The Louisville Cardinals and the Connecticut Huskies are getting a chance to show they are for real on Friday night, as the Cards play host at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium in the Big East opener for both teams.

But one of the stars on the Connecticut sidelines has a real connection to the Cards; in fact, he calls Louisville his home and the Cards used to be his team.

The Louisville roster is loaded with homegrown products, such as Doug Beaumont and Victor Anderson, but they do let some local players get away; including one punter who’s back and hoping to kick the Cards where it hurts!

Like Desi Cullen, who grew up a huge Louisville fan and was on the field yanking down the goal post when the Cards upset Florida State in 2002.  He even keeps a picture of it and a piece of the goal post in his room.

Desi wanted to kick for Louisville, but didn’t get a scholarship offer; but he did from UConn.

Desi’s nickname at Connecticut is “The Kentucky Hammer,” and his family even made up special T-shirts with that written on the back.  They normally root for Louisville, but not in this opening game, on Friday night, at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.