KSR Today: NFL Preseason Week 1
We are all anxiously awaiting the college football season to begin, but there have been some real-life football games on television all weekend. Week 1 of the NFL preseason will wrap up on Sunday with two games after jam-packed nights on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday night, former Kentucky cornerback Carrington Valentine recorded an interception in the Green Packers road win over the Cincinnati Bengals. That same night, Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed for a team-high 39 yards on five attempts in a 17-15 win for the Washington Commanders over the Cleveland Browns.
On Sunday afternoon, Will Levis played in his first NFL game.
In the 23-17 Chicago Bears win over the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field, Levis completed 9 of 14 passes for 85 yards but took four sacks and threw an interception in the game’s final drive, which is being talked about a lot online. The rookie had an up-and-down performance as he competes with second-year pro Malik Willis for the backup quarterback job in Nashville.
The action will continue on Sunday with two more games before the NFL takes a break for a few days for the preseason resumes on Thursday. Don’t worry, the NFL has you covered if you’re ready to watch some more football.
- Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints | 1:00 p.m. ET
- San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas Raiders | 4:00 p.m. ET
The real games will start soon.
Positive vibes for Kentucky football after first fall scrimmage
The pads were popping at Kroger Field on Saturday as the Kentucky football program held its first scrimmage of fall camp. Head coach Mark Stoops feels good about the progress his team has made.
“I like where we’re at; I do,” Stoops told reporters on Saturday. “I think we’ve got to keep on track and put the foot on the gas and, you know, good things can happen day to day.”
KSR had boots on the ground to speak with Stoops, Devin Leary, and J.J. Weaver rolling out coverage throughout Saturday. Optimism is building for the offense while there appears to be real progress made on the offensive line.
Stay tuned for more coverage as more information becomes available regarding the first scrimmage in fall camp. Football is coming.
Zvonimir Ivisic is officially a Cat
Kentucky men’s basketball made a big late addition to the roster when Zvonimir Ivisic committed to the Wildcats. On Saturday afternoon, that addition became official when head coach John Calipari confirmed the newest transfer addition.
“I’m excited about Big Z. He’ll be a great addition,” Calipari wrote on social media. “As excited as he is to play for us, I’m just as excited to have the opportunity to coach him. Can’t wait for you to get to campus, @zvonimir_ivisic!!”
A potential 2024 draft prospect, “Big Z” is known for his playmaking and ability to stretch the floor. He will immediately bolster Kentucky’s depth in the frontcourt.
A member of SC Derby (Studentski Centar Podgorica) of the ABA League, Ivisic averaged 7.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 33 games in 2022-23. Ivisic exploded in the Adriatic League playoffs by posting 15.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per contest. The 19-year-old standout followed that up by averaging 11.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks in just 19.4 minutes per contest in the U20 European Championships.
The stretch big man should have a big role on Kentucky’s team in 2023-24.
Kentucky volleyball is ready for change
Craig Skinner has built quite the volleyball program in Lexington. However, the 19-year head coach is dealing with a ton of change at Kentucky.
“Going into year 19 here at Kentucky and probably one of the years with the most change in our program — six new players, new associate head coach, new assistant coach, the climate of college athletics. There’s just so many different things going on,” Skinner told reporters on Saturday.
Expectations are still high for the Wildcats, but there could be some tough decisions ahead for Skinner. However, that is not a bad thing.
“They’re going to make my job very difficult in a good way because they’re going to give themselves opportunities to play. They’re already doing that. The physicality that they bring is impressive, and the speed. They just do things naturally that other people can’t. We say in our program, ‘Character is culture.’ And they just bring an enormous amount of character to our program, like the people they’re joining.”
KSR’s Hunter Mitchell has a full rundown of Skinner’s comments which includes the return of Madison Lilley.
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