On Oct. 21, 1995, true freshman Corby Jones started at quarterback for Mizzou. On Saturday, nearly 20 years later, a first-year player could start under center again for the Tigers.
Junior quarterback Maty Mauk has been suspended for Saturday’s game against South Carolina, according to a statement from spokesperson Chad Moller. With the suspension, freshman quarterback Drew Lock is expected to start against the Gamecocks.
Mauk and offensive lineman Malik Cuellar, both juniors, were suspended by coach Gary Pinkel for “disciplinary reasons related to violation of team policies,” according to the statement. The future status of the two players will be evaluated after Saturday’s game.
MU Police Department Major Brian Weimer said there are no investigations that he is aware of underway involving Mauk at this time. The Columbia Police Department could not be reached for comment by print deadline.
Mauk struggled in the opening four games for Mizzou. He has thrown for 654 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions, and he has completed just over 50 percent of his passes. He was booed during Mizzou’s 9-6 home win over Connecticut.
Lock has already fared better than Jones did in his first season as a starter. In 1995, Jones threw four interceptions with zero touchdowns and completed less than 35 percent of his passes.
The freshman, who is the next quarterback behind Mauk on the depth chart, has played at least one series in each of Mizzou’s first four games. He has thrown for 225 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Lock, a Missouri native, is already a fan favorite among the Tiger faithful. He attended Lee’s Summit High School in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
“If he practices a high level, then what you like to do is get in some playing time,” Gary Pinkel told the [Kansas City Star in late August.](http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article33044973.html) “That’s going to be up to him and how hard (he) is working. He’s working very hard, but time will tell that.”
That time might be now.
