Louisville Scores 73 in Rout of Murray State

Aug 31, 12:15 AM

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Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - Brian Brohm threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns as 10th-ranked Louisville dismantled Murray State in the opener for both schools, 73-10, at Papa John's Stadium.

Brohm completed 16-of-21 passes before exiting early in the third quarter as the Cardinals (1-0) extended their home winning streak to 19 games. The 73 total points were the most scored by a Louisville team since a 79-0 victory over Ogden in 1926.

Harry Douglas was Brohm's main target, finishing with five catches for 151 yards and a two touchdowns, while tight end Gary Barnidge had four receptions for 46 yards and a pair of scores.

The Steve Kragthorpe era got underway with a resounding victory. Under the guidance of Kragthorpe, the Cardinals entered the season with high expectations after posting one of their best campaigns ever in 2006. Kragthorpe, who took over the program after Bobby Petrino accepted the head coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons, inherited a team that won the Big East title and went 12-1 overall, including a win over Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl.

Starting tailback Anthony Allen carried seven times for 56 yards and a touchdown, while reserve George Stripling came on for 92 yards on 14 carries.

In total, the Cardinals amassed 655 yards of total offense to the Racers' 271. Their 49 first-half points set a new school record, eclipsing the previous mark of 42 set in 2006 against Temple.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Jeff Ehrhardt completed 12-of-20 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown for Murray State (0-1). Paul McKinnis rushed nine times for 72 yards, including a 32-yard scamper.

The Cardinals got on the scoreboard immediately, scoring on their first play from scrimmage when Brohm connected with Douglas for a 44-yard touchdown pass over the middle. A three-and-out opening Murray State possession and an 18- yard punt return by J. Spillman set up the starting field position.

Murray State answered Louisville's opening score with a lengthy drive for a touchdown. Derrick Townsel caught a 6-yard slant pass from Ehrhardt to cap an 11-play, 80-yard drive that totaled over five minutes. Townsel had extended the drive with a one-handed grab over the middle for a first down.

But Louisville responded with a pair of scores in a span of less than a minute to take a 21-7 lead. Allen scampered in from nine yards out after a drive of less than three minutes, and after an Ehrhardt fumble inside the Murray State 20-yard line, Brohm found Barnidge for a 12-yard score two plays later.

Brock Bolen rumbled in from two yards out with 2:32 remaining in the first to give the Cardinals a 28-7 lead.

Murray State mounted a drive that resulted in a Sean O'Brien 24-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter, but Louisville went back to Barnidge to score twice more. A 27-yard catch-and-run by the bruising tight end got the Cardinals inches from the end zone, and Brohm finished the drive with a one-yard sneak for a touchdown. When Brohm hit Barnidge for a four- yard touchdown with 5:23 left in the second, Louisville had a 42-10 advantage.

On the following drive, Brohm hooked up with Mario Urrutia for 40 yards to set up a four-yard Sergio Spencer touchdown run, and Louisville went into the locker room leading 49-10.

Louisville scored again on its first offensive play of the second half, as Brohm connected with Douglas again for a 59-yard score.

After another stalled Murray state possession, Troy Guy took a punt back 54 yards for a touchdown to extend the lead to 63-10.

Hunter Cantwell, Brohm's backup, then engineered a scoring drive that culminated in a Spencer five-yard touchdown at 7:43 in the third quarter.

Art Carmody drilled a 44-yard field goal with just over 11 minutes left in the game to extend the lead to 73-10.

Game Notes

Louisville has won the last three meetings...The Cardinals will host Middle Tennessee next Thursday...Louisville's 655 yards of total offense were also its most since the 2004 win over Temple.

08/31 00:09:53 ET