By Sonja Sykes
Tuesday night is traditionally not a big one for college football. You could spend your evening going through the mismatched sock drawer or attempting to master the numbers game Sudoku. A better option would be to watch an intriguing match up on “the deuce” (ESPN2 at eight o’clock) this evening.
Viewers won’t get Tirico, Erin Andrews or Lee Corso (thank goodness!). Something more constructive: a chance to scout Middle Tennessee, which will visit Papa John’s in a couple of weeks, plus a trip down memory lane with the coach that thrust UofL football into national consciousness.
The TV spotlight will be on Florida Atlantic vs. Middle Tennessee, a game involving former Louisville coach Howard Schnellenberger and a future Cards’ opponent. Both teams are 1-3.
Longtime Cardinal fans will remember some of Howard’s coaching staff. Gary Nord has returned as offensive coordinator. Kurt Van Valkenberg has been with Howard since Al Gore invented the Internet and hard hitting Ex-Cardinal linebacker Johnny Frost coaches the defensive ends.
The game will be the first national telecast at Middle Tennessee’s Floyd Stadium. It’s a “black-out” night. Promotional coupons for discounted tickets have been distributed all over Murfreesboro to create a sellout.
A heartbreaking loss at the final gun for Howard and the Owls, and a deja vu of sorts for the Blue Raiders. Their hail mary against the Cats fell short by the length of a football, this time they get the TD. One has to think our defense is a little better than FAU’s, although the FAU linebackers did an excellent job, and I think we’ll be able to move the ball up and down the field on the Blue Raiders a lot better than FAU did. The key, of course, is finishing with points on drives into the red zone.
Maybe by then, we’ll have found a solid kicker that Krags won’t be afraid to insert for a 40 yard attempt, if need be. Ironic, UConn kicker Desi Cullen followed the Cards growing up, went to Butler, and the coaching staff there sent tons of film to Petrino and tried to get him a scholly at UofL, but we had “automatic” Art at the time, declined interest and UConn offered the scholarship. Desi’s little brother tried the same route, but Krags wasn’t interested and he went to Murray State. Some say he’s even better than Desi…
Right you are, Ken. Surprised me also, but it looks like the series against the Lady Hilltoppers is on hold. More Wood Selig intrigue and mystery at work here?