Can Ben Mauk win the 2007 starting job?

[jkwuc89]

Ben won't report to UC until May. I know that Ben ran a similar spread passing attack at Kenton during his high school days. I suspect that Coach Kelly's scheme is a bit more complicated. So, can Ben learn enough about it in 3 months to earn the starting job? I would feel a bit more confident about Ben being the starter if he were able to participate in spring drills.

[shaunsimpson]

I think that Mauk will get the biggest oppertunity. He has some things going for him that the others do not.

- Ben will bring people to see the games. He was a Mr. Football Ohio and has big game experiance. His high school numbers were amazing and I think he will bring excitement more than a freshman from Pickerington or Stubenville - although, I am very excited to see them as well.
- From everything I hear he has the tools
- Coach Kelly's shceme may be more complicated, but Mauk is the closest to it right now.

The negatives:
- How has he recovered from the injury.
- Does he have time to pick up the offense?

I think that he will be the season opening starter. Something tells me that he was told he was the lead for the position or he wouldn't have came to Cincinnati.

[richard k.]

Listened to Kelly's interview, and he certainly is the most dynamic speaker we've had in a while. If Mauck at all plays back to his high school numbers we may actually see the football team appear in the top 25 before the basketball team. (I'm just sending this so I can see if I can actually post in the new format.)

[jkwuc89]

I don't know if Mauk was told that he would be "the man". I suspect that he was told that he will be given every opportunity to prove that he can be "the man". Regardless of how this plays out, I don't want a QB controversy going into the season opener. Decide on a starter and stick with it.

[colucat]

From a BCI interview with Ben it appears this kid has the right attitude. It would not suprise me if he starts from day one. If you have the opportunity the interview is well worth the read.

[jkwuc89]

Based on Coach Kelly's comments in this article (http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070402/SPT0201/704020341/1035/SPT), it sounds like he expects Ben Mauk to come in a seriously challenge for the starting QB job.

[jon b]

Everything I have heard about Mauk leads me to believe he has the inside track privately, but publicly Kelly is handling this well in my opinion. Besides, you cannot discount the two years of experience that Grutza has and this is closer to the offense he ran very effectively in high school. I think he is closer to being "there" than many, but I still think Mauk is likely to be the man.

[mlb]

Tim Adams said there might be a little animosity over the article in the paper the other day... they would like to see Mauk prove it on the field before he runs his mouth. I would too.

[jplog]

I haven't been this excited to pay my bill for UC football tickets in years. Better seats, new exciting coach and the promise of an aggressive new offensive style. I would say Kelly is praying that Mauk makes his decision easy as I don't see Grutza as the QB Kelly really needs.

[ThreeRiversKing]

What chance do the local QBs, Craig Carey and Tony Pike have at winning the job? Has anybody been to the practices and can give us a report? All we hear about is Mauk and Grutza.

[Bearcat Chris]

Since I can't predict any games yet, I will predict this.... that number 1 will be Mauk, 2-Carey, and 3-Grutza for next year.

Mauk would never have come here if he wasn't pretty well assured he'd get the number one spot.

Carey is the QB of the future.

[jkwuc89]

I hope this is true (from today's Cincy Enquirer article about Ben Mauk):

"People think I'm kidding," he said. "But people from my hometown, everybody has tickets. When we played in the North-South Ohio all-star game, we sold over 8,000 tickets from my high school. From here to my hometown is about two hours and 15 minutes. They'll all be here. They love football."

[shaunsimpson]

From a BCI interview - Ben Mauk said that a lot was left out of the interview by Wheeler and that is what made him look arrogant. He also gave his chance to recieve a 6th year at 90%.

[jon b]

I hope this is true (from today's Cincy Enquirer article about Ben Mauk):

"People think I'm kidding," he said. "But people from my hometown, everybody has tickets. When we played in the North-South Ohio all-star game, we sold over 8,000 tickets from my high school. From here to my hometown is about two hours and 15 minutes. They'll all be here. They love football."


He is not kidding. My wife grew up half way between Kenton and Upper Sandusky and we still return there often. We have to drive through Kenton and you do not want to have to do so on a Friday night when there is football. The whole town stops and gfoes to the game. Every sign says "Go Wildcats" and you cannot enter a restaurant that does not have newspaper clipping etc. hanging up about the football team. It makes Columbus look anti-OSU. They are that crazy!

Mauk was QB when they won the State championship in 01 and 02. If he is playing I would expect at least a few hundred to come to every home game. They are that football crazy there.

[Bruce Monnin]

I was at a high school playoff game a few years ago involving another team in Kenton's county.

