By Paul Sykes
I’m not a big fan of having to open up against an opponent that will already have a game under its belt and the luxury of a couple of extra days to prepare, but this is Indiana State, not Penn State.
ISU, the University of Louisville’s opening opponent, will have one game under its belt before it arrives at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on Sept. 5th. The Sycamores will host Quincy College from Illinois this Thursday evening.
- ISU returns 19 starters from last season’s 0-12 team, including 10 players on offense and nine on defense.
- Sophomore Chris Stolzreim, a transfer from Wyoming, has emerged as the likely starting quarterback. He’ll have returning wideouts Koby Kraemer, Ryan Roberts, and Jeramie Gray (from Jeffersonville) as targets, as well as juco transfer Larry Lacotti, the leading receiver in a recent scrimmage. Junior running backs Darrius Gates and Antoine Brown are getting the majority of the carries in practice.
- Defensively, the Sycamores set up in a 4-2-5. Linemen Jordan Bright, a 6-foot-7, 290-pound red shirt freshman and Milton Redwine, a 6-foot-3 junior, will test the Cards up front. Coaches expect big things out of senior defensive back Mike Woods, who sat out 2008 with a leg injury.
- Alex Sewell, who lead the team in tackles last year, and Larry Carter return in a secondary that ranked ninth last year in NCAA passing defense, allowing only 152 yards a game.
Louisville should win easily against the Sycamores. The margin will depend on how many guys Kragthorpe wants to have see action. My guess is that he’ll turn it over to the reserves in the fourth quarter if the Cards are comfortably ahead. Let’s go with Louisville 45-17.
Who’s up for a road trip to Terre Haute on a Thursday night to scout the Sycamores?
I was in Terre Haute several years ago and asked a policeman where a particular restaurant was located. His response was:
“Don’t go there. I got indigestion there once.”
Chamber of Commerce types everywhere you look…
Road trip to the Haute? Only city I know that has a
7 1/2 Street.
Lurch,
Loved your work on “The Adaams Family” Shame you couldn’t have converted that height into a basketball career.
True, ISU won the last one against us in ’84. ISU will probably come in here on the 5th 1-0 after trouncing powerhosue Quincy. Won’t matter. Cards win. Cards win.
First of two wins before travelling to Utah to shock the world.
Sit back, drink the red kool aid. Good, isn’t it? Close your eyes and visulaize Vic Anderson and Bilal Powell thru the ISU /UK defenses. See long passes being hauled in by Doug Beaumont, Trent Guy, Josh Chicester. That’s Jon Dempsey and Brandon Heath making bone rattling tackles! There goes Johnny Patrick and Preston Pace grabbing interceptions!
Have another sip. Look at the disillsuioned fans pouring out of Commonwealth Stadium after losing to the Cards.
It’s coming, baby. Drain the glass and get ready. And say Hi to Gomez and Uncle Fester for me.
Oh yea, forgot the cats game.. 56-6 catz. As much as I hate to say it…Ramsey calls Jurich right after the game.
Sorry krags….Sycamores by 10 over the Cards. They also beat us 41-22 in 1984….
Hi, CARDFAN4 LIFE…
And, how many did UK score on us last year? Seems like I remember 27? And you know UK…bigger, faster, stronger every year since Adolph was a little boy…lolol.
Will have a prediction on the Commonwealth Clash in a few weeks.
Hey Paul,
Look forward to seeing you guys down here this weekend! Thanks for the ticket info on the 1st game. Look forward to a great time in “Da Ville” Labor Day weekend. Go CARDS! BEAT ISU! BEAT EVERYONE! BEATLES FOREVER!
I offer the 17 points because if we blow these guys out early (and we should) hopefully Krags will empty the bench and get everyone game experience. Our third string against their first string could be interesting.
You must have a healthy respect for each and every opponent. There are no automatic wins in college football. Just ask Michigan.
Paul, If the Sycamores score 17 on the Cards, UK will score 30+. I don’t care who they have returning, they are a team full of low talent kids who get drummed by any decent opponent. UofL needs to win this game by 40+ and not give up more than one touchdown.