A pair of former Kentucky football fan favorites are joining the UK Sports Network broadcast team. All-Southeastern Conference defensive end Jeremy Jarmon and former quarterback Dusty Bonner will be alongside host Christi Thomas for Countdown To Kickoff, the two-hour pregame show that airs prior to each UK football game.
The Voice of the Wildcats, Tom Leach, returns for his 22nd season, handling the play-by-play call for Wildcats football games. Color analyst Jeff Piecoro and sideline reporter Dick Gabriel will once again join Leach on the broadcast. Chris Labar is the studio host.
UK Athletics Hall of Famer Jeff Van Note will provide color commentary duties in place of Piecoro for Kentucky’s games against Central Michigan (Sept. 1), Murray State (Sept. 15) and Mississippi State (Sept. 22).
Bonner and Jarmon combine to offer a player’s perspective from both sides of the ball. Jarmon (2006-08) was a standout defensive lineman during the Rich Brooks era and is fourth in school history with 17.5 sacks.
“Words can’t express how excited I am to be joining the Countdown To Kickoff show on the UK Sports Network,” Jarmon said. “I have admired the UK Sports Network team with Tom, Jeff, Dick, and Christi. I am honored to have been selected to contribute to the pregame excitement as we enter Mark Stoops’ sixth season at UK.”
Bonner (1997-99) led the Southeastern Conference in total offense, passing yards and passing efficiency as the Wildcats starting quarterback his sophomore season.
“I’m excited that football is back and I am blessed to have the opportunity to get to cover it with the likes of Tom, Jeff, Christi and Dick,” Bonner said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun and I can’t wait to talk some football with BBN.”
Bonner and Jarmon replace Freddie Maggard, who joined Stoops’ staff as director of player development.
The radio broadcast will air throughout the state on UK Sports Network affiliates. A live video broadcast of Countdown to Kickoff will air on UKAthletics.com, the UK Athletics mobile app and the Kentucky Football Facebook page.
For home games, Countdown to Kickoff will broadcast live in front of Nutter Field House outside Gate 1 of Kroger Field with special guests and giveaways. The set of the show is conveniently located near the Coke Fan Zone in Nutter Field House and the Cat Walk presented by Chevy.
When the Wildcats are on the road, the show will broadcast from Kroger at the Tates Creek Centre in Lexington.
Postgame, Gabriel will host Wildcat Wrap-Up. The show will feature post-game analysis, player of the game interview and post-game comments by head coach Mark Stoops.
The Mark Stoops Show will also return to television. It will air on WKYT in Lexington at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday and on Fox Sports South at 5 p.m. on Monday. Check local listings for times and affiliates in your area.
The Wildcats will open the 2018 on Sept. 1 in Kroger Field vs. Central Michigan.
A variety of ticket options are still available for the 2018 season. Single-game tickets, starting at $32, are available online at UKFootballTix.com.
Season tickets remain available at UKFootballTix.com, starting at $254. Fans are able to use the Kentucky Football Virtual Venue to view and compare available seat locations and see a 360-degree virtual view from the seats inside Kroger Field. Fans can view a seating chart with the various pricing levels here. The Kentucky Football Pocket Pass will also return for the 2018 season, which includes a mobile ticket to all seven home games for a discounted price of $217 while supplies last.
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For more information contact:
Susan Lax
