Kentucky Football - Quarterback Controversy or Evolution?

Curtis Pulley. Do you remember that name? For all of us die-hard Kentucky fans, that name equates to failed opportunity, lack of discipline, failure to live up to potential. For those unfamiliar, Pulley came to the Wildcats highly touted after being name "Mr Football" in Kentucky after finishing his senior year at Hopkinsville High School. After losing the starting quarterback role his Sophomore year to Andre Woodson, Pulley left school briefly but had returned for the 2008 season with two years of eligibility remaining. Unfortunately, he was dismissed from the team by Coach Brooks for violating team rules. The final infraction was never discussed in public, but followed a citation for marijuana possession in June and an arrest on traffic charges in late July. After the Coach received amplifying information on the arrest, Pulley was let go.

Pulley since left, attempted to join the EKU squad, but landed at the Florida A+M Rattlers who are in the MEAC that participates in the Football Championship Subdivision. He has put up impressive numbers in a platoon role at quarterback for the Rattlers passing for almost 900 yards, 10 TD passes, and almost 600 yards rushing this season with an overall quarterback rating of 159.55. Many Wildcat fans wonder what would have been if Pulley had been able to exhibit a little more personal self control and remain on the team?

Mike Hartline

Weeks before the Louisville game is when Coach Brooks named Mike Hartline the Wildcats starting quarterback-a decision that many felt was by default due to the dismissal of Pulley. Hartline's play so far this season has been average at best. He has show the aptitude for game management and has led the Cats to a 5-3 record through eight games this season having the team in position to be bowl eligible for the first time since 1956. Many thought after the late heroics by Hartline and Randall Cobb in the final minutes of the Arkansas victory that Mike Hartline had matured to the level of a good SEC quarterback. In the Arkansas game, Hartline connected on 17 of 32 pass attempts for 239 yards for three touchdowns, two interceptions, and an overall quarterback game rating of 134.30. Then, came the beating by Florida in the swamp last week with the Gators getting out to a 28-0 first quarter lead and never looking back. Ultimately, Florida prevailed 65-3 over the Wildcats. Hartline finished the game 7 of 16 passing for 33 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception for a game rating of 43.58. After the Florida game, Hartline's statistics were 139 of 256 (54.3%) passing for 1298 yards, eight touchdowns, seven interceptions, and an overall quarterback rating of 101.73. After Cobb outperformed Hartline in the Florida game, Coach Brooks announced Tuesday that Randall Cobb would be starting against Mississippi State based off of game day performance. Hartline inadvertently made matters a bit worse by making comments to the effect that the poor showing was a result of his supporting cast not performing up to par. Retracted later this week with backup from Coach Brooks, these comments helped fuel controversy discussions throughout Kentucky and on the web.

Randall Cobb

Cobb's primary position on the depth chart is listed as wide receiver with also being the backup quarterback until this past Tuesday. With the season ending injuries to Dickie Lyons, Jr and Derrick Locke, Cobb found himself in the nr 1 WR position against Arkansas and came through with two late TD receptions in the 4^th quarter to help the Wildcats secure their fourth victory of the season. A true freshman, Cobb has seen limited time at QB and displayed an excellent aptitude for performance similar to the style of Tim Tebow - great passing ability with a run capability to match. Cobb's statistics at QB for the year are 18 of 33 passing (54.5%), 214 yards, 1 TD, 1 Interception, for an overall quarterback rating of 112.96. Cobb's rushing statistics for the season are 109 yards on 23 carries, for an average gain of 4.7 yards, with 2 TD's and no fumbles. There have been two reasons Coach Brooks has held off on shifting Cobb to quarterback this season after the offense started the season very slowly: 1 - Cobb is a true freshman and needed to focus on the learning the offensive system at one position (WR) first, 2 - With the injuries to Lyons and Locke, who will Cobb throw the ball to if he is the starting QB?

A Platoon System?

Many people forget that before Tim Tebow's breakout season in 2007, he played in a QB platoon system opposite of senior Chris Leak. This allowed the Gatos to take advantage of Tebow's running ability opposite of Leak while allowing Tebow time to gain experience and learn the offense. Instead of solely relying on Cobb or Hartline, this may be the answer for the Cats as they struggle to find there way offensively for the last four games of the season. One the line - the third bowl trip in three years. One long term potential issue for the Wildcats is what happens if Cobb excels in a solo role with 5 and 4 star QB prospects committed to the team for next season, Morgan Newton and Ryan Mossakowski? We will likely see Coach Brooks sidestep any discussions in this area until we hit Fall practice next season. At 5'11" Cobb is better suited to play at the next level at wide receiver vice quarter back, but the Coach will likely go with the player who has the best capacity for leading the team - to what Wildcat fans hope is a fourth bowl trip in row next season! Needless to say, the Kentucky - Mississippi State game will be an interesting one to watch this Saturday.