Mauk request denied

For the second time in the past 2 1/2 months, the NCAA has rejected UC quarterback Ben Mauk's request for a sixth year of eligibility.

Mauk's original request was denied on Feb. 12 when the NCAA ruled that his redshirt year as a freshman at Wake Forest in 2003 precluded him being granted a sixth year in which to complete his four years of eligibility. Mauk, who had thought the year in question would be 2006, when an injury in the season opener ended his season, then submitted additional information regarding an injury that hampered his ability to play in 2003. The NCAA rejected Mauk's latest request, based this time on a lack of contemporaneous documentation from Wake Forest regarding that injury.

According to UC, Mauk will appeal the decision to the Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee, which consists of athletic directors, faculty representatives and conference commissioners. A 2/3 majority is required for that committtee to overturn the decision.

"This is just another step through the NCAA process and nothing out of the ordinary," UC coach Brian Kelly said in a release. "The Mauks will continue to work through it. The next step in the NCAA process will give Ben his first opportunity to speak directly with the Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee."

UC has already submitted the appeal.