Teammates welcome back Maty Mauk "with open arms"

Missouri has welcomed back suspended quarterback Maty Mauk “with open arms,” according to head coach Gary Pinkel.

“Maty’s back with the team (and was) welcomed with open arms,” Pinkel said during the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday. “At the end of the day, what I teach our kids (is) there’s no excuses for anything. We still have a responsibility to win games.”

Mauk was suspended indefinitely on Sept. 29 for an undisclosed violation of team rules. He has missed the past four games. Missouri has lost three of those contests.

He practiced with the Tigers on Tuesday.

The junior quarterback plans to speak to the team today, and apologize for the actions that earned him the suspension.

Pinkel: Mauk wants to speak to the team today and apologize. “That’s really great of him to do that. He’s excited to be back.”

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) October 28, 2015

Mauk threw for 654 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions in Missouri’s first four games.

Missouri (4-4, 1-4 in the SEC) is off this week. Its next game is Nov. 5, when it hosts Mississippi State in a Thursday night game. Pinkel has not said whether or not Mauk will play in that game.

Pinkel: Decision on who’ll start won’t be made until next week.

— Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) October 28, 2015