2008 Louisville Cardinals - Recruiting Class

Louisville Cardinals Head Coach: Steve Kragthorpe

Louisville Cardinals

2008 Recruiting Class

Star of the Class

Tyler Jessen DT 6-2 300 Wichita, Kan. (Butler CC)
Split time at defensive tackle and defensive end... named Honorable Mention All-League... was the third-leading tackler for one of the top JUCO defenses in the nation, recording 88 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and three sacks to help the Butler defense limit opponents to 9.1 points per game... Butler allowed only 204 yards of total offense per game and ranked fifth nationally against the run... recorded 44 tackles as a freshman, including 18 for a loss and three sacks... attended Wichita Northwest High School... named first team All-State at defensive tackle and second team All-State at offensive guard... selected All-City on both offensive and defensive line... voted All-Metro ... chose Louisville over Oklahoma State, Marshall, Troy and Kansas State.

Potential Instant Impact Players

Jon Dempsey LB 6-0 233 Visalia, Calif. (College of the Sequoias)
Played for Curtis Allen at the College of Sequoias... rated a three-star prospect by Scout.com... led the team in tackles as a sophomore... two-year starter at linebacker... recorded 109 tackles, including 80 solo stops as a sophomore... also had four sacks and an interception... earned All-Conference accolades... selected as a JUCO All-American... voted as the team's Most Valuable Player... attended Collingswood High School where he was a four-year starter... four-time All-Conference performer and two-time All-State honoree... selected All-South Jersey... played running back and linebacker... recorded 90 tackles... rushed for 1,100 yards and 22 touchdowns... chose Louisville over Michigan State, UAB, Memphis and Arkansas.

Josh Wiley S 6-1 200 Hattiesburg, Miss. (Pearl River CC)
Two-year starter... named second team All-District... played scholastically at Hattiesburg High School... named All-Area... voted the team's Most Valuable Player... three-year starter... guided team to a state championship in baseball... played catcher and outfield... chose Louisville over Marshall, Alabama, Southern Mississippi, West Virginia and Mississippi.

Rest of the Class

Darius Ashley	RB	5-9	182	Cincinnati, Ohio (St. Xavier)
Keith Baker	LB	6-3	230	Scotch Plains, N.J. (Scotch Plains-Fanwood)
Stephon Ball	TE	6-4	215	Cincinnati, Ohio (St. Xavier)
Ryan Barnes	OL	6-6	300	Carmel, Ind. (Carmel)
Mario Benavides	OL	6-4	285	Los Fresnos, Texas (Los Fresnos)
Jacques Caldwell	ATH	5-9	175	Garland, Texas (Garland)
Chris Campa	LB	6-2	220	Orlando, Fla. (Butler CC)
Maurice Clark	WR	6-3	200	Lake Elsinore, Calif. (Saddleback)
Damion Dixon	WR	6-3	180	Port Allen, La. (Port Allen)
Dexter Heyman	LB	6-3	225	Louisville, Ky. (Male)
Rock Keys	TE	6-5	235	Collins, Miss. (Jones County JC)
Justin Mathews	S	6-2	215	Leaksville, Miss. (Jones County JC)
C.J. Millenbah	OL	6-4	295	San Diego, Calif. (Grossmont College)
Nate Nord	TE	6-5	230	Boca Raton, Fla. (West Boca Raton)
Chris Philpott	K	6-0	180	Atlanta, Ga. (St. Pius X)
Randy Salmon	DT	6-3	290	Stockbridge, Ga. (Stockbridge)
Greg Scruggs	DE	6-5	235	Cincinnati, Ohio (St. Xavier)
Byron Stingily	OL	6-6	295	Country Club Hills, Ill. (Joliet)
Zack Stoudt	QB	6-4	210	Columbus, Ohio (Dublin-Coffman)

