Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good day, everybody. Well, come into another week of shows
here on the Leach Report, presented by Bobcat Enterprises, and
today we're gonna talk a good bit of Kentucky football.
Is the Wildcats are inside of three weeks before the
opening game, their first of two Saturday scrimmages over the weekend,
(00:20):
so we'll talk about all of that with Keith Farmer
from l e X eighteen and Adam Luckett from on
three Sports in KSR. Wildcat News of the Day is
a service of Giuseppes of Lexington and Kentucky coach Mark
Stoops was pleased generally with what he saw. From what
(00:41):
he said to the media afterward, he said, it was
a good scrimmage. Quote, very pleased with the progress we've
made this week. I feel like the latter part of
this week and the scrimmage we've really picked it up.
Have to become a sharper football team. So they had
Zach Calzata Cutter Bowley take the snaps most of the
snaps at QBS. Stoops liked what he saw there. He said,
(01:05):
I thought both quarterbacks played well and bo Allen played some,
but Calzada and Bowley got most of the reps. On
the running back side, Jason Patterson got most of the
reps as Dante Daldell and Seth McGowan didn't get much work.
They I think, know what they have in those two
(01:25):
and those are going to be their their top two guys.
So there are two things they're going to look at
other players and Patterson probably helped his chances of getting
some carries. And then also it keeps dald l and
McGowan from getting hurt. As far as the offensive line,
that's obviously been a massive talking point. Stoops said, we
(01:48):
have to be better and run such obvious run situations.
We have to be better third and one, fourth and one.
We have to be more effective than we were a
year ago. I feel like we're making strides for sure,
just across the board. I feel better about it. So
encouraging news on the o line. We'll see if that
continues after another week and then the next Saturday scrimmage.
(02:09):
The defensive front, anwar Stewart coaches the guys up front.
He was on the Sunday Morning sports talk show yesterday
and talking up his guys. Really likes what he's seeing there.
Will have a clip from Anwar a little later in
the show when Adam Luckett joins us and talk about that.
David Gusta is named one of the top impact transfers
in the country for the upcoming season, according to The Athletic,
(02:31):
which surveyed coaches and other staff members on teams across
the country. I guess there ranked eighty second in terms
of impact transfers. Dane Keys on that list out at
Nebraska is the number thirteen impact transfer. Barry and Brown
right number thirty at LSU. Happy to see news that
Zion Schilders might get a starting spot for the Dallas
(02:52):
Cowboys when the NFL season opens up. In fact, the
Cowboys will play the first game. He's getting a lot
of reps at the corner in Dallas because of some
to that position, and as an undrafted free agent, he's
taken advantage of them. He's apparently made a strong impression
and making a bid to be a starter at corner
if they don't have their number one guys there. So
(03:14):
thing with Zion you're in a situation like that, undrafted
free agent, you get a chance, you do well. That's
how you stay in the league. And he was a
guy that I mean talking about young man. It transferred
in from Texas State, and really last season had his
best year Georgia game if you remember when Kentucky took
(03:35):
the Dogs down to the wire, one of Zion's best games.
So anyway, happy to see that things are going well
for him down in Dallas. And tonight, don't forget that
it's the Memorial Colosseum book event. Kevin Cook was with
us last week talking about his book on historic Memorial Colisseum,
all the history in that building and not just for
(03:56):
the Wildcats, men's basketball and other sports, other interesting aspects
to the history of Memorial Cottosseum that are in the book.
And there's gonna be a host of former Wildcats and
other folks associated with the UK program helping Kevin sign
copies of the book tonight. I'll be there. I think
(04:16):
Ralph Hacker's gonna be there. Tom Hammond in addition to
a bunch of former UK players Goose will be there. Anyway,
come out if you can. You can go to the
UK Alumni Association website and preregister. I think it's ten bucks.
You can pick up a book when you're there, or
maybe you already have one, but at is tonight at
Memorial Cottoseum. You can go to the Alumni Association's website
(04:37):
and get all the details. Thanks to the stories that
we talk about each day, you can find those on
the bud Light Leach Report page at town Leechky dot com.
Our opening segment of Wildcat News is always a service
of just sepees of Lexington, and with the new football
season at hand, you gotta make plans for game weekends.
Maybe the night before a big game or after an
(04:58):
afternoon game. Get to Giuseppes for a fantastic meal. Go
to open table right now, get something set up, get
it on the books to get a fantastic dinner of
homemade pasta or the handcut steaks or the fresh seafood
that chipped in, all the sides made with locally sourced ingredients,
and then enjoy the lounge area and live jazz music.
(05:20):
To a company your meal. It is really really special
at Giseppes. We'll be right back with Keith Farmer quarter
past the top of the hour. On this Monday edition
of the Leach Report. We are presented by Bobcat Enterprises.
They have four locations around Kentucky. So when you need
to buy or rent heavy equipment like excavators and forklifts,
skin steerloaders, whatever it might be. Get to Bobcat Enterprises.
(05:43):
They'll have what you need and they give you great
service after the sale or the rental agreement is executed.
Bobcat Enterprises joining us. Keith Farmer from LAX eighteen and
the BBN Tonight Show and inside of three weeks now
until the football opener. Keith, And you've heard comments from
media day, comments from coach Stoops and others after the
first scrimmage. So what's your takeaway at this point and
(06:07):
has it changed anything that you were thinking coming in
to the new football season.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Yeah, positivity from from all of it. Being able to
go and watch some of that practice that we got
to do on Media Day, and then getting to go
back on the next day with fan Day, gave you
a chance to see, you know, some of the the
same things, like like you know, you wanted to see
(06:35):
somebody not just step up one day, but do it
the next And I just felt like all around they
seemed to give the same effort, the same talent was
showing out and made me excited to see, especially on offense,
how many you know, wide receivers had the chance to
go out there and line up. You know, I asked
(06:56):
coach Washington about it, and it was he said eight.
And I know on Saturday Stoops said six. I think
maybe he's talking more, you know, the six they're going
to count on. Maybe Washington sees eight in his room
that he thinks could go out there and make some plays.
Maybe those other two that he's thinking of, Coach Stoops
is not. Maybe they're going to get some time, but
maybe just not as much as those six.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Yeah, that's gonna be interesting because you've got a group
there that they've talked up. Kendrick Laws certainly, and you
have to think Tomory Macklin. He's a leader in that
group and came on strong at the end of last season.
So you know that those are your top two guys,
you would think. But but after that, it's gonna be
(07:39):
interesting to see, you know, how it shakes out. Gilmour
and in some of the highlights they put out he
had a fantastic one handed grab, so I mean, we
know he's talented, but you know, it's for the rest
of those guys after Lawn Macklin. I would think it's
earning the trust of the coaches that you're gonna do
what you're supposed to do every time they sent you
out there. You're gonna catch the ball when it's put
(07:59):
in your hand exactly.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
And I think you know, on more than one occasion
I was able to see Fred Ferrier getting open, so
it means he's running a good route. Even JQ Hardaway
on Saturday was talking about how they all bring something
different to the table and they're all doing their job,
and so that's good to hear when you're seeing the
defense talk about them. But you know, it's also one
of those things that's tough because you know, seeing them
(08:24):
on a media day and a fandom, I'm not so
sure how much they're showing when they get out there
in seven on seven or eleven on eleven. But it
is good to see the lines working hard as hard
as they are as well.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
And you know.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
We'll see that first game for sure, how they come out,
how many of those guys play, and how well the
big blue wall and the defensive line look on that
day at.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
The running back spot. Coach Stoops said after the scrimmage
Saturday that Dad Dell and McGowan didn't get much work,
that they know what they have there, which would suggest
to me that they are really confident in those two guys,
and you know, we desperately go to make sure they
get them healthy to the opener, and so also gives
(09:09):
you a chance to see who else is, you know,
is anybody else ready to kind of make a bit
of a statement. Sounds like Patterson maybe took advantage of
that opportunity.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Sure, Patterson, you know, obviously will Cox are the two
trying to work their way in. I thought that was interesting.
I thought, you know, to say these two guys have
played that much football and really didn't need those reps.
I thought it was pretty smart to save them, you know,
the beating, because they're obviously going to get a you know,
hit harder and harder once that first game begins.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
So so I like that.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
The method that coach is using. But yeah, you're right,
I think from the sounds of things, Patterson really started
to show himself out a little bit. I think we
know what Jamario and Willcox can do as well from
last season, So feel good about that room as well.
