Inside Matchups

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SPORTS |

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2008 | THE COURIER-JOURNAL

courier-journal.com/sports

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INSIDE THE MATCHUPS By Brett Dawson and C.L. Brown | The Courier-Journal

UK DEPTH CHART AND ROSTER

U OF L DEPTH CHART AND ROSTER

Offense TE

40-Maurice Grinter 80-T.C. Drake

6-3 253 6-6 242

Jr. Jr.

LT

79-Garry Williams 52-Billy Joe Murphy

6-3 300 6-6 292

LG

72-Zipp Duncan 68-Mike Williams

6-5 290 6-6 294

C

61-Jorge Gonzalez 77-Marcus Davis

RG

Offense LT

68-George Bussey 55-Greg Tomczyk

6-4 306 Sr. 6-6 297 So.

Sr. Fr.

LG

79-Mark Wetterer 65-Josh Byrom

6-5 315 So. 6-5 289 So.

Jr. Jr.

C

77-Eric Wood 62-Nick Borgelt

6-4 309 Sr. 6-4 291 Sr.

6-3 300 Jr. 6-1 280 So.

RG

71-Abdul Kuyateh 72-Brian Roche

6-2 296 Sr. 6-4 303 Jr.

73-Jess Beets 70-Stuart Hines

6-2 285 6-4 280

Sr. Fr.

RT

74-Jeff Adams 75-Ryan Kessling

6-8 318 Sr. 6-5 312 Fr.

RT

76-Justin Jeffries 75-Brad Durham

6-6 310 Jr. 6-4 310 So.

TE

82-Pete Nochta 46-Johnnie Burns

6-5 246 So. 6-3 245 Sr.

WR

12-Dicky Lyons Jr. 13-Eric Adeyemi

WR

21-Troy Pascley 11-Josh Chichester

6-2 190 So. 6-8 224 Fr.

WR

27-Doug Beaumont 9-Chris Vaughn

5-9 176 So. 6-3 220 Sr.

QB

14-Hunter Cantwell 17-Tyler Wolfe

6-5 236 Sr. 6-5 216 So.

RB

32-Brock Bolen 33-Bilal Powell

6-0 238 Sr. 6-0 208 So.

FB

48-Joe Tronzo 32-Brock Bolen

5-11 254 Jr. 6-0 238 Sr.

K

12-Chris Philpott 17-Tim Dougherty

6-0 180 Fr. 5-10 169 So.

5-11 190 6-0 170

Sr. Fr.

WR

17-E.J. Adams 81-Kyrus Lanxter

6-0 197 Jr. 6-2 193 So.

QB

5-Mike Hartline 18-Randall Cobb

6-6 204 So. 5-11 185 Fr.

FB

38-John Conner 47-A.J. Nance

5-11 228 5-11 241

TB

28-Tony Dixon 20-Derrick Locke

5-9 203 Sr. 5-9 180 So.

K

36-Lones Seiber 9-Ryan Tydlacka

5-9 182 6-1 195

Jr. Fr.

Jr. Fr.

Jr. Jr.

Defense DE

99-Jeremy Jarmon 66-Chandler Burden

6-3 277 6-5 290

DT

91-Corey Peters 53-Ricky Lumpkin

6-3 290 Jr. 6-4 289 So.

DT

98-Myron Pryor 60-Shane McCord

6-1 310 Sr. 6-2 271 So.

DE

95-Ventrell Jenkins 97-Nii Adjei Oninku

6-2 285 6-1 254

Sr. Sr.

SLB

51-Johnny Williams 50-Sam Maxwell

6-3 244 6-3 235

Sr. Jr.

MLB

4-Micah Johnson 43-Mikhail Mabry

6-2 250 6-2 235

Jr. Jr.

WLB

56-Braxton Kelley 21-Michael Schwindel

6-0 230 6-2 220

Sr. Jr.

CB

32-Trevard Lindley 23-Shomari Moore

6-0 175 5-9 185

Jr. Sr.

SS

27-Ashton Cobb 10-Matt Lentz

6-0 208 6-3 209

Jr. Fr.

FS

33-Calvin Harrison 6-Taiedo Smith

6-1 197 6-0 182

Jr. Fr.

CB

7-David Jones 36-Robbie McAtee

5-10 185 5-10 175

Sr. Sr.

P

44-Tim Masthay 9-Ryan Tydlacka

6-2 203 6-1 195

Sr. Fr.

