Louisville Cardinals football
Encyclopedia
The Louisville Cardinals football team represents the University of Louisville
in college football
as a member of the Big East Conference
. Howard Schnellenberger
started the program's rise to relevancy after winning the Miami Hurricanes
' first national championship. After winning only eight games in his first three years at Louisville, Schnellenberger won 32 over his last five, including a 10–1–1 season in 1990. Under the guidance of coaches John L. Smith
and Bobby Petrino
, the Cards made nine straight bowl game appearances from 1998 to 2006 and earned national rankings as high as sixth in 2004 and 2006. Louisville won 41 games in Petrino's four years as head coach (2003–2006), going 13–3 in Conference USA
, 11–3 in the Big East, and 2–2 in bowl games.
Louisville went 12–1 in 2006
, winning the Big East championship and the Orange Bowl
, to date the school's only appearance in a Bowl Championship Series
bowl game. The Cardinals had hopes of playing in the BCS National Championship Game
before losing at Rutgers
in November. After winning the Orange Bowl, Petrino left for the NFL
's Atlanta Falcons
. Less than 48 hours after Petrino's resignation, Steve Kragthorpe
was hired from the University of Tulsa
, where he had gone 29–22 in four years as a head coach. Kragthorpe had unforeseen problems at Louisville however and the Cardinals' fortunes went steadily downhill. After finishing the 2009 season 4–8, another coaching change was made.
On December 9, 2009, Charlie Strong
was hired as Louisville's 21st head coach. Strong had been a defensive coordinator for 11 years at South Carolina and the Florida Gators
, studying under the likes of Lou Holtz
and Urban Meyer
. Although finally just obtaining his first head coaching position at the age of 50, Strong's energy immediately rejuvenated the Louisville fan base.
The Louisville Cardinals football team plays its home games at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
. The stadium was constructed with a capacity of 42,000 in 1998 for $63 million. However, the university completed a major expansion and renovation for the 2010 season. The $72 million project, which began in December 2008, features an elevated south-end terrace connecting the east and west sides of the stadium, 33 additional suites, 1,725 additional club seats, a second 100-yard-long club room, and 13,000 more chairback seats, bringing the total capacity to 55,000-plus.
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium will play host to its 14th season of Cardinal football in 2011 and has become one of the best home fields in the country. Specifically, since 1998, the Cardinals are 61-21 at home. Louisville won a school-record 20 straight home games from 2004 to 2007 (Syracuse snapped the streak with a 38-35 win in 2007). The Cardinals have won 17 of their last 19 non-conference home games since 2003. The structure, which sits on the south end of the metropolitan campus, is constructed with the ability for future expansion to more than 80,000 seats.
The Howard Schnellenberger Football Complex which honors the former Cardinal head coach, also sits inside the stadium area and houses the team's coaches, staff, training room, strength and conditioning area and academic services for the student athletes. Schnellenberger initially proposed building the on-campus Papa John's Cardinal Stadium during his tenure at Louisville and is credited with keeping the project alive.
s, amassing a record of 7–7–1. Louisville attended a bowl each season from 1998–2006.
* A January bowl. The regular season that this bowl is part of is actually the year prior.
was on its own 21-yard line with six seconds left in a 10-10 tie, in October 1989
. Quarterback Brett Favre
threw a Hail Mary pass that was deflected, but it bounced off the helmet of Southern Mississippi's Michael Jackson and into the hands of wide receiver Darryl Tillman, who scored a touchdown with no time left. The play was later voted on as one of the "Top 5 Memorable Moments" in college football history in an online vote at ESPN.com.
, Louisville hosted the #4-ranked Florida State Seminoles
to overtime with a 20-20 tie. In the first play of overtime, FSU QB Chris Rix
threw an interception to Louisville's Anthony Floyd
. On the second play of overtime, Louisville's Henry Miller took a hand-off from quarterback Dave Ragone
and went 25 yards for the game-winning touchdown; the final score was 26-20. The PJCS crowd, which did not sit down the entire game, stormed the field and tore down the goal posts.
in the Toyota Gator Bowl
.
in front of the largest national audience to watch an ESPN-broadcast
college football game. Louisville was the first team all season to physically match West Virginia's running game, and this resulted in an injury to Steve Slaton
. This affected his ball handling, causing him to fumble the ball three times. One was recovered for a Louisville touchdown by linebacker Malik Jackson
. Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm
threw for 354 yards and one touchdown in a 44-34 Louisville victory over Pat White and the Mountaineers.
in school history, the Louisville Cardinals defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons
24-13 in Dolphin Stadium
in Miami, FL. It was the last Louisville game coached by Bobby Petrino
.