I feel like it's deep. You know, you just want
to see some body step up and become that man
(10:02):
that we've seen over these past few years that they've
developed so much in the backfield, so many of those running.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Backs Tommy Keith Farmer from BBN tonight in l e
x eighteen. One of the things that I thought was
encouraging to hear from Coach Stoop's postgame or post scrimmage
remarks was that Jacob Coway was perfect on his field
goals in there and that scrimmage. And you know he
(10:32):
has a big, big legs. Stoops talked about that last season.
We never did see him as in a field goal,
but I mean they believe he's got maybe the best
range of anybody's ever been here. But can you keep
it in the fairway, so to speak? And that's what
he apparently did on Saturday. He made his kicks, and
(10:52):
that's the most important thing. You can kick it a mile,
but can't keep it between the sticks, then it doesn't
do you much good. And so I was glad I
had to hear that.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Yeah, you line up a seventy yard er, that's a question.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Yeah, how about that calling Liam Cohen at Jacksonville called
for a seventy yard field goal and the kicker made
up Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
I mean, somebody said, you know how dangerous is a
team if all you have to do is get to
the fifty yard line. Yeah, good encouraging to hear you're right,
I mean, because Alex Rayner did some great things here
for Kentucky in a short amount of time, and so
you know, he was a pretty accurate kicker and you'd
like to leave if Calway can get that done. You
(11:34):
want to put that confidence in Stoop's head to be
able to run him out there and just put points
on board, you know, maybe even early in a game.
And so that's encouraging to hear that he has done
that as well.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Austin McGinnis was that guy for Kentucky and then Rayner
last year where you just felt like they were going
to make everyone when they went out there. How valuable
of an asset would it be? If Calwa can have
that consistency and you know, maintain what he did Saturday
this early in his career. To have him for that long.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
Oh no doubt, and you know, once again, it's putting
that confidence. I mean, you know, Liam Cohen doesn't run
a kid out there for a seventy yarder unless he
believes he can do it, unless he's seen it. And
so for Colway to go out there and to be
as consistent as he is. Again, sometimes you don't get
that first drive all the way down for the touchdown
and you just need to come away with some points.
(12:29):
And as you know, any points in the sec are huge,
so accuracy being key in turn gives coach Stops stability
and the confidence to run him out there at any point.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
We are chatting with Keith Farmer from BBN Tonight and
l e x eight will be right back to continue
the discussion here on the Leaps Report from the Clark's
Pumping Shop studio. Return, refresh and refuel at Clark's chat
with Keith Farmer from the BBN Tonight show l e
X eighteen. What are you guys working on for me
be in tonight this week, Keith.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Well, for tonight, it's a little recap of the weekend,
you know with football, and then obviously tomorrow, I think
there was a conflict on Thursday with the defensive side,
so we're getting everybody tomorrow, we're getting an offensive defense,
so we'll be giving some updates there and then we
have this guy Tom Leech on tonight at seven thirty. Well,
(13:26):
you know, sometimes you settle.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
Hey, Hey, you've given me the confetence you know to
put you out there.
Speaker 4 (13:34):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
I think you can hit the seventy yarder.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Well, I don't know. Let's move over talk a little
Kentucky defense. McGowan's a name that I think people are
hearing a lot in terms of creating some buzz on
the offensive side. I got defensively, and there's not as
much buzz about this guy. But I've heard maybe he's
playing as well as anybody on the defensive side leading
(13:58):
into the season. At corner, I think they're very high
on Hardaway. He had, you know, that big game down
at Ole Miss in the upset last year. Their corner
spot may be a little stronger than people are thinking.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Well, and one of those that even Brad White says, Look,
we got to rely on those guys. They've got to
lock their guys down to make sure that we give
our defensive line, you know, a chance to go to work.
And and so to hear a guy like Waller stepping
up like he is definitely gives them, you know, a
couple of guys to build off of. And I think
(14:32):
they're deeper there than that, and and so that's good
to know. They can run some guys out there. You know,
another name is Augusta and so if he can be
you know a little bit of wreaking havoc there along
the defensive line obviously, and in turn helps those those
guys on the outside as they're trying to lock down
their players. So, you know, I feel like they it's
(14:56):
the unknown, right, It's that one that we don't know about,
probably is the line play. But what we do know
is that, uh, you know, a couple of these guys
every time we, like you said, we talked to them
and post scrimmage, post practice. It seems to be that
the defensive backs are really stepping up.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Going into last season. I think the defensive line was
thought to be one of the strengths with Dion Walker.
He was going to have a big final year, dominate
tie up blockers, open up up other opportunities, and I
don't think that he was really ever healthy enough to
to do what he wanted to do and what his
(15:37):
coaches hoped he would do.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (15:39):
And then you had.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Jesiah Hayes and uh Tamy and Gadsden that were injured
in that middle part of the defensive front. Yeah, and
oh and war Stewart was on the Sunday Morning Show
yesterday said, you know, one of the things he was
really most excited about is that all their guys are healthy.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Yeah, and Brad White talked about that at the luncheon
with you. Remember, you know how how just difficult that
was trying to get those back ready for a season
when they were injuring and missing, missing most of the
pre season workouts and drills and everything. And so that's
what everybody seems to be really excited that everybody's out
there and getting reps together, especially when you're trying to
(16:18):
build that line back with some of those returners you
were talking about, but also the new guys. Again, it
sounds like, you know, Augusta is that guy that's kind
of like really strong and really making an impact there
on that front line, and a war has got to
be excited about that.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Keith Farmer l e X eighteen and the BBN Tonight's Show.
You can catch him and it's Keith and Maggie Davis
most nights and if you missed the show, go to
bbntnight dot com and catch up there. Keith appreciate the
time as always, and we'll be talking more as we
get closer to this thing.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
Sounds good and we'll see you tonight at seven thirty.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Yes, Keith Farmer, I'll be on with them on the
BBN Tonight shows. Is the case on most Monday nights.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
Yeah, thank you, Keith.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
It is hot out there, folks, and the perfect way
to cool off is with those doing few Seltzers from
corn Bread Hemp and it's Kentucky's best buzz and a
can is what they're saying. They have a really cool
list of flavors that you can sample. And then now
you've got an opportunity it ends today to get a
free koozie if you spend one hundred dollars at cornbreadhamp
(17:27):
dot com one hundred and more on the Seltzers or
the organic gummies or the sleep gummies, or the oils
and lotions or some of the corn breadamp gear. It's
all there cornbreadhamp dot com. And if you go there,
you have a chance to get one of those free
koozies for your infused Seltzer. Through today at cornbreadhamp dot com.
(17:48):
This is the good life. That's going to do it
for our first half of the Leach Report. When we
come back Adam Bluckett, we'll join us. We'll get his
take on Kentucky football after scrimmage number one. It's the
latest report presented by Bob Kat Enterprises, and Jamori Macklin
is one of the veteran wide outs for Kentucky, part
(18:10):
of that big group of players that they've been pleased
with so far. I think, as we were saying with
Keith Farmer, Macklin and Law are probably at the top
of the list, and then it's an interesting battle from there. Anyway,
this was Macklin earlier this summer talking about new quarterback
Zach Calzada, a transfer from Incarnate Word, and what he
(18:33):
likes about the way Calzada throws the ball.
Speaker 6 (18:36):
He can throw the ball very well. He knows what
to put the ball, which is like the best thing.
Like he will he will throw you open, if that
makes sense. You know, if I'm covered in the dB
is on me very well. He knows what I throw
the ball to put me in a position to catch
the ball.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
And in terms of highlights from a scrimmage like Saturday,
you're only going to see the good stuff obviously, But
there were two passes that well, I know one of
them Calzadas. I can't remember if it was him throwing
the other one, but to Stellato a perfectly thrown a
little quick out pattern for a touchdown, and it was
right where Jimori was talking about throw the ball, throwing
(19:11):
the receiver open, putting it in a place only where
the receiver is going to catch it or it's going
to be incomplete. And then there was another one, the
one hand to catch for Hardley Gilmore. But I can't
remember if that was Calzada or Bolli that threw that one,
but also right in the spot where your guy has
a chance to make a play as as Gilmour did,
or it's incomplete. Let's bring in Adam Luckett from on
(19:33):
three Sports KSR, who covers Kentucky football. So writing a
lot about this first scrimmage, and what did you hear
about the quarterback play, Adam.
