2025-11-17 BBI Statewide

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:05):
From Border to Border across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This
is Big Blue Insider. Talk to Tick Gabriel. Call eight
five nine two eight zero Cats. That's eight five nine
two eight zero to two eight seven. Or state wide
that's one eight hundred six six game. That's one eight

(00:26):
hundred six oh six four two sixty three. Or you
can tweet the show. That's Big Blue Insider one. Now
here's Tick Gabriel.

Speaker 2 (00:35):
Come everybody to the facilities of the iHeartMedia Megaplexus is
Dick Gabriel. This is the state wide edition of the
Big Blu Insider. Much to discuss tonight. Basketball Wildcats are
in the Big Apple Cole Park. Will join us from
New York City. In just a moment. Football Wildcats a
huge game coming up at Vandy Jeff pecor we'll talk
about that and UK volleyball coach Craig Skinner's team crowned

(00:58):
once again the SEC champs. Will talk about the upcoming
SEC tournament right here on the state wide edition of
the BBI. Border to Border. It is the Big Ruins Cider.

(01:20):
Dick Abrael with you alone in the studio because Cole
Park of the cast pause ah an assignment for the
magazine already up in New York City, and actually, Cole,
tell everybody where you are right now. This is very cool.

Speaker 3 (01:33):
I'm going to you live from little Italy. I'm here
across from that Christmas in New York store at Sofia's
it Italian restaurant.

Speaker 2 (01:39):
Oh fantastic. One of my favorite places in the world,
although it is shrinking. When I was a kid and
we went to Italy, it was much bigger. But Keene Akeem,
the China town is kind of closing in around it.
But you still get literally the taste of Italy there.

Speaker 3 (01:55):
And uh, they got they got the Christmas lights up here,
Christmas lights, Christmas in Italian hung up across the street.
I mean, it's it's really beautiful to down here right now.

Speaker 2 (02:05):
I'm happy for you. I was up there last year.
Kentucky didn't play so well. So that's gonna take a
much better performance tomorrow night, isn't it.

Speaker 3 (02:13):
Certainly?

Speaker 4 (02:14):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (02:14):
I mean last year against Ohio State, I mean, without
a doubt you can say that was their worst game
of the season. By the end of it. I mean
you could say they maybe played a little bit worse
against Tennessee. I don't know if you'd say that, but
Ohio State quality of opponent is not a good game.
That was a frustrating one to watch. I think that
was the was that their second lowest point score, and
I only scored less than that at Clemson. I think
they scored just seventy yeah, in that one. But regardless,

(02:37):
they might have scored sixty five. In the CBS Sports posts,
lest they're facing Michigan State number seven. He's not moving
the rankings, obviously saw Kentucky dropped a few spots in
the New A people. You know, I was talking today,
I think that only is it going to take a
better performance. There's a lot of question marks for this
team right now. With Jalen Lowe, you know, his another
shoulder injury. You know, we don't really know his at
a seat, whether that's going to need immediate surgery or

(02:58):
if he could keep playing on That will find out,
but I didn't not expect him to play against Michigan State.
Did get Trent Noah back, that's always reassuring. But you know,
I think the Louisville loss is frustrating. I think Kentucky
fans I felt that one for sure, But it's also
possiblehen look at and levels up to six and a people,
they might just be a very good team. I think
Mickel Brown junior has the potentially be one of the

(03:19):
best freshmen in the country. Michigan State also a very
good team, don't get me wrong, but I would say
for Kentucky's sake, that's one that with everything going on
right now, you need to win this one. Michigan State
is a seventeen in the rankings. Tom though obviously a
legendary head coach, a very good Michigan State team, but
one that you feel like if Kentucky's will live up
to the assignments and the scheeling that they've set for themselves,

(03:42):
you need to be Michigan State in Madisonsbuare Garden tomorrow night.
We'll be covering that one. But that's one that I
think is really a big game for Kentucky and arguably
maybe even a must win right now. Obviously still so
to say early in the season must win, Like ultimately,
at the end of the day, what matters is what
you do all season long, but it feels like right now,
especially for where the fan base is at after the

(04:02):
Little Balls, it's Mark Pope and this team.

Speaker 2 (04:03):
It is definitely must win for the fans, if nothing else,
but also to see what kind of improvement they've made.
And as we know, yeah, they fall behind against Louisville
because Louisville's thrown in every three pointer they put up.
It seemed Kentucky ultimately shot three pointers better by the
end of the night than Louisville. But Michigan State is
not a good up until now three point shooting team,

(04:25):
so they cannot let them get off from beyond the arc.

Speaker 3 (04:27):
Right absolutely, I mean you have to shoot, but I
know at the end of the day, it didn't seem
as bad when you look at the final staff, but
when you covered the game, when you witness say live,
it was not the greatest shooting four months against Louisville.
They got hot in a few stretches, but there were
some major scoring droughut some major concerns there. Cannot let
Michigans SI get hot. Michigans fit more of a team
than wants to grind it out and beat you. The

(04:48):
Kentucky team theoretically should have the offensive firepower to just
you know, beat them down. We got to see the
defensive improvements, but I also think too, you know, he
made some ducks with us in the last press conference,
but Mark Pope preferred to that incident in Louisville before
the game, and he felt wasn't very locked in. I
think that you can ride as long as you want to,
but if you come out flat against Michigan State, you're

(05:08):
going to start to wonder is this really an incident
that happened before the game or is this just the
team that we have right now?

Speaker 4 (05:13):
You know?