Consecutive wins at home: 22
Consecutive games without being shut out: 89, 1992-2000
Consecutive shutouts of opponents: 6, 1912-1913
Consecutive bowl appearances: 9, 1998–2006
9/6/2007
Most rushing yards (season): 1,429 Howard Stevens in the 1971 season
Most rushing yards (career): 3,204 Walter Peacock 1972-1975
Most passing yards (game): 592 Chris Redman
against East Carolina
Most passing yards (season): 4,042 Chris Redman
in the 1998 season
Most passing yards (career): 12,541 Chris Redman
1996-1999
Most receiving yards (game): 223 Harry Douglas
in 40-34 loss to Kentucky
on 9/15/2007
Most receiving yards (season): 1,209 Arnold Jackson in the 1999 season
Most receiving yards (career): 3,670 Arnold Jackson 1997-2000
Most sacks (game): 6 (tied for most-ever in a single game) Elvis Dumervil
in a win over Kentucky
in 2005.
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
in college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
as a member of the Big East Conference
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
. Howard Schnellenberger
Howard Schnellenberger
Howard Schnellenberger is an American football coach at both the professional and college level. He is currently in his final season as head coach of Florida Atlantic University, having announced his retirement on August 11, 2011, effective at the end of the 2011 season...
started the program's rise to relevancy after winning the Miami Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
' first national championship. After winning only eight games in his first three years at Louisville, Schnellenberger won 32 over his last five, including a 10–1–1 season in 1990. Under the guidance of coaches John L. Smith
John L. Smith
John L. Smith is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the special teams coach at the University of Arkansas, under head coach Bobby Petrino...
and Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arkansas, a position he has held since the 2008 season...
, the Cards made nine straight bowl game appearances from 1998 to 2006 and earned national rankings as high as sixth in 2004 and 2006. Louisville won 41 games in Petrino's four years as head coach (2003–2006), going 13–3 in Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
, 11–3 in the Big East, and 2–2 in bowl games.
Louisville went 12–1 in 2006
2006 Louisville Cardinals football team
The 2006 Louisville Cardinals football team represented the University of Louisville in the 2006 college football season. The team, led by Bobby Petrino in his fourth year at the school, played their home games in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium...
, winning the Big East championship and the Orange Bowl
2007 Orange Bowl
The 2007 FedEx Orange Bowl game is a college football bowl game. It is part of the 2006-2007 Bowl Championship Series of the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Orange Bowl was first played in 1935. The 2007 game was played on January 2, 2007, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens,...
, to date the school's only appearance in a Bowl Championship Series
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
bowl game. The Cardinals had hopes of playing in the BCS National Championship Game
2007 BCS National Championship Game
The 2007 BCS National Championship Game, sponsored by Tostitos, was an American football game played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on January 8, 2007. The BCS No. 2 Florida Gators defeated the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes, 41–14. The Buckeyes secured a spot by finishing...
before losing at Rutgers
2006 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team
The 2006 Rutgers Scarlet Knights campaign was considered by many to be the breakout season for the Rutgers football team. Led by Draddy Trophy winning senior fullback Brian Leonard, sophomore quarterback Mike Teel, sophomore halfback Ray Rice, sophomore wide receiver Tiquan Underwood, junior...
in November. After winning the Orange Bowl, Petrino left for the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Less than 48 hours after Petrino's resignation, Steve Kragthorpe
Steve Kragthorpe
Steve Kragthorpe is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the quarterbacks coach for the Louisiana State University Tigers football team. He was head coach at Louisville from 2007 to 2009, and for Tulsa from 2003 through 2006.- Early career :Kragthorpe was born in...
was hired from the University of Tulsa
University of Tulsa
The University of Tulsa is a private university awarding bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. It is currently ranked 75th among doctoral degree granting universities in the nation by US News and World Report and is listed as one of the "Best 366 Colleges" by...
, where he had gone 29–22 in four years as a head coach. Kragthorpe had unforeseen problems at Louisville however and the Cardinals' fortunes went steadily downhill. After finishing the 2009 season 4–8, another coaching change was made.
On December 9, 2009, Charlie Strong
Charlie Strong
Charlie R. Strong is an American college football coach and former player. Strong is a native of Arkansas and graduated from the University of Central Arkansas, where he played college football...
was hired as Louisville's 21st head coach. Strong had been a defensive coordinator for 11 years at South Carolina and the Florida Gators
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are the intercollegiate sports teams that represent the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida. The "Lady Gators" is an alternative nickname sometimes used by the Gators women's teams...
, studying under the likes of Lou Holtz
Lou Holtz
Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
and Urban Meyer
Urban Meyer
Urban Frank Meyer, III is an American football coach and former player. He is head football coach at Ohio State University, having been hired for the position in November 2011...
. Although finally just obtaining his first head coaching position at the age of 50, Strong's energy immediately rejuvenated the Louisville fan base.
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium is a football stadium located in Louisville, Kentucky, USA and serves as the home of the University of Louisville football program. It opened in 1998, making it the second-to-last football stadium in NCAA Division I-A to open in the 20th century, with SMU's Gerald J....
. The stadium was constructed with a capacity of 42,000 in 1998 for $63 million. However, the university completed a major expansion and renovation for the 2010 season. The $72 million project, which began in December 2008, features an elevated south-end terrace connecting the east and west sides of the stadium, 33 additional suites, 1,725 additional club seats, a second 100-yard-long club room, and 13,000 more chairback seats, bringing the total capacity to 55,000-plus.
