Weary Cardinals wary of surprising South Florida

[E.T.]

Weary Cardinals wary of surprising South Florida

By WILL GRAVES, AP Sports Writer

November 16, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- The tape machine hasn't been kind to Brian Brohm lately.

First, the Louisville quarterback had to watch film from last Thursday's 28-25 loss to No. 7 Rutgers, a defeat that knocked the 10th-ranked Cardinals out of the national title hunt.

Then, Brohm moved onto tape of last year's game against South Florida (7-3, 3-2 Big East), whom the Cardinals (8-1, 3-1) host on Saturday night at Papa John's Stadium.

Reliving Louisville's stunning 45-14 loss to the Bulls, a game in which he threw for 389 yards but was also sacked four times and failed to throw a touchdown pass, was hardly Brohm's idea of a good time.

"It's not fun to watch," Brohm said. "Hopefully we can learn from that and be better this year."

If the Cardinals want to keep their hopes for a Big East title and a Bowl Championship Series berth alive, they'll have to be.

But bouncing back against the surprising Bulls, who have won four of their last five behind the play of freshman quarterback Matt Grothe and a swarming defense that is holding opponents to 280 yards a game, won't be easy.

Like the Scarlet Knights, South Florida relies on a solid if not spectacular offense and a hard-hitting defense that blitzes mercilessly. That's bad news for a Louisville offense that looked downright ordinary against Rutgers.

The Cardinals managed 53 yards in the second half and Brohm spent most of the night running from a relentless pass rush that sacked him five times.

"I think we just need to stay on the same page and have everyone keep their composure," Brohm said. "We just need to make some plays."

Louisville coach Bobby Petrino called South Florida linebacker Stephen Nicholas "a nightmare" who has spent the last three seasons torturing whoever happens to be under center for the Cardinals. Nicholas' interception in overtime three years ago sealed an upset victory for the Bulls, and he's currently among the conference leaders in tackles and sacks.

"It seems like we've been playing against him forever," Petrino said.

While Louisville, West Virginia and Rutgers have spent the last month jockeying for position atop the conference, the Bulls have steadily improved behind the play of Grothe.

"He's got a lot of courage, got quick feet, got a good release. He's a competitor (and) his receivers have caught the ball," South Florida coach Jim Leavitt said.

Petrino said Grothe reminds him of former Louisville quarterback Stefan Lefors, whose mobility and decision-making helped the Cardinals become the nation's top offense two years ago.

"He has a knack for feeling where the pressure's coming from. We've got to be able to contain him," Petrino said.

Grothe's maturity has put the Bulls in a unique position. With season-ending games against the Cardinals and West Virginia, there's a remote chance the Bulls could be a factor in the Big East race.

"There'd have to be a whole lot of things to happen before we get into the conversation," Leavitt said. "Is it possible? Anything is possible."

For a young team that began the season trying to replace all-everything running back Andre Hall and major question marks at quarterback, South Florida's quick ascension has shown that the Big East is deeper than most experts predicted.

"I think people across the country, whatever they would say about the Big East before, would say it's very strong this year," Leavitt said. "We've stumbled somewhat already this year, losing to Cincinnati, losing to Rutgers here, but we're still battling for our lives."

Leavitt said he knows his team faces an uphill climb this weekend against a team that is 20-1 at home under Petrino and hasn't lost back-to-back games since 2003.

"Louisville can get going fast and they can overwhelm you if you're not careful," Leavitt said.

[E.T.]

Nicholas' interception in overtime three years ago sealed an upset victory for the Bulls,

Ooops  

[BDYZR]

Weary?  They've had nine days off!  Guess who else gets a little rest before the STAMPEDE?

Last year, Stranglese postponed their game because White was injured and wouldn't have been able to play us. Easily could have played the game after the hurricane. He said it would be more fair to wait.

I HOPE win both games this year.

GO BULLS!

[beastiebull]

Weary Cardinals wary of surprising South Florida

Like the Scarlet Knights, South Florida relies on a solid if not spectacular offense and a hard-hitting defense that blitzes mercilessly.

Mercilessly as in once every two series?!

[Minotaur]

Louisville coach Bobby Petrino called South Florida linebacker Stephen Nicholas "a nightmare" who has spent the last three seasons torturing whoever happens to be under center for the Cardinals. Nicholas' interception in overtime three years ago sealed an upset victory for the Bulls, and he's currently among the conference leaders in tackles and sacks.  

"It seems like we've been playing against him forever," Petrino said.

Best compliment for Nicholas that I have ever read.

[Matt]

will graves....haha.  he used to cover my high school baseball team for a small paper called the bonita banner back in ft myers.  now he is up in louisville covering the cards???

good for him, he was a good guy.