TicketsNov. 26, 2007
CINCINNATI -- Quarterback Ben Mauk (Kenton, OH) enjoyed a career-day, including four passing touchdowns and one rushing score to lead the University of Cincinnati to a 52-31 victory over Syracuse and earn his second BIG EAST Conference Player of the Week award.
After sustaining career-threatening injuries against the Orange in the 2006 season opener, Mauk's surgically repaired right arm threw for a career-high 431 yards and four touchdowns through the air on 29-of-42 passing. His total of 431 passing yards for Cincinnati, were the second-most ever recorded in a game. He also added a 13-yard scoring run to seal the win.
A graduate-transfer, Mauk has shined brightest over the seven-game BIG EAST schedule, tossing 18 touchdowns against four interceptions. He has completed 149-of-254 attempts for 58.7 percent accuracy. The Kenton, OH native averaged 287.1 yards through the air for a total of 2,010 passing yards in BIG EAST play. Mauk also paced the Bearcats rushing attack with 292 yards (41.7 yards per game) and three scores in league competition.
The signal caller finishes the regular season with a UC record 27 touchdown passes. Mauk's touchdown to interception margin of +21 (27 touchdowns to 6 interceptions) is currently tops in school history. He currently ranks in the top 10 in school history with 334 pass attempts (8th), 205 completions (7th), 2,787 passing yards (4th).
Mauk keyed a Bearcats offense that set single-season program highs for points (441), touchdowns (59), and passing scores (32).
With Mauk and Dustin Grutza already named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week, Cincinnati is the first team to have two different quarterbacks win the award since the 2001 season. Mauk and the No. 20/24 Bearcats own three wins over Top 25 foes this season and are awaiting an invitation to its postseason destiny and a bowl game.
-- GoBEARCATS.com--