Kentucky

Kirby Smart shares what he’s expecting from Kentucky offense

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2024

Kirby Smart shares what he’s expecting from Kentucky offense

Kentucky‘s offense struggled mightily against South Carolina in Week 2, setting up the Wildcats as four touchdown underdogs against No. 1 Georgia this weekend.

Ahead of their Week 3 matchup, Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart explained what it’s like to face a team with a brand new offensive coordinator. In Kentucky’s case, they’ve changed coordinators in each of the past five seasons. Being a former SEC East opponent, Georgia has had to face all five.

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“When you change coordinators, then you change offenses, right? I mean, there’s different tendencies and things like that, but their coordinators have been really successful,” Smart told reporters on Tuesday. “They’ve had good quarterback transfers. They’ve had guys come in there and play, and, you know, he’s had coordinators move on. He’s made some changes. But, you know, you prepare for the guys that’s there.

“When you look at history, too, we go back and watch games against them and things like that. But we’re preparing for the coordinator that’s there now.”

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After pitching a 31-point shutout against Southern Miss in the season opener, UK mustered just 44 passing yards as both quarterbacks Brock Vandargriff and Gavin Wimsatt combined for 6 of 17 passing with an interception each. The running game would have been impressive if it weren’t for the Wildcats 11 penalties that negated much of those would-be yards.

Smart also spoke highly of Mark Stoops. Despite continuously having to replace his offensive coordinator, he’s been able to maintain strong recruiting class for Kentucky’s standards and brings his team ready to play a physical brand of football. Smart speaks to Kentucky’s toughness on an almost yearly basis at this point.

“We’ve had some really physical teams and the coaches haven’t lasted,” Smart said. “I mean, it’s not a guarantee. A lot of things that go into sustaining a good program, and Mark’s done an incredible job at a place which, you know, it’s tough at Kentucky. It’s got a great basketball program. They don’t have the recruiting base we have. He’s gone out and done it.”

While Stoops has recruited at an all-time high level for a Kentucky football coach, one thing that has evaded him during his 12-year tenure is a signature win against a high-ranked opponent. Stoops and the ‘Cats will have a chance to break that streak as they prepare for the top-ranked team in the country. Kickoff from inside Kroger Field is set for 7:30 p.m. ET live on ABC.

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Kentucky

Former Kentucky Transfer Portal Target Magoon Gwath Re-Enters Free Agency

Published

14 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Former Kentucky Transfer Portal Target Magoon Gwath Re-Enters Free Agency

A familiar name will be back in the transfer portal when the official window opens at midnight. Magoon Gwath is once again testing the free agency market.

Gwath was a player BBN kept a close eye on early in the 2025 transfer portal cycle. Kentucky and Michigan were considered the top potential destinations for the 7-footer when he surprisingly announced a return to San Diego State. When the San Diego Union-Tribune reported his return to the Aztecs on April 1, the lede was “This is not an April Fool’s joke.”

The decision was so surprising because of Gwath’s resume. He arrived in San Diego as an unranked recruit. During his first season with the Aztecs, the 7-footer averaged 8.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.6 blocks per game, earning Mountain West Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Ahead of his return, head coach Brian Dutcher noted that Gwath was taking a pay cut to show his loyalty to the program that gave him a shot. That gamble did not pay off for either side. San Diego State missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six seasons, as Gwath’s minutes per game slightly dipped to 19, tallying 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per contest in 2025-26.

It’s unclear if Kentucky will take another swing at the lengthy 7-footer during this transfer portal cycle. What is clear is that there will be no shortage of chaos when the free agency period officially tips off at midnight. We’ll be locked in every step of the way.

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KSR has been delivering UK Sports news in the most ridiculous manner for almost two decades. Now, you can get even more coverage of the Cats with KSR+. In the middle of a busy transfer portal season for the Kentucky basketball program, now is the perfect time to join our online community. Subscribe now for premium articles, in-depth scouting reports, inside intel, bonus recruiting coverage, and access to KSBoard, our message board featuring thousands of Kentucky fans around the globe. Come join the club right now for 50% off an annual subscription.

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Kentucky

Our top 5 Kentucky Derby contenders as Run for the Roses 2026 nears

Published

1 day ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Our top 5 Kentucky Derby contenders as Run for the Roses 2026 nears

Arkansas Derby winner Renegade tops our list of the leading contenders for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
Further Ado, trained by Brad Cox, joins the top five after a commanding victory in Saturday’s Blue Grass at Keeneland.

After the final weekend of major prep races, we have a projected field for the 152^nd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Further Ado (Blue Grass), So Happy (Santa Anita Derby) and Albus (Wood Memorial) clinched their spots in the Kentucky Derby with victories on Saturday.

The top 20 horses on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard are eligible to run, though there usually are injuries and defections in the weeks leading up to the race.

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Saturday’s Grade 3 Lexington at Keeneland will offer 20 qualifying points to the winner, though that’s not expected to be enough for any of the competitors to jump into the Kentucky Derby field.

With four weeks to go until the Kentucky Derby, here’s our ranking of the top five contenders:

Owners: Robert and Lawana Low; Repole Stable (Mike Repole).

Trainer: Todd Pletcher.

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Sire: Into Mischief.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 125 (No. 3)

Career earnings: $1,031,500.

Last race: Won Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on March 28 at Oaklawn Park.

Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Owner: Wathnan Racing (Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani).

Trainer: Brad Cox.

Jockey: Flavien Prat.

Sire: Into Mischief.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 150 (No. 1).

Career earnings: $1,017,339.

Last race: Won Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28 at Gulfstream Park.

Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Owners: OGMA Investments LLC (Gustavo Delgado); JR Ranch (Ramiro Restrepo); High Step Racing LLC (Randy Guy, Joe Noble, Kevin Avera, Jim Ferreira, Todd Perry).

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado.

Jockey: Javier Castellano.

Sire: Essential Quality.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 106 (No. 6).

Career earnings: $442,280.

Last race: Second in Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28 at Gulfstream Park.

Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Owner: Spendthrift Farm (Eric Gustavson).

Trainer: Brad Cox.

Jockey: TBA.

Sire: Gun Runner.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 135 (No. 2).

Career earnings: $1,146,328.

Last race: Won Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 4 at Keeneland.

Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Owner: Danox Co. Ltd.

Trainer: Manabu Ikezoe.

Jockey: Atsuya Nishimura.

Sire: Maxfield.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: Qualified via Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Career earnings: $222,762.

Last race: Won Fukuryu Stakes on March 28 at Nakayama Racecourse.

Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com. Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.

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Kentucky

Mr. Tim Graham

Published

2 days ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Murray
| Jan. 15, 1962 | yesterday

Mr. Tim Graham, age 64, of Dexter, Kentucky passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at his home.
          Mr. Graham was born on January 15, 1962, in Murray, Kentucky to the late Jerry Graham and Janice (Staples) McCuiston. He worked in the construction industry.
          Survivors include two sisters, LaDon Haley Berlin of Evansville, Indiana and Kristi Hopkins and husband Chris of Murray, Kentucky; one niece, Emily Don Hopkins of Murray, Kentucky; three nephews, Adam Haley of Springfield, Illinois, Jason Haley of Evansville, Indiana, and Zachery Hopkins of Murray, Kentucky; one great niece, Audrey Haley of Paducah, Kentucky; as well as one great nephew, Weston Haley of Okawville, Illinois.

          A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services. A private family service will be held.
          Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Humane Society of Calloway County, 607 Poplar Street, Suite A1, Murray, Kentucky 42071.
          Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com

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