- 2007 Louisville Season
- 2007 Louisville Preview
- 2006 Louisville Season

2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 11-1
2007 Record: 6-6

Aug. 30 Murray State W 73-10
Sept. 6 Middle Tenn W 58-42
Sept. 15 at Kentucky L 40-34
Sept. 22 Syracuse L 38-35
Sept. 29 at NC State W 29-10
Oct. 6 Utah L 44-35
Oct. 13 at Cincinnati W 28-24
Oct. 20 at Connecticut L 21-17
Oct. 27 Pitt W 24-17
Nov. 8 at West Virginia L 38-31
Nov. 17 at South Florida L 55-17
Nov. 29 Rutgers W 41-38

2008 Early Lookahead
Why to get excited: It's not necessarily a bad thing when you have a wildly disappointing season and still finish 6-6. Steve Kraghtorpe was hit with a ton of criticism, most of it warranted, but he can coach and his team hardly quit on him. Four of the six losses were very winnable, and there might not be too much tweaking needed to pull off more close wins. The running backs should be among the best in the Big East.
Why to be grouchy: The personnel losses are major. QB Brian Brohm was an all-timer, WRs Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia were tremendous, and the defense, while awful, will miss top tackler Lamar Myles in the middle along with the rest of the linebacking corps. The D doesn't just need to improve, it needs to find a pass rush, has to stop someone's passing game, and has to make more big plays.
The number one thing to work on is: Getting everyone to rally around Hunter Cantwell. He's no Brohm, but he could be the best senior pro quarterback prospect (which might not be saying much in a horrible year for draftable passers) with great size and a live arm. He's not starting from scratch with a little bit of experience when Brohm was hurt over the last few years, and if he can be a quick decision maker and make the new receivers around him shine, the O should be fine.
Biggest offensive loss: QB Brian Brohm
Biggest defensive loss: LB Lamar Myles
Best returning offensive player: C Eric Wood, Sr.
Best returning defensive player: FS Bobby Buchanan, Sr.

2007 Recap
Recap: Louisville belongs right in the same discussion with Nebraska, Notre Dame, and UCLA as one of the most disappointing programs of 2007.  The Cards, a Big East favorite and fringe national title contender in August, squandered QB Brian Brohm’s final year in school, failing at 6-6 to even attract a bowl invitation.  Louisville’s demise can be traced to a leaky defense that allowed 38 or more points seven times, and was helpless against opposing quarterbacks.      

Offensive Player of the Year: QB Brian Brohm

Defensive Player of the Year: LB Lamar Myles

Biggest Surprise: With very little to play for in the regular season finale, Louisville dug real deep against Rutgers, rallying from an 18-point, second-half deficit to pull out an improbable 41-38 victory.  The Cards displayed more heart in two quarters than it had in the previous 11 games combined, getting a spark from a future star, freshman RB Bilal Powell.

Biggest Disappointment: Where do you begin?  In a season marked by disappointments, none was bigger than the 40-34 loss to Kentucky on Sept. 15.  In a microcosm of all that went wrong in Steve Kragthorpe’s debut season, Louisville somehow allowed WR Steve Johnson to get behind the secondary for a game-winning 57-yard score with 28 seconds left on the clock.  The loss wasn’t quickly forgotten by the Cards, who were shocked by Syracuse the following Saturday.       

Looking Ahead: Kragthorpe has already shaken up his coaching staff like a snow globe, but it’s going to take some time before the changes have an impact.  Louisville needs to replace a ton of offensive firepower in 2008, namely Brohm, receivers Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia, and back Anthony Allen, who’s transferring.    