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium will play host to its 14th season of Cardinal football in 2011 and has become one of the best home fields in the country. Specifically, since 1998, the Cardinals are 61-21 at home. Louisville won a school-record 20 straight home games from 2004 to 2007 (Syracuse snapped the streak with a 38-35 win in 2007). The Cardinals have won 17 of their last 19 non-conference home games since 2003. The structure, which sits on the south end of the metropolitan campus, is constructed with the ability for future expansion to more than 80,000 seats.
The Howard Schnellenberger Football Complex which honors the former Cardinal head coach, also sits inside the stadium area and houses the team's coaches, staff, training room, strength and conditioning area and academic services for the student athletes. Schnellenberger initially proposed building the on-campus Papa John's Cardinal Stadium during his tenure at Louisville and is credited with keeping the project alive.
Trager Center
The University of Louisville's Trager Center indoor practice facility just north of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, was officially opened on Thursday, Dec. 1 and used by the Cardinal football team. The indoor practice facility features a 120-yard FieldTurf field, a 100-meter four-lane sprint track, pole vault and long jump pits, as well as, batting cages for both baseball and softball. It's also equipped for the soccer, field hockey and lacrosse teams to use.Rivalries
- Governor's CupGovernor's Cup (Kentucky)The Governor's Cup is a trophy awarded to the victor of the annual college football game between the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville; it is also used as a reference to the rivalry itself. Though the teams first played in 1912 the Governor's Cup has been awarded every year...
(vs. KentuckyKentucky Wildcats footballThe Kentucky Wildcats football team is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the East Division of the Southeastern Conference.-History:Paul "Bear" Bryant Era...
) - Louisville – West Virginia rivalry
- The Keg of NailsThe Keg of NailsThe Keg of Nails is a traveling trophy in college football, awarded to the winner of the Universities of Louisville and Cincinnati since 1929....
(vs. CincinnatiCincinnati Bearcats footballThe Cincinnati Bearcats football program represents the University of Cincinnati in a college football. They compete at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level as members of the Big East Conference. The Bearcat football program is one of the nation's oldest, having fielded a team as...
)
Bowl history
Louisville has been to 15 bowl gameBowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
s, amassing a record of 7–7–1. Louisville attended a bowl each season from 1998–2006.
| Year and Bowl | Winning team | Losing team | Result | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Sun Bowl Sun Bowl The Sun Bowl is an annual U.S. college football bowl game that is usually played at the end of December in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl... |
Louisville | 34 | Drake Drake Bulldogs football The Drake Bulldogs football program represents Drake University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level. Drake began competing in intercollegiate football in 1893.-Historic 1922 season:... |
20 | Won | |||
| 1970 | Pasadena Bowl Pasadena Bowl The Pasadena Bowl, was called the Junior Rose Bowl from 1946–71 and 1976–77. Between 1946–66 and 1976–77, the game pitted the California Junior College football champions vs. The NJCAA football champions for the National Championship. It was organized by the Pasadena Junior... |
Louisville | 24 | Long Beach State California State University, Long Beach California State University, Long Beach is the second largest campus of the California State University system and the third largest university in the state of California by enrollment... |
24 | Tie | |||
| 1977 | Independence Bowl Independence Bowl The Independence Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I college football bowl game that is played annually at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, so named because it was inaugurated in the United States bicentennial year, 1976.... |
Louisiana Tech Louisiana Tech University Louisiana Tech University, often referred to as Louisiana Tech, LA Tech, or Tech, is a coeducational public research university located in Ruston, Louisiana. Louisiana Tech is designated as a Tier 1 school in the national universities category by the 2012 U.S. News & World Report college rankings... |
24 | Louisville | 14 | Lost | |||
| 1991* | Fiesta Bowl Fiesta Bowl The Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Frito-Lay and named with their Tostitos brand, is a United States college football bowl game played annually at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Between its origination in 1971 and 2006, the game was hosted in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil... |
Louisville | 34 | Alabama Alabama Crimson Tide football |TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team... |
7 | Won | |||
| 1993 | Liberty Bowl Liberty Bowl The Liberty Bowl is an annual U.S. American college football bowl game played in December of each year from 1959 to 2007 and in January in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty Bowl was sponsored by AXA Financial and was known as the AXA Liberty Bowl from 1997 to 2003... |
Louisville | 18 | Michigan State Michigan State Spartans football The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level... |
7 | Won | |||
| 1998 | Motor City Bowl Motor City Bowl The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl is a post-season college football bowl game certified by the NCAA that has been played annually since 1997. The first five games were played at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. Starting in 2002, the game was moved to 65,000-seat Ford Field in downtown... |
Marshall Marshall University Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States.... |
48 | Louisville | 29 | Lost | |||
| 1999 | Humanitarian Bowl | Boise State Boise State Broncos football This page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West... |
34 | Louisville | 31 | Lost | |||
| 2000 | Liberty Bowl Liberty Bowl The Liberty Bowl is an annual U.S. American college football bowl game played in December of each year from 1959 to 2007 and in January in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty Bowl was sponsored by AXA Financial and was known as the AXA Liberty Bowl from 1997 to 2003... |
Colorado State Colorado State University Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and... |
22 | Louisville | 17 | Lost | |||
| 2001 | Liberty Bowl Liberty Bowl The Liberty Bowl is an annual U.S. American college football bowl game played in December of each year from 1959 to 2007 and in January in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty Bowl was sponsored by AXA Financial and was known as the AXA Liberty Bowl from 1997 to 2003... |
