The University of Louisville football team opens play Saturday afternoon, hosting Kentucky at the newly expanded Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. The Cards' first-year coach Charlie Strong says his team is still trying to find its identity."Leadership is missing. And once you get some leadership in this program then guys understand---plus you have a whole new coaching staff, so guys don't know what to expect. Even with practice, they didn't know it was going to be like that. They were just like 'Coach, I never though we would practice like this, practice so hard.'U of L is coming off its third straight losing season, all of them under previous coach Steve Kragthorpe.Kentucky also has a new head coach. Former offensive coordinator Joker Phillips takes the reins following the retirement of Rich Brooks. The Wildcats have appeared in four straight bowl games.Saturday's kickoff is at 3:30pm. The game is sold out.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.