Nov. 29
Louisville 41 ... Rutgers 38
Louisville scored 17 unanswered points over the final 13 minutes of the game, capped off by a 33-yard Art Carmody field goal with 20 seconds to play. Brock Bolen ran for two short scores in the second half, and Bilal Powell ran for an 18-yard touchdown to storm back after the Scarlet Knights appeared to be cruising to the win. Ray Rice scored from ten, 14 and six yards out, and Kenny Britt caught touchdown passes from 35 and 39 yards out. But Brian Brohm, who was sacked five times, connected with Patrick Carter on a 52-yard pass play with just 11 seconds left in the first half, and he ran for a six-yard score, to keep his Cardinals alive, and then he was led the team on every key drive in the fourth quarter.
Player of the game: Louisville QB Brian Brohm completed 12 of 22 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown, and ran for a score
Stat Leaders: Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 12-22, 237 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Brock Bolen, 13-117, 2 TD. Receiving: Gary Barnidge, 6-65
Rutgers - Passing: Mike Teel, 21-32, 265 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Ray Rice, 30-120, 3 TD. Receiving: Kenny Britt, 12-173, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... After the way the Cardinals were blasted by South Florida, and after a lackluster first three quarters against Rutgers, the disappointing season appeared to closing out with a whimper. But Brian Brohm made one last great statement in his tremendous career and pulled off the win, and even though a bowl game might be tough to get, this was a great way to end the season and send head coach Steve Kraghthorpe and his program out on a high note. This game showed that the team still played hard until the end, and now Kragthorpe has something to build on.

Nov. 17
South Florida 55 ... Louisville 17
Louisville fumbled away the opening kickoff for a score, and things would only go downhill from there with seven turnovers while allowing USF to jump out to an early 27-3 lead. Matt Grothe connected with Marcus Edwards for a seven-yard touchdown and Carlton Williams for a 30-yard score with things getting ugly on a 28-poiunt run. Trae Williams picked off a pass for a 64-yard score and Mike Ford ran for two scores. Brian Brohm threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Harry Douglas, but he also threw three interceptions and way replaced. In all, the Bulls had three defensive scores.
Player of the game: South Florida QB Matt Grothe completed 17 of 23 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns, and ran 12 times for 67 yards and a score
Stat Leaders: Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 18-37, 213 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Bilal Powell, 6-70, 1 TD. Receiving: Harry Douglas, 8-136, 1 TD
South Florida - Passing: Matt Grothe, 17-23, 194 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Mike Ford, 24-140, 2 TD. Receiving: Carlton Mitchell, 4-54, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The disastrous season only gets worse with a complete clunker of a performance against South Florida. If Brian Brohm isn't playing well, then there's no much hope for the rest of the team to show up. There were some good flashes at times to make it seem like the Cards would have a chance for a comeback, but the turnovers always killed any momentum. A bowl game might be a distant dream, but beating Rutgers would be a nice way to finish things up and to get into a position for a 13th game. To win, the run defense has to get far stronger in a big hurry.

Nov. 8
West Virginia 38 ... Louisville 31
An ugly game with 18 penalties, seven turnovers, and horrible all yellow West Virginia uniforms was all but ended on a beautiful 50-yard Pat White touchdown run with 1:36 to play. White got the team out to an early 14-0 lead with two touchdown passes to Darius Reynaud, and got up 31-14 late in the third quarter on a 44-yard John Holmes fumble recovery for a score. But Louisville would come back with a two-yard Brock Bolen touchdown run, a 12-yard Mario Urrutia scoring grab, and a 37-yard Art Carmody field goal to tie it. And then White went to work going 65 yards in four plays for the win. Louisville's final drive was snuffed with a Hail Mary interception, but Brian Brohm had a brilliant game throwing for 345 yards, scoring on a one-yard touchdown run, and throwing two touchdown passes.
Player of the game: West Virginia QB Pat White completed 16 of 25 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns and ran 24 times for 147 yards and a score
Stat Leaders: Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 27-46, 345 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: George Stripling, 12-23. Receiving: George Stripling, 8-106
West Virginia - Passing: Pat White, 16-25, 181 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Pat White, 24-147, 1 TD. Receiving: Darius Reynaud, 6-79, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The final score might not show it, but Louisville's defense had a good day against the mighty West Virginia offense, keeping Steve Slaton in check, and keeping Pat White from going crazy until his big final touchdown run. The D was hitting like a ton of bricks, and Brian Brohm was on, throwing for 345 yards, but there wasn't nearly enough from the running game and there were too many big mistakes. Now the Cardinals might have to beat both either South Florida or Rutgers to get in the bowl mix, and have to win both to insure a 13th game.