Louisville | 28 | BYU | 10 | Won | |||
| 2002 | GMAC Bowl GMAC Bowl The GoDaddy.com Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game that has been played annually at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama since 1999. It currently matches teams from the Sun Belt Conference and the Mid-American Conference, and... |
Marshall Marshall University Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States.... |
38 | Louisville | 15 | Lost 2002 GMAC Bowl The 2002 GMAC Bowl was an American college football bowl game. It was part of the 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season, and was the 5th edition. It was played in December 2002, and featured the , and the Marshall Thundering Herd.... |
|||
| 2003 | GMAC Bowl GMAC Bowl The GoDaddy.com Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game that has been played annually at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama since 1999. It currently matches teams from the Sun Belt Conference and the Mid-American Conference, and... |
Miami (Ohio) Miami RedHawks football The Miami University RedHawks, known as the Miami Redskins before 1996, are a NCAA Division I FBS college football program that competes in the Mid-American Conference... |
49 | Louisville | 28 | Lost 2003 GMAC Bowl The 2003 GMAC Bowl was an American college football bowl game. It was part of the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season, and was the 6th edition. The game took place in December 2003, and featured the , and the Miami RedHawks.... |
|||
| 2004 | Liberty Bowl Liberty Bowl The Liberty Bowl is an annual U.S. American college football bowl game played in December of each year from 1959 to 2007 and in January in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty Bowl was sponsored by AXA Financial and was known as the AXA Liberty Bowl from 1997 to 2003... |
Louisville | 44 | Boise State Boise State Broncos football This page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West... |
40 | Won 2004 Liberty Bowl The 2004 AutoZone Liberty Bowl, played on December 31, 2004, was the 46th edition of the Liberty Bowl. The game was played between Boise State, and Louisville, in front of 58,355 fans.... |
|||
| 2006* | Gator Bowl Gator Bowl The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally... |
Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Hokies football The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over... |
35 | Louisville | 24 | Lost 2006 Gator Bowl The 2006 Gator Bowl was a college football bowl game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Virginia Tech Hokies at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on January 2, 2006. The game was the final contest of the 2005 football season for each team and resulted in a 35–24 Virginia Tech... |
|||
| 2007* | Orange Bowl | Louisville | 24 | Wake Forest 2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team The 2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Jim Grobe, in his fifth season at the school, and played its home games at Groves Stadium... |
13 | Won 2007 Orange Bowl The 2007 FedEx Orange Bowl game is a college football bowl game. It is part of the 2006-2007 Bowl Championship Series of the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Orange Bowl was first played in 1935. The 2007 game was played on January 2, 2007, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens,... |
|||
| 2010 | Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl The Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg is a NCAA Division I FBS college football bowl game played annually at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. It was first played following the 2008 college football season, when it was known as the magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl after corporate... |
Louisville | 31 | Southern Miss Southern Miss Golden Eagles football The Southern Miss Golden Eagles football program represents the University of Southern Mississippi in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The Eagles are members of Conference USA and player their home games at M. M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi... |
28 | Won 2010 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl The 2010 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg was the third edition of the college football bowl game formerly known as the St. Petersburg Bowl. It was played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 8 p.m.... |
|||
Conference championships
- 1970: Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley ConferenceThe Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
- 1972: Missouri Valley Conference (co-champs)
- 2000: Conference USAConference USAConference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
- 2001: Conference USA
- 2004: Conference USA
- 2006: Big East ConferenceBig East ConferenceThe Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
- 2011: Big East ConferenceBig East ConferenceThe Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
Current coaching staff
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Charlie Strong Charlie Strong Charlie R. Strong is an American college football coach and former player. Strong is a native of Arkansas and graduated from the University of Central Arkansas, where he played college football... |
Head Coach |
| Shawn Watson Shawn Watson -External links:... |
Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach |
| Vance Bedford Vance Bedford Vance Juano Bedford is an American football coach currently serving as defensive coordinator at the University of Louisville. He has most recently served as defensive back coach at the University of Florida under Urban Meyer. He previously served as defensive backs coach under Lloyd Carr at the... |
Defensive Coordinator |
| Kenny Carter Kenny Carter Kenneth 'Kenny' Malcolm Carter , was a world class speedway rider. He rode for Newcastle Diamonds , Halifax Dukes and Bradford Dukes .... |
Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs Coach |
| Clint Hurtt | Recruiting Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach |
| Dave Borbely | Offensive Line Coach |
| Ron Dugans Ron Dugans Ron Dugans is a former wide receiver who played his 4 year NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Dugans was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Bengals. He signed a deal with the Houston Texans but never played with the team. He is currently an assistant coach at The University... |
Wide Receivers Coach |
| Brian Jean-Mary | Linebackers Coach |
| Larry Slade | Secondary Coach |
Head coaches
