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The Missouri Tigers are in the midst of a three-game losing streak with their offense struggling to put points on the board. In an effort to provide a spark, the team announced that they have reinstated quarterback Maty Mauk after a four-week suspension for undisclosed reasons. But even the return of their former starting quarterback likely won’t be enough to get the Tigers back on track in 2015.
Mauk started the first four games of the season and led the Tigers to a 3-1 record. But his play was from the main reason for their success. The junior quarterback was completing just 51.8 percent of his passes, averaging 163.5 yards per game with six touchdowns and four interceptions. The Tigers averaged just 16.3 points per game against FBS opponents, including just nine points in a win over the Connecticut Huskies and 13 points in a loss to the Kentucky Wildcats.
The biggest issue with the Missouri offense before Mauk’s suspension, and continuing up until now, has been the lack of running game. Ish Witter has been the team’s leading rusher so far this year, but has run for just 384 yards, averaging just 3.84 yards per carry with a single touchdown. As a team, the Tigers have scored just two rushing touchdowns this season and are averaging an SEC-worst 100.5 yards on the ground.
Their continued inability to run the football poses a much more pressing offensive deficiency that likely isn’t going to be solved by the return of Maty Mauk under center. The change at quarterback will help put a more familiar face at the head of the huddle, to be sure, but it’s not going to solve Missouri’s offensive woes in 2015.
You can follow Tyler Brett on Twitter @ATylerBrett, on Facebook and on Google.
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