After they won the game, the mothers of the players (and several young children with them) lined up in a gauntlet the other team had to pass through to get to their locker and taunted the losing team.

They are nuts up there.

[jplog]

Never more excited to renew my football tickets. Better seats, new coach, and a promise of a more aggressive offense. Can't wait!

[Thegreatone]

What about Tony Pike, it seems like this offense would suit his style well.

[nachoman91]

Since I can't predict any games yet, I will predict this.... that number 1 will be Mauk, 2-Carey, and 3-Grutza for next year.

Mauk would never have come here if he wasn't pretty well assured he'd get the number one spot.

Carey is the QB of the future.

Is this your head talking or your heart? Do you really think Carey is the QB of the future or is your purple Panther blood bias'ing your decision.

[gtjr921]

If mack is not the starter and Grutza is then Mauck is not very good. Grutza had to be one of the worst starting QB's on a winning team last year.

I think Mauk will be the starter and he will be the best QB at uc since Greg Cook. Yes I know what i am saying he will be that good. He only has 2 years but i 2 years he will do a lot!

[jkwuc89]

I think Grutza was a good QB for Coach Dantonio's more conservative bent on offense. However, I believe Mauk will prove to be a better fit for Coach Kelly's wide open attack. Regardless, whoever performs better in practice will get the nod as starter.

[bearcattom]

Based on his quotes, Ben certainly is confident.

[bearcatfan93]

i think he will win the starting job...but he only has 1 year of eligability so im thinking he could start for us this year and we red shirt chazz anderson and have him start next year

[jon b]

Don't you think he'll get the extra year of eligibility restored?

And to all the Grutza haters remember this is the offense HE ran in HS also. It might be a better fit for him. He does not have a strong arm, but is mobile and smart. This is a quick reaction thinking man's offense so while I expect Mauk to win the job, I would not sell Grutza short based on what you saw him do in Dantonio's offense. It is similar to Mauk at WFU being in a more conservative offense.

[bww]

I can not see any scenario barring injury, where he does not win the starting job.

[bearcatmark]

If mack is not the starter and Grutza is then Mauck is not very good. Grutza had to be one of the worst starting QB's on a winning team last year.

I think Mauk will be the starter and he will be the best QB at uc since Greg Cook. Yes I know what i am saying he will be that good. He only has 2 years but i 2 years he will do a lot!

Doesn't he only have one year?

Also I thought Gino and Kenner both had very good careers for UC. **** Gino even made Dantonio's offense look the second half of his senior year. that's saying a lot.

[cspeed]

I agree, Grutza couldn't count on his arm to win the game, he needed a running game to get him there. If he had a better arm and quicker decision making , he'd be man.

[Lobot]

I think Grutza was a good QB for Coach Dantonio's more conservative bent on offense. However, I believe Mauk will prove to be a better fit for Coach Kelly's wide open attack. Regardless, whoever performs better in practice will get the nod as starter.

My biggest concern about Mauk is that he's coming in saying some very cocky things. It's one thing to exude confidence and another to virtually insult your future teammates.

[Bruce Monnin]

Mauk is just being a natural Kenton boy. I'd worry if he wasn't sounding confident.

[jon b]

My biggest concern about Mauk is that he's coming in saying some very cocky things. It's one thing to exude confidence and another to virtually insult your future teammates.

I thought it was later said that some of his other quotes (not in the original article) were not quite as cocky/demeaning towards teammates and they are aware of all the quotes, not just the ones in the story.

I thought I read that somewhere. ???

[cspeed]

If Grutza's arm was better and he made quicker decisions, I think he would fit pefectly into BK offense. He just doesn't have the arm or quick decision making.

[Jose_Jalapeno_on_a_Stick]

I don't know if Mauk was told that he would be "the man". I suspect that he was told that he will be given every opportunity to prove that he can be "the man". Regardless of how this plays out, I don't want a QB controversy going into the season opener. Decide on a starter and stick with it.

I suspect Brian Kelly is much better at handling the QB position than his predecessor. I think whoever's starting will be clearly the best of the candidates, and will remain so barring unforseen circumstances.

[shaunsimpson]

So what is the depth chart going to look like?
From what I hear it is currently:
Grutza
Carrey
Pike

At the begining of the year I expect it to be:
Mauk
Carey
Grutza
Pike
Anderson (RS)
Collaros (RS)

Thoughts?

[Thegreatone]

I still think this offense is perfect for Pike, 6'6 and has a big time arm. He is a pocket passer. Why put Mauck for 1 season, this is a young and very exciting team. We have a great defense and I would like to put the offense in a guy like Pike.

[Bruce Monnin]

Did we ever get an answer on Mauk yet? I was hearing he would have two years of eligibility.