The Missouri Tigers have scored 12 points in their last three games, all losses to Florida, Georgia and Vanderbilt. Help is now on the way, with quarterback Maty Mauk being reinstated by the program.
Mauk was suspended by Missouri in early October prior to the game against Florida. The reasons for the indefinite suspension have never been confirmed by head coach Gary Pinkel. The only explanation to date has been Mauk violated team rules. The St. Louis Dispatch reports Mauk has already rejoined his teammates during Missouri’s bye week, although it has not been confirmed if he will play against Mississippi State on Thursday, November 5.
Freshman Drew Lock filled in for Mauk the past three games, with no touchdowns to show for it and a completion percentage below 42 percent. Mauk has not had a good year either, completing just 51.8 percent of his pass attempts with six touchdowns to four interceptions. Still, having the experienced junior may help reverse the offensive trends in time to save the season on some degree.
Missouri is currently 4-4, two wins shy of becoming bowl-eligible. Missouri still has games to play against BYU (in Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium), Tennessee and at Arkansas after facing Mississippi State next week. With little margin for error to get two more wins, having Mauk back in charge of the offense as quickly as possible will give the Tigers a chance to get back to the postseason for the 11th time under Pinkel. The two-time defending SEC East champs are not heading back to Atlanta this season for the SEC Championship Game, but the postseason is still in sight for Missouri.