KSR Today: Time for Kentucky to get a Quarterback?

Good morning, Kentucky Sports Radio readers. I hope it’s treating you well. This Hump Day feels a little weird for a few reasons, and not just because my body is breaking down.

This is the first post I’ve written on my brand-new laptop. Merry Early Christmas to me. It feels odd to break in a new computer. I haven’t typed on a fully functioning keyboard in months. Will this aggressive typer learn his lesson and chill out? Probably not. We just gotta break this bad boy in a little bit.

Unfortunately, I will not be breaking it in while talking about a Kentucky basketball game. It’s finals week on campus, which means there aren’t any mid-week sporting events for the Wildcats. Don’t you worry, there’s still plenty of stuff happening around Big Blue Nation, especially in the transfer portal.

Kentucky Closing in on a Quarterback

Former Duke QB Maalik Murphy was the first quarterback to make a trip to Lexington for an official visit. It generated some buzz, but that faded once Zach Calzada arrived on campus.

The journeyman has already spent time at two SEC schools. After throwing for more than 6,000 yards and tallying 64 total touchdowns in two seasons at Incarnate Word, the college football veteran could end his story back where it started. Predictions have been cast for Kentucky to secure a commitment from Calzada, who will be playing in his seventh college football season in 2025.

Calzada isn’t the most inspiring selection for some fans. Look beyond that for a moment and you might see that Kentucky has found a good fit. We explained how Calzada could be the catalyst for a culture change on Tuesday’s 11 Personnel.

Got thoughts? Continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board.

Hear from the New Kentucky WR Coach

Mark Stoops officially announced the addition of the newest Kentucky wide receivers coach, L’Damian Washington. The 33-year-old had nearly 1,000 receiving yards for the Missouri team that went to the SEC Championship in 2013. He previously worked with Bush Hamdan and Ja’Mori Maclin at Missouri.

“I’m very proud to join the Big Blue Nation,” Washington said. “I’ve known the Stoops family for a while and being able to coach under one of the best head coaches in the country in Mark Stoops is an honor. I am also excited about working again with Bush Hamdan. Bush is one of the main reasons I got into coaching and he’s been a big influence in my life.  What else excites me is the opportunity to work with this talented group of receivers. I knew Ja’Mori Maclin from his playing days at Missouri and we have a lot of young talent returning in Hardley Gilmore, Rico Crowder, Fred Farrier and others. It’s an exciting time to be a Wildcat.”

He’ll speak with the media this afternoon and you’ll be able to see everything he has to say on the KSR YouTube Channel.

Mark Pope Prepares BBN for MSG

Before we hear from the new Kentucky wide receivers coach, we’re going to hear from the Kentucky men’s basketball coach. Mark Pope will be previewing Saturday’s matchup with Ohio State around noon. Yesterday we learned the Buckeyes are likely without another starter, South Carolina transfer Meechie Johnson. Pope won’t say it, but if Kentucky brings their A-game, the Buckeyes are due for another blowout.

The Bank is Open

The SEC continued its dominance on Tuesday night. Florida was able to fend off a rally by North Carolina in a 90-84 win. Clemson banked one home to send it into an extra period, but South Carolina escaped with a 91-88 victory.

CHASE HUNTER TIES IT AND FORCES OVERTIME pic.twitter.com/KKiqZz0jpX

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) December 18, 2024

College Basketball Schedule

Creighton at Georgetown, 6:30, CBSSN
Xavier at No. 11 UConn, 7:00, FS1
No. 21 Memphis at Virginia, 7:00, ESPN2
No. 6 Alabama at North Dakota, 9:00, CBSSN
Butler at No. 9 Marquette, 9:00, FS1
No. 14 Oklahoma at No. 24 Michigan, 9:00, ESPN2
Washington State at Washington, 11:00, FS1

Download the KSR/On3 App for all things KSR, including breaking news alerts, podcasts, schedules, and access to KSBoard, our message board.

Western Kentucky in one of two Bowl Games

Bowl Season is having a soft opening. We got an appetizer on Saturday and Tuesday night, with Memphis holding off a late rally from West Virginia. Tonight there are two more games on the slate. Western Kentucky is a 7-point dog against James Madison in the Boca Raton Bowl (5:30 pm). UNLV is a 3-point favorite over Cal in the Art of Sport LA Bowl, hosted by Gronk (9 pm). You can catch both games on ESPN.

Watch all of the action at KSBar and Grille. It’s Wingsday where you can dine in and enjoy $1 wings or .70 boneless. Get in here!

College Football Head Coach Mike Vick

Mike Vick is returning to Newport News to lead the Norfolk State football program. The former NFL superstar has zero head coaching experience. What could go wrong?

It amuses me that more and more programs are trying to replicate Coach Prime’s success when it’s impossible. First and foremost, none of these other guys have a son who is a future first-round NFL Draft pick at quarterback. Secondly, Prime coached Shedeur Sanders throughout his high school career. He went from getting his toes wet to a cannonball into the SWAC at Jackson State. That’s where lightning struck twice and he recruited a two-way player to win the Hesiman Trophy. Only Prime, the last great two-way player, could land Travis Hunter. Trying to recreate this very specific scenario is a fool’s errand.

There’s a New NBA Cup Champion

The second NBA Cup delivered a night of basketball we will never forget. JUST KIDDING! The Bucks blew out the Thunder 97-81 to win the second midseason tournament. I appreciate the NBA’s effort, but I don’t know if there’s anything they could do to make me care about their sport before Christmas, and even that might be too soon.