HEADLINE

Arkansas suspends two starting defensive backs

The Sports Xchange

November 19, 2018 at 3:16 pm.

Arkansas suspended two defensive starters for its season-ending game against Missouri.

Razorbacks head coach Chad Morris announced Monday that defensive backs Ryan Pulley and Kamren Curl will not play against the Tigers.

“They will not be here today or yesterday or any part of this week for unacceptable behavior, actions that are completely unacceptable to anything we’re about,” Morris said.

Morris did not specify the violations that warranted the suspensions, but the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Pulley and Curl were seen talking to and having their pictures taken with members of the Mississippi State cheer squad before Saturday’s game. Former Arkansas All-American tight end DJ Williams, who is now a TV reporter, was the person who witnessed the interaction, according to the report.

Pulley is a starting cornerback, while Curl has started all 11 games at strong safety.

Pulley leads the team in interceptions with three and has been credited with 10 passes defensed. He also has 37 tackles, including 3 1/2 for losses.

Curl is fourth on the team in tackles with 53, and he has also broken up five passes and forced one fumble.

Mississippi State quarter back Nick Fitzgerald threw four touchdown passes in a 52-6 victory over Arkansas on Saturday.

Arkansas is 2-9 overall and 0-7 in the Southeastern Conference in Morris’ first season as the Razorbacks’ head coach.