Speaker 4 (19:44):
Yeah, I heard that. I heard a lot of this scrimmage.
Tom was just kind of like they really wanted to
focus on kind of the run game, right. They wanted
to see what they have with the offensive line and
didn't really see what they have with the two backs
and Jamr the two young backs in to Mario and
Willcox and Jason Patterson, but throughout kind of camp to
(20:06):
this point, I think Cutter Bowley is impressed. Looks like
he's taking a step forward. Now I say all that
there's not a QB competition. Calzada's the starting quarterback, and
to this point, I think they've been pleased with just
his ability to kind of keep the offense on schedule.
It's not necessarily the big plays, but it's instead of
(20:28):
second and ten, turn the second inten's in the second
and five and getting them in third and short and
keep the chain moving so they can play the ball
control style that they want to play this year. And
then when the time comes to take those you know,
those shot plays, as Macklin kind of pointed out, he
has the arm to make those throws down down the
football field.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
I think Calzada had a comment it was either after
the scrimmage or after a practice where he used the
phrase game manager, which some of the times quarterbacks don't
care for, but it is very propriate at times, and
I think will be for this Kentucky team. They want
a quarterback who, as you said, keeps the chains moving,
(21:07):
makes the completes the easy throws, gives them a chance
to make big plays. When they take a shot down
the field, it just doesn't turn it over. And that's
got to be part of the script for overachieving, minimizing
turnovers and costly penalties and you know, trying to get
(21:28):
some short fields for your offense and make your opponent
have to go a long way with your kicking games.
So with Calzada, I thought that was an encouraging to
hear him phrase it that way because it tells you
that his heads in the right place, I think, with
what his coaches want him to do.
Speaker 4 (21:45):
Yeah, and I think like the check down is going
to be a popular Maybe I think it might get
on the fans nerves a little bit, but I think
you're going to see him once the game start, just
get the ball out of hands as quick as possible.
And just I think last year they fought they fell
behind the chain so much and they just could not
live and third and long and detonate a leaky offensive line.
(22:08):
I think look worse when you kind of consider the
totality of the season because they were just in those
situations so so much, and so like completion percentage, I
think it's gonna be really important for counsel of just
getting that ball out fast and playing on time within
the structure of the offense, and the turnovers is a
big thing too, Tom. I think if you're gonna kind
of draw out a blueprint for Kentucky with the offense, defense,
(22:31):
and special teams on it, and like these are their
core tenants of being successful, Like we can't rank some
one hundred and turnovers loss on offense again like they
did last year. Like even when m Cohen was here,
they were you know, they were humming in a lot
of ways on offense, but turnovers were an issue even
when he was here. It's been boss security has been
a big problem for the offense over the last few years,
(22:53):
and that's something I think they got to get fixed
because I think they're playing to win games. Is to
you know, all control, play good defense, have good special teams,
and try to win a lot of games. I think
twenty to seventeen in the fourth quarter. And that's harder
to do if you're giving up possessions all the time.
Specifically if you're an offense like Kentucky that wants to
play slow, so if you have two turnovers in a game,
(23:16):
it hurts you more than maybe a team that plays
with tempo and has two turnovers in a game because yours,
you're this percentage of drivers getting eat into more because
you're not playing at a brisker pace.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
A we could go today, Mark's story from the Hair
Leader was on and we were talking about some of
these very issues, you know, just being a more disciplined team.
It probably all comes under that umbrella. And you thought,
you know, it was talking about maybe that's some of
what had slipped in recent years coming to a head
last year and Mark and I were taking that, you know,
(23:49):
it just felt like Kentucky used to be a lot
better in close games. Well, I saw where Mark ran
the numbers and games decided about eight points or less,
so one score games. From sixteen to twenty one, Kentucky
was twenty and nine, which is strong. Yes, their games
from twenty through twenty two through last season four and seven.
(24:12):
So that speaks to I think a.
Speaker 4 (24:13):
Lot of what we're talking about, and honestly, like not
necessarily the record so much, they're not they're not playing
in enough of those games, Like I think they want
a lot of those games to be close, and there's
just been too many times, a lot of times the
offense just doesn't have the it just doesn't have enough
production to make those close games. But when they are
(24:34):
at their best, when they are right, and it kind
of stoops is I think construct of a football team.
They are playing in close games, and they are winning
these close games because of their style of play. They're
able to control the ball on offense, they don't give
up big plays on defense. You win the turnover battle,
and you're gonna have a really good chance to win
that football game if you just play you know, a
(24:54):
thousand of them out. The problem is they haven't been
good at running the football here lately, so they can't
play the ball control style they want to play. And
then defensively, it puts their defense I think in some
more difficult spots than maybe it has in the past,
because a lot of times when they were winning close games,
it was before they really had built that defense up.
If you kind of look those first four years, first
(25:16):
four to five years, twenty thirteen, under seventeen under stoops
and so they just have to get that back. And
I think that's why it's been such an emphasis, you know,
offensive line and fixing the offensive line and going out
and paying all these starters and then getting multiple tailbacks,
make sure you have depth, get bigger at the tailback position,
because I think that's dumb saying out loud that we
(25:36):
know nothing else matters unless we can run the ball effectively,
efficiently and control the game that way.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
And a key component of that too, is a kicking game.
We're talking in the first half of the show about
the numbers. Apparently the cowway put up on Saturday was
hitting his field goals. Here we heard great things about
la Ross as the punter. Those just every every detail
is crucial if they're going to be in a lot
(26:03):
more of the games, like you're talking about that are
you know, one score games in the fourth quarter?
Speaker 3 (26:09):
Right?
Speaker 4 (26:10):
I think la Ross, you saw some of the potential.
You want to see more consistency from him because you know,
if that consistency comes, he looks like he could be
one of the better punters in college football. And then
Jacob Coway's got big shoes to fill. You know, Alex
Rayner was really, really, really good. He was the best
place kicker his programs had in a while. And not
(26:30):
having him, I mean that was a first team All
SEC guy last year and they kind of got lost
in the wash, but he's been He was really really good,
and so replacing him is going to be important because
you need to be able to finish drives with points
when you have the field opportunities. And for punt for
punting what stylistically how Kentucky wants to play. You've got
to be able to win field position, and you do
that by you know, tilting the field and flipping it,
(26:53):
pinning teams back, and taking advantage of complimentary football when
you're able to get short fields and you get short
fields first, winning with the punt team, and so those
are all key factors I think going in with Kentucky,
and you kind of can add those into boss security
and all that. There's like a checklist and if you
can check most of those, you should be in a
pretty good shape once games start happening to have a
(27:15):
chance to go win these games.
Speaker 3 (27:16):
In the fourth quarter.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
We'll keep talking Kentucky football as we're under three weeks
until the opener against Toledo. Adam Lucket's with us from
on three Sports and KSR. It's at Adam Luckett KSR
on X We'll be right back. It is the Leach
Report from the Clark's Pumping Shop studio, return Refresh, refuel
at Clark's and sign up for their Loyalty rewards program
so you can get discounts when you refuel at Clark's
(27:38):
Pumping Shop. We are back. It is the Leads Report,
presented by Bobcat Enterprises and d Line coach and R.
Stewart was a guest on the Sunday Morning sports talk
show here in Lexington yesterday and one of the things
he talked about in terms of not just his guys
that he's coaching, but the whole team is how they
(28:02):
are really confident in the work that they've put in
and that it's gonna pay off, and they don't worry
about the skeptics.
Speaker 5 (28:11):
You know what, We're not worried about what the media
and what the fans think. It's all about you know,
us in that building, man, and all the hard work
that these young men have put in, the hours that
we've put in. Man, we're ready to go. You know where,
We've had two weeks really good preparation. We got two
more weeks man to really continue to take it to
(28:32):
the next level. I think one of the big thing is, Man,
we don't listen to the house ode voices, Man, it
ain't about what they think. It's about what we go
out and do. And we've got a very competitive team.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
And it'll be put to the test right out of
the gate against a very good Toledo team out of
the Mid American Conference. As we chat with Adam Luckett
from on three Sports and KSR about Kentucky football, there
does seem to be, whether you hear it from players
or coaches, a quiet confidence and what was a little
more outspoken there in terms of what he's seeing, but
(29:07):
there just seem to be a sense that they feel
very good about where they are now. They've got to
go ahead and prove it starting August thirtieth against a
good team and then a you know, a very good
conference opponent in week two, so they'll get a they'll
get a chance to make a statement right out of
the gate.
