MTSU actually was ahead during the first quarter, and hung around until halftime, when Mario Urrutia put the nail in the coffin with a 68-yard TD catch. MTSU played hard, but just doesn't have the horse to match up even with a beatup Louisville club.

SCOUTING SUMMARY:

College: Louisville Conference: Big East Columnist: Steve Martin
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Michael Bush 19 6' 2.7" 250 4.54 HB 2007: Out for the year, but contrary to rumors has NOT signed with an agent.

Brian Brohm 12 6' 3.5" 224 4.90 QB 2008: Out at least one more week.

Amobi Okoye 91 6' 0.5" 317 5.20 DT 2007: Dominating at this level of competition. Just 19 years old. Shoot sgaps well for a big man, and is nearly unblockable by collegiate OGs/Cs. Good (but not great) motor. More of an "upside guy" than a current production prospect. Plas like Steve Fifita last year, but will go higher because of age and growth (strength growth) potential. In on half a sack, a couple pressures, in on a handful of tackles. GRADE: Neutral

Brandon Sharp 35 5' 11.0" 190 0.00 S 2007: Fairly active first half, but a quiet second half. Doesn't do enough to be considered an elite prospect. Isn't big enough to start at safety at the next level, nor fast or agile enough to be tried at corner. A classic tweener. GRADE: Slightly negative

Abe Brown 43 6' 3.0" 240 4.69 LB 2007: Should do more than he does with this body. Looks OK in pass drops and in pursuit, but a guy with his size/speed/strenght numbers should be getting a lot more tackles. GRADE: Slightly negative

College: Middle Tennessee State Conference: Sunbelt Columnist: various
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Damon Nickson 5 5' 11.5" 177 4.48 S 2008: A career game as a kick returner. Staked MTSU to a 7-0 lead with an 88-yard KOR-TD in the early first quarter. Looked very good in coverage most of the time too, except for when he timed his leap wrong in the endzone just before the half allowing Mario Urrutia to come up with the backbreaking 25-yard TD catch. A quick twitch guy who is playing safety now, but should be looked at (and projected to) at corner next year. Looks like he has a shot at this point. 175 total return yards in this one. Looks good enough on STs to make a squad if he gets stronger without losing speed and shows he can backpedal and play corner. GRADE: Positive

Eugene Gross 20 5' 8.0" 208 4.50 HB 2007: An under-rated prospect playing behind an average line. Strong runner for his size. Cuts well. Catches nicely and gets YAC. Will pound it up the middle for a little guy. Plays a bit like Alvin Pearman, and though he probably will go undrafted, he could stick because of his consitency and hands. Blocking is suspect. GRADE: Slightly positive

Other notes: MTSU ROT Germayle Franklin (6'4", 310) looks like he might have a shot at a camp invitation as an OG. MTSU LB J.K. Salb is a 5'11", 221 dynamo at linebacker who just lacks a position at the next level. Junior DE Eric Waldon (6'2", 232) should be tried at OLB next year--he may have a future. Had a career game rushing the QB.

Louisville WR Mario Urrutia would be a late first rounder if he were eligible. He's just a sophomore, but will come out and go top 15 next year. The Cards are doing amazingly well without Brohm and Bush, but they will not be playing MTSU all year...