Twice-suspended Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk has been reinstated, the program announced Wednesday.
Mauk apparently benefitted from the slate-wiping process of changing over from Gary Pinkel to Barry Odom, as the new Mizzou head coach said he was willing to move forward with his star-crossed signal-caller.
“I believe in guys having opportunities and chances,” Odom told the Associated Press before the Braggin’ Rights basketball game between Missouri and Illinois, noting the pair had conducted some “long talks” over the past few days. Mauk was suspended for the always-vague “violation of program policies” in September, and then for even more vague unspecified reasons in November.
“I wanted to hear really what he wanted. Did he want to be here? Did he want to get his degree? Does he want to play football?” Odom said.
Mauk threw for six touchdowns and four interceptions on 5.9 yards per attempt in four appearances this season, and 25 touchdowns with 13 picks on 6.4 yards per throw in 2014. A senior, Mauk is 17-5 in 22 career starts.
The Tigers’ offense struggled mightily in Mauk’s absence, as freshman Drew Lock fired eight interceptions against four touchdowns while throwing for only 5.1 yards per attempt on 49 percent completions as Mizzou stumbled to a 5-7 finish.
