Gardner will start at quarterback vs. NC State

Published Oct. 14, 2014 7:13 p.m. ET

foxsports

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) Louisville offensive coordinator Garrick McGee says sophomore quarterback Will Gardner will start in Saturday's game against North Carolina State.

Gardner had started Louisville's first four games before hurting his knee against Florida International. The injury opened the door for freshman Reggie Bonnafon, who led the Cardinals to wins in two of three successive starts.

Gardner replaced Bonnafon in the second half of Saturday's 23-17 loss at Clemson and completed 10 of 16 passes for 150 yards. He gave the Cardinals (5-2, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) a chance to win with a 73-yard strike to James Quick to the Tigers' 8 with 1:08 left, but Clemson held on.

McGee said Tuesday, ''Will is back healthy now, so we're going to put Will on the field first, but Reggie will play.''