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The University of Louisville Cardinals made their first trip to a major BCS Bowl game and were victorious after defeating the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 24-13 in the FedEx Orange Bowl.
Students, fans and friends trekked to Miami, Fla., for the Jan. 2 game, ringing in the New Year with style and a 12-1 overall team finish.
“I can’t believe our team is this good,” said sophomore communication major Whitney Ryan. But the high-octane, record-setting season was overshadowed by news that head coach Bobby Petrino accepted a position as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and by the uncertain future of the Derby City Duo, junior quarterback Brian Brohm and senior running back Michael Bush.
Brohm could skip his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, possibly going in the first round.
“Coming back [next year] to win a National Championship looks really appealing right now,” said Brohm the Orange Bowl MVP.
“Hopefully Brohm will stay on for another year,” said sophomore finance major Ben Hayden. “Maybe next year we can go undefeated.”
Bush, after a season-ending broken leg, could go to the NFL also. Some analysts say he could go as early as late in the first round. But Bush could return for another season if granted a medical redshirt.
Aside from Bush and Brohm, senior Amobi Okoye graduated this past semester and is expected to go pro. As a lineman he finished with 55 tackles, 15 of which were for a loss of 57 yards. Due to his size and young age, some analysts have him pinned as first round draft material.
Even though U of L’s finest are still debating whether to go pro, next year’s returners look strong. Mario Urrutia, Sergio Spencer, Harry Douglas and Patrick Carter could all be major playmakers.
If Brohm doesn’t return, quarterback Hunter Cantwell will take over, while Lou Groza award winner jumior kicker Art Carmody is expected to keep on kicking his way into the record books.
Louisville’s high-octane offense finished out this season ranked second in total offense and in the top ten in passing and rushing.
Still, students are very excited to see what could be next for Louisville football in the coming season. All 17,500 tickets allotted to the University Louisville Athletic Office were sold for the Orange Bowl.
“I would love to see us get to the BCS Championship Bowl,” said sophomore marketing major Maggie Hartman. “It would help our school get more recognition.”
Louisville football starts spring practice soon and then opens the season against Kentucky.
