Missouri QB Maty Mauk Set to Return to Tigers after Suspension

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Losing has a way of mending fences when dealing with suspensions on the college level, and it appears Missouri’s three-game losing streak has a hand in the return of junior quarterback Maty Mauk from suspension.

Mauk has served a four-game suspension for violation of unspecified team rules seeing the Tigers go 1-4 over that stretch. True freshman Drew Lock took over under center for Mauk but has had trouble moving a Missouri offense that was already challenged with the talented Mauk as the starter. Over the last four games against South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Vanderbilt, Lock had a personal best 151 yards passing verses the Gators in a 21-3 defeat. As a starter, the freshman from Lee’s Summit is averaging 135 passing yards a game with two total touchdowns, both thrown against South Carolina, 13 sacks taken, and two picks thrown, both against Florida.

Mauk, more of a dual-threat, was averaging 164 yards passing having thrown six total touchdowns against four picks while rushing for 145 yards with another score.

The losses to Florida and Georgia can be explained away but losing to Vanderbilt (3-4, 1-4) had to be a tough pill to swallow for the Tiger fan base. Missouri won 12 games in 2013 and 11 a year ago but are now 4-4, 1-4, and are in danger of missing their first bowl game since the 2012 season. Missouri finishes the season without a “give’me” opponent facing No. 25 Mississippi State after the Halloween bye, BYU, Tennessee, and the season finale against Arkansas. The good news is the Tigers will stay in Columbia over their next three contests before traveling to Fayetteville to face the Hogs on Nov. 27.

Photo credit: courier-journal.com; No. 7 Maty Mauk vs. Kentucky.