University of Louisville
KENTUCKY
Cardinals Drop Season Opener
August 31, 2008 | Football
Aug. 31, 2008
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery 
Audio Clip
- All audio files require the latest version of the FREE Real Player.
Ashton Cobb returned a Louisville fumble 28 yards for a touchdown and Myron Pryor returned another fumble 72 yards for a score as the Wildcats embarrassed Louisville 27-2 in the Governor's Cup on Sunday.
Tony Dixon added a 7-yard touchdown run for the Wildcats, who have won two straight over their archrivals for the first time in a decade.
Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline threw for 147 yards and avoided major mistakes in his first college start, and the Wildcats' defense shut down Louisville, holding the Cardinals without a touchdown for the first time since a shutout loss to Florida State in 2000.
Kentucky forced five turnovers and stuffed Louisville's retooled offense, playing with the kind tenacity coach Rich Brooks said the Wildcats would need early in the season while his team's inexperienced offense found its footing. Kentucky held Louisville, which averaged 416.5 yards per game a year ago, to just 205 yards.
Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe was hoping for a fresh start after a disappointing debut last season. Instead, the Cardinals appear to have plenty of work ahead if they want to climb back toward the top of the Big East.
While the defense showed significant improvement under new coordinator Ron English - holding the Wildcats to 210 yards of total offense - the offense looked overwhelmed at times.
Hunter Cantwell finished 20-of-43 for 152 yards and three interceptions.
Hartline looked crisp on shorter routes but struggled to throw downfield. He threw for 147 yards and no touchdowns, but did his best not to force things, settling for short passes or throwing the ball away when nothing developed.
The Wildcats forced a punt on the ensuing possession but Louisville appeared to get a break when the punt glanced off Kentucky's Dicky Lyons and the Cardinals recovered. Officials, however ruled Louisville's Bilal Powell interfered with Lyons even though replays showed Powell backing away from Lyons when the ball landed.
The Cardinals' will next face Tennesse Tech Saturday, September 6. Game time is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET.
