Ex-Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk transfers to Eastern Kentucky

Sep 5, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Maty Mauk (7) throws a pass during the first half against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Maty Mauk (7) throws a pass during the first half against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dismissed Missouri Tigers quarterback Maty Mauk is transferring to Eastern Kentucky in the hopes of resurrecting his once-promising career.

Maty Mauk looked like he was poised to be the next great Missouri quarterback when he took over for an injured James Franklin during a four-game stretch as a freshman in 2013.

Mauk threw for 295 yards, one touchdown and ran for a touchdown to lead the Tigers to a win over Florida in his first start. After a loss to South Carolina the next game, Mauk rebounded with three touchdown passes and 114 rushing yards to beat Tennessee and topped that with a five-touchdown performance (4 to Dorial Green-Beckham) to beat Kentucky.

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He got his chance to be the full-time starter in 2014 and led Missouri to a second straight SEC East division title and threw 25 touchdowns.

But it was all downhill for Mauk after that season as off-the-field problems derailed and ultimately ended his Missouri career.

Mauk lost his job after four games for a disciplinary reason and was suspended four games. Hours after he was reinstated to the team, Mauk was suspended for the rest of the season after getting into drunken bar confrontation.

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The final straw was when video surfaced of Mauk allegedly doing cocaine which prompted new head coach Barry Odom to dismiss him.

He’s hoping a change of scenery will get his football career and his life back on track. Mauk signed a grant-in-aid agreement to play for Eastern Kentucky this fall, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Eastern Kentucky gave a second chance to former Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Noah Spence last year after he was banned by the Big Ten for multiple failed drug tests. Spence was a second round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

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Mauk can help Eastern Kentucky, but he’ll need help from Eastern Kentucky too in order to help make sure his past mistakes don’t stop him from having a productive future.