Speaker 4 (29:22):
Yeah, I think it's I think it's one just them
kind of We've heard them kind of say in multiple
ways that they just it's like an acknowledgment of the noise,
like they've heard, they know those criticism out there, but
they're sticking to their plan and they believe in their plan.
And so you're exactly right tom When the games begin,
we'll see if this plan and how they rebuilt and
rebooted the roster and how they're approaching like building this
(29:46):
team and how they they're playing to go win games.
We'll see how that plays out when the game starts.
But there is definitely that they it seems like they're
chomping at the bid I think, to go out and
show what they have and they do seem to have
a belief in this football team. So we'll have to
see how this plays out when the games begin. But
(30:07):
it's clear that part of their their big part of
their offseason was just to stay quiet and just do
their work and you know, do Mark Stoops's kind of hole.
We'll just get back to work kind of philosophy, don't
make a lot of noise and then try to sneak
up on people. I think when the season starts and
we're I mean it's about to start now, we've got,
like Ambarsh said, we had a couple of weeks and
then before you know it, they'll be taking the field
(30:28):
here at the end of the month to play Toledo
and then get right into the SEC slate one week
after that week.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
And a half really of what they call the training
camp phase of the lead up to the season, which
will include the second scrimmage on Saturday, and at some
point towards the middle part latter part of next week,
they'll shift to game week mode and start preparing pretty
much exclusively for Toledo. So until that point, what do
(30:54):
you think they're looking to get accomplished in this remaining
part of the training camp that includ that scrimmage is
coming Saturday.
Speaker 3 (31:02):
Number One, Stay healthy.
Speaker 4 (31:05):
They've talked a lot about how the defensive line injuries
kind of submarine their team last year in the preseason
and then Chip Trainingm breaks his hand and one of
the scrimmages last year, and then that just led to
really a year of injuries. So to me, I think
that's a big thing over this next week is just
keep everyone healthy. And for now I think you kind
(31:27):
of know who your starters are gonna be, so this
is all about finding who they're gonna be, the twos,
who are gonna be in those rotational roles with your
first and second union and even on special teams, trying
to figure out all those people out and kind of
you know, your your red shirt chart and all of
that figuring out who's gonna be where. I think those
(31:47):
spots are gonna be kind of one over the next
couple of weeks. Now they can change when the season starts,
but those spots are gonna be are gonna be one
over the next couple of weeks, and so for really
stay healthy and Kendrick Law, where is he at? I
think is a question mark because he has been banged up.
We really haven't heard much of him. He didn't really
hear much or see anything from the clips they released
(32:08):
on him. So just where is he at? Because they've
already said that he's going to play a big role
in this offense. So that's definitely a guy that they're
gonna need out there when the game start.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
Who's somebody that's maybe not being talked about enough that
you think will be impactful and one or it could
be more than one.
Speaker 4 (32:25):
Yeah, I think I think defensively, they're banking a lot
on this secondary and DJ Waller is probably the least
proven of the starters that are going to be out there,
But that's a guy they were really excited about. I
think JQ Hardaway kind of showed himself as an SEC
cornerback last year, and I think if you know, if
Waller can take that jump, that gives them two big,
(32:46):
long corners with experience, and then that when they've had that,
typically they've been pretty good on defense. So I think
he's a guy that maybe is not getting talked about
enough when you talk about the defense as a guy
to really look for on defense and then.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
Offensively, you know, I would.
Speaker 4 (33:05):
Say Kendrick Law, but you know, he's been kind of iffy.
But I do think they're gonna have a rotation of
five six guys, But I do think it is important
for them that Macklan would be one of their top guys
and be one of their top receivers. Towards the end
of the season, we saw some glimpses. You just need
more consistency and really where you saw him as kind
of an explosive play generator when he was catching vertical
(33:27):
passes down the field and that's what he did at
North Texas. So for when you talk about Ka Tucky's offense,
we talked about the ball, control of the balance, staying
ahead of the chains, but it's still really important that
you be able to hit those explosive plays over the top.
And he's probably going to be their top weapon with that,
and so for him, if he has a really good year,
that means Kentucky has the expulsive this to hopefully go
(33:48):
with this efficiency and that is the best way to
score points on a consistent basis. So for Macklan not
necessarily to be the number one guy, but be able
to be maybe that explosive play generator for the offense
because they are going to need that.
Speaker 1 (34:00):
And it kind of feels like they're going to get
back to a little bit more of that twenty sixteen
twenty seventeen type from offense anyway, where you had a
quarterback who nobody knew a whole lot about in Steven Johnson,
you had a depth at running back, you had a
gu named Jeff Badett, and then Juice Johnson who were
(34:22):
you throw the ball deep to. Maybe Macklin's that kind
of guy in the offense. They've got the depth of
running back and anyway, that team started to build the
big Blue wall at that time. So that's obviously what
they're hoping to do upfront. Do you see some similarities
to that period of the Stoops era?
Speaker 3 (34:39):
Yeah, I think that's that's like if.
Speaker 4 (34:41):
You were going to draw it up. That's kind of
what you want the offense look at like. We want
to be able to hammer the rock. We had two
backs with Snell and Boom who kind of complimented each
other well, but we're both good enough to be starting
backs for a lot of teams in this league. I'm
able to run the ball and then play action. You
were able to hit deep shots in the past. I
think that's what it would look like modern college offense.
(35:04):
You want to run for efficiency, pass for explosiveness, and
so that's what you will want. You want to hit
your explosive plays in the passing game, so the teams
had to be aware of that, and then you will
want to hammer the rock and move the ball that
way and kind of control the game that way. So yeah,
I think the twenty sixteen team, if they could just
put that in a bottle every year, I think, you know,
if you told Stoops you can sign up for this
right now, would be like that twenty sixteen production. I
(35:26):
think he would almost sign up for it pretty much every.
Speaker 1 (35:28):
Year, excited about the fact that one week from this Saturday,
you'll have real college football to watch.
Speaker 4 (35:37):
Week zero, that's right, the longest offseason in sports is
finally ready to come to an end.
Speaker 3 (35:41):
Ready for it to end?
Speaker 4 (35:42):
Tom Ready, Thank you, Adam.
Speaker 3 (35:45):
Thanks Tom.
Speaker 1 (35:45):
You read his coverage at on three Sports and ks
are and we appreciate Adam joining in program. Here it
is the Leads Report. We're presented by Bob Kat Enterprises,
and we'll be right back to stand would Cat history.
Dicky Lyons the senior was born and one of the
all time most versatile guys, unfortunately on some teams that
(36:07):
didn't win much in the late sixties, but what a
talent he was. Still holds the record that'll probably never
be broken for the longest punt return. I think it's
a ninety seven yarder he had for a touchdown. And
of course, his son, Dicky Lyons Junior, was a great
wide receiver for the Wildcats under Rich Brooks. And think
(36:27):
Kevin Knocks, former Kentucky basketball star celebrating a birthday today
as well as Wildcat history and birthday notes presented by
Kentucky road Show Sports Cards and Memorabilia. They're on Romedey
Road in Lexington and at roadshowcards dot Com. Don't forget
about the Memorial Colisseum book event tonight. Kevin Cook's book
on historic Memorial Coliseum is out. If you have it,
(36:48):
you can bring it and get it signed, or you
can pick up books there tonight. Go to the UK
Alumni Association's website and you can get the details on
the event. I think there's a ten dollars ticket costs
to get in, but you'll get a chance to get
the author and a bunch of former Wildcats to sign
your book and relive the history some of the great
(37:09):
moments for Kentucky men's basketball and others sports and events
at Memorial Coliseum. Shuffle Being Coffee is the official coffee
of ropp Arena and the KFCM Center. It's a group
of Kentuckians that got together to form the company more
than a decade ago with a commitment to being the best,
and it starts with the best coffee beans. You can
read about that and order some product at shufflebeant Us.
(37:31):
You can pick it up at a Mier store in
central Kentucky. You can get it through Amazon. However you
get shuffle Bean Coffee, give it a try. It is
outstanding and it is a group of Kentuckians that are
very proud of the work they've done to create a
fantastic brand of coffee in Shuffle being coffee that will
do it for us. We will see you tomorrow on
the Leads Report presented by Bobcat Enterprises
Good day, everybody. Well, come into another week of shows
here on the Leach Report, presented by Bobcat Enterprises, and
today we're gonna talk a good bit of Kentucky football.
