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2007 Season Outlook
2007 Season Outlook
LOUISVILLE STARTS A NEW JOURNEY AS THE
STEVE KRAGTHORPE ERA BEGINS
With a whirlwind winter and spring now in the
rear-view mirror and fall camp looming, Louisville
head coach Steve Kragthorpe enters his inaugural
season with the talent to repeat as BIG EAST
champions and a return to a BCS bowl game.
However, Kragthorpe knows that task will be
huge as the BIG EAST Conference might be one of
the most difficult leagues in the country as at least
three teams are ranked in the top 15 nationally.
Named as the Cardinals’ 20th head coach on
January 9, Kragthorpe has been nothing short of
exceptional since replacing Bobby Petrino, who
went 41-9 in four seasons at the helm.
Kragthorpe immediately won over the city, the
fans and, most importantly, the players. His calm
and patient demeanor but still disciplined style, has
helped breathe new life into the players and the
program.
Kragthorpe also hired an experienced and highenergy
staff who sold the players on how close they
were to playing in the national championship game
a year ago and how hard work and dedication can
get them there in 2007.
It all began in January when Kragthorpe
quickly made the transition by hiring an aggressive
staff who blazed the recruiting trails. In just three
weeks, the new coaching staff put together one of
the nation’s top recruiting classes in the country.
With 50 letter winners returning, including 21
players who started at least one game, and the return
of quarterback Brian Brohm, everyone is excited
about returning to the field this fall to begin the
quest for a second straight BIG EAST title.
With Petrino gone, the offense must find a new
identity, and it seems they’ve found one under the
direction of Charlie Stubbs, who was the offensive
coordinator under Kragthorpe at Tulsa. Stubbs’
organized approach to offense seemed to work well
in the spring. Brohm looked comfortable settling
into his new offensive scheme.
Based on the returning experience from one of
the most explosive units in the country last season,
the offense is primed to guide the team again. Losing
starters at tackle, guard and running back is
significant, but plenty of veterans return at every
spot. Developing cohesion on the offensive line and
learning more of the offense will be two of the major
areas to focus on during preseason camp.
The entire receiving corp returns as standouts
Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia, who combined to
catch 128 passes for 2,238 yards (17.5 ypc) and 12
touchdowns, are both back and expect to have huge
seasons with Brohm under center. Senior tight end
Gary Barnidge, who caught a career-high 31 passes
for 511 yards and four touchdowns, is a big target
and will be featured in Stubbs’ offensive scheme.
Running backs Kolby Smith and Michael Bush
both graduated, which will hurt the depth at that
position, but the Cardinals are still talented at that
spot with the return of Sergio Spencer, Anthony
Allen, Brock Bolen and George Stripling.
The success of the offense will largely depend
on the prowess of an experienced but unproven
offensive line that must mesh with a couple new
starters.
Three starters from ‘06 return: center Eric
Wood, guard Daniel Barlowe and
tackle George Bussey. They
will likely be joined by
Breno Giacomini, who has
played tackle and tight
end, and guard
Marcel Benson,
who also has
plenty of game
experience.
Defensively,
the Cardinals
lose key
performers in
defensive tackle Amobi
Okoye, linebacker Nate Harris,
cornerbacks William Gay and
Gavin Smart and safety Brandon
Sharp, but the Cardinals still
have a lot of depth and
experience. Louisville has 10
players who started at least
three games a year ago.
Despite losing Okoye and
Zach Anderson along the
defensive line, four
legitimate starters return as
defensive ends Peanut
Whitehead and Brandon Cox
join defensive tackles Adrian
Grady and Earl Heyman.
The secondary loses three
key components, but still has a
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