KSR Today: Football Game Week in the Bluegrass
College football made its long-awaited return on Saturday. As the calendar turned to Sunday, we’ve officially reached game week in the Bluegrass. Kentucky football will return on Saturday when the Wildcats host Ball State. There will be tailgating in the Kroger Field parking lots in just a few days.
We are so back.
The Week Zero slate wrapped up yesterday with Notre Dame and USC walking away with runaway wins to start their new campaigns with star quarterbacks. Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman shined for the Irish, and Caleb Williams did Heisman Trophy things while true freshman Zachariah Branch might be USC’s next superstar.
Vanderbilt barely hung on in Nashville, and former West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez led Jacksonville State to the program’s first-ever FBS win. We had a very productive first Saturday.
- No. 13 Notre Dame 42, Navy 3
- Jacksonville State 17, UTEP 14
- San Diego State 20, Ohio 13
- UMass 41, New Mexico State 30
- Vanderbilt 35, Hawai’i 28
- No. 6 USC 56, San Jose State 28
- Louisiana Tech 22, FIU 17
Now our attention shifts to Kentucky and Week 1 prep. Mark Stoops will have his first game week press conference on Monday followed by a few more media appearances later on in the week with offensive coordinator Liam Coen and defensive coordinator Brad White. KSR will be here to provide everything you need to toe before toe meets leather at high noon on Saturday.
Football is back. Let’s set the table for the final Sunday in August.
Boyle County outlasts Cutter Boley, Lexington Christian Academy
Down in Danville, there was a gem of a high school game when Boyle County hosted Lexington Christian Academy. The 2A visitors — led by Kentucky quarterback commit Cutter Boley — but the 4A powerhouse Rebels just had too much firepower.
Class of 2025 prospect Montavin Quisenberry led the way for Boyle County in the 47-38 win with 118 yards rushing on eight carries with three touchdowns and four receptions for 63 yards. However, Boley had a strong performance despite throwing three interceptions. The class of 2024 Kentucky commit threw for 406 yards and made some splendid plays against one of the state’s top teams.
KSR’s Daniel Hager has a recap of the wild night.
PJ Washington agrees to three-year deal with Charlotte Hornets
PJ Washington was a consensus third-team All-American performer at Kentucky as a sophomore in 2018-19. The former top-15 recruit led a 30-7 Kentucky in points (15.2) and rebounds (7.5). Washington turned into a legit stretch four-man (42.3% from three on 2.2 attempts per game) and was one of the best players in college basketball. That led to the sophomore becoming a lottery pick.
The Charlotte Hornets took Washington at No. 12 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft. After four seasons with the Eastern Conference franchise, the 25-year-old has agreed to a new three-year deal with the Hornets worth $48 million.
The former Kentucky forward averaged a career-best 15.7 points last season to go along with 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. He will now make $16 million per season as the Hornets look to bounce back after an injury-riddled 2022-23 campaign that saw many of their stars miss extended time.
Washington has carved out a starting role in the NBA. Now the forward will be financially compensated in Charlotte with a second contract.
NFL Preseason ends today
The return of college football gave us games that counted towards overall records on Saturday. However, the NFL was wrapping up its preseason at the same time.
Tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT on FOX, the Houston Texans will face the New Orleans Saints for the final preseason game of 2023. The games are almost here following the completion of 10 contests on Saturday.
- Cardinals 18, Vikings 17
- Chiefs 33, Browns 32
- Packers 19, Seahawks 15
- Bills 24, Bears 21
- Jets 32, Giants 24
- Commanders 21, Bengals 19
- Jaguars 31, Dolphins 18
- Bucs 26, Ravens 20
- Cowboys 31, Raiders 16
- Broncos 41, Rams 0
The night was highlighted by Aaron Rodgers leading the Jets on a touchdown drive in his only live action of the preseason. New York’s attention will now turn to the Buffalo Bills for the first Monday Night Football game of the season.
The NFL will now take Labor Day weekend off before Week 1 begins on Thursday, Sept. 7 when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Detroit Lions.
Nick Roush is fading Tennessee
You might not believe this but Nick Roush does not believe in Tennessee football. On the latest episode of 11 Personnel, Roush came out swinging against the Vols.
Will Joe Milton and Josh Heupel prove him wrong? Only time will tell. Thoughts and prayers to Roush’s mentions.
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