Oct. 27
Louisville 24 ... Pitt 17
Louisville got two first half Brian Brohm touchdown passes, but needed a one-yard Brock Bolen scoring run in the final two minutes, and a goal line stand, to hang on. Pitt hung around with a 27-yard LeSean McCoy scoring play in the first half, and a seven-yard touchdown run in the second. Despite his huge game, McCoy fumbled on first and goal from the one in the final minute with the Panthers down seven, and the Cardinal hung on. The two teams combined to convert six of 24 third down chances.
Player of the game: Louisville QB Brian Brohm completed 21 of 30 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.
Stat Leaders: Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 21-30, 236 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Brock Bolen, 11-52, 1 TD. Receiving: Harry Douglas, 6-63, 1 TD
Pitt - Passing: Pat Bostick, 10-20, 136 yds
Rushing: LeSean McCoy, 26-120, 1 TD. Receiving: LeSean McCoy, 3-60, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It wasn't pretty, but Louisville was able to overcome the Connecticut loss to get a tough win against Pitt. That's going to be Cardinal football the rest of the way out. Brian Brohm had a nice day, but it wasn't a typical Brian Brohm performance as the offense hasn't exactly been its explosive self over the last few weeks. Against West Virginia and South Florida over the next two weeks, the attack had better be ready to start letting it fly again. The defense has been better over the past month, but this still isn't a rock.

Oct. 20
Connecticut 21 ... Louisville 17
In lousy weather, Connecticut forced three Brian Brohm interceptions and overcame a 17-7 fourth quarter deficit with a seven-yard D.J. Hernandez touchdown catch and a five-yard Andre Dixon scoring run. The Huskies got a big break early in the third quarter, as Larry Taylor waved for the fair catch on a punt, fielded it, and ran 74 yards for a score after the Louisville defenders stopped. It was still ruled a score. The Cardinal offense only managed a two-yard Scott Kuhn touchdown catch and a field goal, with Earl Heyman returning a fumble 32 yards for a score in the fourth. UConn's Scott Lutrus made 18 tackles, and Danny Lansanah made 15.
Player of the game: Connecticut RB Andre Dixon ran 22 times for 115 yards and a touchdown and led the team with three catches for 55 yards
Stat Leaders: Connecticut - Passing: Tyler Lorenzen, 9-18, 130 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Andre Dixon, 22-115, 1 TD. Receiving: Andre Dixon, 3-55
Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 29-41, 228 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Brock Bolen, 16-60. Receiving: Gary Barnridge, 8-64
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Blame the weather, and blame a bad no-call on a Larry Taylor should've-been fair catch that went for a touchdown, but mostly, blame the Cardinals for not being able to get the running game going in lousy conditions and for Brian Brohm to play very unBrohm-like. There were several chances to take control of the game, but it never happened with the offense never establishing any sort of rhythm. Now, it might take a minor miracle to get to a bowl with Pitt, at West Virginia, at South Florida and Rutgers yet to play, with three of the four wins likely needed thanks to the lack of Big East bowl ties.

Oct. 13
Louisville 28 ... Cincinnati 24
A 51-yard completion to Harry Douglas set up a three-yard Anthony Allen touchdown run for what would turn out to be Louisville's game-winning score. Along with that big throw, Brian Brohm threw three touchdowns passes with two to Patrick Carter, while Cincinnati came up with three Ben Mauk touchdown passes, with two to Marcus Barnett. The Bearcats were able to pull within four on a 23-yard Jake Rogers field goal, but didn't get any closer, punting on one late possession and throwing an interception on the other.  The two teams combined for 674 passing yards and 22 penalties.
Player of the game: Louisville QB Brian Brohm completed 28 of 38 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Cincinnati - Passing: Ben Mauk, 26-45, 324 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Butler Benton, 10-56. Receiving: Dominick Goodman, 11-141, 1 TD
Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 28-38, 350 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Trent Guy, 3-45. Receiving: Harry Douglas, 7-118
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... What a difference it is having Harry Douglas back. Brian Brohm got one of his top targets back, and it showed, as the offense was crisper than it had been in a few weeks, while the defense came up with one of its better performances, all things considered. Yes, it allowed a ton of yards (460), but it forced four turnovers and held firm after the offense got the team ahead for good. The Big East title is still up for grabs, and with the other big boys still to come, the team got its momentum builder at just the right time.