| Years | Coach | Record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1912–1913 | Lester Larson | 8–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1914 | Dr. Bruce Baker | 1–4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1915–1916 | Will Duffy | 3–8–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1921–1922 | Bill Duncan | 4–9–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1923–1924 | Fred Enke | 8–8–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1925–1930 | Tom King | 27–21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1931 | Jack McGrath | 0–8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1932 | C. V. Money C. V. Money C. V. "Red" Money was an American football, basketball, and baseball coach. He served as the head football coach at Hanover College , the University of Louisville , Ferris State University , and Northern Michigan University , compiling a career college football record of 40–68–12... |
0–9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1933–1935 | Ben Cregor | 4–18–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1936–1942 | Laurie Apitz | 22–29–3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1946–1968 | Frank Camp Frank Camp Edward Franklin Camp, Jr. was the head football coach at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, from 1946 to 1968. He is credited as the man who brought back Louisville football following a three-year absence caused by World War II, and has the most wins of any head... |
118–95–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1969–1972 | Lee Corso Lee Corso Leland "Lee" Corso is a sports broadcaster and football analyst for ESPN. He has been featured on ESPN's College GameDay program since its inception and he appeared annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football through NCAA Football 11... |
28–11–3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1973–1974 | T.W. Alley | 9–13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1975–1979 | Vince Gibson Vince Gibson Vince Gibson is a former American football player and coach. He served as head football coach at Kansas State University , the University of Louisville , and Tulane University , compiling a career college football record of 75–98–2... |
25–29–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1980–1984 | Bob Weber Bob Weber -External links:... |
20–35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1985–1994 | Howard Schnellenberger Howard Schnellenberger Howard Schnellenberger is an American football coach at both the professional and college level. He is currently in his final season as head coach of Florida Atlantic University, having announced his retirement on August 11, 2011, effective at the end of the 2011 season... |
54–56–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1995–1997 | Ron Cooper | 13–20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–2002 | John L. Smith John L. Smith John L. Smith is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the special teams coach at the University of Arkansas, under head coach Bobby Petrino... |
41–21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2006 | Bobby Petrino Bobby Petrino Bobby Petrino is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arkansas, a position he has held since the 2008 season... |
40–9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2009 | Steve Kragthorpe Steve Kragthorpe Steve Kragthorpe is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the quarterbacks coach for the Louisiana State University Tigers football team. He was head coach at Louisville from 2007 to 2009, and for Tulsa from 2003 through 2006.- Early career :Kragthorpe was born in... |
15–21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–present | Charlie Strong Charlie Strong Charlie R. Strong is an American college football coach and former player. Strong is a native of Arkansas and graduated from the University of Central Arkansas, where he played college football... |
14-11 |
Notable players
- David AkersDavid AkersDavid Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville....
— current San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
placekicker - Bruce ArmstrongBruce ArmstrongBruce Charles Armstrong is a former offensive tackle in the National Football League from 1987 to 2000, playing all fourteen seasons with the New England Patriots...
— former offensive lineman, notably with the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... - Gary BarnidgeGary BarnidgeGary Barnidge is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Panthers in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
— former tight end, currently with the Carolina PanthersCarolina PanthersThe Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion... - Deion BranchDeion BranchAnthony Deion Branch, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville.He has also played for the Seattle Seahawks...
— wide receiver, 2005 Super Bowl MVPSuper Bowl MVPThe Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, or Super Bowl MVP, is an award presented annually to the most valuable player of the Super Bowl, the National Football League's championship game. The winner is chosen by a fan vote during the game and by a panel of 16 American football writers and...
with the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... - Brian BrohmBrian BrohmBrian Joseph Brohm is an American football quarterback for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
— former quarterback, 2007 FedEx Orange Bowl Offensive MVP, drafted in 2008 by the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, currently with the Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Jeff BrohmJeff BrohmJeffrey Scott Brohm is an Assistant Coach and the Quarterbacks Coach for the Illinois Fighting Illini football team...
— former quarterback with the San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
, San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Ray BuchananRay BuchananRaymond Louis Buchanan is a former American football player in the NFL. He was drafted out of Louisville in 1993 by the Indianapolis Colts in the 3rd round , and subsequently played for the Atlanta Falcons and the Oakland Raiders.-High school career:At Proviso East High School in Maywood,...
— former defensive back, notably with the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Doug BuffoneDoug BuffoneDouglas John Buffone is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. Buffone, the son of a coal miner , attended high school at Shannock Valley High School in Rural Valley, Pennsylvania.-College career:Buffone played...
— former linebacker, notably with the Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Curry BurnsCurry BurnsCurry Burns is an American football safety in the National Football League who is currently a free agent.-College career:...
— former safety, currently a free agent, last seen with the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... - Michael BushMichael BushMichael Bush is an American football running back for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted in the 4th round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
— former running back, drafted in 2007 by the Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Art CarmodyArt CarmodyArthur Carmody IV is an Arena football Kicker for the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings of af2. He played college football at Louisville.-High school:...
