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Louisville quarterback Stefan LeFors will walk into TCU's Amon Carter Stadium to face the hyped up fury of a crowd on a BCS-busting buzz when the teams meet tonight in Fort Worth. And the sound will be music to his ears.

LeFors never worries about crowd noise. He's just grateful he can hear it.

The junior from Baton Rouge, La., grew up as the only hearing member of a deaf family. His father was born deaf. His mother and older brother went deaf after childhood bouts with the mumps. Both of his paternal grandparents are deaf, as are both paternal uncles and an uncle on his mother's side.

"But I came out able to hear fine," LeFors said. "I can't tell you how many times I've asked myself why I was the one who was able to hear. I just believe it must have been for a reason. This is the way God made me, and I thank him for that and for everything that's happened to me every day."

LeFors' father, Larry, met his mother Susan when Larry's Louisiana School for the Deaf played the Texas School for the Deaf, for whom Susan was a cheerleader. Stefan's older brother, Eric, set several deaf school passing records in Louisiana before going on to play at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

Larry LeFors said that his son was a bit slow to develop his verbal skills when growing up, but that he always showed a very confident, unflappable nature. That's evident in Stefan's command of the Louisville offense now. In his first season of playing college football after sitting on the bench behind Dave Ragone for three years, LeFors ranks 17th in passing efficiency and has led the No. 25-ranked Cardinals to a 7-1 record behind an offense that ranks ninth nationally in yardage and first in Conference USA at 34.8 points per game.

If he's doing things beyond his years on the football field, it's nothing different than he's done in life. Though his parents tried to avoid it, as LeFors grew up he found himself as a communication link from his family to the world. He said he would routinely serve as an interpreter for family members at the store or out in public, even on the phone.

"There was a stage -- and I wouldn't say 'embarrassed' is the word -- but having to interpret for them every day got to me at times," he said. "But the older I got the more I accepted that as my job and my duty, and I was so happy that God put me there so that I could do that.

"I wouldn't change my life for anything. I have a great family, great parents, grandparents, everybody. They just can't hear. So we talk with our hands. It's not a big deal to me. I guess for a while I was kind of shy around people, because I never really talked to people much when I was a little one. But my parents are such good people, and I've learned so much from them that I feel very lucky."

Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said he's the one who feels lucky. At 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, LeFors is smaller than the prototypical quarterback. But he was a quick study in Petrino's sophisticated offensive system, and his ability to get rid of the ball quickly and run with the ball -- he has carried for 138 yards in the past two games -- have kept the Cardinal offense moving.

After playing behind a star quarterback, LeFors brought a more low-key mentality to the position. He borrowed from his basketball playing days in high school and adopted the mentality of a point guard.

"To me, the job of the quarterback is just to get the ball to people who can make plays," LeFors said. "All I have to do is follow the instructions and let the offense do the work."

LeFors wasn't recruited heavily out of Christian Life Academy in Lafayette. His only scholarship offer was an academic ride from Louisiana-Lafayette. So after his senior year of high school, he got together with his brother and his dad to make a video highlight tape. They sent it out to a dozen schools. Then-Louisville coach John L. Smith, who has a keen eye for quarterbacks, called LeFors quickly.

"I felt like I could play," he said. "All I wanted was a chance."

Now, he's making the most of it. When he leads the No. 25-ranked Cardinals into No. 12 TCU tonight, it'll be his first action against a ranked opponent. Because of his size and because he's already suffered one concussion this season, taking the big hit is a concern, particularly against a blitz-happy defense like TCU's.

Of course, three plays after suffering his concussion this season, he threw a touchdown pass that he still doesn't remember. Toughness has not been a problem. Twice after interceptions this season, he has made tackles that sidelined the interceptor.

"I know they're coming after me," he said. "But we feel like we've got a good scheme for it."

LeFors admits he's had an unlikely emergence. After passing for 2,100 yards and earning All-State honors as a high school senior, LeFors didn't quite come out of nowhere. But he has come out of the quiet to help Louisville hold onto its spot as a Conference USA contender. And he's having the time of his life. He married his high school sweetheart, Joy, last spring, and his story has caught the attention of some local and national deaf support groups.

"I guess the way I grew up was different from most people," LeFors said. "But it never seemed like a big deal to me. I just feel blessed that I had that opportunity, and now that I have the chance to play college football at this level. Not many people would have pictured me in this position. I'm just trying to make the most of it."

Eric Crawford covers Conference USA for the Louisville Courier-Journal.