Dyer likely out for Murray; other U of L notes

Michael Dyer is probably going to miss the University of Louisville's 7 p.m. game against Murray State on Saturday.

The running back's thigh contusion will likely keep him out until the team starts preparing for its Sept. 13 game at the University of Virginia, U of L coach Bobby Petrino said on Thursday.

Dyer sat out of Louisville's 31-13 win over Miami on Monday.

"I don't think he's going to be ready this weekend, either," Petrino said. "Right now we're focusing on getting him ready for Virginia, unless something here in the next 48 hours makes a huge stride."

Petrino did say that his team's change-up tailback is improving after a setback slowed his recovery process last week.

Dyer (5-9, 214) is considered a smaller, quicker and speedier alternative to 6-2, 233-pound power back Dominique Brown, who ran for 143 yards and a touchdown against Miami.

The way Virginia played against UCLA last weekend showed that the Cavaliers might be a bit better than many projected. That increases the importance of Dyer's health and potential presence in U of L's offense.

"He's made tremendous improvement," Petrino said. "He's doing a lot of movement in getting where he needs to be."

McGee happy with Gardner

U of L offensive coordinator Garrick McGee has a simple formula for reviewing a quarterback's performance after a game.

He was happy with Louisville's new starting quarterback Will Gardner, who fumbled twice but threw two touchdown passes in his debut start.

"I'm always pleased with a quarterback who wins," McGee said.

"That's what this whole thing is about. Quarterbacks get judged on, 'Did you win, or did you lose?' He found a way to win, so he gets credit for that."

McGee did say that there was a lot for Gardner to "clean up." The coaching staff worked with the redshirt sophomore on fixing his mistakes during Wednesday and Thursday practices.

"I think he can be a special player at some point in his career," McGee said. "That's what we're pushing for."

Lamb revels in spotlight

The fastest player on U of L put his speed on display on Monday night, racing 97 yards for a touchdown on a kick return that changed the momentum in Louisville's win.

Since then, Corvin Lamb said he's received the YouTube clip of his return a few times from friends. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't watched.

"I watched it a couple times," Lamb admitted. "Sometimes I'm like, 'Jeez, I was moving fast.' Other times, I'll think, 'I've got to move faster. I have to look faster.'

So there's another gear for the running back who already runs a 4.26-second 40-yard dash?

"Yeah," he said.

What does that look like?

"We'll see," he quipped.

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