Fayetteville, AR (Best E Casino) - The NCAA on Thursday decided to deny an appeal requested by quarterback Ryan Mallett, who transferred from Michigan to Arkansas this year, seeking to reinstate him for the upcoming season.

"I am disappointed that the NCAA has declined to grant a waiver in my case," Mallett said in a statement released after the decision. "My family and I were hopeful that I would be eligible to play for the University of Arkansas in the upcoming season."

Mallett appeared in 11 games as a true freshman for the Wolverines in 2007, filling in at times for injured starter Chad Henne. He completed 61-of-141 passes for 892 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

However, NCAA rules state that any student-athlete who transfers to a different school must spend one year of residence at that institution before resuming their athletic career. Therefore, Mallett will be eligible to attend classes and practice with the Razorbacks this season, but will not be eligible to play until 2009.

Arkansas will enter the 2008 season with Bobby Petrino at the helm. Petrino resigned from his position as Atlanta Falcons head coach in December, just 13 games into his first NFL season.

Petrino was previously head coach at the University of Louisville before signing a five-year, $24-million deal in the offseason to take over the Falcons.

"As an institution and a football program we felt it was very important to offer our support and assistance to Ryan and his family in their appeal process," Petrino said. "Ryan and his family understood from the beginning that precedent did not suggest the NCAA was likely to grant the appeal. Now that the final decision has been made, we will move forward and use the upcoming year as an opportunity for Ryan to grow as a student, a quarterback and as a person."