— former kicker, 2006 Lou Groza AwardLou Groza AwardThe Lou Groza Award is presented annually to the top college football placekicker in the United States by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The award is named after former Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns player Lou Groza.-Winners:...
winner, NCAA all-time career points leader - Mark Clayton — former wide receiver, notably with the Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Harry DouglasHarry DouglasHarry Douglas, IV is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville....
— former wide receiver, drafted in 2008 by the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Elvis DumervilElvis Dumervil-Denver Broncos:Dumervil was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan stated that he planned to keep Dumervil at defensive end....
— former defensive end, 2005 Bronko NagurskiBronko NagurskiBronislau "Bronko" Nagurski was a Canadian-born American football player. He was also a successful professional wrestler, recognized as a multiple-time world heavyweight champion.-Youth and collegiate career:...
and Ted HendricksTed HendricksTheodore Paul Hendricks is a Hall of Fame former American football linebacker who logged 15 seasons for the Baltimore Colts , the Green Bay Packers and the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders in the National Football League...
awards winner, currently with the Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - William GayWilliam Gay (cornerback)William Gay is an American football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, formerly of the University of Louisville football team. He was chosen by the Steelers with the 170th pick of the 2007 NFL Draft.-College career:...
— former cornerback, drafted by the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
in the 2007 NFL Draft2007 NFL DraftThe 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so... - Ernest GivinsErnest GivinsErnest Pastell Givins, Jr. , was a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 2nd round of the 1986 NFL Draft. A 5'9", 175 lbs. wide receiver from the University of Louisville, Givins played in 10 NFL seasons from 1986-1995...
— former wide receiver, notably with the Houston Oilers - Arnold Jackson — former wide receiver from 1997–2000; broke the NCAA Division I record for career receptions with 300
- Tom JacksonTom Jackson (American football)Thomas Louie "Tom" Jackson, also referred to as "TJ" or "Tommy", is an NFL analyst for ESPN and a former Pro Bowl linebacker for the Denver Broncos.-College:...
— longtime Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
linebacker and current ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
sportscaster - Joe JacobyJoe JacobyJoseph Erwin Jacoby is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins...
— former offensive lineman, notably with the Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... - Chris JohnsonChris Johnson (cornerback)Christopher Mario Johnson is an American football cornerback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville. Johnson previously played for the St...
— former cornerback, currently with the Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Joe Johnson — former defensive end, notably with the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
and Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... - Scott KuhnScott KuhnScott Ryan Kuhn is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Louisville....
— former tight end, also with the Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his... - Stefan LeForsStefan LeForsStefan Wayne LeFors is a former quarterback in American and Canadian football who is currently a high school coach. He was originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
— former quarterback, 2004 AXA Liberty BowlLiberty BowlThe Liberty Bowl is an annual U.S. American college football bowl game played in December of each year from 1959 to 2007 and in January in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty Bowl was sponsored by AXA Financial and was known as the AXA Liberty Bowl from 1997 to 2003...
Offensive MVP, starter for the Winnipeg Blue BombersWinnipeg Blue BombersThe Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
of the Canadian Football LeagueCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football.... - Lenny LylesLenny LylesLenny Lyles, was a professional American Football defensive back who played twelve seasons in the National Football League. He started in Super Bowl III for the Baltimore Colts.-External Links:*...
— 1957 all-American, for cornerback, notably with the Baltimore ColtsHistory of the Indianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls.... - Sam MadisonSam MadisonSamuel Adolfus Madison, Jr. is an American football cornerback who is retired. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville....
— former defensive back, notably with the New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Robert McCuneRobert McCuneRobert McCune is an American football linebacker who is currently playing for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
— former linebacker, currently with the Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his... - Frank MinnifieldFrank MinnifieldFrank Minnifield is a former American football player who played defensive back for the Cleveland Browns from 1984-92.Minnifield attended Henry Clay High School in Lexington...
— former cornerback, notably with the Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Roman ObenRoman ObenRoman Dissake Oben is an American football offensive tackle who retired in 2008. He co-hosts the New York Giants pre and post game show on WFAN in the fall as well as being a television color football analyst for MSG Varsity high school sports television network...
— former offensive lineman, notably with the Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... - Amobi OkoyeAmobi Okoye-Houston Texans:Okoye signed a five-year deal with the Texans on July 26, which allowed him to begin training camp with his teammates the next day. With his first start, Okoye became the youngest player to appear in an NFL game since 1967....
— former defensive tackle, picked in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft2007 NFL DraftThe 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
by the Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Dave RagoneDave RagoneDavid Patrick Ragone is an American football coach and former professional quarterback. He is currently the wide receivers coach for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League.-Early years:...
— former quarterback, notably with the Houston Texans - Chris RedmanChris RedmanChris James Redman is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Louisville.Redman earned a Super Bowl ring with the...
— former quarterback, 1999 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner, member of the 2000 Super Bowl champion Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
, currently with the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Kerry RhodesKerry RhodesKerry Rhodes is an American football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
— former safety, currently with the Arizona CardinalsArizona CardinalsThe Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Kolby SmithKolby Smith-Kansas City Chiefs:His first career NFL start was on November 25, 2007 due to injuries to Larry Johnson and the retirement of Priest Holmes. He recorded his first career touchdown on that date against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City....