Speaker 3 (05:14):
So this is a this is a chance to really
prove that one there was you know something the team
wasn't itself in Louisville. That's why it happened. Louisll could
also just be a very good basketball team, as we know.
But this one especially, you need to play well. You
need to come out dedicated focus, You need to get
the most out of your stars. You need to prove
everything you've been saying about this team is true in
this one.

Speaker 2 (05:34):
Yeah, and everything you just described. I've been thinking about
Brandon Garrison, you know, it didn't look like himself. Needs
to come out and and and be better. I think
Malachai Moreno outplayed him against you and consequently played more Uh.
They need Brandon Garrison to be himself tomorrow night, don't
they obviously.

Speaker 3 (05:53):
Yeah, without a I think you need I think you
need Brandon Garrison to be himself. I think you need
him to play the way you hope he can stepand
that a Mariam's role that he talked about in the
off season. You also need to take it away. Yeah, himself,
I mean always kind of been I don't want to
speak anything going on with him right now, but it's
been if it's felt like a lot of people felt
like he's not been himself lately, and we need to
see O take ohway, Brendan Garrison, the second year guys

(06:15):
really stepping up. We've heard so much about the sex,
you know, year one year to improvement. We need to
see that from some of these guys because right now,
you know, in the Lobal game, it felt like Denzel
was your best player. Colin Chandler was reliable. But apart
from Colin Chandler, you know, Trent has been injured. It's
not all his fault, but we haven't got as much
from these returners that we want to see. And I
really want to see a big game for Garrison and
to take it away both of them and prove that

(06:36):
you know, these are guys who who can fill those
rules and play the rules that meant to play. I
remember it was really interesting after the Eastern Illinois game.
I was talking to Cam Williams, you know, Mark Pope
and his little diet tribe, talking about I need my
guys to to embrace their role, like embrace their game
and love their game. I asked him Limb what that
meant to him. He said that means I need to
play my role and not do anything other than what

(06:57):
I was brought in here to do. So when it
comes to a take o Ambrene Garrison, I don't necessarily
know exactly what it was Mark copet in mind for
them when he brought them back, but I want to
see them do what they were meant to do, because
clearly there was some kind of idea with this roster construction.
There were set roles for these guys and spots they're
supposed to fill, and I think we need to see
the guys play the roles.

Speaker 2 (07:17):
You talked about Brown for U of L, and now
Michigan State's got a dangerous player. Jackson Cohler six' nine
senior forward averages a double, double fourteen and thirteen thirteen
plus fourteen. Plus you, KNOW i think the matchup there
is going to be really, interesting isn't.

Speaker 3 (07:32):
It, YEAH i would say without a doubt it's going
to be. Interesting we saw How kentucky handled mckel, brown
not very. Well he scored twenty NINE i believe in
that game was by far their best, player and it
felt like at times him And Ryan conwell were just
really facilitating That lobal. Team so along the same vein
As chiefs are going to look At kentucky with that,
way you have to look at can you Minimize Michigan

(07:54):
state's best. PLAYERS i, mean you know you've Covered kentucky
long enough that you know that sometimes it's just natural
When kentucky somebody you're gonna have players or just shake
the lights. Out can't seem to miss it feels like
an inevitability at. Times BUT i think when it comes
to this, game you have to look at who you
Think Michigan state's best players, are who their biggest problems,
are and you, know force them to try to beat
you with the rest of their, team and if you

(08:14):
can limit, him you, know keep him, down play well against,
him then trusts that you can handle the rest of
The spartans and potentially get really the FIRST i, mean
obviously we had the predue, exhibition but in terms of
games that actually, count get your first Real marque win
of the season and prove that this is The kentucky
team that has the upside until we've heard all year
to win band them.

Speaker 2 (08:33):
Nine you Mentioned Jalen lowe off the. Top clearly that
was a concern coming into the season with the shoulder
and now he as you, said we don't know what to,
expect But kentucky's already had experience playing without. Him obviously
you're much better with. Him but how do you think
this team makes the?

Speaker 3 (08:51):
Adjustment, YEAH i MEAN i think we've seen already that
When lowe is, out you're gonna lean On Denzel aberty
and that. Role Colin chandler as kind of a up
in that. ROLE i hope that give you the best he.
CAN i think it's it's really pivotal right. Now and
we didn't know as much about Low we still heard.
That you, know we're we're gonna find out. More there's
a Part Mark, Hope so there's gonna be. Conversations and
when he said, conversations he specified With lowe's parents and,

(09:14):
himself the docs like it's a real discussion this team
has to have right, Now and you could argue it's
a really important. Discussion we saw Today Darren rippy Cut
kentucky out of his recruiting, List so that was one
of the, takest biggest point card targets for next. Year
that could mean, something it could not mean. Anything we
don't really know right. Now but until we have more
answers On, low you just have to hope you can
get the best you can out Of. ABERDEEN i have

(09:35):
confidence In aberdeen to solll that. Role he's played well
when given that, role, because like you, said we have
Seen kentucky Without low for a lot of the. Season
when he went down The Blue white, game they play
there for a few games Without. Low they Beat purdue.

Speaker 5 (09:46):
Without, Low so.

