Brohm Breaks Record In Game Vs Rutgers
Defense Ties Loose Knots, Rutgers Rallies
11/30/2007
Written By: Kirk Herbstreit
ESPN NCAA Football Analyst
[Louisville, Kentucky]-- Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm came into the game with the best QB Rating in the whole NCAA. While he managed to leave the game with that mark still, the Rutgers defense sure did put a dent into it.
Things started out extremely bad for the Scarlet Knights, as all the breaks seemed to be going Louisville's way. The first play from scrimmage, and
Mike Teel was sacked, forcing a fumble and recovered by Lousville.
Then Brian Brohm took over.
Brohm came into the day with only five interceptions thrown all season. He was picked off twice today alone by the
McCourty brothers,
Jason and
Devin, both recording one.
Brohm started off fast, and good. He threw a nine yard touchdown pass with 5:03 remaining in the first. The touchdown broke Louisville's school record for touchdowns in a season.
An early Louisville lead didn't sit well with the Rutgers offense, as their very next drive they marched down the field. Several
Kordell Young runs, along with a couple of
Kenny Brittreceptions set Teel up with a first and goal from the nine.
The very next play, a screen pass to
Tiquan Underwood who went in for the touchdown to nod the game up at seven.
The Brian Brohm show continued though, as he was passing all over the Scarlet Knight defense, which is rated third in the NCAA.
Brohm managed to lead the Cardinals offense down the field and get a Carmody field goal, which gave them the three point lead.
After a Rutgers drive stalled, Brohm trotted back onto the field. Nine plays and sixty-four yards later, and Louisville had increased their lead to ten. Brohm ended the drive with another touchdown pass, this time to Mario Urrutia.
"Brohm looked good the first half, that's for sure. I'm not sure what happened to him the second half, but hey, we're not complaining," said safety
Ron Girault.
The two teams exchanged field goals before the half ended, which tallied the score up to a 20-10 lead for Louisville.
After a slow third quarter, where Jason McCourty would intercept the first Brian Brohm bad pass of the day, Rutgers was only able to tack on three points, off a 53 yard field goal from
Jeremy Ito.
The fourth quarter would start with Louisville owning the ball on the Rutgers thirty-five yard line. Brohm dropped back to pass, looked for Urrutia, and was intercepted. This time by Jason's brother, Devin.
It was Devin's eighth interception of the season, the team best and tied for third in the NCAA. His brother, Jason, recorded his sixth of the season during this game.
Down by seven, Rutgers was only able to add on another field goal, as the drive stalled once again in Louisville territory, bringing the Scarlet Knights within four.
After an attempt to wear down the clock failed when linebacker
Kevin Malast stopped a huge third down pitch, the offense got the ball back. A seven yard Young run, followed by a thirteen yard pass to tight end
Kevin Brock set up the fifty one yard touchdown pass from Teel to Kenny Britt. It was Britt's seventh touchdown of the season, and put him over 800 yards on the season, as a sophomore.
Rutgers was sitting comfortably, 3:57 left to play, the number three defense in the NCAA on the field, and a three point lead. The only thing was, the opposing quarterback was the best passer in the NCAA, atleast according to the quarterback ratings, Brian Brohm.
Brohm came out and handed the ball off to Anthony Allen, who got three yards on the first down play. After an incomplete pass attempt from Brohm, the Cardinals were set up with a third and seven with 3:39 remaining to play. He found an open receiver in junior Corey Thompson, but it was dropped on what would've been a sure first down.
Now Brohm was faced with a fourth and seven and in Rutgers territory. They elected to go for it, and paid, as Malast got to the quarterback to bring him down for a loss and change of possession.
After Rutgers was stopped, and only able to kick a field goal, Brohm was given one more chance to win the game.
Down by six, with 2:04 left in play, Brohm was unable to get a first down. He went four and out, and had played his last Big East game of his collegiate career.
"These guys have a great defense over here, that's what makes them so good," said Brohm.
"They just made all the stops. We knew coming into the game today that we had our hands full, they were just a bit better out there today."
With the win, Rutgers was bumped up to number nine in the BCS Polls, while Louisville fell to number twenty five.
"It feels awesome, knowing we have a good oppertunity to be playing in a huge Bowl game," said coach
Greg Schiano.
"We're going to keep preparing for that game during these weeks off, hopefully we get a big time Bowl game though. It'll be exciting."
While the Scarlet Knights wait to find out what Bowl Game they will be participating in, they did find out some good news minutes before the game.
Safety
Courtney Greene, who has missed a substantial amount of time due to a broken jaw, was cleared to play in the game today. Schiano decided to hold him out due to precautionary reasons, and figured it'd be better just to take their time with him.
"Courtney's got a great future ahead of him, he's going to go to the NFL. Whether he decides it's his time this year, or next, it's certain he will enter the NFL Draft," said Schiano.
It appears that halfback
Ray Rice also may be cleared come Bowl Game time to be able to play.
Whether or not Rice is in the lineup is still remained to be seen, but there is one thing certain, Rutgers is bound to get a bid to a top Bowl Game.