Hunter Cantwell enters a familiar situation this Wednesday night when Louisville (1-1) faces off against Kansas State (2-0). Cantwell's third start of 2008 will be his second all-time against the Wildcats.
Louisville product Brian Brohm suffered a left thumb injury during the third quarter of Louisville's 2006 battle against Miami, but the hometown fans didn't sweat a drop. Cantwell had proven his guts and ability in the 2005 Gator Bowl, nearly defeating Virginia Tech with a determined outlook and a bloody nose.
The Paducah, KY prospect was handed the keys to Bobby Petrino's No. 1 ranked scoring offense, and the backup quarterback didn't disappoint.
Brohm was out the next week with surgery on his thumb, and Cantwell was called upon to start against sleeper Kansas State. The Cardinals won 24-6 that day, with Cantwell's only mistake coming in the form of a third quarter interception.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Enter 2008, and a new storyline appears. Petrino is out of town on several business meetings, and Steve Kragthorpe's squad is hardly the No. 8-ranked machine Petrino left behind.
In fact, the only number eight Kragthorpe is shooting for is eight wins at Louisville—in two years. The hot seat isn't hot for Kragthorpe any more: It's melting into nothingness, and under it lies a trip back to the glory days of small time football.
Talk about a role reversal. Kansas State is make or break for the Cardinals, who at one time were the Goliath to the Wildcats' David.
A win on Wednesday eases the tension between Kragthorpe and the fans. A loss solidifies his departure at season's end.
Louisville's Papa John's Cardinal Stadium has become a stomping ground for opposing teams since Kragthorpe's reign of losing began, and Kansas State represents the last-ditch effort to maintain respect for a program that was on the rise.
Attendance is shrinking rapidly, but people still care enough to buy tickets before they land on gas station counters.
A loss is looking likely for Louisville. Kansas State's offense is rolling this season, averaging 57 points after two games. Cantwell will need to put some points on the board—something the Louisville offense failed to do against rival Kentucky in the Cardinal's only FBS game thus far.
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