By Brandon Davis

On Tuesday, University of Louisville head coach Steve Kragthorpe announced that junior Justin Burke was named starting quarterback over junior Adam Froman.  
Kragthorpe told reporters that Burke’s consistency proved to be the deciding factor.
“Justin is a very intelligent player,” Kragthorpe said. “He’s a guy that has a good grasp of what we’re doing offensively and he’s got a good grasp of what the defense is trying to do against him. He works extremely hard; he’s very diligent in terms of preparing himself, not only from a physical standpoint, but from a mental standpoint.”
After the intense competition waged between teammates for the top spot, the manner in which Kragthorpe informed Burke of his decision may seem a bit surprising. Burke was pleased nonetheless.
“Coach Kragthorpe took me into his office at 2:30 and told me before practice. [It was] just a five, 10 minute conversation,” Burke said. “He just told me how he believes in me and where he thinks I can take this program.”
Burke is the only quarterback on the U of L roster with Football Bowl Subdivision experience. Before transferring to Louisville last year, he played in three games for North Carolina State as a redshirt freshman. He completed two of three passes for 15 yards. 
As a senior in high school, the 6-foot-3, 229-pound Burke, who played for Lexington Catholic, was rated as the No. 12 quarterback by SuperPrep.com. He was also named Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Kentucky and was a finalist for the award nationally.  
Though he has yet to start a game at the collegiate level, Kragthorpe is confident that Burke has the necessary skills to succeed.
“I’m very excited for him,” Kragthorpe said of Burke. “I think he’s been a very consistent performer for us in training camp and I know he’s very excited to be the guy who takes the first snap [against Indiana State].”  
While Burke said he was thrilled when he learned the news, it was not the time to rejoice just yet.  
“I was excited. You work so hard in practice every day and you boil and sweat for something; it’s good to obtain the goal. Now it’s time to get down to business,” Burke said.
Kragthorpe also explained that Burke’s attention to detail played a large role in his decision to award him the starting gig. However, it is also an area of concern that will need to be addressed before the bullets start to fly.  
“He’s his own worst critic,” Kragthorpe said. “I think that’s going to be one of the things I’m going to have to do to make sure he plays well for us. I’m going to have to keep him positive when he makes a mistake. Because it’s going to happen; that’s the nature of this game.”  
For years Cardinal fans have had the luxury of not needing to worry about the quarterback position. But since the end of last season, it has been up in the air. The wondering is now over, the speculation has ended and now there is another homegrown commodity poised to lead the Cards in the most significant position on the field.