Speaker 3 (09:49):
We'll see what the team can. BE i would fully
Expect Denzel aberdeen to be the starting point guard, Tomorrow
Colin chandler to fill in that role a little, bit
and and you hope you can get the best showing
of those. TWO i definitely Think aberdeen is more comfortable
and the role Than chandler. IS i Think chandler is
a lot more comfortable and effective in what he does
to this team when he's not forced to play that.
Role not that he can't do, it but he's not

(10:09):
at his best when he's doing, IT i would, Say
AND i would say the team's not at its best
when he's forced that. Role And Mark popa tell you,
that you, know he would say that he's more comfortable
playing what he's played most of his. Life SO i
would Expect aberdeen to fill up that, spot And i'm
confident In aberdeen's ability to do, that especially it's a
big opponent after what we saw On. Louisville but it
is going to be interesting to see how this team

(10:30):
responds Without low against, politely a team that's a bit
a step Above Eastern.

Speaker 2 (10:36):
Illinois oh, Yeah, Well pope was, despondent and rightfully so
about the transition game after The louisville. Game Minus. LOW
i wonder how good that's going to. Be but because
that all starts with defense and, Rebounding SO i think
they've got it within themselves to up that game and
it's got to be there tomorrow, night doesn't.

Speaker 4 (10:56):
It? Yeah it.

Speaker 3 (10:57):
Does and what concerns me the, most the thing THAT
i think is the biggest emphasis is even against The Eastern,
Michigan pope wasn't happy about, that right you believe you were.
There we heard in the press conference he was. Talking
he was asked about why he put his starters back
in the game so, late when you, know fans were
chanted for Walker. Horn it was a blowout and he'd
already see the. Win why were the starters back out?
There And pope was, Honest he, SAID i didn't like

(11:18):
WHAT i was seeing out of you, know the transition.
DEFENSE i, said we talked about first three, steps but
he wanted to see. More he set a challengers team
to put the starters back out, there and ultimately at
the end of the day he said they were a
time before they could meet the goal he had set for.
Them but you know that's going to be a big
point of. Emphasis can this team get back on defense
Against louisville it was a combination of the turnovers and transition.

(11:41):
Points so we need to see a lot better play
against a team like The. Spartan's you know this, AGAIN
i don't want to put too much emphasis on the
game this early in the, season but where we're at right,
now it feels like a really really big. One and
in terms of the flaws we've seen from this team
and the things we still need to see improvement, FROM
i would say that the transition from all the defense
is a really big.

Speaker 4 (12:01):
One.

Speaker 2 (12:02):
Cole thanks for the, Time have a canoli For boe and,
me and enjoy the.

Speaker 3 (12:06):
GAME i will, happily, happy happy to do.

Speaker 2 (12:09):
It Cole park of The. Cats Pause up, Next Craig
skinner ARE uk volleyball. Coach next on the state wide
edition Of The Big Blo Insider From border To, Border Pikeville, Too.
Paducah it is the state wide edition Of The Big.
Bluinsider joining us down On Celebrity hotline is a guy

(12:30):
who's Coached kentucky's volleyball team to a ninth Consecutive Southeastern conference,
championship this one outright an undefeated record in the league
for the first time since twenty. Eighteen of, course we're
talking About Craig, skinner who leads his team into THE
Sec tournament this coming weekend down In. Savannah, coach welcome
back to the show and congratulations once. Again thank you so.

Speaker 5 (12:51):
Much i'm GLAD i COULD i could be around here for.

Speaker 2 (12:54):
You, HEY i don't know how much experience you've had
as an assistant coach or even as a. Player you've
not yet as a head coach led a team into
a conference. Tournament do you have to make dramatic? Adjustments,
well how do you do?

Speaker 5 (13:10):
That, yeah that's a good. Question you, know it's definitely.

Speaker 6 (13:14):
Different none of us have been part of, it you,
know our, staff, right our players and and so you,
know just the thought of playing three days in a
row and the intensity continues to increase as you go through.
It definitely some things we're trying to do on the front,
end even you, know just, today, tomorrow the next few,
days to make sure that we're you, know somewhat, fresh

(13:37):
and you, know just making sure our players get you,
know a consist amount of sleep each and every, night you,
know because you never know you know what to. Expect
and but it's it's exciting. Too at the same, TIME i,
think you, know the focus of our sport will be
on THE sec and and that's an exciting thing to

(13:58):
be a part.

Speaker 2 (13:58):
Of and that's SOMETHING i want to talk to you.
About but let's look back a little bit at the
last two or three, games rather the last three, matches
AND i was teasing you about everything you went through
to make sure you had a great craft at A tennessee,
game which you. Did jumping on the, desk the rafters of,
roup jumping in the, water you did. HAVE i was
very pleased, though having worked The friday match With oklahoma

(14:21):
for a sec. Plus you had a really good crowd
and there was a men's basketball game right down the,
street and you needed that crowd Against, oklahoma didn't.

Speaker 5 (14:29):
You oh my.

Speaker 6 (14:31):
GOSH i, MEAN i don't think without that, crowd we
don't get through some of those tough, moments especially at
the end of the third set when it was a
deuce game and the pressure was, on and you, know
just the, support the, chance you, know the intimidation For
oklahoma to have to perform in front of that crowd was.

(14:51):
Awesome and you, know for our loyal fans and then
some new fans to you, know be part of, that
especially when you know a big basketball games going on
across the street In, roperina was was special for our.

Speaker 2 (15:04):
Program Leah, edmond of, course one of your best players
ever in An All american and a pro now working
alongside me on the, broadcast kept talking about the fact
That oklahoma plays such a fast, tempo fast paced offense
that you just had to be literally on your toes
every time the ball went. Up and Then arkansas was

(15:26):
struggling a. Bit But tennessee plays a different. Style auburn
plays that really tough defensive. Style you've had to overcome
so many different types of opponents and that's such a
huge help going in to, postseason isn't.