Oct. 5
Utah 44 ... Louisville 35
Utah rolled up 582 yards for the game, and got out to a 27-7 halftime lead, but had to hold on for dear life, as Louisville's Brian Brohm, without his usual targets, bombed his way back into the game, pulling within 41-35 with 3:33 to play on a 29-yard touchdown pass to Trent Guy. The Cardinals tried its second onside kick following a score, and for the second time, failed. Utah was able to get a 46-yard Louie Sakoda field goal to make it a nine-point lead with just over a minute to play. The Utes got out to their big lead on three Darrell Mack touchdown runs, from three, two, and three yards out, while the Cards got Brohm touchdown passes to with two to Guy.
Player of the game: Utah RB Darrell Mack rushed for 163 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries.
Stat Leaders: Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 39-58, 467 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Brock Bolen, 8-43, 1 TD. Receiving: Patrick Carter, 9-154, 1 TD
Utah - Passing: Brian Johnson, 24-31, 312 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Darrell Mack, 32-163, 3 TD. Receiving: Bradon Godfrey, 6-78, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Louisville's defense is giving away yards and points in bunches, but it was still impressive how the Ute offense rolled. Brian Johnson played like Brian Johnson again, running well, and spreading his passes around better, but it was the steady running of Darrell Mack that kept things moving. It gave the Ute attack a focus for the Cardinals to deal with, and allowed Johnson to work a little easier on the outside. Now the Utes have to start producing in Mountain West play after starting out 0-2. San Diego State is next.

Oct. 5
Utah 44 ... Louisville 35
Utah rolled up 582 yards for the game, and gout out to a 27-7 halftime lead, but had to hold on for deal life, as Louisville's Brian Brohm, without his usual targets, bombed his way back into the game, pulling within 41-35 with 3:33 to play on a 29-yard touchdown pass to Trent Guy. The Cardinals tried its second onside kick following a score, and for the second time, failed. Utah was able to get a 46-yard Louie Sakoda field goal to make it a nine-point lead with just over a minute to play. Utah got three Darrell Mack touchdown runs, from three, two, and three yards out, while the Cards got Brohm touchdown passes to with two to Guy.
Player of the game: Utah RB Darrell Mack rushed for 163 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries.
Stat Leaders: Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 39-58, 467 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Brock Bolen, 8-43, 1 TD. Receiving: Patrick Carter, 9-154, 1 TD
Utah - Passing: Brian Johnson, 24-31, 312 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Darrell Mack, 32-163, 3 TD. Receiving: Bradon Godfrey, 6-78, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Much will be made about yet another stunningly poor defensive performance, allowing 582 yards to Utah in the 44-35 loss, and Brian Brohm was Brian Brohm, despite missing receivers Harry Douglas (injury) and Mario Urrutia (unspecified reasons), but the real issue has to be the onside kick after scoring with 3:33 to play. Yeah, the D didn't stop the Utes all night long, but down six, and with plenty of time to allow a few first downs yet still get the ball back, the onside kick was a horrible coaching gaffe by Steve Kragthorpe. Utah was able to move the ball a little, the drive bogged down, kicked a field goal, and was up nine. Ball game. Basically, the coaching staff sent a message that the D can't be trusted. Ever.

