Senior Mike Hartline took a lot of criticism in the preseason when a lot of fans didn’t think he should be the quarterback of choice. There was a three way battle during the fall between Hartline, Newton and Mossakowski with most of the doubters leaning in Newton’s direction. When coach Joker Phillips announced that Hartline would be the starter in the Kentucky vs. Louisville season opener those doubters went nuts.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
From before the start of the season opener yesterday and throughout the entire game, Mike Hartline showed poise. “I was real, real nervous” Mike Hartline said after the 23-16 victory over Louisville. “I was ready for the noise, ready for the heat,” he said. “There’s no better feeling.”
Hartline threw for 217 yards with 17 completions on 26 attempts. More importantly he made great decisions throwing the ball away when there was nothing down field. He showed his ability to scramble from the defense and at the end of the game had 0 turnovers.
He proved to the doubters that he was the right choice for the game. He proved to the coaching staff, that he is the best choice in the starting role for the remainder of the year.