Speaker 6 (15:39):
It, well you know IT'S i think you, know we
started talking with our, team you, know probably you, know
the end Of september that you, know there's going to
be a lot of different ways that we're going to
have to be, successful and one might be killing the.
Ball the other one might be you, know stuff blocking
opponents or serving in a way that's going to slow

(16:00):
down you, know some of the things they're trying to do,
offensively and or just you, know if none of that is,
working just absolutely groveling and playing crazy floor. Defense and you,
know every single one of those ways of winning has been.
Necessary and we talked early In august about we have

(16:22):
to play in a way worthy of, winning and who
knows what that might be any given.

Speaker 2 (16:26):
Night that's one of the THINGS i loved about The
tennessee match was there were so many great, rallies and
The Malli tuzzo's and The Avis arrapas and the kids
who were just laving everything literally on the. Floor Eva hudson's,
Defense brooklyn's, defense the, fans they were just delighted by.
That and you AND i have talked a lot about
get them to the match for the first. Time they'll come.

(16:47):
Back they had to love what they saw really the
last three or four matches right, well.

Speaker 6 (16:53):
You, KNOW i just think the effort that is required
to make plays defensively against some of these teams is,
incredible and you know, it you, KNOW i you, know
talk to our team today and as we were watching
video and just you, know some of the defensive effort
plays that are made by people that are over six
feet tall is super. Impressive and you, know From brooklyn

(17:17):
To eva To cassio O'Brien who's six to won it right,
back and you Know Avia sarafa who's six feet. TALL i,
mean just you have to be able to do that
because it deflates teams egos when they think they have
a kill and then you you keep it off the
floor and then transition it back for a kill on
her own and you, know it's it's one of the

(17:40):
biggest momentum changing ways to win volleyball is to take
someone's best shot and then convert it to your own best.

Speaker 2 (17:46):
Shot, yeah that's that's what's amazing about that. Sport you
see somebody on either side of the go up for
what looks like it's going to be just a brutal.
Kill next thing you, know it's being sent right, back
and it's so. Exciting we're talking To Craig skinner can
talk key volleyball COACH Sec champs now taking aim at
THE sec, tournament which of course proceeds THE ncaa. Tournament

(18:07):
you Mentioned Eva, hudson your loan. Senior that was a
tremendous video that went up with her teammates reading from
letters they have handwritten to. HER i don't know who
came up with that, Idea, craig but that was an absolute.
Winner she was in tears and then she gets the
first kill of the. Game you, know she put it
all behind her pretty, quickly didn't.

Speaker 6 (18:26):
She but she earned every bit of it, Absolutely and you,
KNOW i, Know Zach, bringers our video technology, guy was
super excited about that video and the effort that our
players put in and he put in to produce, it and,
uh you.

Speaker 5 (18:42):
Know it was.

Speaker 6 (18:44):
Fantastic and you, KNOW i think it takes it takes
an incredibly, confident comfortable in their own skinned team to,
accept you, know a player Of eva's magnitude that she's
proven herself in The Big. Ten and then it also
takes a lot of human in her part to be
willing to come into a program and established program with

(19:04):
a lot of successful players in it to mess. Together
and you, know just give us so much credit to
her and also so much credit to our returning players
to you, know you, know have open arms and embracing
someone like.

Speaker 2 (19:17):
That she turned her ankle in That tennessee match right
in front of, us stepped on an opposing player's. Foot
it happens in basketball all the, time happens in. Volleyball
anybody who's done it knows how sudden and how painful
it can. Be AND i know they took her off the,
floor and you guys kind of foolishly gave her the
option of sitting out and the option as well off

(19:40):
playing Against. Oklahoma that didn't last very, long did. It
she's not going to sit out for, anything.

Speaker 6 (19:46):
You, know there was a touch and go moment at
that because we the end of the first, set you,
know we you, know we lost the first, set and
then you, know to make the decision of whether she
was good enough to go or, not you, know has
to be you, know Through Katie, pool our trainer and the,
doctors that she's capable of going in The Tennessee mats

(20:08):
first of, all and you, know and she there was no.

Speaker 5 (20:11):
DOUBT i knew what she wanted to, do AND i
didn't even have.

Speaker 6 (20:14):
To look at her to know that. Answer but you,
know you want to make sure you're taking. Care you
sometimes protect your players from. Themselves and she was. Ready
she was healthy enough that you, know they taped her
up on off and she was good to.

Speaker 5 (20:29):
Go but, then, YEAH i, mean.

Speaker 6 (20:30):
Five days, later you Play, oklahoma who you, know is
a very capable, team has proved themselves against good teams all,
year and it's, like is it worth risking her playing
in the match like, this knowing what we have coming
forward with THE sec tournament and THE ncaa.

Speaker 5 (20:45):
Tournament and you, know it never even got.

Speaker 6 (20:49):
To the point of me talking To eva about. It
it was Just katie saying she's good to. Go and
whatever that meant between the conversations between. THEM i was
trying that and going with. IT i wasn't going to
second guess.

Speaker 2 (21:02):
It That oklahoma match a couple of minutes off with
The craig skinner was the reverse. Sweep and you know
the thing WHEN i went back and looked at the
enhanced box score later seeing that in the fifth, set
and you guys grabbed that one and ran with. It
you owned all the momentum by. Then but that can
turn on a heartbeat in volleyball more than any other,
Sport i'm. Convinced But eva had one, Kill brooklyn had one.

