Head coach Rich Brooks has been reluctant to talk about Louisville all season long. But after UK disposed of Kent State on Saturday, Brooks finally opened up.

“They’re an outstanding football team obviously,” Brooks said after Saturday’s win. “They’re deserving of their ranking. Offensively, they’re a machine.”

The “machine” Brooks was referring to is currently the No. 1 scoring team in the country. After wins over Murray State and Middle Tennessee State, the Cardinals are averaging 65.5 points per game, largely behind the passing attack of U of L quarterback Brian Brohm, and receivers Mario Urrutia and Harry Douglas.

Brooks acknowledged yesterday at his weekly news conference that the Cats’ secondary has a tall order ahead of them covering Urrutia, a tall and bulky receiver, and Douglas, an explosive threat on the outside.

“They have thunder and lightning,” Brooks said. “Mario is thunder. Douglas is lightning.”

Cornerbacks Trevard Lindley and Roger Williams will have the tough task of covering the Cardinal wide outs. Urrutia, who will likely be covered by No. 1 cornerback Lindley, has nine catches for 197 yards and two touchdowns through two games, while Douglas has a team-high 13 receptions for 251 yards and three scores.

Although the Cats will have their hands full defending the fourth-best passing attack in the nation, Brooks is confident his secondary is up to the task.

“That’ll be one of the key things in this game.” Brooks said. “This is where statistics might lie. Even though our defense is not nationally ranked, our pass defense is (ranked) through the first two games — and it’s going to get a lot bigger test this week than it’s ever going to.”

Defending the Cardinals passing attack will also hinge on how much pressure the Cats’ defense can put on Brohm, Brooks said.

“If you’ve got any ideas how to do that I’d be willing to listen.”

Injury report

Injuries on the defensive line have made the Cats dangerously thin at the defensive tackle position.

Defensive linemen Ricky Lumpkin and Myron Pryor were scheduled to undergo MRIs yesterday after suffering injuries against Kent State. Lumpkin (hip injury) is listed as doubtful for the Louisville game while Pryor (strained pectoral muscle) is questionable. If both are unable to go Saturday, sophomore Corey Peters and junior Ventrell Jenkins will start in their place.

The Cats hope to have free safety Marcus McClinton (ankle) and cornerback David Jones (appendectomy) back after both missed the Kent State game. Barring any setbacks, both should be available Saturday, Brooks said.

UK-Arkansas on ESPN2

UK Athletics announced on Monday that the UK-Arkansas game on Sept. 22 has been selected for telecast on ESPN2. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m.

The telecast will be the Cats’ second-straight appearance on regional or national television this season following this week’s ESPN Classic telecast of the Louisville game.

The Cats will also be nationally televised on Oct. 4 on ESPN when they visit South Carolina.

Leger named Lineman of the Week

Offensive guard Jason Leger was named the Southeastern Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week on Monday for his performance in Saturday’s victory over Kent State.

The senior helped the Cats to 484 total yards of offense while posting four knockdown blocks in the game.