Petrino: Reggie Bonnafon ready if needed

If a lingering knee injury from last Saturday's win over FIU continues to hamper starting quarterback Will Gardner, Louisville is prepared to hand the reins of the offense to freshman backup Reggie Bonnafon.

Gardner received treatment for an unspecified knee injury on Tuesday and missed practice. He received more treatment for his knee on Wednesday and he did not practice.

As Louisville readies for a 3:30 p.m. Saturday home game against Wake Forest, Bonnafon's taking the first-team offense snaps.

"Just like with any other position, in this situation, you have to prepare the next guy," Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said Wednesday.

Petrino said Bonnafon, a 6-foot-3 freshman who was one of the top prospects in Louisville's 2014 signing class, returned to team meetings and workouts on Sunday following the funeral for his dad, Wallace.

Bonnafon did not practice last week and missed the FIU game as he grieved his father's passing.

"We're excited about having Reggie back with us," Petrino said. "He's very motivated ... He had a very, very difficult week."

Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson on Monday said that his team is preparing for both quarterbacks as the week goes on.

"We're not sure who the quarterback is going to be, but certainly the Gardner kid has played well," Clawson said. "(Bonnafon) was a national recruit who could have gone anywhere in the country, and certainly watching him in his limited action this year poses a lot of threats."

Bonnafon's had mixed results in limited action this season. He made his debut in a 66-21 rout of Murray State on Sept. 6, throwing for a touchdown and running for two more.

Against stiffer competition, Bonnafon engineered a sharp one-minute drill at Virginia, but his Hail Mary at the end of the first half fell incomplete.

The Trinity High grad started the second half under center, but Louisville lost one yard in nine plays.

Still, Bonnafon's quickness and ability to run as well as throw makes him an exciting prospect for Louisville fans, many of whom have clamored for more playing time for the freshman.

"He has a live arm and is very dynamic and can create plays," Clawson said.

Follow U of L beat writer Jeff Greer on Twitter (@jeffgreer_cj).