Hunter Cantwell is familiar with Kansas State.

In 2006, Louisville’s then-sophomore completed 18-of-26 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown to lead the Cardinals to a 24-6 win over the Wildcats.

Cantwell made just two starts that year, serving primarily as a backup to current Green Bay Packers quarterback Brian Brohm.

Now, two years later, Cantwell is preparing to face Kansas State as a senior. This time, he’s doing so as the Cardinals full-time starter. Cantwell has been spotty this year while leading Louisville to a 1-1 record. He’s 35-for-66 for 355 yards and two touchdowns in the first two games of the season.

Louisville head coach Steve Kragthrope said one of the reasons Cantwell was so successful against Kansas State in 2006 was because of the Cardinals ability to run the ball. This time around, Kragthrope doesn’t plan to change his game plan against the Wildcats.

‘We want to run the ball as well as we did because it sets up play action for Hunter,’ Kragthorpe said. ‘We can manage the situation more when we are in control of the offensive like that.’

Cantwell has only started six games for the Cardinals since arriving in Louisville in 2005. His most high-profile appearance came in the 2006 Gator Bowl. Cantwell filled in for the injured Brohm and struggled, throwing for 216 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in the Cardinals 35-24 loss to Virginia Tech.

In 2007, Cantwell only appeared in three games, each of which in spot duty.

This season, Cantwell got off to a rocky start against Kentucky. He threw three interceptions in Louisville’s season opening loss to Wildcats, 27-2.

The senior rebounded in the Cardinal’s 55-10 win over Tennessee Tech. Cantwell threw for two touchdowns and no interceptions against the Golden Eagles.

Both Louisville and Kansas State had a bye week last weekend, so each team has had an equal amount of time to rest and practice before the mid-week game.

Saturday’s contest will be the first real test for the Wildcats, who are coming off a pair of lopsided wins against North Texas and Montana State. Kansas State outscored its opponents by a combined score of 114-16 in those games, led by quarterback Josh Freeman (520 yards, five touchdowns so far).

Cantwell may have to outduel Freeman if the Cardinals plan on defending its home field and coming up with a vital win.

‘K-State is playing extremely well right now, led by its quarterback Freeman,’ Kragthorpe said. ‘He’s having an outstanding year, a big, strong physical passer. (He’s) a guy we certainly are going to have to play well against.’

Bull rush

South Florida took home most of the Big East’s weekly awards following its dramatic, 37-34 win over then-No. 13 Kansas.

USF freshman kicker Maikon Bonani earned Big East special teams player of the week honors, making 3-of-4 of his field goals, including the game-winner from 43 yards.

Junior safety Nate Allen took home defensive player of the week after he intercepted Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing’s pass in the final minute of Saturday’s game to help seal the win for the Bulls.

Finally, quarterback Matt Grothe was named to the Big East weekly honor roll after completing 32-of-45 passes for more than 338 yards and two touchdowns.

Rival for the Victory Bell

Cincinnati will take on its in-state rival, Miami (Ohio), Saturday at Nippert Stadium. The two schools have played each other every year since 1888.

‘Our kids certainly are excited about this one,’ said Brian Kelly, Cincinnati head coach. ‘Anytime there’s proximity and geography, you know they’re only about 40 miles away, makes for an exciting game. Miami was the (Mid-American Conference East) champs last year. For us, that’s three consecutive weeks of conference champions.’

Miami leads the series, 59-46-7. This will be the 113th time the two teams have met. The rival for the Victory Bell is the oldest non-conference rival in college football.

mkgalant@syr.edu

Published on September 16, 2008 at 12:00 pm