Cards drag Heels

By David Hamrick

For the first time all season the University of Louisville Cardinal football team put together two halves of inspired football and routed the visiting North Carolina Tar Heels 69-14. Sparked by quarterback Brian Brohms’ 304 yards passing and for touchdowns, the Cards score of 69 was the most ever allowed by a Tar Heel football team which has fielded a team since 1888.

Running back Michael Bush scored the first three touchdowns of the game for the Cardinals, two rushing and one receiving, as they extended their lead to 38-7 at the half.

"I did like the way we came out with a lot of guys making plays," Head Coach Bobby Petrino said. "I like the way our players responded with energy and enthusiasm."

The offense wasn’t the only unit that was clicking on all cylinders. The defense, lead again by defensive end Elvis Dumervil, held the Tar Heels to 108 rushing yards and forced three turnovers. Dumervil continued his dominant play this season getting three sacks, two forced fumbles, and the first interception of his career. Dumervil is now one forced fumble away from the NCAA record for total forced fumbles in a season.

Brohm completed 17 of 22 passes on the day and hit eight different receivers. Wide out Mario Urrutia caught one pass for 73 yards and a touchdown, Montrell Jones caught 5 balls for 86 yards and a score, and Joshua Tinch caught four passes for 50 yards.

"Once we got going, we couldn’t be stopped," said Brohm of the Cards dominating performance. "It was our best game as an offense. Each week, we’re getting very confident, very comfortable."