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Mizzou quarterback Maty Mauk will look to lead the Tigers to an upset over SEC East division foe South Carolina.
Last year, Mauk stepped in for an injured James Franklin against South Carolina, and the Gamecocks defeated the Tigers in overtime. Mizzou, however, went on to win the SEC East.
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On Saturday, Mauk will get a chance to redeem last year’s loss, but will need to lead a Mizzou offense that is coming off an upset loss against Indiana.
Here’s what you need to know about the quarterback.
1. He Was an Impressive Backup Last Season
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When then-starter James Franklin went down with a shoulder injury, Mauk made an instant impact for the Tigers. He played in 13 of 14 Mizzou games last season, and threw for 1,071 yards and rushed for an additional 229. He threw for 11 touchdowns while only throwing two interceptions and was named to the SEC All-Freshman team. In Missouri’s 48-17 win at Kentucky last year, Mauk matched the school record for TD passes in a game with his five scores.
His first high-pressure game came when Franklin was injured at Georgia, but Mauk came in and finished Mizzou’s 41-26 upset over the then-No. 3 Bulldogs (pictured)
2. Coach Gary Pinkel Called Him the Best Athlete to Come Out of Ohio, Ahead of Lebron James
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Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel (pictured) called Mauk, who is from Kenton, Ohio, the best athlete to come out of Ohio ahead of the Tigers’ game at Toledo earlier this season. The coach said that he was the second best athlete (he is from Toledo) and Lebron James is No. 3, with a laugh.
Pinkel calls LeBron James the 3rd-best athlete to come out of Ohio: "Maty Mauk is No. 1. People tell me Gary Pinkel is No. 2."
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) September 16, 2014
3. His Brother Was a Cincinnati Standout
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Mauk’s brother, Ben Mauk, was a standout at Cincinnati. After an injury-shortened career at Wake Forest, Mauk transferred to Cincinnati, and, in 2006, he led them to their first 10-win season since 1951, and virtually assured them a spot in the season-ending national rankings for the first time ever.
4. He was Arrested in 2012 after Scooter Mishap
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In 2012, during Mauk’s redshirt season, he was arrested on suspicion of four charges including leaving the scene of an accident after a scooter mishap. Campus police said Mauk made contact with two vehicles on his scooter with two female passengers onboard, then refused to pull over and ran a stop sign.
Mauk turned himself in hours later and was arrested on four misdemeanor charges, including leaving the scene/failure to report, operating a vehicle in a reckless manner and running a stop sign. He was transported to Boone County Jail where he posted $1,000 bond.
At the time, Missouri spokesman Chad Moller said the school was aware of the situation and was dealing with it internally.
5. He Was a High-School Standout
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Mauk went to Kenton High School, just down the road from where Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger attended high school. While there, he was a Parade All-American and two-time Gatorade Ohio Player of the Year. He also broke national records for passing yards (18,932), touchdown passes (219), pass completions (1,353) and total offense (22,681). Over four seasons at Kenton, he led his team to a 42-8 record.