NCAA tells Mauk to move along

By Darrell Laurant  |   Thursday, February 14, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

College Football
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Ben Mauk's college football career is finally over.

On Thursday, the NCAA denied the University of Cincinnati quarterback's request for a sixth year of eligibility, ruling that "a redshirt year is considered within the control of the student/athlete and/or institution and does not constitute a missed participation opportunity."

Mauk spent four years at Wake Forest from 2003-07, sitting out 2003 as a redshirt and losing most of 2006 after suffering a season-ending injury against Syracuse. After graduating from Wake, he transferred to Cincinnati for the 2007-08 academic year and set a school record with 31 touchdown passes.

UC's position was that Mauk only played two years at Wake and a year at Cincinnati, thus leaving him potentially eligible for a fourth season. The NCAA's position was that Mauk had been given enough time to get those four years in.

"It's unfortunate," said Bearcats coach Brian Kelly, "but all things considered, he (Mauk) will handle this and continue his career in football whether it be playing or coaching. He will always be a member of the Bearcats."

Commentary: It would have been nice for Cincinnati to have had Mauk back -- after all, the Kenton, Ohio, native threw for 3,121 yards and finished 11th in the nation in passing efficiency with a rating of 150.64 in 2007 -- but it's not as if the quarterback cupboard is bare. Former starter Dustin Grutza, who lost his job to Mauk last season, will return for his senior year, backed up by 6-foot-6, 235-pound former Cincinnati prep star Tony Pike.
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