(21:26):
Kill but now you Got Jordan daily And Kennedy washington
with multiple kills in that fifth set heading into, Postseason,
craig that's got to bode so well for you guys, obviously, right.

Speaker 6 (21:39):
Oh, man you have to score from so many different
ways against good teams and especially under, pressure and you,
know credit our ball, control you know our. Service seve
was good enough that were able to get the ball
To kennedy To Lizzie carr To jordan and didn't you,
know have to be bailed out By brooklyn And eva
is a lot and talk about defensive plays we talked.

(22:02):
EARLIER i, mean some of the digs that we had
in that fifth set early on were, significant you, know
to make sure the momentum stayed on our.

Speaker 5 (22:11):
Side but, yeah that was.

Speaker 6 (22:14):
Awesome and also a lot of credit to our strength
coach and Trainer Katie poole for making sure throughout the
summer and through the fall that we were physically fit
enough to withstand that type of pressure in a.

Speaker 5 (22:27):
Two and a half three hour.

Speaker 2 (22:28):
Match WELL i got about a minute. Left But i've
talked about this quite a. Bit this is the Toughest
i've ever seen THE, sec and you, Know i've covered
it for a long. Time and of course you Add
texas And, oklahoma but you, guys by Challenging florida and Overtaking,
florida you lifted the rest of the. League now everybody's
paying a hell of a lot more attention to. Volleyball
so the Fact, craig that you can keep this streak

(22:49):
going when the league is at it's very, toughest that's
going to make you feel pretty, good.

Speaker 5 (22:54):
Well very, proud goosebumps.

Speaker 6 (22:56):
Worthy and you, KNOW i just whenever or you, know
these things, HAPPEN i just continue to think about all
the players and staff that have been here throughout the
years to lay this foundation and establish the. Expectations and you,
know we recruit players and we talk about the expectations

(23:16):
and the recruiting process and this is what we expect
or the way we expect to, play and we expect
to play in a way that gives us the best
chance to compete for. Championships and if we do that
often enough and long enough throughout the, season then we're
going to do.

Speaker 5 (23:31):
It and so it was a special a, year no.

Speaker 2 (23:33):
Doubt, Yeah, craig thank you so much and we'll see
you down the. Road thank you so.

Speaker 5 (23:38):
MUCH i appreciate.

Speaker 2 (23:38):
It if you're interested in THE sec, tournament go TO
sec sports dot Com more info in THE Ncaa. Tournament
first rounds played In lexington will come up after Selection.
Sunday Jeff picorrel's next year on The Stay wide Bbi
qorder To Border it is The Big Lewis, cider The
wildcats on the football field taking On vanderbilt down In

(24:03):
nashville On, saturday and my next guest will be a
part of that radio coverage Alongside Tom, Leach Mister Jeffcorro,
jeff before we get Into kentucky game and your duties
as a sports director At channel thirty six here in.
TOWN i don't know if you covered it on any
of your shows, tonight but let's talk first About James,

(24:23):
franklin who was At vandy and had success there and
we all know, what The Penn state won a lot
of games and then, boom he's. Gone Now Virginia, tech
a TEAM i think you've played against more than, once
or maybe once or twice as a, player and he
is allegedly the new head coach. There what do you
think of that?

Speaker 4 (24:42):
Move, WELL i think for, him he's the looking for
landing spot and you want to go where you're, wanted
and they obviously wanted. Him that is, it's you, know
it's almost a double edged, Sword, dick because it's kind
of a tough place to recruit. To it's beautiful there

(25:04):
in the mountains and, everything but they don't have the
wherewithal that they had that he had At Penn. State
so it's going to be really interesting to see if
he can lure the same type of talent that he
brought Into vanderbilt and To Penn. State there In.

Speaker 2 (25:21):
BLACKSBURG i think he just nailed it because he was
At vandy pre portal pre. Nil he was At Penn
state for a long. Time you forget about. That but
he managed to bring talent To. Nashville and the other
thing he, Did, jeff as you, know is he didn't.
Mind maybe he, did but he did it, anyway going across,

(25:41):
campus shaking, hands asking students to come to the, game
speaking to. Groups things you don't have to do At Penn.
State does he have to do that kind of thing
At Virginia? Tech do you?

Speaker 5 (25:51):
Think.

Speaker 4 (25:53):
No Virginia, tech through Coach clayver when he was there
and through The Frank biemer's, years has built an unbelievable fan.
Base they are beloved. There they have one of the
greatest introductions in all of college football With Inner, sandman
and it is just to me the epitome of college

(26:15):
football and the coolest thing in the. World and the
fans there get behind. Him they just, look they just
don't have the, infrastructure meaning the private companies there in that.

Speaker 2 (26:27):
Area, well maybe you can go out and find. Some
And Mark troups talked about that in, general not About
Virginia tech but about The Poorland nil earlier. Today But
let's first start with the actual game. Itself and as we,
Said franklin recruited well and actually Beat kentucky a couple,
times and Then vandy kind of dropped back off the.
Table kentucky took. Advantage but of late it's been the common,

(26:49):
oers including last year With Diego. Pavia now you go
To nashville and you And tom have always marveled on
the air about the number Of kentucky fans in that
stadium and WHEN lsu played, there boil the purple and
goal got. In BUT i have a feeling we're not
going to see as Many kentucky fans as we see down.
There this is gonna be, rough is. It it's gonna

(27:09):
be a tough.

