Will Gardner is done for the year.
The University of Louisville sophomore quarterback suffered a season-ending left knee injury during the Cardinals’ 38-19 win at Boston College this past Saturday night, the school announced Tuesday afternoon.
“It is really unfortunate and disappointing for Will because of how hard he has worked and how respected he is in the locker room,” UofL coach Bobby Petrino said in a statement. “Will will continue to be an integral part of our program moving forward because of his leadership he has displayed and the respect he has in the locker room.”
The 6-foot-5, 224-pound Gardner, who started seven of the eight games he appeared in (he missed two games earlier this season due to a lower leg injury), completed 127 of 221 passes (a 57.5 completion percentage) for 1,669 yards and 12 touchdowns against only three interceptions.
Gardner’s injury opens the door for true freshman Reggie Bonnafon to take over under center for the Cards (7-3, 5-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference). The 6-3, 206-pound Trinity High School graduate has looked good - very good at times - in seven games this season. He has completed 51 of 92 passes (55.4 percent) for 662 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Bonnafon has also rushed for 138 yards and three TDs.
Bonnafon helped rally UofL to its victory at BC after Gardner got injured, throwing two touchdown passes and running for another score as the Cards clawed back from an early 13-3 deficit.
Gardner will require surgery at some point in the coming weeks, but a date has not been set yet.
UofL has a bye this week before playing at Notre Dame at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 22.
Photo courtesy of the University of Louisville Football Facebook Page
