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Monday afternoon Cardinal news and notes

Bethany Yager Houze says that her (now) husband's only wedding concern was the "must have CCBM and cards cheer and a picture" requirement. It appears as though it went off without a hitch.

By Mike Rutherford

I_medium David Hale had a great piece on Reggie Bonnafon's relationship with his father last Friday, and now he has a Q & A posted with the sophomore quarterback.

Hale: What was last season like for you with playing early while enduring some serious off-field problems?

Bonnafon: I grew up a lot last season. I started off the season against Murray State, [and] it was the first opportunity I got to play and had a good game. Two games later, after the Virginia game, my father passed away suddenly. That was a big blow. My teammates and coaches did a good job of keeping me positive and focused on the rest of the season. On down the road, I had the opportunity to play in some big games as well -- Clemson, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Wake Forest. I was really excited to have the opportunity to be a true freshman and come in and have a little success and a little failure. The Clemson game for sure, I learned a lot. The atmosphere -- I was a young kid playing before 80,000 people. My adrenaline was pumping, I was all amped up, and it did't go as well as I planned it to. But when we went to Notre Dame, my experience at Clemson allowed me to perform well because I'd been in that atmosphere before. ... As a freshman, not only was I looking at the game plan and things like that, but I was always hearing about places like Death Valley and things like that -- [and] that begins to pop in your mind as well -- not just defenses and schemes but the crowd noise and things like that. But I've been in those situations, so that's probably the last thing on my mind. This year I'll focus a lot more on the scheme and not get so caught up in the small things.

Hale: How much progress do you feel like you were able to make this spring?

Bonnafon: I had some highs and lows throughout the weeks that we practiced and scrimmaged. I could tell in the spring game that all the hard work -- a lot of bad days of trying to work on accuracy and things like that -- really paid off. Once we really got in a game-type situation, I could really tell that the game has slowed down. Since the spring game, I've really been working hard on technique and trying to improve on a daily basis -- watching film, doing field work, footwork, anything. So once fall camp comes, I can really perform at the highest level.

Hale: What did you hear from Coach [Bobby] Petrino and Coach McGee about your progress?

Bonnafon: They were really pleased with the way I finished spring. I'm always my biggest critic, so Coach Petrino was a lot more pleased with the spring than I was with myself. But he told me that he really liked the way I competed during the spring. Really we just worked on -- wanted me to emphasize fundamentals [by] just working on quick release, quicker feet. I took it upon myself to really dive in headfirst to the film room as well, trying to become a better player from the neck up. I think that really helps a quarterback at this level, so that' really what I've been trying to attack and step up and be a leader of this team.

I_medium Baseball America profiles its national Freshman of the Year, Brendan McKay.

I_medium Jeff Greer's U of L hoops summer re-wind rolls on with a focus on Chinanu Onuaku.

I_medium Jawon Pass has named a final three of Louisville, Alabama and Auburn. The five-star quarterback will announce his college decision on July 16.

I_medium Brandon Radcliff remains awesome.

I_medium Former Rutgers guard Eli Carter will be back in Louisville's conference after announcing that he plans to transfer from Florida to Boston College for his final season of play.

I_medium The elbow injury that kept Shaq Wiggins out of spring practice has apparently healed completely.

I_medium A number of signed Louisville items are currently up for auction.

I_medium Former U of L footballer Greg Cochrane made his debut with the Chicago Fire last week.

I_medium Big ups, Nashville alumni.

I_medium Ralph Willard is back at Louisville for one season because he has a particular set of skills that Rick Pitino needs.

I_medium Alhaji Mohammed hasn't played basketball for U of L in more than a decade, but he's still giving back to the Louisville community that embraced him while he was a Cardinal.

In the offseason, Mohammed lives in Louisville, where he played for the University of Louisville basketball team. He spent Wednesday at the St. Vincent de Paul homeless shelter in Louisville, making and serving meals for the residents there.

"Whatever they need me to do," said Mohammed, who played in Romania and France this past season. Over the last decade, he's also had stints in Spain, Germany, Iran, Kuwait and the Netherlands.

Mohammed said he would be returning to Chicago in a few weeks. He's seeking out local shelters and likely will hand out food gift cards to homeless people living in viaducts on the North Side, Mohammed said.

Mohammed grew up in low-income housing in Uptown. For his first two high school years, Mohammed attended Kenwood Academy — where Nazr Mohammed had honed his skills.

Mohammed transferred to Senn High School but left after one day because "I knew I would end up on the streets if I stayed there." He graduated from suburban Hillcrest High School before heading to Louisville.

When he's in Uptown, Mohammed carries a wad of $2 bills, which he distributes to the neighborhood's youngsters, especially those living in his old building.

"I love seeing the looks on their faces," he said.

Good dude right there.

I_medium This shirt from Homage is pretty cool.




I_medium Taylor County star Quentin Goodin has announced that he will release his current list of college favorites tomorrow.

I_medium A good story from SI on how top U of L target Markelle Fultz went from a JV player to a consensus top 25 recruit in two years.

I_medium The Petrino Family Foundation tailgate parties are back for another year after a wildly successful debut season.

The Petrino Family Foundation, established by U of L Head Football Coach Bobby Petrino and his family, is thrilled to announce the kickoff of football season and the second annual Petrino Family Foundation Tailgate Parties.  Proceeds from the tailgates will go towards the Foundation's pledges including the Children's Hospital Foundation through the Trauma Program at Kosair Children's Hospital among other local charities.

Due to last year's success, the tailgates will now take place inside the Trager Center and will open 3 hours before each home game.  Season passes and sponsorship opportunities for the tailgate parties are on sale now.  The Season Pass includes access to the VIP tent for all six home games, a table for 10, a rotating menu, bar with complementary drink tickets, entertainment, photo wall, former player appearances, and sideline pregame opportunities. Tables will be sold on a first response basis, and a portion of the purchase is eligible for a charitable deduction.

To purchase your table now or for more information on the tailgate parties, contact the Foundation at at 502-562-3632 or at info@petrinofamilyfoundation.org

I_medium Former U of L football player Matt Battaglia has a role on the second season of "True Detective," which premiered on HBO last night.

I_medium If you're looking for a way to help former Louisville tight end Pete Nochta in his fight against Lymphoma, there will be a fundraiser this Friday night.

I_medium Class of 2017 guard Hamidou Diallo talks about getting a scholarship offer from Louisville.

I_medium One writer in New England thinks the Celtics should pass on Montrezl Harrell.

I_medium Ramblin' Fan, which covers the St. Louis Rams, previews Jamon Brown's rookie season.

I_medium And finally, Ramsey & Rutherford is back on the air today from 3-6. We'll have James Burgess in studio at the beginning of the show, much to the delight of this young lady.

We'll also continue our ACC summer camp with a look at Boston College. You can listen live right here, or via podcast on the site after the show.

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