Speaker 4 (27:10):
Game, WELL i remember that the Ray lewis, Here what
was that two years? AGO i guess who was three
years ago down? There, Yeah Ray, Davis, yeah Ray lewis
and uh that. Stadium, yeah that stadium was three quarters bull.
White you, Know, uh that's not gonna Be that was
the old. Stadium now it's. New. Uh you, know they

(27:32):
they bowled at one, end so, uh you know there's excitement.
There and Really, clark, well you got to hand it
to him and what he's. Done and to bring a
guy Like Diego pavia in with his head coach that
became the offensive coordinator there For clark is just you,
know Because clark's a big defensive, guy just Like mark.
Soops BUT i just thought that was a fantastic. Move

(27:54):
and he has Taken nashville by storm.

Speaker 2 (27:56):
Man, yeah he's, exciting there's no question about. That Can
tucky's job, Defensively, jeff is to keep him from being
too terribly. Exciting And i'm, wondering and you've played on
the offensive side of the, ball but you played against
a lot of, defenses, uh in order to contain a
guy Like. Pavia now you know you've talked to us

(28:17):
before about putting a spy on. HIM i don't know
how effective that can be because he's so. Unpredictable but
how does that affect you always say set the? Edge
how does that affect the guys on the? Edges because
if they come too, hard too, fast he just runs around.

Speaker 4 (28:29):
Him, yeah it's kind of you, know it's it's keep
the genie in the. Bottle, yeah you, know make if he,
runs you, know you you you come at him at
a wide angle and close in on. Him so when he,
runs he has to run up the. Middle if he
gets to the, outside you can forget about it because
now you're stressing two. Positions he is going To whatever

(28:52):
that cornerback does is what he's gonna. Do so if
that corner comes, up he's gonna throw it over his.
Head if that corner stays, back he's gonna. Run and
so you have to keep him inside where your linebackers
are in safeties because if he can get to the,
edge man he can make. Plays he's the closest thing
To Johnny manziel Since Johnny. Manziel but he plays like

(29:15):
He's Tim, chebow like he's his three, six four thirty.
Pounder he doesn't. Care he throws his body. Around.

Speaker 2 (29:21):
Man i'll throw another name out, there And Mark stoops
was trying to reach for a comparison earlier today and
he couldn't come up with. WHAT i like The Manzell
you called Him manzel with a higher football like. You
but you AND i go. BACK i think both of,
US i KNOW i am are older Than Mark. Stoops Frank.
TARKINEN i, mean that's that's a guy From. Whoop. Kids google,

(29:41):
him you'll you'll see what we mean for both The
giants and The, vikings but not Unlike Diego. Pavia how
do you cover a? Guy how do you defend against a?
Guy but he doesn't know what he's gonna do? Next
so that that puts such a, strain such stress on a,
defense isn't? It?

Speaker 4 (30:00):
Yeah you, know just Like, manzilla just like tarking, toon
when plays broke down is when they were at their.
Best that's, Right meaning my guy's covered, here comes to,
Rush i'm getting the heck out of, here and he
will go backwards fifteen twenty. Yards he doesn't care to
try to, get you, know around the rushing. Guys the

(30:21):
problem is when the defenders in the secondary come, up
he'll throw over your. Head so your, first your first
and only goal is not let that receiver behind. You
and if he's rounding up the, field you cannot release
your receiver until he crosses the line of. Scrimmage and
that is really hard to.

Speaker 2 (30:41):
DO i was about to say that is such a,
temptation isn't.

Speaker 4 (30:43):
It, yeah you want to come up and get a
big hit on, him and just when you get to,
him he throws the ball and you're like. Uh and
then you can't, hitting so you got to peel. Off
and you know it is at the end of the.
Game the defenders are just like they want to hit,
somebody even if you know it's just Get it's maddening

(31:04):
trying to play against. That.

Speaker 2 (31:05):
WELL i can't remember what game it was going, back
BUT i got ho Was tennessee and The unfortunately they
couldn't do. It but the best defense was keeping The
kentucky offense on the. Field don't Let pave get out
there just by using extended. Drives And vandy's got a
really underappreciated, DEFENSE i. Believe but, man This kentucky, offense

(31:28):
AND i realized it Was Tennessee, Tech but in the
last two games PRIOR i thought the offense was getting
better every.

Speaker 4 (31:34):
Snap kentucky has to win the battle of the clock
and has to win it by a big. MARGIN i,
mean they have to have the, ball you, know, gosh
thirty five to forty minutes because you just can't have their. Offense,
look they've got the best they. Have Remember bowers For,

(31:55):
Georgia oh, yeah how good he was In, Yeah well
they have a guy that ain't changed one letter. HOURS
i think it's how you say, it and he is.
Fantastic he's going to remind you that he's a little
bit rangier Than. Bowers bowers was a little more compact
at six.' three he's on Right Now Monday night football For.
The raiders but this, guy is uh is one of

(32:17):
the best tight ends to come come down the chute
in the last. Few years and he's got like fifty
three quick catches on the air already, and uh, you
know they just he doesn't care who he's throwing, to
either but he loves to throw.

Speaker 2 (32:29):
To him so against, the zone, that guy that tight
end is like all good. Tight ends kelsey, Does it bowers,
did it finds, a spot, Sits down white spurs quarterback to.
Find him man, To man he's going to be bigger
and maybe even faster than any linebacker who's trying to.
Guard him so What is is there an answer? FOR him.

