Kentucky
Kentucky QB commit Stone Saunders visiting this month, excited to meet Bush Hamdan in person
Plenty has changed within the Kentucky football program since Stone Saunders committed to the Wildcats back in August. Most notably, Liam Coen, his primary recruiter and longtime friend of the Saunders family, was still the offensive coordinator.
But now, as of Feb. 3, Coen is in Tampa Bay. He’s set to call plays for the Buccaneers in the NFL this coming season after a not-so-pretty departure from Lexington for a second time. Replacing Coen at Kentucky is Bush Hamdan, who was the offensive coordinator at Boise State in 2023. Hamdan produced a high-scoring offense in Idaho that averaged over 32 points per game this past fall.
The 6-foot-1 Saunders, who says he’s now up to 215 pounds, has remained committed to Kentucky in spite of the coaching change. The class of 2025 three-star quarterback has been communicating with Hamdan over the phone since Hamdan was officially hired on Feb. 14, but it won’t be until later this month that the two finally meet face-to-face.
“He just seems like a great guy,” Saunders, who will visit UK on Saturday, March 30 for spring practice, told KSR. “I’ve just got to know him as a person really over the phone. He’s gotten to know me. But it seems like we’ve got a lot of morals that match up and principles, so I’m excited to go down, see his offense, and see them practice and all of it.”
Naturally, Saunders had some questions when Coen moved on from UK. But he hasn’t wavered on his commitment. That being said, Saunders’ visit at the end of the month will be important in making sure he’s still on the same page with Hamdan and Kentucky as a whole.
“Obviously when a change like that happens there’s gonna be second thoughts, but I’ve talked to Bush a couple times, he seems great, so I’m gonna go there,” Saunders added. “I’m still committed to Kentucky so I’m gonna go there, check it out, see what Coach Bush’s playbook looks like, and go from there.”
Another thing that’s changed for Saunder since he made his pledge to UK over the summer was the addition of some friendly competition. Just last week, the Wildcats picked up another quarterback commit in three-star Brennen Ward. Both Saunders and Ward are currently high school juniors. They’re ranked No. 443 and No. 640, respectively, in the On3 Industry Ranking.
Although Saunders (from Pennsylvania, recruited by Coen) isn’t familiar with Ward (from Ohio, recruited by Vince Marrow) right now, Saunders says he knew all along that Kentucky’s plan was to bring in two quarterbacks for the 2025 recruiting cycle. He’s welcoming the challenge, too.
“They told me that they were gonna need two quarterbacks in my class anyways, so I already knew that coming in when I committed,” Saunders said. “But I’ve been a competitor my whole life so if you want to come be in the quarterback room I have no problem with it. I’m excited to get there and compete. I’ve heard about Brennen and he seems like a good guy so we’ll probably get along and I’m ready to just go compete wherever I go.”
Kentucky
Kentucky Lottery Cash Ball, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for June 25, 2026
13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, June 25, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
02-08-24-32, Cash Ball: 09
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 6-3-0
Midday: 9-6-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-7-6-0
Midday: 5-2-6-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
Kentucky
Takeaways from Kentucky’s home and away SEC schedule for next season
On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
Which game could be a trap?
We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook and YouTube for the latest news.
Follow
Kentucky
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky? See laws ahead of Fourth of July
Fourth of July festivities to celebrate in Louisville
See the Fourth of July festivities planned in Louisville for America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Fourth of July is almost here, and Kentuckians are getting ready to light up the sky.
Before you plan your fireworks celebrations, it’s important to know what is and isn’t allowed under Kentucky law. Here’s what to know about fireworks laws and safety tips in the Bluegrass State ahead of Independence Day.
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky?
Yes. As long as you live in a place where local ordinances don’t prohibit it, according to the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s website.
Are fireworks legal in Louisville?
In Louisville or Jefferson County, larger display fireworks are not legal due to a local law. Some consumer products that don’t leave the ground, such as sparklers, are allowed.
If the cautionary label on the firework has the words “explosive,” “emits flaming pellets,” “flaming balls,” “firecracker,” “report” or “rocket,” it is automatically a no-go, according to the Louisville-Jefferson County Code of Ordinances.
But, smaller ones like sparklers, cylindrical or cone fountains, wheels and ground spinners are legal. Still, don’t let the size fool you − they can burn up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Learn more: Check out these 4th of July events taking place across Kentucky
How to use fireworks safely
The state fire marshal suggests following the following advice when using fireworks:
- Use fireworks outdoors.
- Obey local laws.
- Keep a bucket of water or a working water hose nearby.
- Use fireworks as intended and avoid altering them or combining them.
- Never relight “dud” fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Spectators should keep a safe distance from the person lighting the firework (the individual lighting it should wear safety glasses).
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated adult operator.”
- Do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.
- Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Former Courier Journal reporter Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
-
Lifestyle8 seconds agoL.A. Affairs: After decades of near-misses, I finally told him: ‘I’m not leaving here without you’
-
Politics3 minutes agoTrump budget request omits funds for L.A. fire relief, prompting criticism from senators
-
Science8 minutes agoEPA touts crackdown on smuggled pesticides in L.A. visit
-
Sports15 minutes agoCommentary: Did Padres curse themselves by messing with that anti-Dodgers FTD burger?
-
World23 minutes agoCopernicus lead warns extreme heat measures needed or deaths to ensue
-
News48 minutes ago“It’s blood money”: Family of exonerated man in Texas yogurt shop murders speaks out after settlement
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoWoman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach
-
Detroit, MI3 hours agoWhere to watch Houston Astros vs Detroit Tigers: TV channel, start time, streaming for June 26