Other players No.-Name ......................................... Pos. Ht. 1-Will Fidler..................................... QB 6-4 2-Marcus McClinton .................. FS 6-1 3-Matt Roark.................................. QB 6-6 8-DeMoreo Ford ...................... WR 5-10 9-Robbie Kool ................................ QB 6-1 11-Greg Wilson ............................. SS 6-1 14-Anthony Mosley ..................... WR 6-0 15-Tyler Sargent ........................... QB 6-4 16-DeAunte Mason..................... QB 6-3 19-Winston Guy............................ DB 6-1 22-Aaron Boyd............................... WR 6-3 24-Randall Burden ...................... CB 6-0 25-Ahmad Grigsby Jr. ................ CB 6-0 26-Terrence Jones........................ WR 6-2 TB 6-1 29-Alfonso Smith ......................... 30-Moncell Allen .......................... FB/TB 5-7 31-Mikie Benton...................... DB 6-0 34-Rashaad Palmer .................... WR 6-1 DB 5-10 35-Cartier Rice .............................. 37-Trey Bowland........................... TB 5-10 FB 5-11 38-John Conner............................. 39-William Johnson .................... LB 6-3 CB 5-9 40-Daryl Faulkner ........................ 41-Danny Trevathan................... LB 6-1 42-Chris Cessna ........................... LB 6-4 43-Stephen Ball ............................ FB 5-10 45-Antwane Glenn....................... DT 6-3 46-Ronnie Sneed .......................... LB 6-2 47-Matt Ramsey........................... FB 6-1 48-Jayce Long ................................ WR 6-0 48-C.J. Williams............................. LB 6-1 49-Antonio Thomas.................... LB 6-1 54-Brandon Thurmond ........ LB 6-2 55-Brad Hart................................... LS 6-1 57-Jacob Dufrene ......................... LB 6-2 58-Sean Stackhouse .................. OG 6-4 59-Dave Ulinski ............................. OL 6-4 59-Jon Thomas .............................. LS 5-10 60-Dustin Luck .............................. OG 6-3 62-Greg Meisner ........................... DE 6-1 63-Jake Lanefski ........................... C 6-4 64-Osaze Idumwonyi ................. OL 6-1 65-J.J. Helton .................................. LS 6-3 67-Chris Goode ............................. OT 6-4 67-Joe Scott .................................... DT 6-1 68-Luke McDermott.................... DT 6-1 69-Matt Smith ............................... C 6-4 69-B.J. Wiedemann ................ DE 6-1 71-James Alexander................... OT 6-5 74-Trevino Woods ........................ OL 6-5 78-Christian Johnson................. OG 6-4 82-Tyler Sexton ............................. TE 6-2 83-E.J. Fields ................................... WR/DB 6-2 83-Jonathan Gholson................. WR 6-2 84-Charles Mustafaa ................. DT 6-3 84-Gabe Correll ............................. TE 6-5 85-Gene McCaskill ...................... WR 6-0 86-Ross Bogue .............................. TE 6-5 87-André Henderson.................. TE 6-6 88-Nik Brazley .......................... WR 5-9 LB 6-0 89-Brian Murphy .......................... 92-Josh Minton.............................. DE 6-3 93-Austin Moss............................. DE 6-0 94-Taylor Wyndham ................... LB/DE 6-4 96-Collins Ukwu............................ DE 6-4 97-J.J. Housley ............................... K 5-10

Wt. 216 210 195 186 161 195 176 208 215 205 210 170 188 205 204 225 180 175 180 190 230 200 174 210 224 224 270 235 205 187 192 228 226 218 215 255 295 224 280 233 278 285 230 263 280 256 280 242 295 265 325 242 190 185 258 226 175 245 226 170 211 254 250 210 220 186

Cl. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. So. So. Fr. Fr. So. So. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr.

Louisville’s Hunter Cantwell

UK’s Tony Dixon has 958 career rushing yards.

QUARTERBACKS

RUNNING BACKS

Hunter Cantwell has been groomed three seasons for this moment. He takes over as the Cardinals’ signal caller having made four starts in his career. However, one of them just happened to be against Virginia Tech’s No. 1-rated defense in the Gator Bowl. He shredded the Hokies for three touchdowns, forever proving himself reliable under center. UK sophomore quarterback Mike Hartline hopes to show the same stability. Hartline has attempted only six passes in his career. Neither Hartline nor his backup, true freshman Randall Cobb, has played in a college game of this magnitude. Edge: U of L

The Cards’ Brock Bolen is a battering ram who’ll be asked to play a more complete running role this season. Though his 456 rushing yards last season don’t make for eyepopping numbers, he averaged 5.2 yards per carry, scored seven touchdowns and had two 100-yard rushing games. Bilal Powell adds some lightning to Bolen’s thunder, but he had only 24 carries last season. UK should feel better here than anywhere else on offense. Tony Dixon, with 958 career rushing yards and 290 yards as a receiver, is the most versatile back in the game. Derrick Locke and Alfonso Smith should be the fastest. If UK has a lead late, it might turn to powerful Moncell Allen. Edge: UK