— former running back, drafted by the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
in the 2007 NFL Draft2007 NFL DraftThe 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so... - Johnny UnitasJohnny UnitasJohn Constantine Unitas , known as Johnny Unitas or "Johnny U", and nicknamed "The Golden Arm", was a professional American football player in the 1950s through the 1970s, spending the majority of his career with the Baltimore Colts. He was a record-setting quarterback, and the National Football...
— Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of FameThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
quarterback, notably with the Baltimore ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... - Ted WashingtonTed WashingtonTheodore Washington, Jr. is a former American football nose tackle. He was originally drafted out of Louisville by the San Francisco 49ers, 25th overall in the 1991 NFL Draft, but also played for the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and Cleveland...
— former defensive tackle, notably with the Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... - Erik WattsErik WattsErik Watts is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling in the early 1990s. He is the son of legendary wrestler "Cowboy" Bill Watts.-Debut:...
— former quarterback and current professional wrestlerProfessional wrestlingProfessional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport... - Dewayne WhiteDeWayne WhiteDeWayne White is an American defensive end for the Omaha Nighthawks who is currently a free agent. He entered the league as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers top overall selection in the 2003 NFL Draft. White tied a team record by recording at least half-a-sack in six consecutive games in 2004. He has...
— former defensive end, currently with the Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... - Otis WilsonOtis WilsonOtis Ray Wilson is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Raiders. He won a Super Bowl as a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears...
— former linebacker, notably with the Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, member of the 1985 Super Bowl Champions - Eric WoodEric Wood-Buffalo Bills:Wood was selected with the 28th pick of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Counted on to start at right guard, Wood joined a completely retooled offensive line that was expected to feature two rookie starters—him, and second round pick Andy Levitre at left guard—and no players...
— former center, currently with the Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Dwayne WoodruffDwayne WoodruffDwayne Woodruff is a former professional American football player who played cornerback twelve seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he accumulated 37 interceptions after being drafted in the sixth round...
— former defensive back, notably with the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
Southern Miss, 1989
After a missed field goal by Louisville that would have given them the lead, Southern Miss1989 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team
The 1989 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team represented the University of Southern Mississippi in the 1989 NCAA college football season and were led by Brett Favre.-Regular season:...
was on its own 21-yard line with six seconds left in a 10-10 tie, in October 1989
1989 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with Miami winning its third National Championship during the 80s, cementing its claim as the decade's top team, winning more titles than any other program....
. Quarterback Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
threw a Hail Mary pass that was deflected, but it bounced off the helmet of Southern Mississippi's Michael Jackson and into the hands of wide receiver Darryl Tillman, who scored a touchdown with no time left. The play was later voted on as one of the "Top 5 Memorable Moments" in college football history in an online vote at ESPN.com.
Southern Miss, 1999
Louisville was tied 27-27 with Southern Miss with under two minutes to go with the 1999 Conference USA title on the line. Facing fourth and 5 at the Louisville 37, Southern Miss went into punt formation. Shawn Mills was leaving the field after getting into a heated discussion with head coach Jeff Bower. The punter, Jamie Purser, threw a 27 yard pass to Mills which led to a Brett Hanna field goal attempt that won the game.Florida State, 2002
In a driving rainstorm, remnants of Hurricane IsidoreHurricane Isidore
Hurricane Isidore was the ninth named storm and the second hurricane in the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season. Isidore was the fifth of eight named storms to occur in September. The tropical cyclone peaked as a Category 3 hurricane, causing damage as well as four fatalities in Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico,...
, Louisville hosted the #4-ranked Florida State Seminoles
2002 Florida State Seminoles football team
-Schedule:...
to overtime with a 20-20 tie. In the first play of overtime, FSU QB Chris Rix
Chris Rix
Christopher Charles Rix is a former NCAA Division I Filipino-American football quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles football team. Rix is also widely known as a coach and sportscaster.- Early life:...
threw an interception to Louisville's Anthony Floyd
Anthony Floyd
Anthony Franklin Floyd was a safety for the Indianapolis Colts. He spent 2006 NFL Europe season with the Berlin Thunder, where he earned All-NFL Europe honors after making four interceptions, tied for second in the league...
. On the second play of overtime, Louisville's Henry Miller took a hand-off from quarterback Dave Ragone
Dave Ragone
David Patrick Ragone is an American football coach and former professional quarterback. He is currently the wide receivers coach for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League.-Early years:...
and went 25 yards for the game-winning touchdown; the final score was 26-20. The PJCS crowd, which did not sit down the entire game, stormed the field and tore down the goal posts.
