LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Even after all the preseason hype, what Kentuckyquarterback Tim Couch did Saturday to Louisville was impressive.
In a little more than three quarters on the opening day of the 1998 season,the Heisman hopeful made the records section of the brand-new Kentucky mediaguide obsolete, passing for a school-record 498 yards and tying his ownSoutheastern Conference record with seven touchdown passes.
Couch pillaged the Cardinals’ new $63 million stadium. In 39 attempts, hecompleted 29 passes to 11 receivers, five of whom caught touchdowns.
Couch left the field for good with just five seconds gone in the fourthquarter, following a 32-yard rainbow to Quentin McCord that gave the Wildcats a55-16 lead. Kentucky won 68-34.
Coach Hal Mumme raised a frightening prospect for the Wildcats’ upcomingopponents: Couch is even better than last year, when he led the nation with3,884 passing yards.
“Tim, I think, has gotten better at throwing the deep ball and his checksat the line are better,” Mumme said. “His overall knowledge of the game isbetter.”
Couch’s first completion – a screen to Anthony White – went for no gain andwas just about the only time all day that the Cardinals were able to containthe junior from the mountains of eastern Kentucky.
“He’s improved more than anybody I’ve ever seen from spring ball to camp -and he was starting at such a high plateau,” quarterbacks coach Chris Hatchersaid. “He really showed poise today. With all the hype that’s been surroundinghim, he just came out and I told him to act like he was back (home) andthrowing balls around the mountains, and that’s what he did.”
Given as much time as he needed by an offensive line loaded with seniors,Couch shredded the inexperienced Louisville secondary.
“I think the main thing that went right was up front,” Couch said. “Theguys up front were handling their guys and giving us a lot of time and I thinkI’m going to make good decisions when I get time and our receivers aredefinitely going to make big plays.”
“Our offensive line did a great job of maintaining their blocks,” Mummesaid. “Tim had some great throws and was able to move around in there a lot.”
In the first half, as Couch ran Mumme’s “Air Raid” offense with the coolprecision of a pinball wizard, Kentucky’s drives passed with dreamlike speed.
Three plays, 80 yards, ending with a 56-yard touchdown to James Whalen. Oneplay for 48 yards, a strike to Quentin McCord. Two plays, 76 yards, finished bya 57-yard scoring pass to Jermaine White. Three plays, 39 yards, ending with a15-yard pass to Yeast that gave the Wildcats a 41-10 halftime lead.
“Couch decided to take the game into his hand, and he performed at aHeisman-candidate level,” Louisville tackle Derrick Kennedy said.
The Yeast touchdown showed Couch’s poise on the rare occasion when hisprotection broke down. Flushed out the pocket, Couch nimbly stepped forward andfound Yeast open in the end zone.
Couch’s touch was nearly perfect as well. His final touchdown, the 32-yarderto McCord, was a perfect arc that McCord caught in stride in the right cornerof the end zone.
Even when Couch was off target, his receivers were there to bail him out. Hewent over 300 yards with 6:59 left in the first half, when Jimmy Haley made aone-handed grab of a high bullet for a 21-yard touchdown.
