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Posted at 8:19 a.m., Friday, December 14, 2007

CFB: Louisville WR Urrutia plans to enter NFL Draft

Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville wide receiver Mario Urrutia will bypass his senior season and enter the NFL Draft.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Urrutia had 35 receptions for 501 yards and three touchdowns during an injury-marred season in 2007. Urrutia played in 34 career games for the Cardinals, catching 130 passes for 2,271 yards and 16 touchdowns.

"It's by far the toughest decision I've ever made," Urrutia said. "Unfortunately, with missing time this season and playing injured I got to see football from a different perspective. You only have so much time to play this sport, and the 2008 draft is my opportunity."

Urrutia hoped to capitalize on a breakout 2006 season — when he caught 58 passes for 973 yards and six touchdowns — last year, but was troubled by a nagging leg injury that forced him to miss two games and limited him in others.

Coach Steve Kragthorpe said he was "disappointed" in Urrutia's decision, adding he thought Urrutia would have benefited from returning for his senior year.