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ICYMI: 10 of the most-read Lexington Herald-Leader sports stories from October

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

Here are some of the most-read sports stories from the Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com that were published in October 2025.

Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops walks off the field following a loss to Tennessee at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 1: IF SOMETHING DOESN’T CHANGE, UK IS HEADED FOR A HARD DECISION ON MARK STOOPS

When the 2025 Kentucky football season began, my view of the UK coaching situation was that there was no situation. | Published October 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mark Story

Mark Pope wants Kentucky to be the top program in name, image and likeness, and his Wildcats are believed to have college basketball’s most expensive roster in 2025-26. The advent of revenue sharing is changing the face of NIL for the future. By Photo Illustration by Brian Simms

NO. 2: HOW KENTUCKY BASKETBALL IS BENEFITING FROM THE MASSIVE CHANGES TO NIL RULES

The world of college basketball has changed. | Published October 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts

Malachi Moreno (24) and a few UK basketball teammates have some fun during a putting challenge as part of the team’s Big Blue Madness on Saturday night in Rupp Arena. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 3: WHO’S BEEN THE BIGGEST SURPRISE IN EARLY UK BASKETBALL PRACTICES? A KENTUCKY KID

Ask around the Kentucky basketball program regarding who’s been the biggest “surprise” player among the Wildcats so far this preseason, and you’re likely to get some variation of the following answer. | Published October 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts

as Tennessee defeated Kentucky 49-36 on Saturday November 12, 2016 in Knoxville,TN. By Mark Cornelison

NO. 4: THERE’S A WAY UK CAN STAY OUT OF HUGE COACHING BUYOUTS — BUT FANS WON’T LIKE IT

For the second time in two calendar years, many Kentucky Wildcats fans yearn for the ouster of a major UK coach whose contract terms would seem to make such a move cost prohibitive. | Published October 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mark Story

Braden Smith is entering his senior season at Purdue and is the early favorite to win college basketball player of the year honors in 2026. By Alex Martin/Journal and Courier

NO. 5: WHY THE NO. 1 TEAM IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL AGREED TO PLAY KENTUCKY IN RUPP ARENA

It might be the most anticipated preseason game in the history of college basketball. | Published October 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts

Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops walks off the field dejected after a football game against Texas, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. By Brian Simms

NO. 6: FOR MARK STOOPS, 2 COACHING DECISIONS COST KENTUCKY IN LOSS TO TEXAS

It is an article of faith among an increasingly frustrated Kentucky fan base that Mark Stoops’ primary failure in game management is excessive conservatism. | Published October 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mark Story

Bryan Station Amari Owens (5) dribbles against Great Crossing Jeremiah Godfrey (21) during the first round of the 11th Region Tournament at Great Crossing High School in Georgetown, Ky, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. By Silas Walker

NO. 7: LEXINGTON’S TOP HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYER WILL STAY IN KENTUCKY FOR COLLEGE

The top high school boys basketball player in Lexington will be staying in Kentucky to start his college career. | Published October 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond

Frisco Heritage forward Bryson Howard (12) reaches in on Birdville forward Sawyer Dotson (1) during the first half of the UIL 5A state semifinal playoff basketball playoff game at Lewisville High School in Lewisville Texas, Tuesday, Mar. 04, 2025. By Bob Booth

NO. 8: ANOTHER TOP RECRUIT PASSES ON KENTUCKY BASKETBALL FOR A RIVAL BLUE BLOOD

Another top college basketball prospect has passed on the opportunity to play for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats. | Published October 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond

Transfer De’Niro Laster is hoping to get involved more defensively after playing largely on special teams in the season opener. By Mark Cornelison

NO. 9: ONE OF THE MEN ARRESTED IN FBI’S NBA GAMBLING PROBE PLAYED FOOTBALL AT UK

Former Kentucky football player De’Niro Laster was one of more than 30 people arrested Thursday amid an FBI investigation into NBA gambling. | Published October 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Hale

Kentucky Wildcats guard Jasper Johnson (2) drives the ball as Purdue Boilermakers guard Gicarri Harris (24) follows during an exhibition game at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 10: KENTUCKY BASKETBALL ROCKS NO. 1-RANKED PURDUE IN FIRST EXHIBITION GAME

This Kentucky basketball team has lofty aspirations. | Published October 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.