RECEIVERS/ENDS

OFFENSIVE LINE

With everyone available, U of L likely would have the edge here, but the Cards have lost lots of talent through injury and attrition. Though Trent Guy could see some action, U of L’s top returning receiver, Scott Long, is out with a broken foot. Cantwell will have virtually all new receivers and tight ends. UK isn’t that much better off. Dicky Lyons Jr. is Guy the only true veteran of the bunch. He was third on the team with 56 catches for 655 yards and seven touchdowns. Tight ends Maurice Grinter and T.C. Drake played in all 13 games last season but combined for just five catches. The Cats have slightly more experience, but that could be the difference. Edge: UK

Each O-line is anchored by a veteran. For UK, it’s left tackle Garry Williams, who’s charged with guarding the blind side of rookie QB Mike Hartline. For U of L, it’s center Eric Wood, who will make his 38th straight start today. The Cards also have experience at left tackle in George Bussey, who has 25 straight starts. UK is breaking in a new Williams center (Jorge Gonzalez takes over for Eric Scott), and right guard was a concern throughout fall camp, with Jess Beets edging out Brad Durham (a converted tackle). Edge: Even

DEFENSIVE LINE

LINEBACKERS

Given its experience and talent, UK’s front four should be the strength of the defense. Jeremy Jarmon was a secondteam preseason All-Southeastern Conference pick. Myron Pryor has speed and power at tackle, and between Pryor and Jarmon is Corey Peters, who knows how to take advantage of drawing a single blocker. U of L has a veteran line — Pryor seniors Earl Heyman (25 straight starts) and Adrian Grady at tackle, junior L.D. Scott and senior Maurice Mitchell at end — but the Cards haven’t matched UK’s production. U of L’s four defensive linemen combined for seven sacks last season. Jarmon had nine on his own. Edge: UK

The Cards look big and fast at linebacker, but experience is a question mark. The best of U of L’s bunch might be Dexter Heyman, but he’s a true freshman. The other starters are junior-college transfers Antwon Canady and Jon Dempsey. Neither has played a Football Bowl Subdivision game. By contrast, the Cats Heyman start veterans Braxton Kelley, Micah Johnson and Johnny Williams, who have a combined 46 starts. Edge: UK

SECONDARY

SPECIAL TEAMS

UK junior Trevard Lindley is arguably the best cover corner on either team. He led the Cats in pass breakups for the past two seasons, and his three interceptions last season led the team. That’s almost half of the Cards’ total number of picks from a year ago. U of L had seven interceptions, and only two of those came from its returning core of five defensive backs. The Cats suffered a blow when Jones starting cornerback Paul Warford was declared academically ineligible. But experience at safety should help senior cornerback David Jones, whose only two starts have come at receiver. The Cards need senior Woodny Turenne to start playing like the top cornerback he was billed to be. Edge: UK

If this game comes down to a field goal, both teams may hope that it is the other team kicking. UK kicker Lones Seiber made just 11 of 20 field-goal attempts of 30 yards or more last season. But at least he has kicked in a college game. U of L’s potential place-kicker, Chris Philpott, is one of five true freshmen likely to Philpott play. The matchup of punters is virtually a wash: UK’s Tim Masthay averaged 39.8 yards per kick, U of L’s Cory Goettsche averaged 38.9. Each team also averaged 22.1 yards per kickoff return last season. Edge: Even

Key factors for victory U of L receivers vs. Trevard Lindley Doug Beaumont played in 12 games last season without a start, which makes him the veteran of U of L’s starting receivers. The man on the other side of the field, Troy Pascley, played in one game last season. The two have zero career receptions. UK’s giving them a rude welcome to the starting lineup — the chance to go head-to-head with Lindley, one of the most talented and experienced cornerbacks in the Southeastern Conference. If he wants to find a groove early with one of his newcomers, U of L quarterback Hunter Cantwell might want to pick on UK’s less-proven cornerback, David Jones.

Mike Hartline vs. U of L’s defense It would be tough enough for Hartline if he got to make his starting debut next week against Norfolk State in front of a friendly Commonwealth Stadium crowd. Instead, he gets his baptism in Papa John’s Stadium in front of a rowdy crowd and facing a U of L defense with something to prove. The secondary was a primary concern for the Cards last season, but there are veterans in

the defensive backfield. The goal will be to hurry Hartline into bad throws.

George Bussey vs. Jeremy Jarmon or Ventrell Jenkins In a year when the Cards’ receivers are so inexperienced, Cantwell may need a little more time to deliver the ball. That’s where Bussey, who has made 25 straight starts, comes in. The 306-pound left tackle will protect Cantwell’s blind side. U of L’s line allowed 24 sacks last season — the same number the Cats recorded, with Jenkins getting four. The 277-pound Jarmon had a team-high nine.