Speaker 4 (32:50):
I, think yeah the answer Is That alex safari is
going to have to play. This week tape, it up put,
some rub some spit, on it and some dirt and
get out he is, you KNOW because, i, mean yes
he's given up twenty pounds to this guy, fifteen pounds
but both Him and rainer can run with the, tight

(33:10):
end and that's gonna be the key. To this most
teams have to have to give up a safety to
try to cover, him with and now that's hurting your.
Deeper defense But with rainer And, with alex both of
them can run with a. TIGHT end i Think if alex,
can play that would really be a huge boost to
this Defense. Against fandy You.

Speaker 2 (33:32):
And tom talked about this in the. Latter stages really
in the last two, games here this team is functioning
finally and getting to where they'd hoped it, would be especially,
on defense and of course the offense had a lot
further away. To come but now the defensive has lost
some key players for the rest of, the year but
they've got. Young talent but that's eating into, their death.

Speaker 4 (33:54):
Hasn't it, It has and, you know we're starting to
call guys names we haven't called. All year they're into that,
area though now where you can play some of the
young kids that you were going to, red shirt or,
you know even older guys who you're going to. Red
shirt if you Could get, waller back, For instance waller
would be a huge plus in this game because of

(34:16):
his size and his ability. TO tackle I think hardaway
is going to it has to have a huge game
for them on one side at the. Corner SPOT and
i think now you have to rely a little bit
more on Guys Like ty bryant And Even cam Dooley
because cam was the number, three safety but he's played
a ton so He then quay SHEETS got i think

(34:39):
has to play a. Big Game so i'm with the
big Interception, IN florida i think he has to even
play bigger in. This game this is a much more. Important,
game look they've got two games to win one and
you know they they have got to show Up on.
Saturday again it's like kind OF like, i say when
You play florida and when You, play georgia when You,

(35:02):
play alabama if you could just get through the first
round or two, with them meaning if you get through
the first quarter with the lead or tied or, no
score that's half.

Speaker 2 (35:11):
The battle it's your offense, out there move, the chains eat,
some clock try not to give up any point or
three at. The most that's a great idea that they
can pull. That off But when vandy's, out there the
d line has to play up to where. It's been
you don't Know. About Saunders mark stouth was noncommittal about
him today end of the game with his arm in.

(35:33):
A Sling, last saturday he's, been playing so you guys
who called his name. A lot.

Speaker 4 (35:40):
I thought he's one of the more improved players on that.
Defensive front you know a lot of people Look at
gusta and what he's been able, to do But really
khalil has been fantastic, this year really done a. Great
job gats in, behind him And Now jayden williams is getting.
To play, you know it's next guy. Up mentality this Happens.
At georgia it's just the, next guy and this year

(36:02):
it's Happened to kentucky and now you see they've got some.
Quality depth but again now the guys behind them are.
Just guys we haven't talked about.

Speaker 2 (36:12):
A lot He Is, jeff PICORRAL The Uk. Radio network
we'll come back and talk more Football with jeff as
the wildcatch take Came Ed Vanderbilt.

Speaker 4 (36:26):
Brum.

Speaker 2 (36:26):
Pike puka it Is The Big Blu Insider, Dick Gabriel,
jeff PICORREL The Uk. Radio network on his way home
from a hard, Day's work you're not going to stop
and try to snatch any packages off, any porches, Are,
you Jeff because christmas is?

Speaker 4 (36:38):
Coming up got three of.

Speaker 2 (36:40):
Them, already, no boy none of, them exploded so. You're, Lucky,
nope no we do not, condone that nor do we.
Encourage it, we're talking of Course.

Speaker 4 (36:48):
About kentucky The video.

Speaker 2 (36:50):
Oh they BO and i were just talking. About that those.
ARE fantastic I wish i could see one in Person,
from afar. From exactly but we're talking a Course About
kentucky vandy, coming Up And, mark stews we've mentioned as,
many times has raised, the floor not just the Ceiling for.
KENTUCKY football, i wonder with all due respect to Everything,

(37:12):
that clarklee who is a really, smart guy but everything
he's Done At vandy i'm curious. To see Not that
i'm writing off, this game but can he keep it Going?
At vandy Because and stoops talked about, it today it's a.
Different age they've, got businesses Corporations, in nashville and what
a great time to have an exciting program with a

(37:33):
Guy like Diego pavis in is what twelfth year may
sue for another, who knows but getting People in nashville
Excited about vanderbilt football IT'S an, nfl town IT'S an,
nahl town it's a tripa a. Baseball town some believe
major leagues will end up. There someday do you think
they can sustain Anything? At vanderbilt, YOU.

Speaker 4 (37:56):
Know i think they can only because of the money
that the. SCHOOL has, i, Mean obviously vanderbilt one of
the richest schools in the country in their endowment, and
stuff and, it's like will they use any of that?
In sports that's the question if. They do i've always
thought it could be a sleepy giant with the way
things are, done now especially in football. And, basketball well.

Speaker 2 (38:18):
They've used it. For, Them baseball, oh yeah baseball's kind of.
Locked in but they've got a nice ballpark for what
they've done the national championship, level programmers, you know but they've.
Readone basketball they certainly read. On football. You know for
all the money, they have they have to supposedly stick
to that twenty point five million when it comes. To
NIL but i got to think they can go out

(38:39):
up And Down West end avenue, and say hey much
kick in a little bit for some, defensive lineman you
KNOW what. I, MEAN.

Speaker 4 (38:47):
Yeah i just, think that, you know there's ways around it.
With it they have to be legitimate commercials and things,
like THAT and i would think That, in nashville with
all the things that they have there that, THEY could
i think they're gonna be one of those that will
find ways. Around It although i'm, Telling, YOU dick i

(39:07):
was absolutely STUNNED when I heard lsu when. They Fired brian,
kelly said, you know we spend eighteen million dollars on,
this TEAM and i, was like, that's, It WOW and
i just thought that sounded.