Is the Wildcats are inside of three weeks before the
opening game, their first of two Saturday scrimmages over the weekend,
(00:20):
so we'll talk about all of that with Keith Farmer
from l e X eighteen and Adam Luckett from on
three Sports in KSR. Wildcat News of the Day is
a service of Giuseppes of Lexington and Kentucky coach Mark
Stoops was pleased generally with what he saw. From what
(00:41):
he said to the media afterward, he said, it was
a good scrimmage. Quote, very pleased with the progress we've
made this week. I feel like the latter part of
this week and the scrimmage we've really picked it up.
Have to become a sharper football team. So they had
Zach Calzata Cutter Bowley take the snaps most of the
snaps at QBS. Stoops liked what he saw there. He said,
(01:05):
I thought both quarterbacks played well and bo Allen played some,
but Calzada and Bowley got most of the reps. On
the running back side, Jason Patterson got most of the
reps as Dante Daldell and Seth McGowan didn't get much work.
They I think, know what they have in those two
(01:25):
and those are going to be their their top two guys.
So there are two things they're going to look at
other players and Patterson probably helped his chances of getting
some carries. And then also it keeps dald l and
McGowan from getting hurt. As far as the offensive line,
that's obviously been a massive talking point. Stoops said, we
(01:48):
have to be better and run such obvious run situations.
We have to be better third and one, fourth and one.
We have to be more effective than we were a
year ago. I feel like we're making strides for sure,
just across the board. I feel better about it. So
encouraging news on the o line. We'll see if that
continues after another week and then the next Saturday scrimmage.
(02:09):
The defensive front, anwar Stewart coaches the guys up front.
He was on the Sunday Morning sports talk show yesterday
and talking up his guys. Really likes what he's seeing there.
Will have a clip from Anwar a little later in
the show when Adam Luckett joins us and talk about that.
David Gusta is named one of the top impact transfers
in the country for the upcoming season, according to The Athletic,
(02:31):
which surveyed coaches and other staff members on teams across
the country. I guess there ranked eighty second in terms
of impact transfers. Dane Keys on that list out at
Nebraska is the number thirteen impact transfer. Barry and Brown
right number thirty at LSU. Happy to see news that
Zion Schilders might get a starting spot for the Dallas
(02:52):
Cowboys when the NFL season opens up. In fact, the
Cowboys will play the first game. He's getting a lot
of reps at the corner in Dallas because of some
to that position, and as an undrafted free agent, he's
taken advantage of them. He's apparently made a strong impression
and making a bid to be a starter at corner
if they don't have their number one guys there. So
(03:14):
thing with Zion you're in a situation like that, undrafted
free agent, you get a chance, you do well. That's
how you stay in the league. And he was a
guy that I mean talking about young man. It transferred
in from Texas State, and really last season had his
best year Georgia game if you remember when Kentucky took
(03:35):
the Dogs down to the wire, one of Zion's best games.
So anyway, happy to see that things are going well
for him down in Dallas. And tonight, don't forget that
it's the Memorial Colosseum book event. Kevin Cook was with
us last week talking about his book on historic Memorial Colisseum,
all the history in that building and not just for
(03:56):
the Wildcats, men's basketball and other sports, other interesting aspects
to the history of Memorial Cottosseum that are in the book.
And there's gonna be a host of former Wildcats and
other folks associated with the UK program helping Kevin sign
copies of the book tonight. I'll be there. I think
(04:16):
Ralph Hacker's gonna be there. Tom Hammond in addition to
a bunch of former UK players Goose will be there. Anyway,
come out if you can. You can go to the
UK Alumni Association website and preregister. I think it's ten bucks.
You can pick up a book when you're there, or
maybe you already have one, but at is tonight at
Memorial Cottoseum. You can go to the Alumni Association's website
(04:37):
and get all the details. Thanks to the stories that
we talk about each day, you can find those on
the bud Light Leach Report page at town Leechky dot com.
Our opening segment of Wildcat News is always a service
of just sepees of Lexington, and with the new football
season at hand, you gotta make plans for game weekends.
Maybe the night before a big game or after an
(04:58):
afternoon game. Get to Giuseppes for a fantastic meal. Go
to open table right now, get something set up, get
it on the books to get a fantastic dinner of
homemade pasta or the handcut steaks or the fresh seafood
that chipped in, all the sides made with locally sourced ingredients,
and then enjoy the lounge area and live jazz music.
(05:20):
To a company your meal. It is really really special
at Giseppes. We'll be right back with Keith Farmer quarter
past the top of the hour. On this Monday edition
of the Leach Report. We are presented by Bobcat Enterprises.
They have four locations around Kentucky. So when you need
to buy or rent heavy equipment like excavators and forklifts,
skin steerloaders, whatever it might be. Get to Bobcat Enterprises.
(05:43):
They'll have what you need and they give you great
service after the sale or the rental agreement is executed.
Bobcat Enterprises joining us. Keith Farmer from LAX eighteen and
the BBN Tonight Show and inside of three weeks now
until the football opener. Keith, And you've heard comments from
media day, comments from coach Stoops and others after the
first scrimmage. So what's your takeaway at this point and
(06:07):
has it changed anything that you were thinking coming in
to the new football season.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Yeah, positivity from from all of it. Being able to
go and watch some of that practice that we got
to do on Media Day, and then getting to go
back on the next day with fan Day, gave you
a chance to see, you know, some of the the
same things, like like you know, you wanted to see
(06:35):
somebody not just step up one day, but do it
the next And I just felt like all around they
seemed to give the same effort, the same talent was
showing out and made me excited to see, especially on offense,
how many you know, wide receivers had the chance to
go out there and line up. You know, I asked
(06:56):
coach Washington about it, and it was he said eight.
And I know on Saturday Stoops said six. I think
maybe he's talking more, you know, the six they're going
to count on. Maybe Washington sees eight in his room
that he thinks could go out there and make some plays.
Maybe those other two that he's thinking of, Coach Stoops
is not. Maybe they're going to get some time, but
maybe just not as much as those six.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Yeah, that's gonna be interesting because you've got a group
there that they've talked up. Kendrick Laws certainly, and you
have to think Tomory Macklin. He's a leader in that
group and came on strong at the end of last season.
So you know that those are your top two guys,
you would think. But but after that, it's gonna be
(07:39):
interesting to see, you know, how it shakes out. Gilmour
and in some of the highlights they put out he
had a fantastic one handed grab, so I mean, we
know he's talented, but you know, it's for the rest
of those guys after Lawn Macklin. I would think it's
earning the trust of the coaches that you're gonna do
what you're supposed to do every time they sent you
out there. You're gonna catch the ball when it's put
(07:59):
in your hand exactly.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
And I think you know, on more than one occasion
I was able to see Fred Ferrier getting open, so
it means he's running a good route. Even JQ Hardaway
on Saturday was talking about how they all bring something
different to the table and they're all doing their job,
and so that's good to hear when you're seeing the
defense talk about them. But you know, it's also one
of those things that's tough because you know, seeing them
(08:24):
on a media day and a fandom, I'm not so
sure how much they're showing when they get out there
in seven on seven or eleven on eleven. But it
is good to see the lines working hard as hard
as they are as well.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
And you know.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
We'll see that first game for sure, how they come out,
how many of those guys play, and how well the
big blue wall and the defensive line look on that
day at.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
The running back spot. Coach Stoops said after the scrimmage
Saturday that Dad Dell and McGowan didn't get much work,
that they know what they have there, which would suggest
to me that they are really confident in those two guys,
and you know, we desperately go to make sure they
get them healthy to the opener, and so also gives
(09:09):
you a chance to see who else is, you know,
is anybody else ready to kind of make a bit
of a statement. Sounds like Patterson maybe took advantage of
that opportunity.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Sure, Patterson, you know, obviously will Cox are the two
trying to work their way in. I thought that was interesting.
I thought, you know, to say these two guys have
played that much football and really didn't need those reps.
I thought it was pretty smart to save them, you know,
the beating, because they're obviously going to get a you know,
hit harder and harder once that first game begins.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
So so I like that.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
The method that coach is using. But yeah, you're right,
I think from the sounds of things, Patterson really started
to show himself out a little bit. I think we
know what Jamario and Willcox can do as well from
last season, So feel good about that room as well.
