Maty Mauk can hurt defenses with his arm and legs as Florida found out last year. (Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)
When Maty Mauk made his first collegiate start as a redshirt freshman against Florida in place of an injured James Franklin, it was obvious that the former high school Parade All-American and two-time Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year was a playmaker.
On that day, the 6-0 200-pound Mauk passed for 295 yards and a touchdown — with a pick — and added another 28 yards and a score on the ground in leading the Tigers to a 36-17 victory over the Gators.
“He looked like a seasoned veteran out there,” Mizzou head coach Gary Pinkel said after the win.
“Going into that week I had the opportunity to talk to the other players, like the wide receivers, and I told them to go out there and pretend like nothing ever happened and to believe in me,” Mauk said Wednesday at SEC Media Days. “We went out there and the first play we went deep. Following that play we ran a corner route and scored. We scored in 42 seconds and after that drive I just felt my confidence level go up.”
After performing well against the Gators, Mauk made his second straight start against South Carolina and performed admirably (249 yards passing and a score against a sound Carolina defense), but Missouri couldn’t hold off the Gamecocks after it jumped out to a 17-0 lead and lost 27-24 in overtime for the only time in the regular season.
It was also the only time Mauk lost as the team’s starting quarterback as he led the team to wins over Tennessee and Kentucky and finished with a 3-1 record as a starter. Against the Wildcats, he matched the school-record by throwing for five touchdown passes in a 48-17 win.
Entering spring practice, head coach Gary Pinkel wasn’t ready to just hand over the starting QB job to Mauk, now a sophomore. But when practices concluded, it was it was obvious Mauk would be the heir apparent to Franklin. And the competition wasn’t even close.
Pinkel stated at SEC Media Days that his sophomore quarterback is the team’s leader on offense. And there’s no doubt that Mark’s dynamic ability as a runner and passer should be a unique fit into a Missouri offense that’s always exuded a lot of balance.
“I think he’s a natural leader. I knew that when he was in high school,” Pinkel said. “He’s a dual-threat guy. He can run; he’s got very good speed. And he puts a lot of pressure on the defense utilizing both of those things.
“His leadership is very non-threatening, too. First of all, he’s got a great work ethic. He’s a winner; players know it. He’s a remarkable competitor. They (his teammates) know it. They respect the way he leads because he leads in a very, very positive way.
We’re very fortunate to have a young player like him. That’s why he did so well last year when we threw him in there as a freshman. There’s a reason guys are like that. We’re very fortunate to have him.
“Certainly if you ask him, he’s got a lot of things to prove, too. He’s the guy now. But I guarantee there’s no one more excited about getting going and playing than that guy.”
Mauk completed 68 of 133 passes for 1,071 yards and 11 touchdowns with only two interceptions in his first year of collegiate action. He also had 229 yards and a score on the ground (5.6 yards per carry).
But this year Mauk’s the “man” in a Missouri offense that’s proven over the years that it can put up points in a hurry. And quite frankly, he could be a player that takes the league by storm in his first full season as a starter. He’s got that kind of ability and his coach knows that about him.
“He’s just got that “it” factor,” Pinkel said. “Obviously you have to block and give him time to throw the football, establish our running game; make plays. It’s not all Maty Mauk. But I think he’s a player that has great, great potential.”
Follow Matt on Twitter @MattLowe777 for college football stories and game predictions during the season.