Sept. 29
Louisville 29 ... NC State 10
Louisville took a 16-3 lead into halftime on three Art Carmody field goals and a seven-yard Anthony Allen touchdown run, but NC State appeared on the verge of a comeback, with Daniel Evans, in for an injured Harrison Beck, connecting with Ced Hickman on a two-yard touchdown pass, but the Pack fell short, seeing a late drive halted by a fumble, leading to an 18-yard George Stripling touchdown catch. In all, State turned it over five times.
Player of the game: Louisville RB Brock Bolen ran for 112 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
Stat Leaders: Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 20-33, 251 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Brock Bolen, 18-112, 1 TD. Receiving: Mario Urrutia, 5-49
NC State - Passing: Harrison Beck, 17-28, 181 yds, 2 INTs
Rushing: Andre Brown, 16-92. Receiving: Andre Brown, 5-38
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Cardinals played against NC State like a team that had just lost to Syracuse. The defense came up with a decent game, compared to the nightmares over the first part of the season, but it needed the turnover to avoid a close call, taking it away five times. The offense wasn't its normal high-octane self, and it won't have to be to beat Utah next week. That's nitpicking, considering the tremendous balance shown against the Pack. Louisville had better be Louisville again in a real hurry with four Big East road trips in five games.

Sept. 22
Syracuse 38 ... Louisville 35
In a wild game, Syracuse QB Andrew Robinson bombed away with a 79-yard touchdown pass to Taj Smith on the opening play, connected with Smith again in the third quarter for a 60-yard score, and threw two other touchdown passes to pull off the shocker. The Orange answered Louisville's first score, a four-yard Scott Kuhn touchdown catch, with a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Max Suter. The Cardinal offense roared in the second half, with Brian Brohm throwing three of his four touchdown passes, including a five-yard scoring strike to Patrick Carter in the final minute, but Syracuse recovered the onside kick. The two teams combined for 1,093 yards of total offense, 978 passing yards, and 23 penalties for 201 yards.
Player of the game ... The quarterbacks. Syracuse QB Andrew Robinson completed 17 of 26 passes for 423 yards and four touchdowns, and in a losing cause, Louisville QB Brian Brohm completed 45 of 65 passes for 555 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions.
Stat Leaders: Syracuse - Passing: Andrew Robinson, 17-26, 423 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Curtis Brinkley, 23-53 Receiving: Mike Williams, 5-83, 1 TD
Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 45-65, 555 yds, 4 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Anthony Allen, 18-66  Receiving: Harry Douglas, 12-205, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... So that's how it's going to be this year. Louisville isn't going to play any defense, is going to have breakdown after breakdown in the secondary, and will need Brian Brohm and the offense to save the day. Middle Tennessee doesn't have any offense, and Syracuse really doesn't have any offense, but they were able to get their speed guys in space and got big play after big play. After the shocking, bad loss to the Orange, the Cardinals get two weeks off from the Big East and need to find something to work on defense (better safety play would be nice) against NC State and Utah before dealing with Cincinnati.

Sept.15
Kentucky 40 ... Louisville 34
Andre Woodson connected with Steve Johnson for a 57-yard touchdown with 28 seconds to play to give Kentucky a 40-34 lead. Louisville made the final moments interesting as Brian Brohm's Hail Mary pass was batted into the arms of Harry Douglas, but he was tackled short of the goal line. Kentucky took a first quarter 13-0 lead, but Louisville took control on two Brohm touchdown passes and two of Anthony Allen's three touchdowns. Just when it appeared Kentucky was about to take over, going 78 yards on 11 plays on the opening drive of the second half, finishing up with a seven-yard John Conner touchdown catch, the Cards struck right back as Trent Guy took the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a score. The two teams traded scores in the fourth quarterback the Wildcats went 74 yards in eight plays for the game-winning touchdown.
Player of the game: Kentucky QB Andre Woodson finished 30-of-44 for 275 yards and four touchdown passes.
Stat Leaders: Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 28-43, 366 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Anthony Allen, 18-96, 2 TDs. Receiving: Harry Douglas, 13-223, 1 TD
Kentucky - Passing: Andre Woodson, 30-44, 275 yds, 4 TDs
Rushing: Rafael Little, 27-151, 1 TD. Receiving: Keenan Burton, 9-99
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The offense is going to put up yards and points on everyone, but as the loss to Kentucky showed, the defense has too many weakness, and makes too many mistakes. Even with the problems, the Cardinals had its chance to pull out the classic battle, but a defensive mix-up allowed the Wildcats to get their final touchdown after keeping Andre Woodson and the passing game in check for most of the day. With Syracuse and NC State ahead, the team should feel better about itself in a real hurry.