I feel like it's deep. You know, you just want
to see some body step up and become that man
(10:02):
that we've seen over these past few years that they've
developed so much in the backfield, so many of those running.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Backs Tommy Keith Farmer from BBN tonight in l e
x eighteen. One of the things that I thought was
encouraging to hear from Coach Stoop's postgame or post scrimmage
remarks was that Jacob Coway was perfect on his field
goals in there and that scrimmage. And you know he
(10:32):
has a big, big legs. Stoops talked about that last season.
We never did see him as in a field goal,
but I mean they believe he's got maybe the best
range of anybody's ever been here. But can you keep
it in the fairway, so to speak? And that's what
he apparently did on Saturday. He made his kicks, and
(10:52):
that's the most important thing. You can kick it a mile,
but can't keep it between the sticks, then it doesn't
do you much good. And so I was glad I
had to hear that.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Yeah, you line up a seventy yard er, that's a question.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Yeah, how about that calling Liam Cohen at Jacksonville called
for a seventy yard field goal and the kicker made
up Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
I mean, somebody said, you know how dangerous is a
team if all you have to do is get to
the fifty yard line. Yeah, good encouraging to hear you're right,
I mean, because Alex Rayner did some great things here
for Kentucky in a short amount of time, and so
you know, he was a pretty accurate kicker and you'd
like to leave if Calway can get that done. You
(11:34):
want to put that confidence in Stoop's head to be
able to run him out there and just put points
on board, you know, maybe even early in a game.
And so that's encouraging to hear that he has done
that as well.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Austin McGinnis was that guy for Kentucky and then Rayner
last year where you just felt like they were going
to make everyone when they went out there. How valuable
of an asset would it be? If Calwa can have
that consistency and you know, maintain what he did Saturday
this early in his career. To have him for that long.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
Oh no doubt, and you know, once again, it's putting
that confidence. I mean, you know, Liam Cohen doesn't run
a kid out there for a seventy yarder unless he
believes he can do it, unless he's seen it. And
so for Colway to go out there and to be
as consistent as he is. Again, sometimes you don't get
that first drive all the way down for the touchdown
and you just need to come away with some points.
(12:29):
And as you know, any points in the sec are huge,
so accuracy being key in turn gives coach Stops stability
and the confidence to run him out there at any point.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
We are chatting with Keith Farmer from BBN Tonight and
l e x eight will be right back to continue
the discussion here on the Leaps Report from the Clark's
Pumping Shop studio. Return, refresh and refuel at Clark's chat
with Keith Farmer from the BBN Tonight show l e
X eighteen. What are you guys working on for me
be in tonight this week, Keith.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Well, for tonight, it's a little recap of the weekend,
you know with football, and then obviously tomorrow, I think
there was a conflict on Thursday with the defensive side,
so we're getting everybody tomorrow, we're getting an offensive defense,
so we'll be giving some updates there and then we
have this guy Tom Leech on tonight at seven thirty. Well,
(13:26):
you know, sometimes you settle.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
Hey, Hey, you've given me the confetence you know to
put you out there.
Speaker 4 (13:34):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
I think you can hit the seventy yarder.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Well, I don't know. Let's move over talk a little
Kentucky defense. McGowan's a name that I think people are
hearing a lot in terms of creating some buzz on
the offensive side. I got defensively, and there's not as
much buzz about this guy. But I've heard maybe he's
playing as well as anybody on the defensive side leading
(13:58):
into the season. At corner, I think they're very high
on Hardaway. He had, you know, that big game down
at Ole Miss in the upset last year. Their corner
spot may be a little stronger than people are thinking.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Well, and one of those that even Brad White says, Look,
we got to rely on those guys. They've got to
lock their guys down to make sure that we give
our defensive line, you know, a chance to go to work.
And and so to hear a guy like Waller stepping
up like he is definitely gives them, you know, a
couple of guys to build off of. And I think
(14:32):
they're deeper there than that, and and so that's good
to know. They can run some guys out there. You know,
another name is Augusta and so if he can be
you know a little bit of wreaking havoc there along
the defensive line obviously, and in turn helps those those
guys on the outside as they're trying to lock down
their players. So, you know, I feel like they it's
(14:56):
the unknown, right, It's that one that we don't know about,
probably is the line play. But what we do know
is that, uh, you know, a couple of these guys
every time we, like you said, we talked to them
and post scrimmage, post practice. It seems to be that
the defensive backs are really stepping up.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Going into last season. I think the defensive line was
thought to be one of the strengths with Dion Walker.
He was going to have a big final year, dominate
tie up blockers, open up up other opportunities, and I
don't think that he was really ever healthy enough to
to do what he wanted to do and what his
(15:37):
coaches hoped he would do.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (15:39):
And then you had.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Jesiah Hayes and uh Tamy and Gadsden that were injured
in that middle part of the defensive front. Yeah, and
oh and war Stewart was on the Sunday Morning Show
yesterday said, you know, one of the things he was
really most excited about is that all their guys are healthy.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Yeah, and Brad White talked about that at the luncheon
with you. Remember, you know how how just difficult that
was trying to get those back ready for a season
when they were injuring and missing, missing most of the
pre season workouts and drills and everything. And so that's
what everybody seems to be really excited that everybody's out
there and getting reps together, especially when you're trying to
(16:18):
build that line back with some of those returners you
were talking about, but also the new guys. Again, it
sounds like, you know, Augusta is that guy that's kind
of like really strong and really making an impact there
on that front line, and a war has got to
be excited about that.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Keith Farmer l e X eighteen and the BBN Tonight's Show.
You can catch him and it's Keith and Maggie Davis
most nights and if you missed the show, go to
bbntnight dot com and catch up there. Keith appreciate the
time as always, and we'll be talking more as we
get closer to this thing.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
Sounds good and we'll see you tonight at seven thirty.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Yes, Keith Farmer, I'll be on with them on the
BBN Tonight shows. Is the case on most Monday nights.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
Yeah, thank you, Keith.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
It is hot out there, folks, and the perfect way
to cool off is with those doing few Seltzers from
corn Bread Hemp and it's Kentucky's best buzz and a
can is what they're saying. They have a really cool
list of flavors that you can sample. And then now
you've got an opportunity it ends today to get a
free koozie if you spend one hundred dollars at cornbreadhamp
(17:27):
dot com one hundred and more on the Seltzers or
the organic gummies or the sleep gummies, or the oils
and lotions or some of the corn breadamp gear. It's
all there cornbreadhamp dot com. And if you go there,
you have a chance to get one of those free
koozies for your infused Seltzer. Through today at cornbreadhamp dot com.
(17:48):
This is the good life. That's going to do it
for our first half of the Leach Report. When we
come back Adam Bluckett, we'll join us. We'll get his
take on Kentucky football after scrimmage number one. It's the
latest report presented by Bob Kat Enterprises, and Jamori Macklin
is one of the veteran wide outs for Kentucky, part
(18:10):
of that big group of players that they've been pleased
with so far. I think, as we were saying with
Keith Farmer, Macklin and Law are probably at the top
of the list, and then it's an interesting battle from there. Anyway,
this was Macklin earlier this summer talking about new quarterback
Zach Calzada, a transfer from Incarnate Word, and what he
(18:33):
likes about the way Calzada throws the ball.
Speaker 6 (18:36):
He can throw the ball very well. He knows what
to put the ball, which is like the best thing.
Like he will he will throw you open, if that
makes sense. You know, if I'm covered in the dB
is on me very well. He knows what I throw
the ball to put me in a position to catch
the ball.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
And in terms of highlights from a scrimmage like Saturday,
you're only going to see the good stuff obviously, But
there were two passes that well, I know one of
them Calzadas. I can't remember if it was him throwing
the other one, but to Stellato a perfectly thrown a
little quick out pattern for a touchdown, and it was
right where Jimori was talking about throw the ball, throwing
(19:11):
the receiver open, putting it in a place only where
the receiver is going to catch it or it's going
to be incomplete. And then there was another one, the
one hand to catch for Hardley Gilmore. But I can't
remember if that was Calzada or Bolli that threw that one,
but also right in the spot where your guy has
a chance to make a play as as Gilmour did,
or it's incomplete. Let's bring in Adam Luckett from on
(19:33):
three Sports KSR, who covers Kentucky football. So writing a
lot about this first scrimmage, and what did you hear
about the quarterback play, Adam.
