The first item on Bret Bielema’s agenda at his Monday press conference was addressing the status of quarterback Cole Kelley.
“He’s suspended indefinitely,” Bielema said.
Kelley was arrested early Sunday morning in Fayetteville and charged with DWI. He will be allowed to continue medical treatment and all academic support, but won’t be practicing or participating in team activities.
“He’s got to understand what life can be like without football,” Bielema said.
Going forward that leaves fifth-year senior Austin Allen and sophomore Ty Storey, who hasn’t seen the field very often this season, as the quarterbacks against Mississippi State.
Kelley, though, could be a big absence. Many were viewing him as the future of the program and Bielema is hoping he learned something from this.
“He’s been pretty honest and up front with me all the way through,” Bielema said. “… He’s very disappointed. We were disappointed. It’s a learning lesson that I hope he takes full advantage of, as well as our team.”
Because of the timing of the arrest, Kelley went through Sunday meetings with the rest of the team, which Bielema said was “one of the few times I’ve seen Cole quiet.”
“I kept him in the building Sunday because I wanted (him) to be around our guys, I wanted him to see them, face them,” Bielema said.
Kelley has a court appearance Wednesday.
