Petrino: Bonnafon out, Parker ahead of schedule

Louisville will be without freshman quarterback Reggie Bonnafon this week as the Cardinals prepare for their 3:30 p.m. Saturday game at Florida International.

Bonnafon, who played four series in last Saturday's 23-21 loss to Virginia, is with his family this week as they grieve the passing of Wallace Bonnafon, Reggie's father.

The former Trinity High star will not make the trip to Miami with U of L this weekend, Petrino said. The funeral for Wallace Bonnafon is scheduled for Saturday.

"It's a very tough situation for him and his family, and something that caught him off-guard," Petrino said.

Parker working his way back

Star wide receiver DeVante Parker is "a little ahead of schedule" in his recovery from a fractured fifth metatarsal in his foot.

The small bone on the outside of Parker's left foot is still healing after late August surgery, but the 6-foot-3, 208-pound senior dtiched the protective boot this week and shifted back into regular shoes.

"We miss that production," Petrino said of Parker, who's about three weeks into a 6-to-8-week recovery process.

"It's taken a toll on our big-play ability."

Safeties sharper than expected

It was perhaps the most-talked-about position of need for Louisville coming into the season, but James Sample, Gerod Holliman and Terell Floyd have played some of the best of any U of L defenders so far.

Holliman had two interceptions against Virginia and is up to three for the year. Sample was the ACC co-defensive back of the week after U of L's win over Miami, and Floyd's been steady each game.

"I've been very happy with the production we've gotten from our safeties," Petrino said. "Going into the season that was a huge concern for us."