Missouri Suspends Starting QB Maty Mauk and OT Malik Cuellar
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
On Tuesday the University of Missouri released a statement announcing the suspension of two players for their Week 5 showdown against SEC East foe South Carolina. The press release did not give clarification of why the players were suspended but the repercussions for the Tigers could have an effect on the 2015 college football season.
The headline grabber in the suspension of junior quarterback Maty Mauk. Mauk has basically been the Tigers entire offensive production with starting running back Russell Hansbrough nursing nagging injuries. Mauk has 654 passing yards with six touchdowns against four picks. He is also second on the team in rushing yards with 145 on 36 carries producing another score.
The second player suspended was junior college transfer Malik Cuellar. Cuellar, listed at 6’5”, 300 pounds, played in Missouri’s opening game against Southeast Missouri State but has not taken the field since.
Per a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the suspensions are not related to a criminal or legal act. The length of the suspensions are unknown at this time.
Missouri enters the contest against the Gamecocks with the nation’s top tackler a game time decision to play. Linebacker Kentrell Brothers has 52 tackles on the year but left the Kentucky game with an injury. Other Missouri players not expected to play include offensive tackle Nate Crawford and tight end Sean Culkin. The defense could be without another heavy hitter in safety Ian Simon. Simon was also hurt in the Kentucky game coming out with a head injury.
Speculation is true freshman Drew Lock (Lee’s Summit, Missouri) will get the start in Mauk’s absence. Lock has appeared in all four of Missouri’s games this season completing 15-of-25 passes for 225 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Missouri (3-1) is set to host South Carolina (2-2) at Memorial Stadium with a 12:00 p.m. ET kickoff.
Photo credit: fansided.com; No. 7 Maty Mauk.