្Joker Phillips vs. Ron English Phillips, UK’s offensive coordinator, has to find a way to exploit U of L’s inexperienced linebackers. English, in his first year as the Cards’ defensive coordinator, must find a way to exploit an inexperienced UK quarterback. Phillips may try to pound away with a strong trio of running backs. English may try to counter by daring the Cats to throw. Phillips and English have never coached against each other, but this could be the game within the game that decides the outcome.

Defense E

95-Maurice Mitchell 58-Rodney Gnat

6-3 272 Sr. 6-3 243 So.

T

99-Earl Heyman 91-L.T. Walker

6-3 285 Sr. 6-4 302 Jr.

T

94-Adrian Grady 56-Tyler Jessen

6-2 305 Sr. 6-1 281 Jr.

E

93-L.D. Scott 54-Rashad Roberts

6-2 268 Jr. 6-0 252 Sr.

SLB

46-Dexter Heyman 23-Stephen Garr

6-3 225 6-1 223

MLB

51-Antwon Canady 52-James Bryant

6-0 235 So. 6-3 257 Sr.

WLB

38-Jon Dempsey 43-Chris Campa

6-0 233 6-2 215

CB

19-Johnny Patrick 4-Travis Norton

6-0 184 So. 6-1 196 Sr.

SS

10-Latarrius Thomas 36-Josh Wiley

6-2 206 So. 6-1 200 Jr.

FS

34-Bobby Buchanan 2-Richard Raglin

5-11 199 Sr. 6-2 198 Sr.

CB

9-Woodny Turenne 37-Marcus Folmar

6-1 182 Sr. 5-11 183 Sr.

P

29-Corey Goettsche 9-Jon Payne

6-1 219 Jr. 5-10 179 So.

Fr. Jr.

Jr. Jr.

Other players No.-Name..................................... Pos. Ht. 2-Matt Simms............................ QB 6-3 3-Trent Guy.................................. WR 5-9 4-Maurice Clark........................ WR 6-3 5-Brandon Heath................. LB 6-1 5-Will Stein.................................. QB 5-8 6-Justin Mathews .................... S 6-2 7-Karldell Dunning .................. CB 6-0 7-Ryan Osiecki .......................... QB 6-4 8-Darius Ashley ........................ RB 5-8 9-Jon Payne................................. P 5-10 11-Greg Scruggs....................... DE 6-4 15-Chaz Thompson................. CB 6-1 15-Bill Ashburn ......................... QB 6-2 17-Tim Dougherty.................... K 5-10 18-Zack Stoudt..................... QB 6-4 20-Victor Anderson................. RB 5-9 22-Jacques Caldwell............... WR 5-9 S 6-1 24-Daniel Brown....................... 25-C.J. Peake .............................. FS 6-2 S 5-10 28-Sergio Spencer................... 30-Daniel Covington............... DB 5-11 31-Darius Mann ........................ LB 5-11 35-Agyei Williams.................... DB 5-10 39-Marcus Roberts ................. RB 6-1 40-Dane Mattingly .................. LS 6-0 41-Eugene Sowell ............... RB 6-0 42-Stephon Ball ........................ TE 6-4 44-Bo Eggers .............................. LB 6-0 44-Paul Belshoff ....................... LS 6-0 45-Blayne Donnell ................... RB 5-8 47-Evan McKeon ...................... K 6-3 49-Keith Baker........................... LB 6-3 50-Josh McDonald................... LB 6-1 53-Daniel Weedman............... LS 5-11 55-Wes Weitlauf........................ LB 6-0 57-Mozell Axson....................... LB 6-1 59-Pat Bisig................................. LB 6-0 60-Mario Benavides ............... OL 6-4 61-William Savoy................. DE 6-1 66-Alex Kupper ......................... OL 6-3 67-Nick Egart ............................. OL 6-0 69-John Clark ............................. OL 6-2 70-Conrad Thomas ................. OL 6-6 73-Hector Hernandez ............ OL 6-5 78-Byron Stingily...................... OL 6-5 80-Michael Fennerty .............. TE 6-4 81-Rock Keys.............................. TE 6-5 83-Cameron Graham ............. TE 6-4 84-Scott Long............................. WR 6-2 85-Nathan Nord ........................ TE 6-5 86-Zach Meagher ............... TE 6-4 87-Corey Thompson............... WR 6-0 88-Andrew Robinson ............. WR 5-9 89-Damion Dixon ..................... WR 6-3 92-Dominic Langone.............. DL 6-0 96-Patrick Grant ....................... DE 6-4 97-Drew Davis ........................... DL 6-1 98-Zach Kiernan....................... DE 6-6

Wt. 210 165 218 225 170 205 175 225 185 179 235 199 207 169 210 182 175 195 221 185 208 213 176 222 200 205 215 218 203 190 218 230 220 185 218 243 211 285 250 280 285 304 311 282 303 229 235 245 211 230 239 185 191 183 270 218 275 281

Cl. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr So. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. So. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.