Speaker 4 (19:44):
Yeah, I heard that. I heard a lot of this scrimmage.
Tom was just kind of like they really wanted to
focus on kind of the run game, right. They wanted
to see what they have with the offensive line and
didn't really see what they have with the two backs
and Jamr the two young backs in to Mario and
Willcox and Jason Patterson, but throughout kind of camp to
(20:06):
this point, I think Cutter Bowley is impressed. Looks like
he's taking a step forward. Now I say all that
there's not a QB competition. Calzada's the starting quarterback, and
to this point, I think they've been pleased with just
his ability to kind of keep the offense on schedule.
It's not necessarily the big plays, but it's instead of
(20:28):
second and ten, turn the second inten's in the second
and five and getting them in third and short and
keep the chain moving so they can play the ball
control style that they want to play this year. And
then when the time comes to take those you know,
those shot plays, as Macklin kind of pointed out, he
has the arm to make those throws down down the
football field.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
I think Calzada had a comment it was either after
the scrimmage or after a practice where he used the
phrase game manager, which some of the times quarterbacks don't
care for, but it is very propriate at times, and
I think will be for this Kentucky team. They want
a quarterback who, as you said, keeps the chains moving,
(21:07):
makes the completes the easy throws, gives them a chance
to make big plays. When they take a shot down
the field, it just doesn't turn it over. And that's
got to be part of the script for overachieving, minimizing
turnovers and costly penalties and you know, trying to get
(21:28):
some short fields for your offense and make your opponent
have to go a long way with your kicking games.
So with Calzada, I thought that was an encouraging to
hear him phrase it that way because it tells you
that his heads in the right place, I think, with
what his coaches want him to do.
Speaker 4 (21:45):
Yeah, and I think like the check down is going
to be a popular Maybe I think it might get
on the fans nerves a little bit, but I think
you're going to see him once the game start, just
get the ball out of hands as quick as possible.
And just I think last year they fought they fell
behind the chain so much and they just could not
live and third and long and detonate a leaky offensive line.
(22:08):
I think look worse when you kind of consider the
totality of the season because they were just in those
situations so so much, and so like completion percentage, I
think it's gonna be really important for counsel of just
getting that ball out fast and playing on time within
the structure of the offense, and the turnovers is a
big thing too, Tom. I think if you're gonna kind
of draw out a blueprint for Kentucky with the offense, defense,
(22:31):
and special teams on it, and like these are their
core tenants of being successful, Like we can't rank some
one hundred and turnovers loss on offense again like they
did last year. Like even when m Cohen was here,
they were you know, they were humming in a lot
of ways on offense, but turnovers were an issue even
when he was here. It's been boss security has been
a big problem for the offense over the last few years,
(22:53):
and that's something I think they got to get fixed
because I think they're playing to win games. Is to
you know, all control, play good defense, have good special teams,
and try to win a lot of games. I think
twenty to seventeen in the fourth quarter. And that's harder
to do if you're giving up possessions all the time.
Specifically if you're an offense like Kentucky that wants to
play slow, so if you have two turnovers in a game,
(23:16):
it hurts you more than maybe a team that plays
with tempo and has two turnovers in a game because yours,
you're this percentage of drivers getting eat into more because
you're not playing at a brisker pace.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
A we could go today, Mark's story from the Hair
Leader was on and we were talking about some of
these very issues, you know, just being a more disciplined team.
It probably all comes under that umbrella. And you thought,
you know, it was talking about maybe that's some of
what had slipped in recent years coming to a head
last year and Mark and I were taking that, you know,
(23:49):
it just felt like Kentucky used to be a lot
better in close games. Well, I saw where Mark ran
the numbers and games decided about eight points or less,
so one score games. From sixteen to twenty one, Kentucky
was twenty and nine, which is strong. Yes, their games
from twenty through twenty two through last season four and seven.
(24:12):
So that speaks to I think a.
Speaker 4 (24:13):
Lot of what we're talking about, and honestly, like not
necessarily the record so much, they're not they're not playing
in enough of those games, Like I think they want
a lot of those games to be close, and there's
just been too many times, a lot of times the
offense just doesn't have the it just doesn't have enough
production to make those close games. But when they are
(24:34):
at their best, when they are right, and it kind
of stoops is I think construct of a football team.
They are playing in close games, and they are winning
these close games because of their style of play. They're
able to control the ball on offense, they don't give
up big plays on defense. You win the turnover battle,
and you're gonna have a really good chance to win
that football game if you just play you know, a
(24:54):
thousand of them out. The problem is they haven't been
good at running the football here lately, so they can't
play the ball control style they want to play. And
then defensively, it puts their defense I think in some
more difficult spots than maybe it has in the past,
because a lot of times when they were winning close games,
it was before they really had built that defense up.
If you kind of look those first four years, first
(25:16):
four to five years, twenty thirteen, under seventeen under stoops
and so they just have to get that back. And
I think that's why it's been such an emphasis, you know,
offensive line and fixing the offensive line and going out
and paying all these starters and then getting multiple tailbacks,
make sure you have depth, get bigger at the tailback position,
because I think that's dumb saying out loud that we
(25:36):
know nothing else matters unless we can run the ball effectively,
efficiently and control the game that way.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
And a key component of that too, is a kicking game.
We're talking in the first half of the show about
the numbers. Apparently the cowway put up on Saturday was
hitting his field goals. Here we heard great things about
la Ross as the punter. Those just every every detail
is crucial if they're going to be in a lot
(26:03):
more of the games, like you're talking about that are
you know, one score games in the fourth quarter?
Speaker 3 (26:09):
Right?
Speaker 4 (26:10):
I think la Ross, you saw some of the potential.
You want to see more consistency from him because you know,
if that consistency comes, he looks like he could be
one of the better punters in college football. And then
Jacob Coway's got big shoes to fill. You know, Alex
Rayner was really, really, really good. He was the best
place kicker his programs had in a while. And not
(26:30):
having him, I mean that was a first team All
SEC guy last year and they kind of got lost
in the wash, but he's been He was really really good,
and so replacing him is going to be important because
you need to be able to finish drives with points
when you have the field opportunities. And for punt for
punting what stylistically how Kentucky wants to play. You've got
to be able to win field position, and you do
that by you know, tilting the field and flipping it,
(26:53):
pinning teams back, and taking advantage of complimentary football when
you're able to get short fields and you get short
fields first, winning with the punt team, and so those
are all key factors I think going in with Kentucky,
and you kind of can add those into boss security
and all that. There's like a checklist and if you
can check most of those, you should be in a
pretty good shape once games start happening to have a
(27:15):
chance to go win these games.
Speaker 3 (27:16):
In the fourth quarter.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
We'll keep talking Kentucky football as we're under three weeks
until the opener against Toledo. Adam Lucket's with us from
on three Sports and KSR. It's at Adam Luckett KSR
on X We'll be right back. It is the Leach
Report from the Clark's Pumping Shop studio, return Refresh, refuel
at Clark's and sign up for their Loyalty rewards program
so you can get discounts when you refuel at Clark's
(27:38):
Pumping Shop. We are back. It is the Leads Report,
presented by Bobcat Enterprises and d Line coach and R.
Stewart was a guest on the Sunday Morning sports talk
show here in Lexington yesterday and one of the things
he talked about in terms of not just his guys
that he's coaching, but the whole team is how they
(28:02):
are really confident in the work that they've put in
and that it's gonna pay off, and they don't worry
about the skeptics.
Speaker 5 (28:11):
You know what, We're not worried about what the media
and what the fans think. It's all about you know,
us in that building, man, and all the hard work
that these young men have put in, the hours that
we've put in. Man, we're ready to go. You know where,
We've had two weeks really good preparation. We got two
more weeks man to really continue to take it to
(28:32):
the next level. I think one of the big thing is, Man,
we don't listen to the house ode voices, Man, it
ain't about what they think. It's about what we go
out and do. And we've got a very competitive team.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
And it'll be put to the test right out of
the gate against a very good Toledo team out of
the Mid American Conference. As we chat with Adam Luckett
from on three Sports and KSR about Kentucky football, there
does seem to be, whether you hear it from players
or coaches, a quiet confidence and what was a little
more outspoken there in terms of what he's seeing, but
(29:07):
there just seem to be a sense that they feel
very good about where they are now. They've got to
go ahead and prove it starting August thirtieth against a
good team and then a you know, a very good
conference opponent in week two, so they'll get a they'll
get a chance to make a statement right out of
the gate.
