Today at 12:00 p.m., No. 8 Missouri (8-1, 4-1 SEC) and Kentucky (2-6, 0-4 SEC) go head-to-head live from Commonwealth Stadium in Kentucky. The game can be live streamed for free here. Missouri fans can hear all the action on KMBZ-AM 980 while Kentucky fans can do the same by accessing WHAS 840.
Freshman quarterback Maty Mauk, who replaced the injured James Franklin (sprained shoulder), may be making his last start of the season as Franklin nears recovery, and he hopes to help Missouri maintain sole possession of the SEC lead.
Mauk has played in the last three games and is 46-for-93 (49.5%) for 749 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. Mauk threw three touchdowns and rushed for 114 yards in a thrashing of the Volunteers by 31-3 after being told by his coaches that he was on a tight leash. The win kept Missouri just ahead of South Carolina in the SEC East.
"I feel fortunate that Maty has done a good job," coach Gary Pinkel said per ESPN. "I think what has helped Maty without question is that up front we are playing really well. The offensive line that helps him, and having the receiving core intact allows him a greater shot of being successful."
Franklin was injured on an Oct. 12 game in a defeat at then-No.7 Georgia and was expected to miss three-to-five weeks with the shoulder sprain. The quarterback may rest for a few more weeks before coming back for the tougher stretch of the schedule later this month. For now, the team isn't looking past Kentucky, which hasn't beaten a major conference team this season and has lost its last 12 SEC games.
Despite Kentucky's struggles, Pinkel isn't taking the team lightly.
"With the SEC, there is so little drop off in the talent in this league. Every team is good. I think this also applies to Kentucky," he told ESPN. "They are a good football team, and we are going to work very hard to play our best football game Saturday."
The Wildcats ended a five game skid with a dominant 48-14 defeat over Alabama State. Jalen Whitlow threw for two touchdowns and rushed for 101 yards in the win.
On the season, he is 67-for-103 for 690 yards with five touchdowns and one interception and has rushed for 351 yards with five scores on 63 carries. Whitlow shares time under center with Maxwell Smith.
Missouri is hopeful that Mauk will stay steady for them while Kentucky is looking to win an SEC conference game for the first time after dropping 12 straight when these teams collide this afternoon.
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