Louisville football reserves get playing time

It was a big game for Louisville football on Monday night, complete with a 31-13 win over Miami and a welcome-to-the-Atlantic Coast Conference party at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

It was also a big game for the 16 Louisville players who either made their first career starts, their first college appearances or simply their first appearance in a Louisville jersey.

Saturday's 7 p.m. game against in-state FCS program Murray State could provide chances for several other newcomers and reserves to appear in the record books.

"You would hope it played out that way and you're able to get guys in and get experience," U of L coach Bobby Petrino said, "but we've just got to worry about playing well."

Playing well will almost definitely lead to a second half full of Louisville reserves. Cardinals fans seem most interested in freshman quarterback Reggie Bonnafon, the No. 2 signal caller on the depth chart who didn't see the field in the Miami game.

Bonnafon, a Trinity High School grad, was ready to play if Louisville needed him on Monday, U of L offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said.

"He's an extreme athlete," McGee said. "Sometimes when you're an athlete like that, you can make plays on accident."

Even with Bonnafon missing Monday's game, seven true or redshirt freshmen made their first appearances for Louisville.

Freshman tailback LJ Scott took three carries for three yards and recorded a tackle on special teams. Fellow freshman Charles Standberry, a tight end, made one catch for two yards, but it was a touchdown reception.

On defense, freshman Trumaine Washington made an appearance at cornerback as expected.

Redshirt freshmen Dontez Byrd, Chucky Williams, Stacy Thomas and Johnny Richardson all played in their first games.

Several older players made their first career starts: Center Tobijah Hughley and sophomore receiver James Quick (three catches, 40 yards) were new starters on offense.

On defense, nose tackle DeAngelo Brown (one quarterback hurry), inside linebacker Keith Kelsey (five tackles, one fumble recovery, one quarterback hurry) and safety transfer James Sample (eight tackles, one interception) all made their first starts of their college careers.

Walk-on defensive back George Clements and junior-college transfer Pio Vatuvei, a defensive lineman, also played.

"I loved it," Sample said Monday. "It was a beautiful thing. I can't wait 'til our next game."

With senior running back Michael Dyer likely out for Saturday's game, Scott seems like the top candidate for more touches against Murray State.

Standberry could be more active, too, along with fellow freshman tight end Micky Crum.

On defense, Washington could see the field a bit more. Same goes for the two other freshman cornerbacks, De'Eric Culver and Zykiesis Cannon.

Who actually gets into the game could also be a strong indication of which players Petrino plans to redshirt.

Several newcomers — defensive end Terry Ramsey, tackle Danny Burns and several other freshmen — didn't dress for Monday's game against Miami.

The staff's already started the evaluation process for those decisions.

"You look at three things: Are they physically ready to go?" Petrino said. "Can they mentally handle it? Some guys, it takes a little time to get used to the speed.

"Then the third thing we look at is: Do you have a need? We might have a guy who is physically ready and mentally ready, but we have two- or three-deep at that spot."

Reach U of L beat writer Jeff Greer at (502) 582-4044 and follow him on Twitter (@jeffgreer_cj).