Speaker 4 (29:22):
Yeah, I think it's I think it's one just them
kind of We've heard them kind of say in multiple
ways that they just it's like an acknowledgment of the noise,
like they've heard, they know those criticism out there, but
they're sticking to their plan and they believe in their plan.
And so you're exactly right tom When the games begin,
we'll see if this plan and how they rebuilt and
rebooted the roster and how they're approaching like building this
(29:46):
team and how they they're playing to go win games.
We'll see how that plays out when the game starts.
But there is definitely that they it seems like they're
chomping at the bid I think, to go out and
show what they have and they do seem to have
a belief in this football team. So we'll have to
see how this plays out when the games begin. But
(30:07):
it's clear that part of their their big part of
their offseason was just to stay quiet and just do
their work and you know, do Mark Stoops's kind of hole.
We'll just get back to work kind of philosophy, don't
make a lot of noise and then try to sneak
up on people. I think when the season starts and
we're I mean it's about to start now, we've got,
like Ambarsh said, we had a couple of weeks and
then before you know it, they'll be taking the field
(30:28):
here at the end of the month to play Toledo
and then get right into the SEC slate one week
after that week.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
And a half really of what they call the training
camp phase of the lead up to the season, which
will include the second scrimmage on Saturday, and at some
point towards the middle part latter part of next week,
they'll shift to game week mode and start preparing pretty
much exclusively for Toledo. So until that point, what do
(30:54):
you think they're looking to get accomplished in this remaining
part of the training camp that includ that scrimmage is
coming Saturday.
Speaker 3 (31:02):
Number One, Stay healthy.
Speaker 4 (31:05):
They've talked a lot about how the defensive line injuries
kind of submarine their team last year in the preseason
and then Chip Trainingm breaks his hand and one of
the scrimmages last year, and then that just led to
really a year of injuries. So to me, I think
that's a big thing over this next week is just
keep everyone healthy. And for now I think you kind
(31:27):
of know who your starters are gonna be, so this
is all about finding who they're gonna be, the twos,
who are gonna be in those rotational roles with your
first and second union and even on special teams, trying
to figure out all those people out and kind of
you know, your your red shirt chart and all of
that figuring out who's gonna be where. I think those
(31:47):
spots are gonna be kind of one over the next
couple of weeks. Now they can change when the season starts,
but those spots are gonna be are gonna be one
over the next couple of weeks, and so for really
stay healthy and Kendrick Law, where is he at? I
think is a question mark because he has been banged up.
We really haven't heard much of him. He didn't really
hear much or see anything from the clips they released
(32:08):
on him. So just where is he at? Because they've
already said that he's going to play a big role
in this offense. So that's definitely a guy that they're
gonna need out there when the game start.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
Who's somebody that's maybe not being talked about enough that
you think will be impactful and one or it could
be more than one.
Speaker 4 (32:25):
Yeah, I think I think defensively, they're banking a lot
on this secondary and DJ Waller is probably the least
proven of the starters that are going to be out there,
But that's a guy they were really excited about. I
think JQ Hardaway kind of showed himself as an SEC
cornerback last year, and I think if you know, if
Waller can take that jump, that gives them two big,
(32:46):
long corners with experience, and then that when they've had that,
typically they've been pretty good on defense. So I think
he's a guy that maybe is not getting talked about
enough when you talk about the defense as a guy
to really look for on defense and then.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
Offensively, you know, I would.
Speaker 4 (33:05):
Say Kendrick Law, but you know, he's been kind of iffy.
But I do think they're gonna have a rotation of
five six guys, But I do think it is important
for them that Macklan would be one of their top guys
and be one of their top receivers. Towards the end
of the season, we saw some glimpses. You just need
more consistency and really where you saw him as kind
of an explosive play generator when he was catching vertical
(33:27):
passes down the field and that's what he did at
North Texas. So for when you talk about Ka Tucky's offense,
we talked about the ball, control of the balance, staying
ahead of the chains, but it's still really important that
you be able to hit those explosive plays over the top.
And he's probably going to be their top weapon with that,
and so for him, if he has a really good year,
that means Kentucky has the expulsive this to hopefully go
(33:48):
with this efficiency and that is the best way to
score points on a consistent basis. So for Macklan not
necessarily to be the number one guy, but be able
to be maybe that explosive play generator for the offense
because they are going to need that.
Speaker 1 (34:00):
And it kind of feels like they're going to get
back to a little bit more of that twenty sixteen
twenty seventeen type from offense anyway, where you had a
quarterback who nobody knew a whole lot about in Steven Johnson,
you had a depth at running back, you had a
gu named Jeff Badett, and then Juice Johnson who were
(34:22):
you throw the ball deep to. Maybe Macklin's that kind
of guy in the offense. They've got the depth of
running back and anyway, that team started to build the
big Blue wall at that time. So that's obviously what
they're hoping to do upfront. Do you see some similarities
to that period of the Stoops era?
Speaker 3 (34:39):
Yeah, I think that's that's like if.
Speaker 4 (34:41):
You were going to draw it up. That's kind of
what you want the offense look at like. We want
to be able to hammer the rock. We had two
backs with Snell and Boom who kind of complimented each
other well, but we're both good enough to be starting
backs for a lot of teams in this league. I'm
able to run the ball and then play action. You
were able to hit deep shots in the past. I
think that's what it would look like modern college offense.
(35:04):
You want to run for efficiency, pass for explosiveness, and
so that's what you will want. You want to hit
your explosive plays in the passing game, so the teams
had to be aware of that, and then you will
want to hammer the rock and move the ball that
way and kind of control the game that way. So yeah,
I think the twenty sixteen team, if they could just
put that in a bottle every year, I think, you know,
if you told Stoops you can sign up for this
right now, would be like that twenty sixteen production. I
(35:26):
think he would almost sign up for it pretty much every.
Speaker 1 (35:28):
Year, excited about the fact that one week from this Saturday,
you'll have real college football to watch.
Speaker 4 (35:37):
Week zero, that's right, the longest offseason in sports is
finally ready to come to an end.
Speaker 3 (35:41):
Ready for it to end?
Speaker 4 (35:42):
Tom Ready, Thank you, Adam.
Speaker 3 (35:45):
Thanks Tom.
Speaker 1 (35:45):
You read his coverage at on three Sports and ks
are and we appreciate Adam joining in program. Here it
is the Leads Report. We're presented by Bob Kat Enterprises,
and we'll be right back to stand would Cat history.
Dicky Lyons the senior was born and one of the
all time most versatile guys, unfortunately on some teams that
(36:07):
didn't win much in the late sixties, but what a
talent he was. Still holds the record that'll probably never
be broken for the longest punt return. I think it's
a ninety seven yarder he had for a touchdown. And
of course, his son, Dicky Lyons Junior, was a great
wide receiver for the Wildcats under Rich Brooks. And think
(36:27):
Kevin Knocks, former Kentucky basketball star celebrating a birthday today
as well as Wildcat history and birthday notes presented by
Kentucky road Show Sports Cards and Memorabilia. They're on Romedey
Road in Lexington and at roadshowcards dot Com. Don't forget
about the Memorial Colisseum book event tonight. Kevin Cook's book
on historic Memorial Coliseum is out. If you have it,
(36:48):
you can bring it and get it signed, or you
can pick up books there tonight. Go to the UK
Alumni Association's website and you can get the details on
the event. I think there's a ten dollars ticket costs
to get in, but you'll get a chance to get
the author and a bunch of former Wildcats to sign
your book and relive the history some of the great
(37:09):
moments for Kentucky men's basketball and others sports and events
at Memorial Coliseum. Shuffle Being Coffee is the official coffee
of ropp Arena and the KFCM Center. It's a group
of Kentuckians that got together to form the company more
than a decade ago with a commitment to being the best,
and it starts with the best coffee beans. You can
read about that and order some product at shufflebeant Us.
(37:31):
You can pick it up at a Mier store in
central Kentucky. You can get it through Amazon. However you
get shuffle Bean Coffee, give it a try. It is
outstanding and it is a group of Kentuckians that are
very proud of the work they've done to create a
fantastic brand of coffee in Shuffle being coffee that will
do it for us. We will see you tomorrow on
the Leads Report presented by Bobcat Enterprises
Popular Podcasts
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!