[Quality88]

Mario Urrutia, who has struggled with drops and penalties for the University of Louisville football team, is not guaranteed to start this week's game at North Carolina State, coach Steve Kragthorpe said this morning.

"Right now, we're opening up the position of 'X' receiver," Kragthorpe said on the Big East Conference coaches' teleconference, referring to Urrutia's position.

The 6-foot-6 junior has had trouble hanging onto passes so far this season for the Cardinals (2-2). A bigger issue, though, may be his penalties. He drew two personal foul calls on Saturday versus Syracuse, giving him three for the season.

Kragthorpe benched Urrutia after the second penalty but had to bring him back in for Louisville's final drive because receiver Harry Douglas was hurt and the Cards were trying to come back and win the game.

"Mario has not been as consistent a player as we need him to be," Kragthorpe said. "I think Mario has gotten frustrated by his lack of consistency, but that's something he can't display. He needs to keep that in."

Kragthorpe also reiterated this morning that Douglas, who was carted off the field late in Saturday's game, "will definitely be ready to play" at N.C. State (1-3).

Kragthorpe may not start Urrutia against NC State