KSR Today: Former and Future Football 'Cats Shine
Happy Sunday, BBN! We have lots of good news on KSR this morning. Most importantly, it is the last week without a Caturday to look forward to.
Alex Afari shows out in season debut
Future football Wildcat Alex Afari is off to a promising senior season. Afari, a defensive back from Lakota West (Ohio) committed to Stoops and co. back in May. He was recruited by several other Division I schools, but said the appeal of playing in the SEC made a large part in his decision.
Friday night, Afari’s Firebirds visited the St. Xavier Bombers (Ohio). The two last met in the 2020 regional final, where the Bombers narrowly won on a last-second touchdown. Last night was a different story.
The Firebirds took an early lead, but St. X scored 28 unanswered points to take home the first win of the season. Before that, though, Afari scored a 30-yard touchdown in the first half.
Hope we get to see more of that in Lexington.
Lonnie Johnson pick-six alert!
Good news for all you football fans out there – the NFL is back (kinda)!
Last night, the Houston Texans traveled just 267 miles to face their in-state rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. Fans call the matchup the “Governor’s Cup” (I like our version better, though). The two have been playing since 1967, before the Texans were even the Texans.
For nearly 30 years, the matchup was between the Cowboys and the Houston Oilers. In 2002, the Texans joined the NFL and the rivalry was renewed.
Last night, the Texans took this year’s Governor’s Cup – and they couldn’t have done it without former Wildcat Lonnie Johnson. Johnson tied the game at 14 with a pick-six in the third quarter. It was the first of Johnson’s career, and surely not the last.
The Texans went on to win 20-14, leaving them with a perfect pre-season record.
Saturdays left without college football: 1
Yes, you read that right. There is officially only ONE Saturday left until college football is back. I don’t know about you, but I am ready to hear a big “It’s football time in the bluegrassssss.”
Kentucky will open their season at home against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks. It is a noon game, meaning you’ll have to be up and at ’em early, BBN. But we are sure you’ll have no problem with that, especially considering this is the first time we have been able to really tailgate in two whole years.
The ‘Cats have looked good this week. Really good, actually. Since big man Will Levis was named starting quarterback last week, the team seems to have really molded around the Penn State transfer.
KSR will have lots of football content this week as Stoops and his team complete their final finishing touches before the season begins. Make sure you’re following our guys Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) and Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) on Twitter for the latest news and enjoy your final week without a Caturday to look forward to!
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