Tue Aug 5 18:37:39 2008

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Kentucky dismisses QB Pulley

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Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - University of Kentucky's head football coach Rich Brooks announced on Tuesday that quarterback Curtis Pulley has been dismissed from the team for violations of team rules.

Pulley was expected to compete with sophomore Mike Hartline for the starting role this season after redshirting the 2007 season, but repeated off-field incidents led to his eventual dismissal.

"There's no question that it is very, very difficult," Brooks commented during the Wildcats' Media Day. "I like to think that we are in the business of taking young men and building them into responsible young men. Obviously, I feel like I've failed in this situation. Sometimes for the better good of the whole, some parts have to be sacrificed because somewhere down the line everybody has to realize there are consequences for their actions."

The versatile Pulley saw limited time as a sophomore in 2006, lining up as both a quarterback and wide receiver. In 2005, Pulley appeared in nine games as a freshman under center, completing 31-of-50 passes for 208 yards with three interceptions and no touchdowns. Pulley also gained 149 yards on the ground with three touchdowns.

"We will move forward," Brooks continued. "Obviously, that puts Hartline front and center at the quarterback position. We will take a long, hard look at (Will) Fidler and a couple of the freshmen that are working at that position. The depth at that position is now a concern."

The announcement comes one day after the team announced that cornerback Paul Warford was ruled ineligible for the 2008 season. Warford will redshirt in 2008 as he has two years of eligibility left in 2009 and 2010. He started 11 games last season, posting 41 tackles and two interceptions.

The Wildcats open up their season on August 31, on the road versus Louisville.