Sept. 6
Louisville 58 ... Middle Tennessee 42
In one of the wildest shootouts in Big East history, Louisville cranked out 729 yards of total offense, but the defense couldn't handle a Middle Tennessee attack that blew up for 555 yards and made it a game late into the fourth. Up 38-35 after halftime, the Cardinals didn't pull away until Brian Brohm threw his fourth and fifth touchdowns of the game, with Mario Urrutia catching a 22-yard strike and Harry Douglas catching a short pass and going ten yards for the touchdown. UL RB Anthony Allen ran for a career high 275 yards and two touchdowns, but it was Middle Tennessee's DeMarco McNair and Phillip Tanner who provided the bolts of lightning. McNair averaged 10.3 yards per carry, helped by a 39-yard touchdown dash in the second quarter, and started off the Blue Raider scoring by taking a pass 79 yards for a score. Tanner, who averaged 16.3 yards per carry, scored three times, with his 79-yard run in the fourth quarter the team's only points of the half. Each team only punted once.
Player of the game: Louisville QB Brian Brohm completed 25 of 39 passes for 401 yards and five touchdowns, and RB Anthony Allen ran 35 times for 275 yards and two scores
Stat Leaders: Middle Tennessee - Passing: Joe Craddock, 14-26, 290 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Phillip Tanner, 9-144, 3 TD. Receiving: DeMarco McNair, 3-92, 1 TD
Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 25-39, 401 yds, 5 TD
Rushing: Anthony Allen, 35-275, 2 TD Receiving: Harry Douglas, 9-100, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... You can exhale now. Yeah, Louisville's offense might have blown past Middle Tennessee like it wasn't even on the field, but the pathetic performance by a Cardinal defense that was constantly out of position and got its doors blown off by big play after big play raised eyebrows for an alleged national title contender. If an awful offense like Middle Tennessee's could do that, imagine what Kentucky might be able to do next week. Get the scoreboard ready because that won't be a defensive slugfest of any sort.

Aug. 30
Louisville 73 ... Murray State 10
Louisville had few problems doing whatever it wanted to as Brian Brohm threw four touchdown passes with two to Harry Douglas and two to Gary Barnidge. MSU answered a 44-yard Douglas score to tie it at seven on a six-yard touchdown catch from Derrick Townsel, and then the Cardinals opened up the floodgates on the way to a 49-point first half. Louisville scored the final 45 points of the game highlighted by a 59-yard Douglas touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, and a 54-yard Trent Guy punt return for a score.
Player of the game: Louisville QB Brian Brohm completed 16 of 21 passes for 375 yards and four touchdowns and ran for a one-yard score.
Stat Leaders: Murray State - Passing: Jeff Ehrhardt, 12-20 88 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Paul McKinnis, 9-72. Receiving: Rod Harper, 4-30
Louisville - Passing: Brian Brohm, 16-21, 375 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: George Stripling, 14-92. Receiving: Harry Douglas, 5-151, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Yeah, Louisville was only playing Murray State and could've hung a hundred if it wanted to, but it was still a meaningful first game considering it was the opening of the Steve Kragthorpe era. Anything less than a 73-point outing would've got the Cardinal fans buzzing, but all the parts appeared to be working. Again, we're talking Murray State here, but several NFL types have to be wondering what Brian Brohm would be like as an Oakland Raider or Cleveland Brown right now.