Injuries could play big role Thursday night for Louisville, Rutgers

Backups may play a key role in who comes out on top Thursday night when Louisville and Rutgers meet.

By Evan Hilbert

Nov 28, 2012 at 4:30 pm ET • 3 min read

Rutgers RB Savon Huggins has filled in well for a banged-up Jawan Jamison. (US Presswire)

Not only were the Cards not punished for consecutive losses to Syracuse and UConn -- they still have a chance to go to a BCS bowl with a win Thursday night at Rutgers -- but they also, somehow, will still have the services of the front-runner for Big East offensive player of the year, Teddy Bridgewater.

The question now becomes, just how lucky did Louisville get?

Bridgewater -- undoubtedly the best player on either team -- fractured his non-throwing wrist against Connecticut Saturday. Coach Charlie Strong said Monday that Bridgewater would start, but he would not take any snaps from directly under center. Could Bridgewater end up being less effective? And, if so, do the Cards have a backup plan?

Rutgers, similarly, is dealing with some injury issues of its own. Below is a list of the most notable players that will be at least somewhat banged-up Thursday, and who would take their spot if it came down to it.

Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater (wrist)

Bridgewater has been the guiding force all season for the Louisville offense, but the smart money is he will at least be limited Thursday night. His injury -- and his reaction to playing with a broken wrist -- will likely end up being the difference.

Replacement: QB Will Stein -- The senior is certainly not short on experience. In fact, Stein was the starter last season before being supplanted by Bridgewater. He hasn't seen much time on the field this season, and he looked a little sloppy in limited action last Saturday. On the season he's just 12 of 23 for 72 yards.

Louisville DE Lorenzo Mauldin (knee)

Though he was able to get on the field last Saturday against Connecticut, there is no guarantee Mauldin is back to full strength. The sophomore seemed to be hitting his stride when he sprained his knee last month against Cincinnati, coming off being named Big East defensive player of the week. He will play against Rutgers, and he could be a huge boost to a defensive line that will want to pressure Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova.

Replacement: DE Deiontrez Mount -- Mount will see plenty of action regardless, so if Mauldin can't go or isn't effective, Louisville will mostly take a hit in its depth. Mount, a junior, has recorded 2.5 sacks and four ackles for loss this season. Effective, sure, but not quite as impressive as Mauldin's totals of 4.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.

Rutgers QB Gary Nova (head/neck)

Nova was injured Saturday against Pittsburgh after being thrown to the ground by Panthers lineman Shayne Hale. He missed a series and appears ready for Thursday.

Replacement: QB Chas Dodd -- What's most interesting about the Scarlet Knights quarterback situation is how completely one-sided it has been. Nova won a hotly contested battle over the summer, and has not looked back once. Though Dodd has seen time here and there, he has yet to throw a pass. So if Nova experiences any lingering issues from the injury last week, it doesn't appear Rutgers has much of a backup plan.

Rutgers RB Jawan Jamison (ankle)

As important as Bridgewater is to the Cards, Jamison is to the Scarlet Knights. A 1,000-yard rusher, Jamison has been battling ankle problems the last several weeks and has seen his effectiveness decline. Jamison broke the 100-yard mark in six of Rutgers' first seven games, but hasn't done so since. Last week against Pitt, he had just nine carries for 14 yards, but Jamison is expected to be at full strength Thursday.

Replacement: RB Savon Huggins -- Unlike the situation with Nova and Dodd, the Scarlet Knights do have a formidable backup in sophomore running back Savon Huggins. When Jamison was limited a couple weeks ago against Cincinnati, Huggins rushed a whopping 41 times for 179 yards. Don't be surprised to see the Scarlet Knights take a page out of Syracuse's playbook Thursday, and use multiple backs often. In the Orange's upset of Louisville, Syracuse backs Jerome Smith and Prince-Tyson Gulley combined for 33 carries, 242 yards and three touchdowns.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Big East, follow bloggers Evan Hilbert and Matt Rybaltowski @CBSBigEast.