Speaker 2 (39:21):
Really low, You know i'm, with, You Man If, I'm
vandy i'm on the Phone To taylor swift and, look,
here sure but you became a. Star here uh you.
Can afford just just give us the change that's in
your couch cushions and we'll be happy. With that let's
get back To the.

Speaker 4 (39:37):
Wildcands, boils yes, heck.

Speaker 2 (39:40):
Yeah man let's get Back. To, Kentucky though and we've
talked a Lot About, diego Pavia but vandy has to
Deal With. Cutter bowley What is vandy going to be
dealing with when they try to Stop the.

Speaker 4 (39:52):
KENTUCKY offense, I again i think that this offense is
going to do to exactly what they've done the last,
three games and that is move. The change and you
Can include tennessee and. That too, we go, you know
four games back or whatever, it is because they scored
a Bunch. On tennessee they just couldn't stop, them, Defensively,
RIGHT so, i mean this is what you're gonna get with.

(40:15):
This offense you're gonna get throwing the ball two thirty
to two hundred and seventy five yards, a game and
you're going to try to run the football for one
hundred and fifty yards, a game and, you know and
the big plays are gonna come because you can see
it with these the talent they have at wide receiver
now that we haven't seen for. So long but it's

(40:36):
starting to look at how what they're trying To Get
kendrick law into the, game now, you know running the short,
passing game putting him in position where he can the,
you know the screens and things like that to the
outside and get a blocker in front. OF him i
just think that's that's the way that this offense. CAN

(40:59):
move i think that the offensive line is getting better
every game because they're getting adjusted and comfortable with, each
other and that is huge in any type. Of offense but,
you know they're just they're playing at at much higher
higher level now than they have.

Speaker 2 (41:14):
All Year kendrick law was targeted Eleven, Times saturday Billy
or jeff. Eleven catches and there was one play in
particular where they Tried the jets sweep with him on
third and two and it, didn't work and you kind
of grumbled about it over. The AIR but i noticed
on the next drive it looked like they were running,
it again but cutter, and said faked it to him

(41:36):
and found an. Open RECEIVER so i wondered if that
time they ran it when it didn't work was just
to plant. The seed, you know, all right Here comes
law from the opposite edge or he's in motion. Or
whatever now we got to. Honor him and you know
they tackled him the, one time but they got caught
with their pants down the. Next, Time, right, yeah yeah
you know.

Speaker 4 (41:57):
With, this offense and you remember when how much he,
was here they only had five plays that went to
the right and five. Places left basically that. Was it,
that's true that's kind of the premise of. This offense
but you run it from so many. Different looks two,
tight ends three. Tight ends, you know guys coming. In
motion guys don't go. In motion offensive lineman flipping over

(42:19):
to be an. Unbalanced line it's the same. Running play
it's just you're giving him different actions to. Look at
and all you're trying to do is get that defense
to take one. Bad step one guy on that defense
take one, bad step and that's the Crease that kendrick glutters.

Speaker 2 (42:34):
To hit stoops talked about that on his. Radio show
you WERE, On Tv but stoop's talked about that on
his show Tonight with tom about Back When eddie gran
was coordinating, the offense They Had Benny snell, and yeah
they ran, similar plays but there was so much as
you put an, eye candy, you know guys, in motion,
different sets, eleven personnel. Twelve personnel it might be the,

(42:58):
same play but you put you stra that defense. So
much and they need To keep vandy back on, his heels?
Don't they yeah.

Speaker 4 (43:06):
They do, AND look i Haven't seen. VANDERBILT enough i
know they rely on, their offense but they have gotten so.
Much better And coach stops even said it today about the,
offensive line and they're bigger and stronger than they've. Ever
been this is not The. Old vanderbilt so, to me
you have to attack them like You attack georgia and

(43:29):
like You. Attack florida get them on. Their heels and
it all starts with running. The football and then once
you can start running, the football which they've been able
to do in almost. Every game once you start running,
the football that opens. Things up and, we heard, you
know In The tennessee tech game they're going to play
with those safeties really deep and try to keep everything

(43:50):
in front. Of them but what happened when they got
to the third middle of the, third quarter those safeties
started creeping Up and kentucky started gashing and running the,
football well.

Speaker 2 (43:57):
Setting the gall in. THREE touchdowns i don't know if
we see that With, him saturday but he's. Healthy Again
now dell's playing his. Best Football, jordan patterson, you know
it's dangerous when he's. Out There So cutter bowley's got
a lot. Of Weapons AND jeff i got about. Thirty
seconds but in, thirty seconds Why Is cutter bully better
now than he was at. THE beginning.

Speaker 4 (44:19):
I just think. More comfortable they've tailored the offense, To
him they've taken out plays that he, Doesn't like they've
added a lot more empty sets which he played in.
HIGH school i just think he's. More comfortable he's gaining
confidence each and, every week and he's gotten better. EVERY
week i think it'll continue for the next.

Speaker 2 (44:35):
Two weeks, sounds, Good brother see You. In Nashville thanks weddy.
About One jeff ocoro will Be alongside Tom Lay jan
yours truly Down in nashville When the cat's Take on
vandy Thanks To, cole park Thanks To, Craig skinner Thanks
to jeff and him A Man. Bo robinson every. Great evening.
That's it good Night. From lexington