best?