KSR Today: Big Blue Victory Sunday
Saturday was a huge day for Big Blue Nation. Mark Pope‘s squad was finally fully healthy and playing in the final marquee non-conference game of the season. The Cats needed a win, but Rick Pitino was standing on the other sideline. Meanwhile, Kentucky head coach Will Stein was back calling plays for Oregon in the College Football Playoff.
The day couldn’t have gone much better.
After a sluggish first half and another injury scare with Jaland Lowe, Kentucky played its best basketball of the season as they outscored St. John’s 53-34 in the second half with Jayden Quaintance sending a message to the rest of college basketball. Out in the Pacific Northwest, Stein’s Oregon offense eviscerated James Madison’s defense with five consecutive touchdown drives to start the game in a 51-34 blowout victory at Autzen Stadium.
Now everyone gets to enjoy a fun December Victory Sunday before the volleyball team takes center stage for a national championship. KSR Today is here to take a look back at a very fun Saturday.
KSR recaps Kentucky’s big win in the CBS Sports Classic
KSR has you covered from every angle as we recap the big victory of Rick Pitino’s squad. The Cats sent a statement and found something that really worked in the second half versus St. John’s as the offense 1.56 points per possession. This was a very big win. We recapped it from every angle.
Smash those links.
- GAME RECAP: entucky’s impressive 2nd half fuels ‘Cats past St. John’s 78-66 in Jayden Quaintance’s debut
- Did Jayden Quaintance give Kentucky a real identity?
- Kentucky salvaged its season against St. John’s
- Jayden Quaintance thanked the Kentucky training staff after the game
- Kam Williams continues to play excellent defense for Kentucky
- Mark Pope’s nice suit is ruined after a fun locker room celebration
- Rick Pitino blasts Kentucky media (you can’t hurt me, Rick)
- Kentucky is a different team with Jaland Lowe on the floor
- National media reacts to Kentucky’s big win
- The biggest stats from Kentucky’s signature victory
- Otega Oweh was an unsung hero on Saturday
More postgame coverage on KSR’s YouTube Channel
Want to know what Mark Pope, Rick Pitino, Jayden Quaintance, and Jaland Lowe said after the game? We’ve got you covered. KSR’s YouTube Channel has the postgame press conferences and a Rapid Reaction featuring Jack Pilgrim and Steven Peake wrapping up the big victory in Catlanta.
Smash play. Subscribe. Hit that like button as we talk about some Kentucky hoops.
Kentucky celebrates Will Stein’s big playoff performance
Kentucky’s new football coach knows how to score some points.
During the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday night at Autzen Stadium, No. 5 seed Oregon put on an offensive clinic in a 51-34 rout of No. 12 seed James Madison. Will Stein’s offense rolled up 9.7 yards per play in 13 possessions with 44 offensive points on 53 total snaps. The party started with five consecutive touchdown drives.
- 4 plays, 68 yards, TD
- 5 plays, 75 yards, TD
- 3 plays, 78 yards, TD
- 4 plays, 63 yards, TD
- 5 plays, 80 yards, TD
In the postgame press conference, Stein even gave a shoutout to new Kentucky offensive line coach Cutter Leftwich. Back in the Bluegrass, the program and offensive coordinator Joe Sloan were all celebrating the big performance on social media.
The Big Blue Nation got a future look at what the new Kentucky offense could look like last night in the CFP.
CFP quarterfinals are set
There were a pair of minor upsets by some small road dogs and two blowout victories as both Group of Six teams bowed out in the first round this weekend. That sets the table for the quarterfinals. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day will not be boring.
It’s time to clear your schedule.
Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Miami | Wednesday, Dec. 31 – 7:30 p.m. ET
Orange Bowl: No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon | Thursday, Jan. 1 – 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 9 Alabama | Thursday, Jan. 1 – 5 p.m. ET
Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss | Thursday, Jan. 1 – 8:45 p.m. ET
Will Stein’s offense will be up against a Texas Tech defense that ranks inside the top five of most power rankings. That will be a very fun matchup in South Florida. Meanwhile, we will get a rematch of the 2002 national championship (Ohio State vs. Miami) in the Cotton Bowl and Indiana’s first trip to Pasadena will include a game against the Crimson Tide before an All-SEC Sugar Bowl.
Top 10
- 1Hot
Stein Finds his QB
Kentucky Flips Kenny Minchey
- 2New
Portal DB Addition
Florida's Aaron Gates to UK
- 3Trending
Transfer Portal Big Board
Where UK stands with top targets
- 4Breaking
8 Portal Commits
and a second OL.
- 5New
Pope's radio show
That was werid
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Kentucky volleyball plays for a national championship
Kentucky has become an elite volleyball program under head coach Craig Skinner. The Wildcats have won nine consecutive SEC titles and have made 21 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. This team could reach another level on Sunday.
It’s hard to win multiple national championships in any sport. Skinner could join on special group this weekend. The Cats just need one more SEC win to get there as they face Texas A&M in the ultimate trophy match.
“We are at the pinnacle of our sport, and it’s a great opportunity for Kentucky volleyball and our fans to be in this moment,” Skinner said.
The NCAA Volleyball National Championship match will take place on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The contest will be televised on ABC from T-Mobile Arena in Kansas City. KSR will have full coverage throughout the day for this monstrous moment for the university and its volleyball program. The Cats can prove that they have the best damn team in the land later today.
Dan Issel Honored in Denver
The No. 44 hangs in the rafters of Rupp Arena. Dan Issel also got his jersey retired by the Denver Nuggets in 1985, but last night, they brought back one of their greats to step back into the spotlight in the Mile High City.
A very important NFL Sunday for many of you
There have already been three NFL games recorded this weekend, and buddy, they sure didn’t disappoint. The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks played an absolute classic on Thursday. We saw another crazy fourth quarter comeback by the home team on Saturday night.
They were probably doing the Super Bowl Shuffle leaving Soldier Field.
The fun continues on Sunday as many of you have some important fantasy football games to manage this afternoon. What could go wrong?
| Bengals (4-10) at Dolphins (6-8) | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Bills (10-4) at Browns (3-11) | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Chargers (10-4) at Cowboys (6-7-1) | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Jets (3-11) at Saints (4-10) | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Buccaneers (7-7) at Panthers (7-7) | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Vikings (6-8) at Giants (2-12) | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Chiefs (6-8) at Titans (2-12) | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Jaguars (10-4) at Broncos (12-2) | 4:05 p.m. | FOX |
| Falcons (5-9) at Cardinals (3-11) | 4:05 p.m. | FOX |
| Raiders (2-12) at Texans (9-5) | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| Steelers (8-6) at Lions (8-6) | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| Patriots (11-3) at Ravens (7-7) | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 49ers (10-4) at Colts (8-6) | 8:15 p.m. (Monday) | ESPN |
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