West Virginia, 2005
Louisville was the preseason favorite to win the Big East in 2005, their first season in the league. The then-#19 Cardinals got off to a great start, leading the unranked Mountaineers 17-0 at the half, and limiting the Mountaineers to just 56 total yards in the first half. Louisville continued to hold steady until WVU quarterback Adam Bednarik left the game with an injury. The Mountaineers' dual-threat backup QB Patrick White entered the game and, along with running back Steve Slaton, took charge. With 8:16 left in the fourth quarter, and Louisville leading 24-7, West Virginia reeled off 17 unanswered points (including a controversial onside kick recovery) to send the game into overtime. The extra periods were heated, with each team matching the other step-for-step. During the third overtime, West Virginia's Slaton ran in a touchdown, with wide receiver Dorrell Jalloh pulling in the 2-point conversion. Louisville answered back, with Michael Bush scoring on a 3-yard run. During UL's 2-point attempt, the Mountaineers covered all of Louisville's wideouts, forcing Brohm to tuck and go. West Virginia defensive back Eric Wicks spotted Brohm rushing, and stuffed him at the 3 yard-line. The Mountaineers defeated the Cardinals in three overtimes, 46-44. Louisville would go on to face Virginia Tech2005 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
The 2005 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season...
in the Toyota Gator Bowl
2006 Gator Bowl
The 2006 Gator Bowl was a college football bowl game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Virginia Tech Hokies at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on January 2, 2006. The game was the final contest of the 2005 football season for each team and resulted in a 35–24 Virginia Tech...
.
West Virginia, 2006
On a freezing night in early November, the undefeated, #5-ranked Louisville Cardinals played the undefeated, #3-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers2006 West Virginia Mountaineers football team
The 2006 West Virginia Mountaineers football team completed the season with a 11–2 record. The Mountaineers had a regular season Big East record of 5–2.-2006 Schedule:-Rankings:- References :...
in front of the largest national audience to watch an ESPN-broadcast
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
college football game. Louisville was the first team all season to physically match West Virginia's running game, and this resulted in an injury to Steve Slaton
Steve Slaton
Steve Slaton is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
. This affected his ball handling, causing him to fumble the ball three times. One was recovered for a Louisville touchdown by linebacker Malik Jackson
Malik Jackson
Malik Jackson is a professional American and Canadian football defensive end for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
. Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm
Brian Brohm
Brian Joseph Brohm is an American football quarterback for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
threw for 354 yards and one touchdown in a 44-34 Louisville victory over Pat White and the Mountaineers.
Wake Forest, 2007 Orange Bowl
In its first BCS bowl gameBowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
in school history, the Louisville Cardinals defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons
2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team
The 2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Jim Grobe, in his fifth season at the school, and played its home games at Groves Stadium...
24-13 in Dolphin Stadium
Dolphin Stadium
Sun Life Stadium is an American football stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a suburb of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins National Football League team, and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. It also hosts the Orange Bowl, an annual college football bowl game. It...
in Miami, FL. It was the last Louisville game coached by Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino
Bobby Petrino is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arkansas, a position he has held since the 2008 season...
.
Team records
Consecutive wins: 11, 2004-2005Consecutive wins at home: 22
Consecutive games without being shut out: 89, 1992-2000
Consecutive shutouts of opponents: 6, 1912-1913
Consecutive bowl appearances: 9, 1998–2006
Individual records
Most rushing yards (game): 275 Anthony Allen against Middle TennesseeMiddle Tennessee Blue Raiders football
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represents Middle Tennessee State University in NCAA Division I FBS football competition. The Blue Raiders, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, play their home games at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.Rick Stockstill has...
9/6/2007
Most rushing yards (season): 1,429 Howard Stevens in the 1971 season
Most rushing yards (career): 3,204 Walter Peacock 1972-1975
Most passing yards (game): 592 Chris Redman
Chris Redman
Chris James Redman is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Louisville.Redman earned a Super Bowl ring with the...
against East Carolina
East Carolina Pirates football
The East Carolina Pirates is a college football team that represents East Carolina University . The team is currently a member of the Conference USA, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association .The Pirates have won seven conference championships and...
Most passing yards (season): 4,042 Chris Redman
Chris Redman
Chris James Redman is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Louisville.Redman earned a Super Bowl ring with the...
in the 1998 season
Most passing yards (career): 12,541 Chris Redman
Chris Redman
Chris James Redman is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Louisville.Redman earned a Super Bowl ring with the...
1996-1999
Most receiving yards (game): 223 Harry Douglas
Harry Douglas
Harry Douglas, IV is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville....
in 40-34 loss to Kentucky
2007 Kentucky Wildcats football team
The 2007 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the college football season of 2007-2008. The team's head football coach was Rich Brooks, in his 5th year as Kentucky's head coach. The Wildcats played their home games at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky...
on 9/15/2007
Most receiving yards (season): 1,209 Arnold Jackson in the 1999 season
Most receiving yards (career): 3,670 Arnold Jackson 1997-2000
Most sacks (game): 6 (tied for most-ever in a single game) Elvis Dumervil
Elvis Dumervil
-Denver Broncos:Dumervil was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan stated that he planned to keep Dumervil at defensive end....
in a win over Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats football
The Kentucky Wildcats football team is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the East Division of the Southeastern Conference.-History:Paul "Bear" Bryant Era...
in 2005.